Empire Strikes For the First Time

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2005)

Okay, it was good, and if your a Star Wars devotee, there are parts that are great. Some of the acting was no better than before, like Natalie Portman, some was really well done to the point of admiration, like Ian McDarmid and Ewan McGregor, and some acting was sort of in between, ie Hayden Christensen, whose acting ability increases with the evilness of his character. Yoda is the best actor here, and his performance makes you understand or appreciate his appearance in the original trilogy better. The special effects are without equal. There are enough references and in-jokes for fans to warrant the price of a ticket. If you have kids who are easily scared, then wait for the DVD so you can skip over parts, but if your kids are into gross stuff and explosions and well choreographed violence, then they may enjoy it without harm. Overall, I'd say that if you've seen all of the other Star Wars movies, then you must see it. Personally, I've been waiting 25 years or so for a scene near hot lava, and I wasn't disappointed.