Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back shook the world when it was released May 21, 1980, and revealed the bombshell that Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father. The story centers on the Galactic Empire trying to find Luke and his alliance to stop them before they can bring order to the universe.
The movie introduces the slippery, and smoothe acquaintance of Han Solo in Billy Dee William’s Lando Calrissian. This is also the first time audiences are treated to the wisdom of Yoda.
The Good
The Empire Strikes Back introduces audiences to the beloved character Yoda. Once a wise Jedi Knight, Yoda now lives in self-exposed exile. It’s noticeable by how crazy he is when Luke meets him. Over time he softens and it leads to a great scene between Yoda and the Force Ghost Ben Kenobi.
The tone is different from the previous movie and it feels more professional. The writing and direction are less cringe-inducing and there’s a greater sense of foreboding. Under the direction of Irvin Kershner, he takes Star Wars to new heights.
The revelation of Luke’s parentage changes the nature of Star Wars forever. When Luke screams “he told me you killed him” then Darth Vader replies with “No. I am your father.” Cue gasps. Anakin Skywalker is Darth Vader? For those watching at the time of release, it’s a huge twist that shifts the dynamic between our hero and our villain.
It leaves audiences gripped with its dour cliffhanger. What will Luke do now he knows who his father is? Can Han Solo be saved? Who is Emperor Palpatine? There are so many unanswered questions drawing everyone back for the next installment.
The Bad
Leia kissing Luke. Maybe at the time, it didn’t seem weird, but knowing they are brother and sister and George Lucas decided to put that in is a strange choice. It further shows the lack of planning he did during production.
Even though there are new worlds in Empire Strikes Back, the world-building doesn’t feel as important as in the previous movie. Other worlds are shown but there isn’t much exploration into it or how the Empire’s hold affects those planets.
