No. I am your father.

Title: Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980

The movie series that gave birth to a culture. Since the release of "Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977), there hasn't been any other movie that permeated every subsequent generation of youth. In fact, the kids at the time the first Star Wars hit the theatre in 1977, should have children of their own now, just ripe for indoctrination to the Star Wars galaxy.

There are six movies in the Star Wars saga. In order of release after Episode IV are "Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), "Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983), "Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones" (2002), and "Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith" (2005). The movies themselves are a billion dollar industry in terms of box office, rentals, and DVD sales. In addition, merchandises such as the Star Wars action figures, tie fighters and x-wing fighters models, t-shirts, posters, and others are all some of the most highly sought after movie collectibles. In fact, Star Wars items are amongst the top searches on eBay.

The cast of characters are well known in cinematic literature. The Empire is championed by Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul,the Stormtroopers, Count Dooku, General Grievous, and a few others that I may have missed. On the other side, the rebels are led by Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO, Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Lando Calrissian, Mace Windu, Padme and other good guys. In between the conflicting sides are other seedy characters, one of which, we enjoyed a lot as an action figure - Boba Fett. He is joined by Greedo, Jabba the Hut, and other bounty hunters.

Much like many other fans, I thought that "The Empire Strikes Back" is the best of the series. We were introduced to and intrigued by Boba Fett, who remains as one of the enigmatic characters in sci-fi films today. His demise in "Return of the Jedi", however, was disappointing. We just wanted more from our favorite action figure. Harrison Ford is my linking actor from "Blade Runner."

Quotes from movie:

"Right now I feel like I could take on the whole Empire myself."
"Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder."
"Luke. Don't give in to hate. That leads to the Dark Side."
"Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1."
"Laugh it up, fuzzball."
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
"Obi-Wan has taught you well. "
"I have a bad feeling about this..."

Princess Leia: I love you.
Han Solo: I know.

Scene clips:



The title of this entry. It's one of the most shocking twist in cinema history. Maybe even the biggest.

Here's a deleted scene that may help explain more.


Remarks

The only 80's movie in the Top 10 of IMDb's All Time Top 250. I still put up the Hoth planet battle as one of the best battle scenes in cinema. Other scenes I refer to includes the opening battle scene in "Saving Private Ryan", the seige of Helm's Deep in "The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers", and the opening battle scene in "Gladiator". Additionally, I felt sad and couldn't wait for the sequel when Han Solo was frozen at the end. Lastly, the thought of Princes Leia kissing Luke gave me the willies after I found out in a later scene that they were brothers and sisters.

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