While I remember - in vague terms at least - movies from my very early childhood like Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Star Wars, it was the Empire Strikes Back at the tender age of eleven that was the first movie I clearly remember seeing. Details about the theater, who I was with, and that sort of thing. In short, Empire was my first real movie.

For those of you - all three of you - who haven’t seen it, the Empire Strikes Back picks right up (more or less) where Star Wars left off. Having survived their initial encounter with the evil lord Darth Vader (David Prowse and James Earl "This is CNN" Jones) and the Empire, Luke Skywalker (Mark "Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah!" Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison "Throw me the Whip!" Ford), and Princess Leia (Carrie "Yes, I'll have some more cocaine" Fisher) are knee deep in the Rebellion.

After being chased by the Empire’s forces to the remote ice planet Hoth, the Rebels find their hidden hideout not as hidden as they thought when the Empire comes knocking on their front door. And before you can say "oh crap" our heroes are scattered to the stars, the Empire in hot pursuit of the Falcon and it's non-working hyperdrive, and Luke visiting the venerable Jedi master Yoda (voiced by Frank "My Kermie!" Oz).

Ah, but things take a turn for the worst when the Han stops by Cloud City for some Colt .45 and Vader gets to drop that whole "I am your father" bomb. Oh noes! How will our heroes get out of this?

Understand this: there are no flaws in Empire. None. The story telling is sharp and never lets up. Characters that were barely sketched out in Star Wars suddenly acquired depth and complexity and are considerably less hokey, both in the delivery from the cast and what they're given to say. The image of Luke as a whiny farm boy is (mostly) gone, replaced by a man who is beginning to become aware of his destiny. Han is still the loveable rogue, but shows off a more sensitive side and is a perfect foil for Leia.

The effects are far more intricate and ambitious this time around and the stop-motion animation looks great and the direction is moody and gritty with a level of maturity felt in every frame of the film. Every action sequence is thrilling and breathtaking, capped by the Jedi Showdown in the Clouds. From start to finish, Empire turns it up to 11 and never backs down.

It's a compelling movie, and even the stuff you might think wouldn’t work - stuff that shouldn’t work - does. Nothing exposes the limits of today's CGI better than comparing Empire's Yoda to the prequel trilogy computer version. The new Yoda looks ok, but the muppet version looks vibrant and alive.

What more can I say. Empire is, at least to me, as close to perfect as you will ever find on film.

THE DVD -
Much like Star Wars, Empire looks and sounds amazing, light years ahead any other medium, be it Laserdisc or VHS. The print has been lovingly restored and looks better than it ever has before.

THE EXTRAS -
Depending on the version you get, the only extra on the disc is the commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher. All the (rather significant) extras appear on the fourth disc of the boxed set.

THE BOTTOM :LINE -
Even 27 years on, Empire still packs the house. It's mature and deep, the asteroid chase is the best action sequence ever committed to film EVER and this is quite possibly the absolute best soundtrack that John Williams ever did, Star Wars film or no.

THE STAR WARS REVIEWS:
* THE PHANTOM MENACE
* ATTACK OF THE CLONES
* REVENGE OF THE SITH
* A NEW HOPE
* THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
* RETURN OF THE JEDI


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8