AI-Themed Blogging: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: wallpapercave, edition by Amber255 via bitLanders
The development of artificial intelligence is one of the topical issues of today. Although an independent synthetic ability to think unequivocally would be a breakthrough in interdisciplinary science, it has already raised a number of ethical and moral issues. Beginning with hypothetical considerations on how to treat a humanoid, ending with the 21st century's manifestations of cynicism.
However, artificial intelligence is an exciting topic that is not only addressed in the media but also in cinema. Part of the filmmakers, like Nostradamus, constructs conspiracy theories and compares the development of robots with the apocalypse of humanity; others look for real feelings and emotions in artificial brains and try to excite our empathy; the thirds state that humanoids are an equal alternative to humans.
Empire strikes back? More like lighting strikes back. This movie is not only as good as the original, but it is even better. It did what a good sequel does: it took everything that made the first one so good and expanded on it.
Credit: metacritic
STAR WARS franchise is one of the oldest films where we meet artificial intelligence - the two robots, one of which is humanoid.
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - the second film of STAR WARS franchise directed by Irvin Kershner. It hit the cinema screens in 1980 May 21.
STAR WARS: Episode V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Full Movie Trailer - Video credit: youtube
The Plot
Although the insurgents who took the secret drawings succeeded in destroying one of the most dangerous Imperial Weapons - Death Star, the peace and victory cannot be expected yet. The Empire fiercely persecutes rebels and tries to track where their secret base is.
Darth Vader (David Prowse) doubles the pressure not only because he tries to hit a counter-attack, but also because he feels that he has found the rebel headquarters and the young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
The Emperor reveals to Darth Vader in an interactive conversation that Luke Skywalker is the son of Anakin Skywalker, and it is not too late to turn him to the Dark Power's side. At that time, the rebels led by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) set up a base on the ice planet Holt. Luke and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) along with Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) also fight in their ranks.
However, the cold and indifferent approach of Princess Leia to Han starts to tease him, so he decides that he is no longer together with rebels and prepares for a journey with Chewbacca. Han's plans change a bit as the empire finds the rebel base and organizes a counter attack.
Star Wars franchise - Photo credit: wallpapermemory
In this confrontation, the companions' paths stand out - Luke, obedient to Alec Guinness, along with robot R2D2 flees to search for a great Jedi teacher master Yoda (Frank Oz's voice), and Leia, Han, Chewbacca, and C3PO are trying to escape the persecution sent by the Empire.
The Content
After the success that nobody expected, and the waves of popularity that had risen throughout the world (which also appeared in monetary terms), naturally, the Star Wars had to go on.
There was no long delay, and the second episode of the cosmic epic, Episode V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, reached the cinema screens.
However, if the first Star Wars were from the beginning to the end, George Lucas' baby and fantasy fruit, then this time, both directing and scriptwriting were entrusted not to him. The scenario was, of course, based on the original ideas of Lucas, but Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan applied them to the screen, and Irwin Kershner replaced Lucas in the director's chair.
Talking about the awards and nominations, the fifth episode of the Star Wars lagged far behind its predecessor, but there was still no complaints about the appraisal - the film won sixteen different awards and was nominated for seventeen more. The Oscar statue award for the best sound montage and special effects were among the winnings.
Star Wars saga: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: blogs
Almost the day after A New Hope, I watched STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. And it was still awesome. A whole new world continued to open up for me. The story has become more serious, darker, but still fascinated. In general, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has a reputation as the hardest Star Wars episode.
If the first part of the Star Wars - New Hope was a bomb that shattered the world of cinema with its originality and detailed imagination, then THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, of course, could not do it, but it did not become less awaited or worse. It is just another chance to see the characters already seen in the first part, to see some of their biographies and character details, and to see some new faces.
The second part of the Star Wars is a lot more fun than the first one. More jokes in dialogues, more fun situations. In the second part, there are also much more action scenes - they are not only more generous but also last longer.
In addition, if in the first part we could feel the greater importance to the Star Wars mythology, then in the second, the foundations of Star Wars philosophy were revealed broader - about Power and everything else.
Science fiction film: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: wallup
The Characters
The image of warriors, defenders, freedom fighters is often idealized, and cinema history proves it. The wars itself often take on the shape of a holy justified, ideologically based, systematically necessary. The great goal, as it should be, justifies both the means and the sacrifices.
It is noteworthy that in the first act of the cosmos sage of George Lucas, the conflict was presented in the most traditional way: everyone who is with us is good, and those who fly on the Star Destroyer and other mega ships are bad, and we will fight them. People are always created with someone and for something to fight. And paying tribute to the carefully presented heroism of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, it was not worth forgetting that the general battle does not destroy the intrigue but gives it a new turn.
Movie review: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: topsimages
We monitor the significant progress with the triangle Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher in the role of Princess Leia, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo. And of course, two funny robots: C-3PO performed by Anthony Daniels, and R2-D2 played by Kenny Baker.
Significant progress can be noted with regard to the triangle Luke - Leia - Han. Basically, it's a classic version. Leia is among the two candidates - good, but maybe a bit boring Luke and maybe not so good (and if openly, he is a hell of a devil) Han Solo. If we forget for a moment what turned out to be in Episode VI, the right choice would be Luke, but as it says, you will not command the heart, and from hate to love - just one step.
In addition to the personages, seen and loved from Episode IV, we see some new faces in Episode V. First of all, it is Master Yoda. This great Jedi teacher, who likes to strange the order of words in a sentence, initially behaves like a crazy green troll and beats Luke out of his balance with his behavior.
Another brighter and more prominent character appearing in this part is Han Solo's friend, whom he does not trust - Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). You can also see some new forms of cosmic life.
Science fiction film: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: imdb
There are no long walks of robots in the desert anymore. Yes, and now the R2D2 droid-mechanic and the C3PO translator are separated for most of the movie's time. The C3PO translator, by the way, was very lucky to show itself as a character; that is, the robot was not very lucky through the movie. Watching the robot and its interaction with others is one of the main pleasures that we are given.
Love, courage, and faith are carried out throughout the film. The timely use of the romantic aspect allowed Kershner to thicken paint where it needs. Luke's teaching is shown as a hard challenge, partly in the spirit of medieval knights exaltation.
The fifth episode gave fans a lot of new locations, new characters, and a slightly adjusted philosophy. Friendship as a motive to action is able to harmonize perfectly with the purpose.
The episode is generally rich in revealing characters: we learned more about Luke; saw Yoda and Kenobi; Han Solo was given a little more time, and the most important thing was to see that Vader was not a soulless machine that did evil for evil - we learned a little about his goals, the past, and of course, about his family.
Movie review: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: wallpapercraft
In EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, the viewer and Luke are closely confronted with the phenomenon of Force. In the first film, several short words and vague hints were given about the Force that gave some idea. Here we see the very personification of the Force - Master Yoda. He is the wisdom of the ages, multiplied by life experience and seasoned with a sharp mind. My favorite character in the saga.
Yoda explains to Luke what the Force is and how to control it. And in these scenes on a swampy area of an abandoned planet, from which poisonous vapors rise, where the earth is munching underfoot, where there is a constant fog and where the ray of sunshine does not penetrate, it is here that the curtain of the secrets of the world and the universe opens.
The Jedi were the best warriors because they could use what nature had endowed them with, they interacted with the outside world, felt the vibrations of each object and could control them. This is what Luke learns. Pacification, peace, faith in yourself and your abilities. It’s as if Lucas says in these scenes that everything is possible, that a person doubts too often, tries too often but does not do, and therefore, many things seem impossible to him.
AI-Themed Blogging: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: imdb
Luke thought this way as he had not yet gained faith in himself, was hotheaded, impetuous, and impulsive. After all, he will succumb to the impulse that nearly destroys him. And Yoda, with unruffled majesty, demonstrates how Luke was blind. And mankind is also blind to secret knowledge or simply not ready for them.
The famous I am your father sounded not just epic, but also tragic. We were prepared for this plot's turn in advance, but it was still quite unexpected. And although in the film we are not destined to see the death of the main characters, the Empire more than ever shows the viewer the touch of death.
Yoda: Yes, run! Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice.
Credit: imdb
The actors
The actors are good and organic in their roles. Everyone copes with the task.
And let Mark Hamill remain Luke Skywalker forever, and I always associate Carrie Fisher with Leia Organa, but these roles have become iconic. They gave the world gorgeous characters that are perceived exclusively with their face.
Only Harrison Ford stands out from this series. He is not only Han Solo, but he is also a lot of others. But, undoubtedly, this role is one of the most memorable and best in his career.
Talking about the acting, we see that it has improved compared to the performance of the actors in the first part. The trio of protagonists demonstrated a high-class of acting skills, forcing their characters to play with new colors.
STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK review - Photo credit: wallpapercave
The Technical Side
In the 5th Episode of Star Wars, I enjoyed more images and dynamics of change. On the one hand, the film is more expressive, with more motion - fighting, shooting - scenes, which has brought great joy to all fans of the action film, but the scenario has been hit hard.
Essentially, the film does not contain something more in addition to these combat scenes and Luke's workouts - things are getting better at the end of the film.
The quality of the video montage does not go down to the fourth episode; the images of the film are accompanied by the same favorite Star Wars music. Here for the first time, the well-known Imperial March sounded, and this is very important, because many people associate this melody with Star Wars, even if they have never watched a single franchise movie.
It is also worth noting the world, which seems to have become even bigger and fuller. Especially good are the first shots with the snow-white snowfield, with the harsh northerly winds, with untouched, virgin nature, so dangerous in its pristine beauty. The world is filled with scary and frightening creatures on distant planets, in remote corners of the Galaxy, where the Rebels are forced to hide. Attractive, magnificent cities, soaring up under the very heavens and buried in the clouds. They beckon with their discreet chic and glitz, their simplicity, and a sense of complete unreality. And space.
AI-Themed Blogging: STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Photo credit: twgram
Even now, more than 30 years after the release of the film, these shots are amazing. Although I love Star Wars in the first place not for the wrapper, but for the candy itself. But who said that the wrapper should be faded and dull?
Worthy of mention are the special effects masters, who continued to develop revolutionary technologies in the field of special effects. And although the Empire cannot boast of battle scenes to a great extent, those that took place showed significant progress: now the spacecraft show the figures of aerobatics and the scenes of interstellar flights have become much more dynamic and elegant.
The special effects in the film for that time was a huge achievement. Of course, looking now, you can find them terrible, but I think there is something in them. The film would not be like that; it would have had special effects of our current time. All the highlight of those years would disappear.
In turn, Irvin Kershner saved a whole kaleidoscope of cinematography techniques and means of expression for the film, which he uses everywhere, creating the necessary atmosphere in each scene with the help of lighting and brilliant camera work.
Star Wars - Imperial March - Video credit: youtube
On A Final Note
Synthesis of adventure, action, and melodrama with a small share of politics made the fifth episode the most “adult” film from the classic trilogy.
The fifth episode of the famous saga is no worse than others, and in some ways even better; for me personally, it stands on the same step with the best parts.
A striking feature of the fifth episode lies in the fact that this film stands out from the entire Star Wars epic with its slow pace, intimacy, focus on the inner world of the characters.
George Lucas's intervention in the creation of the tape once again showed that Star Wars is, above all, a collective work, and not the creation of just one person. The only drawback of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, lies in the fact that it is only a transitional bridge between one episode to another while surpassing them both expressively and dramatically. In this case, the film once again convinces us that among the blockbusters you can find genuine works of art.
Check Querlo chat and get to know what are the most frequently asked questions about artificial intelligence:
It's a cult movie. Bright. Clever. Subtle. Not devoid of psychology, complete and interesting. George Lucas skillfully combines entertainment with useful in Star Wars, making the film itself only more attractive.
The Empire may not top Star Wars, but it certainly makes one look forward to whatever new surprises George Lucas and his band of cinematic wizards can conjure up for us.
Credit: hollywoodreporter
My rating: 9.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 95/100
Metacritic: 82/100
Critics average: 97/100
IMDb: 8.7/10
HAVE FUN!
**********************************************************************************************
Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog
2019, All Rights Reserved.
You are very welcome to join Bitlanders and share your valuable knowledge and opinion.
***********************************************************************************************
