Pandora’s Box: A Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Reflection

(7/3/2023 Update: Just a heads up, I wrote this during a time when my writing began to sputter and it kind of shows… Read it if you gotta, but feel free to give it a pass until I’ve given it a fine-tuning).

WARNING: THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS STAR WARS AND PERSONAL OPINIONS REGARDING IT. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

HAMFISTED OPENING CRAWL JOKE

The Episode V One

PANDORA’S BOX

It is a dark time for the website. Although the fanservice streaming shows have been deployed, a skeptical blogster has written opinionated Star Wars blogs and shared them across social media.

With another May the Fourth comes a new entry in the Star Wars Reflection series. This time, the focus is on none other than Epire Strikes back, a legendary movie in its own right even when detached from the Star Wars name.

But this particular writer wants to do more than lay praises upon the millions that came before. Instead, he will share from his own certain point of view what it is that makes this movie arguably the most critical to the identity of the entire franchise…

Introduction:

That’s right, folks—we’re back at it again! Welcome to year 2 of my annual tradition to write a blog post covering the Star Wars franchise in a way that hopefully has something new to add to the discussion.

Last year, we fittingly kicked things off by talking about A New Hope, focusing on its strength as an inaugural entry to stand on its own while also being revolutionary on the production front. This year, we’re talking about the Star Wars movie that, in my opinion, gave Star Wars its everlasting luster.

Just like last time, I’ll try to keep things salt free and remind you that much of what I have to say is opinion. With that said, though, we can get right to it.

Part 1: Timeless

Perhaps what amazes me so much when it comes to watching or thinking about Episode V is just how anomalous the movie is in terms of its aesthetic.

You see, the original Star Wars movie, despite its place in my heart, most certainly feels like a sci-fi movie from the late ‘70s, while Episode VI (slight spoilers for next year probably) feels like a sci-fi movie from the 80s. The same holds true with all the other movies, feeling like product of their respective times—except Empire, for some reason. Compared to all the others, Episode V feels… timeless, unbound to any period of cinema, and it boggles my mind trying to figure out why.

Maybe it’s just me being completely oblivious to the signs that a movie was made in 1980, but I’d like to think that because the story, set design, and props are all done so marvelously well, anything that could possibly date the movie are either out of sight or out of mind. After all, people are inclined to call The Empire Strikes Back the best film in the franchise, and I’m inclined to agree (even if there are others I’d call my favorite(s) first).

Part 2: Expanding the Universe:

Before Episode V, Star Wars was just a single sci-fi fantasy movie, lovingly laden with classic tropes while put together in rather innovative fashion. Luke Skywalker was just a protagonist, Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire were just the villains, and the Force was just a plot device to add a sense of mysticism and bring possibility to the impossible.

And then Episode V came along and changed all of that. In just a few short hours, Luke and Vader went from respective avatars of good and evil to a twisted family dynamic. The Empire was fleshed out as a proper galaxy-dominating force with its access to fearsome walking tanks, massive fleets, and occasional willingness to compromise with scummy, villainous underworld figures to see their ambitions through, while the Rebel Alliance, which only shows up and has prominence for the first third or so of the movie, is shown to be very clearly outmatched and easily scattered by the enemy war machine.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Episode V, though, is how it builds upon the concept of the Force with the introduction of the character Yoda. We’re shown that the Force is more than just, well, a force to be tapped into and used. It’s a part of the universe, a thing that is shared between all living things, connecting them invisibly. Being a Jedi isn’t just about being a hero, and it’s certainly not about being a “great warrior.” Instead, it’s about knowing the Force and putting trust in it, even when darkness tempts you and your eyes deceive you.

A New Hope may have given us Star Wars, but Empire is what gave us the Star Wars *Universe*. And perhaps a lot more…

Conclusion: A Status Quo Set

From the release of this movie onward, the Star Wars brand will be defined by a variety of key tropes and topoi. Grand plot twists, a focus on family, going beneath the surface with concepts like the Force and the Jedi… all of these things and more that permeate Star Wars stories take inspiration from the Empire Strikes Back’s example.

I’d go so far as to say that Empire is what transformed Star Wars from an impressive ‘70s sci-fi flick to the massive, millennia-spanning space soap opera we know, love, and occasionally get frustrated by today. Like Pandora’s Box bringing both chaos and hope, all of Star Wars’ highs and lows both spawn from and chase the shadow that Empire has cast.

When I think of Star Wars as a whole, my thoughts usually turn to Empire and what it did for the rest of the series. For that reason, I declare Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes back to be the most revolutionary Star Wars.

Outro

Thanks for reading! I’ll admit, I ended up battling a few headaches while pushing through this one, but I wanted to make sure that this got out by May the 4th and I’m glad to say I achieved that goal.

Last time, I confessed that I wasn’t really feeling it with Star Wars as of late. Since then, I’m proud to say that things have changed… a little. I’m still going through Andor but have been in love with what I’ve seen thus far, despite my predisposition to not be impressed by Star Wars shows. I’m also excited for Jedi: Survivor, though I will definitely be waiting for adjustments to the PC version of the game before I purchase and play it. I’m still eagerly anticipating that Rogue Squadron movie that they announced a while ba—huh? It’s cancelled? Oh… wait, it’s not? oh, phew! Wait, it’s cancelled again!? GAH!

Well, at least there’s a slew of new Star Wars movies coming out, each with its own unique premise and period on the timeline, to look forward to. Here’s hoping they don’t end up being… whatever the heck’s going on with Rogue Squadron right now.

In any case, I’ll see you next year for Episode VI!