The Empire Strikes Back

I really love The Empire Strikes Back (it is tied with The Last Jedi as my favorite movie in the Star Wars franchise) so, even though I recently saw it on the big screen, I couldn't miss seeing it again now that it is back in theaters for its 40th Anniversary.  I had so much fun last night with a small but appreciative crowd!  After destroying the Death Star, the rebel alliance is on the run from the Galactic Empire.  Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) flees the rebel base to train with the Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) on Dagobah while the Millennium Falcon, with Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) on board, is damaged while evading the Imperial fleet.  Han turns to an old friend named Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee WIlliams) on the planet Bespin for help but Lando betrays the rebels to Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) who uses them as bait to lure Luke to him.  Han is frozen in carbonite and turned over to the bounty hunter Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) but Lando helps Leia and Chewbacca escape while Luke faces Darth Vader in an epic duel.  I love so many things about this movie!  My favorite theme from all of the soundtracks in the Star Wars franchise is "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" and I get goosebumps every time I hear it because I was absolutely terrified of Darth Vader when I saw this movie for the first time.  The action sequences are a lot of fun, especially when Luke takes down an AT-AT walker on the planet Hoth, when Han takes the Millennium Falcon into an asteroid field, and when Yoda raises Luke's X-wing out of a swamp using the Force.  In my opinion, this movie is the most thought-provoking of the original trilogy (I think The Last Jedi is the most thought-provoking of the sequel trilogy) because the stakes are higher for the main characters.  Luke must confront his destiny while Han and Leia must confront their growing feelings for each other and both of these arcs are very powerful and emotionally resonant.  Finally, I sit through the whole movie waiting for my favorite quotes!  I love it when Darth Vader says, "What is thy bidding, my master?" when the Emperor summons him, I laugh when Yoda tells Luke, "Do or do not, there is no try," when Luke attempts to lift his X-wing, and I sigh when Han tells Leia, "I know," after she says she loves him.  This movie is absolutely brilliant and I am still awe-struck every time I watch it.  I highly recommend seeing it while it is theaters again, especially if you are a Star Wars fan!

Note:  I own a Blu-ray copy of every Star Wars movie and I also subscribe to Disney+ so I can watch them any time I want!  However, there is just something about seeing them on the big screen!