#63: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Phil Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew and Frank Oz. Script by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, from a story by George Lucas. Produced by Gary Kurtz, music by John Williams directed by Irvin Kershner. Running time 124 minutes. 

Of the three original Star Wars films this one is the least mucked about with by Lucas in his 'Special Edition' phase, and beyond the odd added window in the cloud city, the occassional establishing shots, oh and the Bantha in his cave it's pretty much how Kershner made it and it's all the better because of it. Kershner does a damn good job in the director seat and brings a great sense of energy to this outing. First released in 1980 to mixed reviews it's gone on to grow in stature. 

The story, as if you need telling sees teenager emo Luke Skywalker run away to join a cult run by a creepy, smelly, old hermit on a swamp planet, while deadbeat people trafficker and drug runner  Han Solo tries to get it on with an entitled spoilt princess by conveniently stalling his space ship in an asteroid so he can make out with her. Meanwhile, Luke's dad, a single parent working three jobs just to make ends meet tries to build bridges with his wayward son on the most awkward 'bring your child to work' day in history!

The standout character is Yoda, a brilliant piece of Frank Oz puppetry that never looks out of place, you accept him almost instantly and the amount of emotion that Frank puts into his performance is outstanding and proves once and for all that practical is best! Seriously, Oz was his generations "There but the grace of God go I." Andy Serkis. 

The world building in this outing is as strong as Star Wars with new characters and locations introduced with flair, confidence and skill.

Of the three, this is my favourite in terms of story, it's fast relentless and doesn't let up for a minute, you can see the special effects getting better and this one blends stop-motion with matte paintings, models and ILM magic perfectly. The performances are good to, with each actor seeming to be far more comfortable in their roles. And once again the film follows a cake trail of plot points in a way that feels organic and not forced. 

When this first came out I hated the cliffhanger aspect, I was young and wanted a conclusion. However it's wonderfulness soon dawned on me and of the three it's the one I've seen the most. Star Wars beats it hands down in the originality stakes, but this is by far the most satisfying Star Wars outing. 

10/10