Andy's Archive: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Credit: 20th Century Fox

The Star Wars saga continued on the big screen in 1980 with a considerably darker shift in tone. It opens on an ice planet called Hoth, where the Rebellion has relocated their secret base, and its cold setting is symbolic of the harsh tone throughout The Empire Strikes Back. The music is also darker, as a new musical theme called "The Imperial March" is introduced. Even aboard the Imperial ships, and later in Cloud City, there are shadowy catwalks and many sets feature a cold, metallic appearance.

The beginning features a battle with speedy jet fighters against Imperial troops in these large, bulky vehicles that are perched atop large legs and it made me curious how Darth Vader's army can transport stuff like that so quickly. Aside from that, this movie opens the same way the last ended, with Luke Skywalker leading the charge of the Rebellion's fleet, while Han is actually leaving for good. Once that battle ends, its the last we'll see of the Rebellion in this movie. Luke travels across the galaxy to begin his Jedi training at the urging of the spirit of Obi Wan, and Han is once again aboard his Millennium Falcon with his rag tag crew of C3P0 and his loyal companion, Chewbacca. Except he's not finished with the Rebels, since he brings Leia along for the ride when Vader's troops were attacking the base. 

Darth Vader is still his villainous self as he chokes people with the Force and uses everything within his power to capture Luke Skywalker. However, now we actually see the true evil behind the Imperial army, the ugly Emperor, who appears live via satellite to give Vader his instructions. The Emperor believes Luke is the son of powerful Jedi named Anakin, which at first seemed to me like a bit of a stretch, just to get to the film's ending revelation. Yet after giving it more thought, it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. If Obi Wan was able to sense that Alderaan had been destroyed by the Death Star, then Jedi Knights should be able to sense another Jedi's presence; like mystical "Spidey sense." It even explains why Obi Wan allowed himself to die and become one with the Force, since he's too old but Luke is "a new hope." It's as if I have a cartoonish light bulb over my head; though to be fair, I haven't seen this in ages and I must not have picked up on the subtleties as a child. Once Luke begins his training and becomes a stronger Jedi, he'll be able to sense the Force in his sister. "There is another."

Perhaps to lighten the mood, a new character is introduced here in the form of Luke's new Jedi mentor, Yoda. He's a wrinkly, old Muppet who lives in a swamp and speaks in riddles. Luke needs to learn patience and self-control so he won't succumb to the "dark side" of the Force, like his father before him. We also get a taste of just how powerful these Jedi Knights can be, as not only do they have the ability to levitate objects, they also have pre-cognitive abilities, such as when Luke senses his friends are in danger.

Just like Star Wars was an influence on an entire generation of science fiction films, The Empire Strikes Back's influence is felt today as well. Recent literature and movies have followed the lead of this film as they create their second chapter to be the emotional center and end on a cliffhanger, which leads to the final chapter in their saga. The Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games are guilty of this. Another way this film has been an influence is actually through what seemed like a throwaway line, when Leia calls Han a "scruffy-looking Nerf herder." The band that would later create the theme for Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series was called Nerf Herder. I wonder if it even inspired the company Nerf, which created all the cool foam weapons for kids.