What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there are two versions of this
Lucasfilm classic, the original 1980 release (on VHS and
Laserdisc) and a later one (extant on DVD) to which George
Lucas added enhanced special effects. Both hold up equally in
terms of quality. This movie was originally a middle chapter in
the
Star Wars saga, ending with a narrative jolt and an
unresolved cliffhanger that tantalized and frustrated fans, but
since then George Lucas shot three prequels; viewing them in
the new order spoils some of the surprises that threw 1980
viewers. There is abundant fantasy violence including
light-saber fights (with arms cut off a recurring theme),
dismemberment and near-incineration of the robot C3PO, and the
freezing of Han Solo.
Families can talk about the characters' choices and motivations, and the idea of "the Force" as a mystic self-actualization philosophy. Parents can tell their children that since 1980 audiences did not have the benefit of the three later prequels, all these plot twists (Master Yoda's identity, the revelation of Luke Skywalker's parentage) were breathtaking surprises. The much-imitated and parodied secret of Luke's relationship to Darth Vader can lead to discussion about feared, estranged fathers in real life (though this is a sensitive topic, naturally). Do you think it's an omission that nobody makes much fuss over how this news about Vader might affect Princess Leia too?
Common Sense Media Review
By many opinions, this is the very best in the
Star Wars series. EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the first
sequel made (unless you count a goofy 1978 Christmas TV special
officially disowned by LucasFilm).
Empire awed viewers of all ages by not only living up to
but in some ways surpassing the trend-setting 1977
original.
George Lucas did not direct, but handed the reins to a time-proven but relatively unsung director named Irvin Kershner, who delivered a space spectacle that is true to the Joseph Campbell mythology and fairy-tale wonder of the first Star Wars Episode IV . But Empire stands apart from the rest in terms of mature, straight-ahead storytelling. It's significant as the only Star Wars feature (the holiday special included) that doesn't have a big "Cantina" scene in which the filmmakers overindulge in cramming the frame with all the wacky aliens they can. No, the straight-ahead focus is on the pursuit of Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill) and the other rebel heroes by the cyborg villain Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones, though a British bodybuilder named David Prowse is filling the menacing black suit).
Right at the start there's an outburst of violence, as Luke is mauled by a Yeti-like monster on the ice planet where the rebels are hiding. This was an addition to the story to explain actor Hamill's scarred face after an auto accident, but it's woven well into the saga. Luke, looking to sharpen his powers of the Force, seeks out a long-lost master named Yoda for some serious training in the Eastern-religion style mysticism required to be a fabled Jedi knight. Note that Yoda (making his debut) was not a CGI image as in the later prequels, but is a Muppet brought to life via Jim Henson's wizardry.
