My favorite movie of all time! The Empire Strikes Back

 

I had an idea about reviewing the recent Disney + series Obi-Wan Kenobi, but just couldn't muster up enough enthusiasm to write a positive post. I must admit that the mentioned series is probably the worst of any Star Wars series I have had the privilege of watching.. Needless to say that I won't be covering this. I decided to instead talk about my number one movie of all time, Star Wars Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back. This motion picture is to me the closest thing to cinematic perfection. It hits all the right notes from the pacing of the movie to the emotional heart and the heroes arc as we see Luke grow in wisdom, and the ways of the force. I still remember that fateful day when dad and mum drove me across the causeway to the cinema in Woodlands to watch the show on the silver screen. Reminiscing, I still get goosebumps from the revelations that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker's father. This being the middle installment meant that the story was left hanging and George Lucas decision to end the movie with our heroes being defeated left the fans wanting more. For me, the most profound moment came when Yoda achieved what Luke could not and lifted Luke's submerged X Wing fighter with the force. His teachings here would become my life's mantra. Do or do not, there is no try, and any obstacle no matter how big are only unsurmountable if your mind gives up. I was so taken in by this that I wrote about this scene in a school assignment, complete with a colored drawing of Yoda levitating the X Wing high above Luke and R2!

The first act of the movie sees the empire dispatching probe droids, and detecting a rebel base on the icy planet of Hoth. The rebels are alerted of the impending attack due to vigilant surveillance by Han and Luke. The rebels began their evacuations as the Imperial forces start their ground assault with huge AT AT and the smaller AT ST chicken walkers. The rebels try to buy time by sending out a squadron of Armored Snowspeeders. The blasters on the Snowspeeders prove to be ineffective against the AT AT  armor and the rebels had to resort to more creative ways to bring down these behemoths. Using tow cables, they topple the mighty AT AT by wrapping the legs up with the cables. With several shots of the ion cannon to disable the approaching Imperial fleet. Han, Leia, Chewbacca and C3PO flee in the Millennium Falcon, while Luke departs with R2D2 for Dagobah. 

The second act opens with Han's Falcon being pursued by the Imperial fleet with Lord Vader at the helm. Unfortunately for Han, the hyperspace motivator was damaged and they have trouble escaping. They run into an asteroid field and Han lands inside one of the larger asteroids in an attempt to repair the damaged motivator. Meanwhile Luke crash lands on the swamp planet of Dagobah. While escaping from the wampa on Hoth, Ben's force ghost appears to Luke, telling him to seek out Master Yoda to continue his Jedi training. After some shenanigans with swamp creatures and R2, Luke is finally able to set up camp. A wizened green creature shows up and offers to help Luke find his 'friend'. This cantankerous creature eventually reveals himself to be the Jedi Master Ben was talking about. Yoda is initially hesitant to take Luke as a padawan,but with Ben's prodding, Yoda relents. So Luke's training begins in earnest. Luke undergoes a trial where he enters a cave that is strong with the dark side of the force. In a premonition of things to come, he is confronted by Lord Vader. When he decapitates Vader he is horrified to see his own visage in the helmet.

Meanwhile Han and crew exit the asteroid as they realize that they have landed in the belly of a space slug! The Empire is once again hot on their trail. But this time there is a twist. Vader enlist the help of the deadliest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Among them is the mysterious Boba Fett. Han pulls off a daring maneuver and manages to 'float away with the garbage'. Han scans the database for a suitable port for them to dock the Falcon for repairs. They decide on a city in the clouds, Bespin. Unfortunately Boba Fett is tracking them.

The third and final act sees the Falcon making it's way to the mining colony of Bespin. Han's old smuggling buddy, Lando Calrissian is the current administrator of the facility. We learn that Lando was the original owner of the Falcon and that he lost the ship to Han in a game of sabacc. Lando seems genuinely happy to see Han and Chewbacca, and even makes a pass at Leia. Everything seems preachy until 3PO discovers stormtroopers and is blown up before he can warn the others. Han, Leia and Chewbacca are captured and Vader reveals his plans to them. He wants to use them as bait to capture Luke. He also decides to test the carbon freezing process on Han. Lando tells Han and Leia that the Imperial forces arrived with Boba Fett right before they did and forced his hand . Lando is powerless to stop the carbon freezing of Han, but hatches a plan to save Han from Boba Fett.

Meanwhile on Dagobah, Luke growing powers in the force allows him to see a city in the clouds, and his friends suffering. He immediately rushes to their aid despite warnings from Master Yoda and Ben. Both Luke's masters are worried that Luke's incomplete training would be exploited by the dark side. He is lured into Vaders trap. Luke, however successfully controls his fear and escapes carbon freezing. Battling valiantly Luke is totally outclassed by the more experienced Vader. At the apex of the fight, Vader bombards Luke with projectiles, and chops off Luke's hand . He finally reveals the truth that he is Luke's father. He asks Luke to join him. This shocking revelation has to be one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history! Luke of course declines and tumbles helplessly into the chute. He is only rescued when he reaches out with the force to Leia. Turns out that they were unable to save Han from Boba Fett. The story ends with Luke and Leia saying goodbye to Lando and Chewbacca who are flying off to Tatooine to try and save Han.

End of transmission.