Bigger, Better and Darker Star Wars

Rating: Null/10 (7 February 2013)

After the huge success of the first "Star Wars" a sequel was inevitable and this time George Lucas stepped down and sat mostly in the producers seat and co wrote part of the script while he handed the directors reigns to his former USC professor Irvin Kershner. Unlike Lucas who was a special effects visionary, Kershner instead focuses on story and characters, most notably the human face.
The story takes place most likely a few years after the first film. With the Death Star destroyed Luke and the Rebel Aliance is forced to go on the run and into hiding on a remote ice planet Hoth. Meanwhile Darth Vader does everything in his power to find Luke and bring him to his Emperor in order to train him to become the next Sith apprentice. Afterwords many things happen: Romance is formed in the middle of battle, Shocking revelations are discovered that change everything and new things are discovered about "The Force" that are almost zen like by a new character named Yoda (performed and voiced by the great Frank Oz).
Everything about this movie is phenomenal. The story takes a darker and more personal turn leading to better character development. The action scenes are amazing, epic and well shot and the dialog is so memorable that its embedded into our pop culture. Anybody who knows "No...I am your father." or "I know" should know what I'm talking about.(Give some credit to George Lucas,the late Leigh Brackett(who also co-wrote the original "The Big Sleep") and Lawrence Kasdan for delivering a great script.) As for acting its just excellent. James Earl Jones and David Prowse give their most menacing combination performance that reminds us why Darth Vader is one the most memorable villains in cinema history. Mark Hamil's Luke is angsty but a little more mature from the last movie. Carie Fisher and Harison Ford share great chemistry. Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker are great comedic relief as always giving some levity to even the most darkest of times. Frank Oz does a wonderful job as Yoda who becomes Luke's new mentor in "The Force". Alec Guinness returns as Obi Wan Kenobi who guides Luke to Yoda in spirit form. Billy Dee Williams stars as a new character Lando Calrissian. Elaine Baker's face and Clive Revill's voice give us a very chilling first time view of the Emperor and lets not forget the one scene wonder bounty hunter Boba Fett played by Jeremy Bullochband voiced by Jason Wingreen. (Combination performances seem to happen a lot in "Star Wars" Hmmm)
One last thing I should mention is the amazing score by John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra which gives us one of the more memorable and chilling music pieces for Darth Vader the "Imperial March".
"The Empire Strikes Back" stands as one of the best sequels and one of the best movies of all time. See it and share it with everyone.