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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
The second and darkest instalment in the Star Wars saga. Luke learns about the force from Yoda, Leia and Han get it on and Darth Vader reveals a shattering secret
The first sequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope opens with battle-worn hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his Rebel Alliance buddies hiding out on the fantastical snowbound planet Hoth. Skywalker's education in the ways of the Force continues via Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness) and a new ally, the somewhat vertically-challenged Yoda. While Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones but, as before, in Dave Prowse's body) still lurks as the ultimate force Luke has to reckon with, lots of other baddies (step forward Bobba Fett) are waiting. The rather laboured plot is bolstered by amazing special effects, plenty of wisecracks and a burgeoning love affair between Han and Leia (once she's ditched the headphone hairdo, obviously). Too much time is spent setting up the plot for the next instalment, but even so the film still looks good 20 years later - and it wipes the floor with The Phantom Menace. Verdict A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga. |
