Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

PG

Released May 21, 1980

2h 4m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).

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Critics Consensus

Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.

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Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

That story counts for less than gimmicks, and characters less than both, might be judged from the lack of resonance in the one narrative revelation, concerning Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.

Dec 16, 2019

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The Empire Strikes Back Displays the same soaring imagination that made Star Wars a filmmaking classic; most other space movies seem clunky and earthbound in comparison.

Jul 17, 2019

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Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

This is a respectable sequel to Star Wars but not as good.

Apr 27, 2018

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Abigail Stevens

Screen Rant

The Empire Strikes Back is the dark follow-up that surpassed the original Star Wars with higher stakes, spectacular visuals, and stronger arcs.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 11, 2024

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Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

The second half is where the middle chapter of the original trilogy gets good.

May 31, 2024

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Christian Eulinberg

InSession Film

This is one of the best climaxes that movies can offer and receives all of the respect it deserves.

Sep 26, 2023

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Khris

watching it in a theater proves that a movie thats 40 years old is still better than the sequel trilogy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/22

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Suzan L

Nice to be back at the movies with safety measures in place. Classic films being shown, so I got to see Empire Strikes Back in the theatre for the first in years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/21

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Darío C

It complimets the 4th episode so well. Although it is 40 years old, its visual effects are so good you don't really notice it's from 1981. Such an iconic movie with such characters... One of the best soundtracks in cinema history...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

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Wendel L

Direção: Bom Atuação: Ok Roteiro: Bom Caracterização: Bom Soundtrack: Bom

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

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Garrett B

Very good sequal. Awesome action scenes and visual effects

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

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Kareem E

Through watching "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," it is clear on why it has achieved such good rating, ranging from performances of actors to the emotional depth explored through the story. Whether its the story of deep tragedy to the phenomenal acting seen in the film, Star Wars TESB would easily rank up on the high chart due to its high stakes action paired with its unforgettable plot twists and extremely dark and dramatic story. MUST WATCH!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

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Irvin Kershner

Director

Mark Hamill

Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford

Han Solo

Carrie Fisher

Princess Leia

Billy Dee Williams

Lando Calrissian

Anthony Daniels

C-3PO

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Trailer 2

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Teaser Trailer 1

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).

Director: Irvin Kershner
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter: George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Leigh Brackett
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Sci-Fi Action Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 1980, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 1982
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $291.9M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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