Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (PG, 1980)

common sense media says

The best of the original series, but the most intense, too.

parents & educators say

42% say violence is an issue

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.

Educational value: A large section of the film depicts a training session in which the lead character is educated on the ways of the series' "religion," which is really a kind of moral code and way of parsing the difference between good and evil.

Positive messages: The film provides strong positive messages around the ideas of always trying ones best (or rather, "Do. Or do not. There is no try."), avoiding the temptations of evil, and remaining loyal to friends.

Positive role models: Characters demonstrate such positive traits as loyalty, bravery, problem solving under extreme duress, and sacrificing one's own needs and wants for the sake of others. This is the first time a character of color is introduced.

Violence & scariness: The violence is primarily centered around sci-fi battles in space and characters using blasters and laser swords. However, this film amps up the psychological violence, especially centered around the lead character and his interactions with the dark forces that have overtaken the universe. Sequences such as an encounter with the villain in a cave, a character being placed into a deep-freeze chamber, and the final sword battle are all dark, scary, and packed with emotional weight. The film ends with a well-known moment of extreme violence, emotional turmoil, and parental abandonment that will have a powerful impact on young viewers.

Sexy stuff: Two of the main leads in the film engage in a love-hate flirtatious relationship over the course of the film, culminating in a few relatively chaste kisses. A few moments of veiled sexual innuendo, but not anything that would be apparent to children.

Language: There is very little iffy language; some banter/name-calling, and the word "hell" is used once.

Consumerism: As the second film released in a series, this film's development was driven at least in part by merchandising opportunities, primarily toys and other products for children. Even decades after the film's release, these products remain widely available.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Themes

adventures, robots, space and aliens

Movie Details

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: May 21, 1980
DVD release: September 12, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: sci-fi action violence

This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.

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What parents & educators say

Based on 12 parent & educator reviews:

42% say violence is an issue

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Rubyne
kid, 12 years old

Good movie

It was a sad and good movie. It was funny, too.

What other families should know

Movie Details

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Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (PG, 1980)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Review It

Review Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Good movie

Slightly more intense than "A New Hope".

The Empire Strikes Back is a classic for all to see

great, but some mild violence

The Best!

The epic story continues.

worst of the worst, not best of the best.

COMMON SENSE MEDIA STRIKES BADK AGAIN WITH A TOO STRICT REVIEW

A sci-fi classic...

Genius Sci-Fi

everybody!!

More violent than first but better

My favorite movie of all time.

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