 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Review Date: January 27, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 1980
Common Sense Media says
The best of the original series, but the most intense, too.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this atmospheric sci-fi classic features some intense moments of dark emotional content, along with a few very jarring scenes that are not so much violent as they are psychologically jarring. The romantic content is significantly increased from the first movie in the series, although it still remains at a flirtatious level with just a few moments of relatively tame kissing. This is the movie where the six-film series gains most of its emotional and thematic depth, and while it's a rousing adventure told superbly, it's also the darkest and most intense of the six films.
What's the story?
The focus of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 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). The story gets moving with an outburst of violence, as Luke is mauled by a Yeti-like monster on the ice planet where the rebels are hiding. 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. Meanwhile, Vader and his fleet of marauding starships hunt Luke's friends, all fleeing aboard the ramshackle ship of galactic fortune-hunter Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who maintains a bickering romance in this one with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). Of course the real payoff of this plot is when Luke confronts Darth Vader in single combat, and learns the dreadful secret of his family tree.
Is it any good?
By many opinions, this is the very best in the Star Wars series. To 1980 audiences (who did not have the benefit of The Phantom Menace and its follow-ups) it was a breathtaking surprise, a hugely entertaining mix of sci-fi spectacle, fantasy, and funny robots.
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 that doesn't have a big "cantina" scene in which the filmmakers overindulge in cramming the frame with all the wacky aliens they can.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how they have been impacted by the heavy merchandising for this film and the others in the series. Do you think movies are over-merchandised? Are there too many products on sale to promote movies? Can you think of some movies that seem created primarily to sell toys and other products?
How is the tone of this movie different from the first one? Do you think this is a better film than the first? Why are sequels usually worse than the original?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Slightly more intense than "A New Hope".
My rating: PG for sci-fi violence.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 16, 2011
AGE
The epic story continues.
Luke cuts off a monster's army and blood is everywhere. One of the all time sequels in cinema history.
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AGE
Good movie
It was a sad and good movie. It was funny, too.
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Kid, 12 years old
September 15, 2010
AGE
amazing i watch it all the time
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AGE
The Empire Strikes Back is a classic for all to see
An excellent sequel filled with lots of action. This movie contains some kissing and some blood so watch out.
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AGE
This is a very good sequel. The star wars series is cool execpt for the prequels. I like this movie. Darth Vader is a butt-head villian in this movie. I like it. I reccomeded it.
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AGE
STAR WARS IS SOOOOO AMAZING. DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE PART WHERE THEY ARE IN THE WORMS MOUTH!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!
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AGE
COMMON SENSE MEDIA STRIKES BADK AGAIN WITH A TOO STRICT REVIEW
One of the best Star Wars movies, but maybe your kids under age 11 wouldnt like it, MOST just like the prequels because they dont like 1980's films their age(I SAID MOST SO I WOULDNT BE PREJUDIST). Has fairly mild violence and a mild scene with Han and Leia kissing, nothing we havent seen in a rated G movie. Is dark and some little kids might be afraid of its scary parts, but not as bad as Episode 3. Overall, best movie in the series(but its tied with Attack of the Clones!)
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Kid, 12 years old
June 27, 2011
AGE
The Best!
By far the best of all the movies! Great acting and plot!
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| Topics: | adventures, robots, space and aliens |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Irvin Kershner |
| Cast: | Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 124 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 21, 1980 |
| DVD release date: | September 12, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | sci-fi action violence |
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