Film Analysis of 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a movie that gives the viewer further insight into the characters of the Star Wars universe. Throughout the movie, many of the characters are developed in a way the viewer may not have expected, making the film memorable. Kershner creatively crafted the characters bringing the viewer to have a deeper understanding of their personas. Thus, his audience of the 1980s was captivated.

The main character of the films, Luke Skywalker, finds himself on a journey of self-discovery. While Luke is in Dagobah with Yoda training to be a Jedi master, he is challenged with entering the cave. In the cave, Luke encounters what he believes to be Darth Vader. Luke proves he is not ready to become a master because he strikes at Darth Vader with anger. Because Luke allowed anger to overtake his body rather than focusing on serenity as Yoda trained him to do, he sees himself in Darth Vader’s helmet. This shows how easily the dark side can take over his life. This part can also be interpreted as foreshadowing. By seeing himself as Darth Vader, it can be interpreted as they are similar people genetically. Another example of Luke’s progression in character is when he has to choose between saving his friends or completing his training. Luke decides to try and save his friends even though Yoda warned him against it. Luke’s character made the bold move knowing that he was putting himself in danger. Luke’s development in this part of the movie can parallel the development of a teenager, unsure of himself and a little impatient. Making Luke relatable helped solidify the impact this movie had on youth in the 1980s.

Darth Vader’s character at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back is the ultimate villain. The audience only perceives Vader as an evil machine. Kershner uses certain scenes in this film to question this initial perception. The first scene is when Vader is seen for a few seconds without his helmet on. In these few seconds, Kershner begins to humanize Vader and may even cause the viewer to question the “machine” element of his character. Another scene that contrasts the original idea that Vader is just a killing machine is during his final battle with Luke. During this fight, he is not quick to kill Luke, contrary to how he is eager to kill his generals. The most compelling scene to contrast his villainous character is when he reveals to Luke that he did not kill his father, but rather that he is his father. This very unexpected twist in character quickly humanizes Vader in the eyes of the audience of the 1980s.

Kershner also reveals more about Han Solo as a character. Han is originally developed as a man that only looks out for himself and Chewbacca. The audience begins to get a taste of Han Solo’s development of trust. His relationship with Luke originally starts as strictly business, but slowly Han grew a liking to him and Princess Leia. Han shows that he cared for these individuals when he realized that his debt to Jabba the Hut would prevent him from continuing the journey with them. Despite that issue, throughout The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo goes out of his way to help Luke and Leia, an act that viewers may not have expected from the seemingly selfish smuggler. Another defining moment of this character is when Leia confesses she loves him. Han responds to Leia with a shocking “I know” rather than saying he loved her back. This could be interpreted as Han reverting to his original cocky type character. Another possible reason for that response is that he is still getting used to these new relationships. Prior to Luke and Leia, Han did not have time for a romantic relationship because he was constantly traveling around the galaxy on the Millennium Falcon.

Kershner uses other characters throughout the film to bring up important themes and points. Yoda is included in that group of characters. Yoda is introduced to the viewers as childish and incompetent. The point Kershner uses Yoda to make is that you cannot judge a warrior by what he looks like. Luke did not even entertain the idea that Yoda could have been the great warrior Obi-Wan Kenobi was talking about.

Another instance where Yoda proves he should not be judged by his appearance is when he uses the force to lift Luke’s ship. Luke tried to achieve this task himself but gave up because he thought it was too big of a feat. Yoda quickly proved him wrong by lifting it himself. This makes an obvious statement that your physical characteristics do not determine ability since Yoda is so small.

The other character Kershner uses to make a statement is Lando. He has to decide between his friend, Han, or the well-being of the planet when the empire approaches him. This makes the viewers think about their morals and what they would do in that situation. The director calls into question whether one would choose to save many over a few friends. Originally, Lando chose the many over his friend Han Solo, but in the end, he decided to help Han.

The director of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back uses the development of the characters to intensify how the audience of the 1980s felt about the film. The viewers were able to relate to Luke’s journey of self-discovery. Their original interpretation of Darth Vader was challenged by Kershner’s choice to begin to humanize the villain. Han Solo develops from a lonely smuggler to a friend that would put his life on the line for others. Overall the movie captivated viewers by making characters more relatable and questioning initial beliefs.