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Reviews Counted:66
Fresh:64
Rotten:2
Average Rating:8.5/10
Consensus: This is argubaly the most powerful, compelling, and entertaining of the series.
Theatrical Release:May 21, 1980 Wide
Synopsis: Considered the most morally and emotionally complex of the original Star Wars trilogy, THE EMPIRE STRIKE BACK continues creator George Lucas's epic saga where STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE left off. The... [More]
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Director: Irvin Kershner
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 sequel that rose above the high standards set by its glorious predecessor.
A dramatic illustration of the continued technical brilliance and leadership of the Lucas production team.
Top CriticGenuinely powerful!
A superior motion picture!
Top CriticDespite ... 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.
It is still one of the better sequels Hollywood has ever produced!
The Empire Strikes Back is a total delight.
I found myself glancing at my watch almost as often as I did when I was sitting through a truly terrible movie called The Island.
Top CriticBy far the best part of the trilogy, Empire is a classic that completely transcends its genre, with a reputation that can only grow and grow.
Sci-fi cinema at its best.
It is a visual extravaganza from beginning to end, one of the most visionary and inventive of all films.
Top CriticStoke in the popcorn and feel the Force.
Colorful, exciting, witty and adventuresome!
Each section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'
It was incredible to see what is arguably the best of the Star Wars films, on the big screen again.
The backbone of the Star Wars saga… takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.
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.
Top Critic
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