The Empire struck back, and we should have expected that!
We all hoped there'd be a sequel to "Star Wars" but had no idea that it would be such a blockbuster!
First, imagine our surprise when "Episode V" pops up on the screen! Sure it was a sequel, but who knew it wasn't "Star Wars 2"?
Han is still hanging around the Alliance, but why? Not for monetary rewards it seems, since the bounty hunters are still after him for Jabba.
So what did he do with all that money he got for rescuing the Princess?
I think he stayed around because being a hero at Yavin sparked his sense of honor. It felt good to be on the winning side, on the right side of things. And, of course, it impressed the Princess.
Leia continues to be a great role model, suffering the inconveniences of living on the run in order to further her cause. She's tough and assertive, and yet lets herself fall for the scoundrel. Nice!
Luke has matured some, perhaps from his time as the hero of the Battle of Yavin. He's stepped up into a role of leadership with the Rebels, and they respect him, probably because of his skill as a pilot.
We saw him use the Force to retrieve his lightsaber in the Wampa's cave, and thought, "how cool!"
It was nice for Obi-Wan to make an appearance, even if he seemed a little transparent. :) I really like the idea that he was still around, and looking after Luke.
Vader breaks all records in evilness, throwing temper tantrums and choking all those who disagree with him. Who wouldn't want that power? And he's devious when it comes to Luke.
Billie Dee Williams gives us a new anti-hero in Lando Calrissian, who calls Han "slimy" but turns out to be slimy himself. But he's good- hearted, and comes around in the end. Was it because the deal got worse, or because he realized what he was doing was wrong?
Yoda is hilarious, in a good sort of way. Fooling Luke like he does. A very important lesson on patience and looking deeper in your situation! And his wisdom continues with us today, how many times have you heard someone say, "Do! Or do not! There is no try."
"There is another!" Oh great, a mystery. I suspected it was Leia, but I also remember thinking that Vader was a big, fat liar with, "No, I am your father!"
What a climax of the lightsaber duel that was! Was it true? Was he playing Luke for a patsy? Somehow Luke seems to think it's true. But join him and rule the galaxy? Nooooooooo!
What gave Luke the strength, at that terrible moment, to deny Vader and risk death instead? Was Obi-Wan with him? It would have been nice for him to whisper something to him at that point.
"If you choose to face Vader you will do it alone, I cannot interfere." Why the heck not? Luke needed you. On the other hand, it was a great test of Luke's character. If he'd been so weak as to follow Vader off to the dark side he might not have been worthy of being a Jedi.
The ending of this film is a shocker, not because of what happens but because of what doesn't happen. We're left hanging! And back in those days, people had to wait three years to find out what happened! Talk about the patience of a Jedi.
Many people consider this to be the best of all the Star Wars movies, or at least their personal favorite. Why is that? Because it's darker? Because it's richer and full of promise? Because of the suspense? Draw your own conclusions!
Up next? Ep. VI!
EDITED FOR TRUTH, May 2012
10 comments:
gencrs
Technical Manuals from The GFFA
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 11:46 AM
That is an excellent question: What DOES Han do with the reward? Does he have it stashed somewhere on the Falcon, in case he runs into Jabba at some point?
Ponder on this, I must.
Darth_Achreon
Sith, Evil or Misunderstood
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 1:27 PM
I don't remember where i had read this exactly, but Han gives the money back to the alliance to fund 15 new X-Wing's to replace the ones destroyed during the death star fight. What a nice guy:)
leia19886
Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 5:42 PM
What did happen to Han's money? Excellent question. I don't know. I like to think that Chewbacca kept it for him.
Great review again:)
Darth_Hiram
A Journey into The Force
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 9:14 PM
Good review. Why do people consider this the best SW? I love it for the development the characters go through and how GL weaves that into the story so well. Luke learning the ways of the Force, Han finding his own place there, Leia showing her leadership skills, Vader's big reveal to Luke, Yoda's first appearance and his ancient mastery of the Force. So many details come out in TESB, and the story takes on a whole new direction.
The Viridian Saber
Virtual Unrealities (A victim of Order 66.)
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 10:36 PM
First, imagine our surprise when "Episode V" pops up on the screen!
I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I had no idea it was Episode V even then! :O
She's tough and assertive, and yet lets herself fall for the scoundrel. Nice!
Like I said...some of the best role models a girl could have can be found in Star Wars. Leia, Padme, Mara, Aalya, Shaak Ti, Ahsoka, Jaina Solo...the list is as endless as it is mind-boggling.
Luke has matured some, perhaps from his time as the hero of the Battle of Yavin.
Yes, and I've always found so sad and so joyous at the same time. On one hand he's so much closer to fulfilling his awesome destiny, and on the other hand, he's losing his innocence, and his youth. He will never be the same carefree, idealistic farmboy again. But the fact that he was able to retain his idealism and couple it with pragmatism, becoming an embodiement of the light and the last hope for the galaxy...it's just amazing.
It was nice for Obi-Wan to make an appearance, even if he seemed a little transparent.
Oh, nice...:^O
Vader breaks all records in evilness, throwing temper tantrums and choking all those who disagree with him.
Hasn't changed a bit...:p
And back in those days, people had to wait three years to find out what happened!
And back in those days, people had to wait three years to find out what happened!
I would've died from sheer torment.
Sorry I took up so much comment space, but I accidentally hit that blasted enter key and posted that last comment before I reached the character limit. But hey! I'm sure you don't mind. ;)
The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: Feb 24, 2009 5:20 AM
Thanks for the cool perspective on seeing a SW sequel for the first time... we often forget how new everything was 29 years ago!
shoppingMaul61
date Posted: Feb 24, 2009 5:35 AM
Just for conversation's sake - in the Marvel comics series (1980) Han payed Jabba back, only to have the debt renewed by Jabba just prior to TESB. (Han had inadvertently scuttled one of Jabba's investments.)
Not canon necessarily but fun at the time!
Gidrea Lightsky
The Galaxy According to Gidrea
date Posted: Feb 24, 2009 7:29 AM
What DOES Han do with the reward?
Han gives the money back to the alliance to fund 15 new X-Wing's
What did happen to Han's money?
OK, it's a burning question, but I like the X-Wing part! I can't see him doing that though,not at that point in his life. Unless he already had the hots for Leia! :p
So many details come out in TESB, and the story takes on a whole new direction.
Great observations. I think it just made the GFFA so much deeper and richer, and more real!
I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I had no idea it was Episode V even then! :O
Things are more clear when you're 24, and clearly remember that the original movie didn't have an episode number!
he's losing his innocence, and his youth.
We all lose that, just wait until you're 50! X-(
I would've died from sheer torment.
You gotta love the DVD thing!
Sorry I took up so much comment space,
The more the merrier! (picture the comments partying with each other now)
we often forget how new everything was 29 years ago!
Ah, it can only be new once! Sadly.
Han had inadvertently scuttled one of Jabba's investments.)
:^O
ewanandhaydenfan5
I Have You Now!
date Posted: Feb 24, 2009 9:21 AM
I saw ESB when I was 12 and I was positive that Vader was lying about being Luke's dad. It made me curious as to how it would be played out.
Luke did show incredible resolve at not "falling" for (pun intended :D ) Vader's persuasions, especially because we knew how much he wanted to know about and connect with his father.
Woops, I meant I was 9, not 12 when I saw ESB. Don't want to age myself too quickly! :8}
JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
date Posted: Mar 03, 2009 8:05 AM
"Do! Or do not! There is no try."
My favorite line from the entire saga. :D
Then there's my husband's:
"You will not find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."
What do you think that says about the two of us??? ;
It's so much fun reliving the movies like this! (I'm going backward in my effort to catch up after being gone for a week . . . and then some.) :D
MTFBWY :)
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