Sunday, 20 December 2015

Franchise Reviews: The Empire Strikes Back

This is one of those sequels that is a significant improvement over the previous instalment, and is not just my favourite film in the franchise but also one of my favourite films of all time.

Taking place some time after the previous film (three years, according to Wookiepedia), the Rebel Alliance is on the run, being relentlessly pursued by the Empire. Their new headquarters on the ice world of Hoth has been overrun, and Luke Skywalker has been separated from his friends, travelling to a swamp planet with R2D2 with the intention of learning the ways of the Force from a Muppet called Yoda. Meanwhile, Han, Chewie, Leia, and C3P0 are attempting to escape the Imperial fleet while searching for a safe haven.

I think this film works because of the low point the heroes are in. After a spectacular land battle in which the Rebels are routed, you want to follow them as they try to escape. Wherever they go, Darth Vader is always behind them, never letting up. Even an old friend of Han's betrays them to the Empire. Meanwhile, Luke's training with Yoda explores the fantastical aspects of the world, and his impulse to save his friends could put him on the beginning of a dark path.

And that's all I really have to say. There's not that much I can really fault.

Well, that was short and sweet.

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