Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

All Critics (71) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (70) | 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.

August 13, 2008 Full Review

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

The 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.

March 4, 2008 Full Review | Comment (1)

James Harwood

Variety

Top Critic

Irvin Kershner directed the actors this time around, and without the benefit of Lucas's personal affection they seem stiffer, more clenched.

May 30, 2007 Full Review | Comments (82)

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

An extended ricochet from one incendiary set-piece battle to another which still finds time to attend to plot, pace and character.

January 26, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

The 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.

January 22, 2002 Full Review

Judith Martin

Washington Post

Top Critic

In the glory days of science fiction, critics wrote about the 'sense of wonder.' That's what The Empire Strikes Back creates in us

January 1, 2000 Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Top Critic

The best of the original series, but the most intense, too.

December 15, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Continues to set the standards for sequels to this day...

May 22, 2010 Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

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.

January 7, 2010 | Comment (1)

Pablo Villaca

Cinema em Cena

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.

July 13, 2008 Full Review | Comments (8)

Steve Biodrowski

Cinefantastique

A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga.

March 4, 2008 Full Review

Film4

Each section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'

July 30, 2007 Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

Lucas and his cronies have done absolutely nothing to port this thing over for home theater other than to simply dump it on DVD.

September 12, 2006 Full Review | Comments (6)

Joshua Tyler

CinemaBlend.com

The most imaginative and emotionally connectable "Star Wars" film and, with the exception of "Revenge of the Sith," also the darkest.

June 23, 2006 Full Review

Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

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.

May 26, 2006 Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

The best of the films.

September 30, 2005 Full Review

Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

Sci-fi cinema at its best.

September 17, 2005 Full Review | Comment (1)

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Everything you loved about A New Hope and more.

July 5, 2005 Full Review

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

The backbone of the Star Wars saga… takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.

May 16, 2005 Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

...this is as close to Cloud Nine as we're going to get for a while. [Star Wars Trilogy DVD set]

September 9, 2004 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...the deepest, darkest, most mature, and most thoughtful entry in the series.

September 9, 2004 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

• 1. Yoda: Do or do not. There is no try.
  – Submitted by Michael B (23 days ago)
• 1. Yoda: I am wondering, why are you here?
  2. Luke Skywalker: I'm looking for someone.
  3. Yoda: Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say, hmmm?
  4. Luke Skywalker: Right...
  5. Yoda: Help you I can. Yes, mmmm.
  6. Luke Skywalker: I don't think so. I'm looking for a great warrior.
  7. Yoda: Ohhh. Great warrior... Wars not make one great.
  – Submitted by Typhon Q (4 months ago)
• 1. Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi: Luke, don't give in to hate! That leads to the Dark Side!
  2. Yoda: Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.
  3. Luke Skywalker: I will, and I'll return. I promise.
  – Submitted by Cody H (4 months ago)
• 1. Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
  2. Han Solo: I'm nice men.
  – Submitted by Ursula N (6 months ago)
• 1. Darth Vader: Thee will be a substantial reward for the one that finds he Millennium Falcon. You are free to use any methods necessary but I want them alive. No disintegrations.
  2. Boba Fett: As you wish.
  – Submitted by Magnus G (7 months ago)
• 1. Luke Skywalker: What's in there?
  2. Yoda: Only what you take with you. [Luke grabs his belt with lightsaber and blaster] Your weapons.. you will not need them.
  – Submitted by Magnus G (7 months ago)