Anchor of the saga

Rating: Null/10 (26 February 2002)

A movie viewer is treated to the full emotional spectrum with this masterpiece. Much more so than the other movies, it has an incredible cliff-hanger appeal. Lucas, in the Malten interviews, explained the nature of the "middle film" in a trilogy. This movie serves to take the protagonists and throw them into the most desperate situation imagineable. For this reason, this is the darkest movie (as of yet--look for Episode III to be the "Empire" of the entire saga).
What really grabs me about this movie is the music. Even more than A New Hope, John Williams used the character themes to their greatest effect. This film introduces one of the most infamous and beloved themes in all of film (or, dare I say it? popular music): Vader's Theme. From the tense prelude to those first three notes--BOM BOM BOM--the emotional impact is through the roof. The introduction of this theme is fitting, as Vader is finally realized in this film.
We also get a very boy-friendly dose of a love story in this movie. In fact, the relationship between Han and Leia is one of the most interesting in all of film. It's piratical swashbuckler meets strong willed, capable princess. Han solo is developed into the most loveably arrogant character possible. Near the end of the movie, Leia tells him, "I love you." Han's response and the circumstances surrounding this exchange define all that sets Star Wars apart from the rest of the pack.
I adore Star Wars. So far, this is the movie that gives the series it's push. This is when we learn how much we really want our heroes to triumph and what they are up against. Essentially, Empire is what ties the films together, masterfully elevating the series to the status of epic.