Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Average Rating: 8.7/10
Reviews Counted: 75
Fresh: 72 | Rotten: 3
Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.
Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 18
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 2
Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.
liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 1,032,004
Movie Info
The second entry in George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the green-as-grass hero from the first film, now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire, as represented by the brooding Darth Vader (body of David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones). And, of course, "The Force," personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor
Cast
-
Mark Hamill
Luke Skywalker -
Harrison Ford
Han Solo -
Carrie Fisher
Princess Leia -
David Prowse
Darth Vader -
James Earl Jones
Darth Vader -
Billy Dee Williams
Lando Calrissian -
Anthony Daniels
C-3PO -
Peter Mayhew
Chewbacca -
Frank Oz
Yoda -
Alec Guinness
Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi -
Kenny Baker
R2-D2 -
Jeremy Bulloch
Boba Fett -
John Hollis
Lobot Lando's Aide -
Jack Purvis
Chief Ugnaught -
Des Webb
Wampa Snow Creature -
Kathryn Mullen
Performing Asst. for... -
Clive Revill
The Emperor -
Kenneth Colley
Admiral Piett -
Julian Glover
Gen. Veers -
Michael Sheard
Admiral Ozzel -
Michael Culver
Capt. Needa -
John Dicks
Other Imperial Offic... -
Milton Johns
Other Imperial Offic... -
Mark Jones
Other Imperial Offic... -
Oliver Maguire
Other Imperial Offic... -
Bruce Boa
Gen. Rieekan -
-
Denis Lawson
Wedge (Rogue 3) -
Richard Oldfield
Hobbie Rogue 4 -
John Morton
Dak Luke's Gunner -
Ian Liston
Janson Wedge's Gunne... -
John Ratzenberger
Maj. Derlin -
Jack McKenzie
Deck Lieutenant -
Jerry Harte
Head Controller -
Norman Chancer
Other Rebel Officer -
Norwich Duff
Other Rebel Officer -
Ray Hassett
Other Rebel Officer -
Brigitte Kahn
Other Rebel Officer -
Burnell Tucker
Revel Officer -
-
Ralph McQuarrie
General McQuarrie
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All Critics (75) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (72) | Rotten (3) | DVD (15)
In many ways the new film is a better film than Star Wars, visually more exciting, more artful and meticulous in detail.
Top CriticThe Empire Strikes Back is a worthy sequel to Star Wars, equal in both technical mastery and characterization, suffering only from the familiarity with the effects generated in the original and imitated too much by others.
Irvin Kershner directed the actors this time around, and without the benefit of Lucas's personal affection they seem stiffer, more clenched.
An extended ricochet from one incendiary set-piece battle to another which still finds time to attend to plot, pace and character.
Top CriticThe total effect is fast and attractive and occasionally amusing. Like a good hot dog, that's something of an achievement in a field where unpalatable junk is the rule.
In the glory days of science fiction, critics wrote about the 'sense of wonder.' That's what The Empire Strikes Back creates in us
See it and prepare to be captivated by the most spellbinding sci-fi film of them all.
Director Irvin Kershner's imaginative supervision of George Lucas's brainchild gives this second part of the first Star Wars trilogy a truly epic dimension, adding a mature, philosophical aspect to the nonstop barrage of brilliant special effects.
It's darker than the original, and perhaps less well structured, but it combines gorgeous visuals and surprisingly deep human emotions.
It's not up to the original.
The best of the original series, but the most intense, too.
Continues to set the standards for sequels to this day...
O melhor de toda a série, este episódio abraça o potencial sombrio do universo concebido por Lucas e consegue equilibrar com eficiência os aspectos infantis da narrativa com os momentos de maior densidade.
Despite ... an unresolved storyline that paves the way for its dismal sequel, Empire remains in many ways the best (indeed the last good) Star Wars film.
A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga.
Each section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'
The most imaginative and emotionally connectable "Star Wars" film and, with the exception of "Revenge of the Sith," also the darkest.
The second act is very strong, cutting back and forth between Luke training with Yoda and Han, Leia, Chewie and C-3P0 fighting the Empire. And it's paced leisurely enough that you get to know the characters a little bit.
The best of the films.
Sci-fi cinema at its best.
Everything you loved about A New Hope and more.
The backbone of the Star Wars saga… takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.
Audience Reviews for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
Movies Like Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
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- Yoda: Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!
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- Han Solo: Laugh it up, fuzz ball.
-
- Luke Skywalker: I don't believe it.
- Yoda: That is why you fail.
-
- Yoda: Do or do not. There is no try.
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- Yoda: I am wondering, why are you here?
- Luke Skywalker: I'm looking for someone.
- Yoda: Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say, hmmm?
- Luke Skywalker: Right...
- Yoda: Help you I can. Yes, mmmm.
- Luke Skywalker: I don't think so. I'm looking for a great warrior.
- Yoda: Ohhh. Great warrior... Wars not make one great.
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- Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi: Luke, don't give in to hate! That leads to the Dark Side!
- Yoda: Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.
- Luke Skywalker: I will, and I'll return. I promise.
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomers have found gaping holes in the universe, but they should of started the search with The Empire Strikes Back | 4 months ago | 33 |
| My review | 2 months ago | 4 |
| Star Wars and Shakespeare | 46 days ago | 1 |
| Not everyone thinks this is the best of the saga | 26 days ago | 0 |
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Foreign Titles
- El imperio contraataca (ES)
