The finest and most mature of the three.
Comment
01/01/00
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
97 %
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted: 67
Fresh: 65
Rotten:2
Average Rating: 8.5/10
Consensus: This is argubaly the most powerful, compelling, and entertaining of the series.
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis: Considered the most morally and emotionally complex of the original Star Wars trilogy, THE EMPIRE STRIKE BACK continues creator George Lucas's epic saga where STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE left off. The... [More]
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Director: Irvin Kershner
Reviews for The Empire Strikes Back
Top CriticClick to read the article
10/18/08
In many ways the new film is a better film than Star Wars, visually more exciting, more artful and meticulous in detail.
08/13/08
Despite ... an unresolved storyline that paves the way for its dismal sequel, Empire remains in many ways the best (indeed the last good) Star Wars film.
07/13/08
A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga.
03/04/08
The Empire Strikes Back is a worthy sequel to Star Wars, equal in both technical mastery and characterization, suffering only from the familiarity with the effects generated in the original and imitated too much by others.
03/04/08
Top CriticEach section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'
07/30/07
Irvin Kershner directed the actors this time around, and without the benefit of Lucas's personal affection they seem stiffer, more clenched.
05/30/07
The most imaginative and emotionally connectable "Star Wars" film and, with the exception of "Revenge of the Sith," also the darkest.
06/23/06
The second act is very strong, cutting back and forth between Luke training with Yoda and Han, Leia, Chewie and C-3P0 fighting the Empire. And it's paced leisurely enough that you get to know the characters a little bit.
05/26/06
An extended ricochet from one incendiary set-piece battle to another which still finds time to attend to plot, pace and character.
01/26/06
The best of the films.
09/30/05
Sci-fi cinema at its best.
09/17/05
The backbone of the Star Wars saga… takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.
05/16/05
...the deepest, darkest, most mature, and most thoughtful entry in the series.
09/09/04
The Empire Strikes Back is a total delight.
01/29/04
The best Star Wars movie, ever!
01/10/04
The film spends more time on its characters and unlike the previous film they aren't as busy with all kinds of swashbuckling adventures.
12/05/03
A darker, richer, and more elaborate film than the original.
07/30/03
Latest News for The Empire Strikes Back
June 03, 2009:
Where Will Star Trek Boldly Go Next?
With Star Trek entering popular culture not just as a franchise reboot but a cinematic moment in sci-fi history, talk has already turned to the sequel(s) and where the next... More...
December 12, 2008:
Prepare for Star Wars: A Musical Journey 
Have you ever wondered what would happen if someone took every single "Star Wars" movie, turned them into a 90-minute film, and played it in front of an orchestra? So has George... More...
July 23, 2008:
Lucas Taking Star Wars 3-D?
According to DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, George Lucas is prepping 3-D versions of all six episodes in the Star Wars saga. More...
May 12, 2008:
Indiana Jonesin': The Best of Harrison Ford
We count down Harrison Ford's best-reviewed films outside of the Indiana Jones franchise and the memorable characters that he played in each celebrated film. More...
Related Forums for The Empire Strikes Back
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
10 Questions for JJ Abrams
J.J. Abrams has done it all: writing, producing, and directing for TV and movies. He answers reader questions here for TIME.
50 Greatest Movie Trailers
IFC channel counts down the best film trailers, ever. Allegedly...
Shut the f**k up, Donny
Forget the AFI, here's the other 100 Greatest Movie Quotes...
Competitions
Win Transformers Generation One Packs!
Prime old-school animation action to win, thanks to Madman
IGN RSS Feeds