Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Disc 2)
Star Wars Trilogy DVD
20th Century Fox
Reviewed by Michael Sullenger
September 11, 2004
Director: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Format: Anamorphic Widescreen (Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1)
Sound: Dolby 5.1 Surround EX, English Dolby 2.0 Surround, French Dolby
2.0 Surround, Spanish Dolby 2.0 Surround
Subtitles: English
Film Rating: PG
Running Time: 129 Minutes
SRP: $69.98 (4 Disc Boxed Set)
Availability: September 21, 2004
In the history of Hollywood, three sequels are always regarded as
surpassing the first: The Godfather Part II, Aliens, and The
Empire Strikes Back. The second installment of the original Star Wars Trilogy
was considered darker and more elaborate than the original, replacing the
giddiness of A New Hope with more grit and futility as well as a little tongue in cheek
humor mixed in to add brief moments of levity. How do
you follow up the biggest blockbuster film at the time? Hire a director who
hates sci-fi films, give a two foot latex puppet some Zen-like sensibilities,
and add a little romance...but just enough to make your point. Top it off
with a surprise ending that gives new meaning to the the term "Who's your
Daddy?" and you've got a sequel that not only continues to tell the story,
but takes it to a deeper, darker level. After all, the bad guys win.
Empire was the least edited of the Special Editions outside of some added
background and atmosphere, most notably in the Cloud City sequence. More of the same is seen
and heard here but with vastly improved DVD clarity and superior sound...and there is
another. For the DVD release, Lucas added some minor changes to a couple of
characters that prominently bridges the original trilogy to the prequels. But
while the results were far from a grand slam in A New Hope, in Empire
the changes make better sense.
PACKAGING
The platinum foil embossed widescreen outer slip case (gold in the fullscreen
version) features the classic Hildebrandt image on one side and Darth
Vader on the other.
The DVD box follows the template previously seen in the prequel DVD's,
with brand new art featuring Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett and Yoda
framed with the Executor and three AT-AT's from the Battle of Hoth.
All 7 discs (including the prequels)
can be shelved in handsome uniformity and each sports their Roman numeric episode
number. The disc art by Roger Kastel is inspired
by the original theatrical release poster.
Also included inside is a sheet featuring a stylized oil painted Darth Vader with the 50 chapter descriptions on the flip side.
VISUALS
Let it snow, let it snow! While A New Hope saw a vast clean-up of
Tatooine desert sand, Empire's snow was given a huge makeover, and
according to Lowry Digital, it wasn't easy. Up to 1 million pieces of dirt were
removed per scene, which ended up overburdening Lowry's automated systems. In comparison,
the Indiana Jones trilogy DVD's Lowry restored last year only had about 100,000
pieces of dirt PER FILM.
The Battle
of Hoth comes alive with added sharpness for the icy environment as well as
vibrant explosions and pluming smoke which almost leap through the screen. You'll also notice that the matte lines
in the snowspeeder cockpits which were cleaned up for the Special Editions are
now virtually non-existent this time around. The blue screen effects are much more realistic. One couldn't tell from the VHS release that Luke's
snowspeeder flight suit is
two shades of orange, but with the exacting color of DVD technology, you now can. His
yellow tinted visor also has a keen reflection and detail not seen before
in previous formats. In
short, it's freaking amazing!
More visual wonderment is experienced with the enhanced clarity of Dagobah. Yoda
is hued with richer greens, and extra detail in the swamp trees and foliage
transfers nicely in high def. In Bespin, there's a more colorful wall palette in the halls of Cloud City and a menacing red in the
carbonite chamber. There was a small barely noticeable flaw right in the beginning of
Luke's duel with Vader, where his lightsaber turned from blue to an almost pinkish hue when their blades first clash. It's very minute and hardly detracts
from the overall quality of the DVD.
SOUND
The 5.1 Dolby Surround EX shines once again. The AT-ATs thud menacingly towards
you while Rebel snowspeeders fly from your left to your right speakers in the Hoth sequence. In
the asteroid field, the audio mix truly reaches an excitement filled crescendo with the sounds of TIE
Fighters in hot pursuit and the all too familiar scream of the Millennium
Falcon's engine trying desperately to escape as John Williams' music
complements the sequence with a dynamic energy. Nothing beats drumming up The Imperial March in true 5.1.
Like I mentioned in Disc 1's review, if you can spare the change, you won't
regret investing in a Dolby 5.1 Home Theater System. This is what it's made for.
MENU
The menu system by Van Ling continues to improve with eye catching pans but
remains sensible and easy to navigate. A random planet theme is loaded upon boot
up, and for The Empire Strikes Back, it's Hoth, Dagobah, and Bespin, with
sections for Chapter Selection, Options, and the secret exclusive DVD window to
StarWars.com. In the ESB disk, some nice effects are used such as the stones
Luke levitates in Dagobah serving as chapter navigation.
Hoth
Dagobah
Bespin
ENHANCED SCENES
While there are quite a few enhancements visible only to the most
scrutinizing fanboy, here's what stood out as fairly evident. The SE version is
the left thumbnail while the DVD's is the right.
We can now confirm all those internet rumors! Ian McDiarmid replaces Clive
Revill in the Emperor's transmission scene (the Special Edition end
credits remain unchanged, so Revill is still credited as the Emperor). It's a good change that adds more
consistency to the films, since McDiarmid plays the more expanded role in Return
of the Jedi. Doesn't that OTC Holographic Emperor figure make perfect sense now?
The dialogue was also altered in this sequence.
Emperor: We have a new enemy. The young Rebel who destroyed the
Death Star. I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.
Vader: How is that possible?
Emperor: Search your feelings Lord Vader. You will know it to be
true.
I'm sure there's a logical explanation to tie this in to Anakin's fate in
Episode III. We'll soon find out next May, but in the meantime, let the
speculation begin.
Another notable change, this time in voice only, is that of Boba Fett. Adding continuity to the role of
the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunter, Temuera
Morrison, the actor who played Jango Fett in Episode II and the DNA "father"
of Boba, replaces Jason Wingreen as the bounty hunter's voice in The Empire Strikes
Back DVD. Good call
on the change, though Wingreen's voice is somewhat iconic.
Here's an MP3 of
Morrison's "He's no good to me dead."
Finally, Luke's scream as he jumps down the chasm of Cloud City to escape
Vader has been edited out, ending the fan debate as to why he would yell out
like that if he took the plunge on his own accord.
COMMENTARIES
Commentaries in this disc are provided by George Lucas, director Irvin Kershner,
Ben Burtt, ILM's Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher. This is undoubtedly the best
set of commentaries in the DVD's with the inclusion of Kershner, who gives such
insightful detail of his experience coupled with a good natured presence. "Kersh"
shared such tidbits as Mark Hamill's near death experience in the Bacta tank and
his effort in adding some lighthearted humor to an otherwise dark themed
film.
Lucas comments on the challenges they faced shooting in Norway while enduring
temperatures 20 degrees below zero, and Ben Burtt, the master of sound,
tells us that the Tauntaun's unique voice came from an Asian sea
otter. Good stuff you should listen to if you've got the time.
FIN
What more can I say that hasn't been said already about the superior visuals and
sounds? Empire's compelling storyline which made it much more than just a
second act. Detail and color that adds a new dimension to the film. It's all
here folks.
The DVD enhancements, unlike what was changed in A New Hope, make
more sense and tie things nicely to the prequels, including hints of what may
possibly come in Revenge
of the Sith. There's too much to like on this disc for any review to do it
justice, so you'll have to wait and see for yourself on September 21st.
