Rating of
4/4
Classic, fun sci-fi thrills.
memento_mori - wrote on 08/21/13
Okay, where to begin about Star Wars?
Star Wars was a revolutionary contribution to the medium of film for its time, exceeded all expectations then, and still exceeds them today.
And honestly, it's hard for me not to like it. It has just about everything I want to see in a fun sci-fi movie, and I understand why it is so beloved.
The director Irvin Kershner was chosen to direct The Empire Strikes Back, an odd, yet extremely effective decision by George Lucas. That was back then when he was actually making good decisions and not altering every little iconic moment in the movies that he could.
This is one of those films that is perfectly cast. I love every single line of dialogue, especially the scenes between Yoda and Luke and Han and Leia. They are the most quotable.
'Why you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy looking nerve hurter!'
'Do or do not. There is not try.'
'I love you!' 'I know.'
This movie has another quality I find just brilliant:
Obviously the highest peak of this film is the 'I am your father' scene. But the way Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett wrote it, made the rest of the film just as enjoyable. There are so many memorable scenes that were shot so well, that I was always interested and entertained. Obviously the fight between Luke and Vader is the best part (at least for me), but this movie is pretty much the only movie I can define as a constant thrill ride. There are so many 'Yes!' moments that don't let the finale overshadow the first half of the film. Like the furry wampa capturing Luke, the scenes on Dagobah between Luke and Yoda, the scenes on the Millennium Falcon, the growing relationship between Han and Leia. All perfectly developed and perfectly executed by a great cast, screenwriter and director.
There are of course things I find are cop outs in the story, like them getting out every time in the nick of time, or people communicating telepathically. But there's just too much to love to complain.
Completed with supreme expertise, great acting chemistry, fantastic visual effects for their time, excellently written dialogue and story and glossed triumphantly with an iconic John Williams score, this film achieves to have me on the edge of my seat every time, even if I've seen it twenty times. I love Star Wars. There may have been gripes over the years about the silliness and unreality of their situation, but this film in particular makes me nostalgic and happy, and isn't that what every film should do?
