Irvin Kershner
105 connections found
View:
Connections, in both directions
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Directed by Peter Jackson
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Themes Characters
It's traditional for the middle part of a trilogy to be darker than the other installments (think "The Empire Strikes Back").
Indeed, you have to go all the way back to "The Godfather Part II," "The Empire Strikes Back" or "Superman 2" to find a sequel that flows so naturally out of its setup or expands on its themes with such old-fashioned storytelling verve and satisfaction.
But whereas Fellowship did a nice job of balancing quieter moments with the bombast, this action-packed installment often treats its expository scenes as asides (too many good actors — McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Miranda Otto — are given the short shrift in this outing); what's more, the movie doesn't deepen or expand the tale's themes as masterfully as The Empire Strikes Back added to Star Wars' mystique.
…the dark middle films of Lucas and Spielberg’s Indiana Jones trilogy and of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films are the weakest in their respective series…
No movie creature has been as mesmerizing since the initial appearance of Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Sort of ET meets Scooby-Doo, the character is set to become an audience favourite as Yoda did in the second Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Directed by Joe Russo
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Partway through a dramatic battle in “Captain America: Civil War,” a character makes a passing joke about 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.”
The dialogue is peppered with movie and pop-cultural references — at one point, Spider-Man draws inspiration from “a really old movie” called “The Empire Strikes Back” — and there is even a sly joke about the proliferation of “enhanced” battlers of evil and world-threatening events.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Directed by Rian Johnson
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot Themes Visuals
While The Last Jedi isn’t a mirror image of The Empire Strikes Back in the same way that The Force Awakens was to A New Hope, there are intentional parallels between the sophomoric chapters in these respective trilogies.
For all its parallels to The Empire Strikes Back in structure, themes, and existential crises, The Last Jedi is the funniest of all the Star Wars films (not including the unintentionally funny Star Wars Holiday Special ).
While there are elements nodding to “The Empire Strikes Back” — the second and best of the original three — “The Last Jedi” is no copycat.
Yes, The Last Jedi does reference Empire Strikes Back to a certain extent but not as slavishly as The Force Awaken s mirrored A New Hope .
There’s a reprise of the Empire Strikes Back cave scene (this time rendered as a hall of mirrors) and a hint that Rey is in thrall to the Dark Side, a twist that is unoriginal and half-hearted, comes out of nowhere, and feels completely wrong for a character who radiates goodness.
In the way that The Force Awakens echoed A New Hope , there are definitely some (although far, far fewer) parallels between The Last Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back , but Johnson has a much lighter touch than JJ Abrams.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Directed by J.J. Abrams
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot Themes Visuals
After Rey blasts off from Jakku (that's inevitable -- it's Star Wars ), the journey becomes a mirror-universe version of its source material, staging pivotal moments so as to invoke Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back , and Return of the Jedi , and peppering the dialogue with references galore (hey, a trash compactor joke!).
Abrams’ first turn at the franchise controls combines the freshness of 1977’s “A New Hope” with the darkness and intensity of 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.” “The Force Awakens” opens 30 years after Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) defeated Darth Vader and restored balance to the Force in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”
Abrams and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan ( The Empire Strikes Back ) also bring back a sense of prior history and continuity, invoked in old Ben Kenobi’s references to “a more civilized age” and Han Solo’s glib remarks about the strange things he’d seen flying from one end of the galaxy to the other.
Working from a script he co-wrote with Lawrence Kasdan (who also wrote the best film in the series, “The Empire Strikes Back”) and “Toy Story 3” and “Little Miss Sunshine” writer Michael Arndt, Abrams beautifully combined the elements of the first three films that we loved so much with a fresh sense of purpose.
The backdrops even echo the original trilogy as the story zips from a desert planet, as seen in "A New Hope", to forest and ice worlds, like those of "Return of the Jedi" and "The Empire Strikes Back", stopping in on a bustling bar filled with weird and wonderful aliens just like in the very first film.
The screenplay (by Abrams, Michael Arndt and Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back ) oscillates between extending the masthead narrative through rearranging plot variables – chasing, being chased, sneaking into places, escaping etc – and tapping into a rich vein of nostalgia.
If one was to compare this to the Star Wars franchise, it’s more like The Empire Strikes Back , which took chances, than The Force Awakens , which reworked previous themes and ideas.
But I confess, I wanted the sequel to be a match for the original, the way “The Godfather, Part II” and “Empire Strikes Back” were.
Sequels that do this well become almost mythical: “The Godfather Part II,” “Star Trek II,” “Toy Story 2,” the almighty “Empire Strikes Back.”
The Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Aliens most regularly appear among the best examples, but Blade Runner 2049 may over time join their ranks.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Visuals
Acquiring more taste for human flesh, the Nazgul's Fell beasts (flying dragons) become even more terrifying, and just when you think our heroes have achieved victory, suddenly a line of heavily armored Oliphants advances, much like the spectacular “elephant” vehicles that tore into the rebel alliance in The Empire Strikes Back.
But whereas Fellowship did a nice job of balancing quieter moments with the bombast, this action-packed installment often treats its expository scenes as asides (too many good actors — McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Miranda Otto — are given the short shrift in this outing); what's more, the movie doesn't deepen or expand the tale's themes as masterfully as The Empire Strikes Back added to Star Wars' mystique.
The battles designed to distract the eye of Sauron are, as expected, spectacular with a more than passing nod to “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Jackson throws more incredible creatures into the mix, from swooping winged dragons (think "Reign of Fire") to massive, lumbering Oliphaunts (think "The Empire Strikes Back") to the giant spider Shelob (think "Eight Legged Freaks").
The initial siege of Minas Tirith is almost as good as the stunning Helm's Deep battle in The Two Towers, but then the much larger and more ambitious Battle of the Pelennor Fields comes along and it's kind of terrible: rampant with obvious CGI in the form of ridiculous large elephants (Tolkien, in imagining the beasts, presumably was not as influenced by the AT-AT walkers in The Empire Strikes Back as Jackson), and desperately bad quips by our heroes, and the low point of the whole franchise, when Legolas abruptly becomes an obvious animated effect and kills one of the big animals; though it's edited better than the fights in Fellowship, so we have to give Jamie Selkirk (third movie, third editor) that much credit.
The knockout one-two punch of "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back" gave way to the considerably less devastating "Return of the Jedi" (with those ultra-irritating Ewoks).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Directed by James Gunn
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Themes Plot Visuals
In James Gunn's sequel to his swashbuckling space Western, the Guardians of the Galaxy do their version of "The Empire Strikes Back," complete with daddy issues but with a considerably more anarchic spirit and enough acerbic interplay among its interstellar gang to make Obi-Wan blush.
Reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back in the way in which it breaks up the characters and only utilizes a handful of settings (albeit while telling a complete story), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is simply structured with dual plot narratives, but they're properly harnessed to really get the most out of the entire fantastic ensemble.
Troma veteran Gunn’s cheeky sensibility owed more to Buckaroo Banzai and The Ice Pirates than The Empire Strikes Back , his eye for colorfully kitschy alien worlds an invigorating change from Marvel’s usual office furniture aesthetic.
It’s particularly true for genre films where every sci-fi action sequel becomes ‘the series’ Empire Strikes Back, whether it fits or not.
Entre los fallos, tendría que resaltar que la jugada de Gunn en tirarse el “ Empire Strikes Back ” de separar a nuestro equipo, no resulta en una que completamente funciona.
…most of my knowledge about “Star Wars” being something of a magical property at its time was because of my uncle who is a big fan of the series and recalls all the stories about watching the original film and “Empire Strikes Back” in theaters…
Three years after George Lucas wrote and directed the most influential space opera work of fiction of all time, the beloved cinematic universe of Star Wars was met with a mixed critical reception upon the release of its second instalment.
While "The Empire Strikes Back" stands up to "Star Wars" far better than most sequels stand up to their original…
But once people understand that Star Wars has evolved into a series of episodes (with nine planned in all), I think they'll be able to deal easily with the film's atypical ending.
…a sci-fi adventure sequel to the first Star Wars film that continues the adventures of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)…
While Empire doesn’t quite measure up to Star Wars in the freshness and originality of its script…
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Directed by Dean DeBlois
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Visuals Plot
This may as well be his Fortress of Solitude, or to borrow an analogy from that greatest of fantasy-movie sequels, “The Empire Strikes Back” (whose influence on DeBlois cannot be underestimated), it’s the spiritual equivalent of Dagobah, where Yoda trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force.
The influence of The Empire Strikes Back is readily apparent between the often icy environments and steeper stakes (DeBlois has admitted as much in interviews), and although the original’s entire voice cast has reprised its roles, Baruchel and America Ferrera (as Hiccup’s now-girlfriend, Astrid) contribute subtly mature work bringing their lead characters forth from their teens into something resembling adulthood.
This sequel has been pitched by director Dean DeBlois as The Empire Strikes Back to How to Train Your Dragon's A New Hope, picking up five years after the events of the original with Vikings and dragons living in harmony on the island of Berk.
The follow-up has both the solemnity and big story turns that made The Empire Strikes Back a superior sequel, as well as the cartoonish, kid-oriented set pieces that made Return of the Jedi more of a family-friendly adventure.
Like The Empire Strikes Back (which is a terrific qualitative allusion here), How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a marvelous middle act.
The animated sequel takes cues from "The Empire Strikes Back" the same way "Skyfall" took cues from "The Dark Knight."
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Themes Plot
And the film franchise blossoms in that book’s uncertain middle ground, exploring the implications and consequences of action, inaction, and deception, and exhibiting a willingness to embrace uncertainty and defeat that’s reminiscent of one of the all-time great middle installments, The Empire Strikes Back.
Not since 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" has the middle chapter in a cinematic series eclipsed the dramatic scope and technical quality of its original while leaving us breathlessly dangling from a closing narrative cliff the way "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" does.
This is Empire Strikes Back stuff.
“Catching Fire” ends on an “Empire Strikes Back”-style note of irresolution (the final book, “Mockingjay,” will be split into two movies), and I expected the movie would end with some big plot twist, or grand visual effect.
“Catching Fire” is the new “The Empire Strikes Back,” a smashing sci-fi sequel that takes its blockbuster franchise into deeper, smarter, more dramatically engaging territory.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Directed by Joss Whedon
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot Visuals Themes
Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner is apparently now hooking up with Scarlett Johansson’s reliably badass Black Widow, yielding some retro-style banter — but even that thread is given a non-resolution that seems to half-assedly echo “Empire Strikes Back” but ultimately exists to simply set up fodder for some later installment.
As I was preparing to see "Avengers: Age of Ultron," I came across a curious fact: Every movie in Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from "Iron Man 3" to now, includes a scene in which someone's arm gets hacked off — an homage to Luke Skywalker losing his lightsaber-holding arm in "The Empire Strikes Back."
Marvel majordomo Kevin Feige recently revealed that every Marvel movie has a specific homage to “The Empire Strikes Back”: a minimum of one character or random victim will have their arm lopped off.
The sequel searches for a darker tonal shift, a sort of “Empire Strikes Back” for the Avengers.
It’s like serving up “The Empire Strikes Back” after “Star Wars,” but with a chorus line instead of carbonite.
Like The Empire Strikes Back or Back to the Future Part II, the new movie develops and complicates the story's lore and characters.
Follow-ups like The Godfather Part II, The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back and numerous others all build upon the characters and world-building established in their predecessors…
Mortal Engines (2018)
Directed by Christian Rivers
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot Visuals
The allusions to Star Wars in terms of how Hester and Tom are developed are so egregious that, by the climactic battle that feels an awful lot like a mix of the climaxes of both the 1977 original and The Empire Strikes Back, you wonder if Lucasfilm should be listed in the credits.
The movie has been cast with relative newcomer Hera Hilmar as the main character who does the job I assume she was told to do, so acquits herself in a truly broad role where she has all the answers, as well as the one who seems to be key to this plot, there is even an “Empire Strikes Back” (1980) moment involving her which seemed to be too funny to be true, but then this is that kind of movie.
Thaddeus is attacked by a mysterious, scar-faced stranger named Hester Shaw (Icelandic actress Hera Hilmar), and soon she and Tom are cast into the outlands, where they eventually find themselves in league with a cool fighter named Anna Fang (Jihae) aboard a massive, Empire Strikes Back -ish cloud city that’s just itching to be burnt down.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Directed by Peter Jackson
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Fans who remember The Empire Strikes Back (1980) ending with many of its issues unsolved -- and feeling the anguish of having to wait three more years for the sequel -- will know how it feels.
There are visual references to Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark, sound effects lifted from Star Wars, and an extended parody of The Empire Strikes Back which acknowledges its own silliness and is funnier than Spaceballs and more good-humored than what Lucas is doing these days.
And yes, you could spend multiple viewings of Toy Story 2 looking for the inside jokes: Tour Guide Barbie (Jodi Benson) admonishing passengers bilingually a la Disneyland to "remain seated please" in a toy car; high-speed channel surfing including Pixar shorts like Tin Toy and Luxo Jr.; a toy repair expert (Jonathan Harris) whose face recycles the star of the Oscar-winning short Geri's Game; genial pokes at Tron, Jurassic Park and The Empire Strikes Back.
These themes were toyed with in the non-canonical Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again, which saw Connery return to action 12 years (and one broken "never" vow) after Diamonds Are Forever.
Now they have reteamed for a slightly less Chekhovian project: the 23rd official James Bond film (24th if you count the Sean Connery off-brander "Never Say Never Again").
Or it's the 25th, if you include Sean Connery's 1983 return to the role in "Never Say Never Again," an independent production made outside the context of the MGM Bond series, and the 1967 spoof "Casino Royale," which cast David Niven and Woody Allen as unlikely James Bonds.
Bond never has endured so many rude remarks about his physical prowess since Sean Connery made his middle-aged one-shot return to the role in the ill-advised Never Say Never Again.
It’s as if, after reclaiming the title Casino Royale for the official franchise, the Broccolis wanted to remake Never Say Never Again as well – a movie, that, by the way, managed to still be fun even while dealing with an aging Bond worried about the future.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Directed by Joe Russo
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot Themes
This is not a spoiler: “ Avengers: Infinity War ” contains the most dramatic cliffhanger of any major blockbuster since “The Empire Strikes Back,” and everything leading up to it is a marathon.
The ending of The Empire Strikes Back is frequently cited in this regard, but I could just as easily include several story beats in everything from Mad Max: Fury Road to The Last Jedi to Marvel’s own Black Panther as creating fantastical situations that nevertheless were grounded in real human feeling.
There are many reasons why “Infinity War” evokes “The Empire Strikes Back” – the cutting across multiple storylines, the darker tones of its story – and one of the main reasons is because it’s so accomplished and does what it sets out to do so well.
Infinity War is Marvel’s answer to Empire Strikes Back with our heroes facing off against overwhelming odds and the increasing sense that all hope is lost.
De primera instancia, diría que Infinity War es la Empire Strikes Back del MCU.
Comparisons have flown around to “The Empire Strikes Back,” and while these are enthusiastic superlatives, at least narratively, they’re not entirely off the mark either: ‘Infinity War’ has grave consequences for its broken and beaten heroes.
Sci-fi zealots might find it fun to count off the references to “La Jetee,” “Planet of the Apes,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Even without the extra dimension, the film is stunning with very imaginative scenes like the pool in the clouds and the “Empire Strikes Back”-influenced dogfight in a waterfall making for an epic experience.
The Avengers (1998)
Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot
The last half hour provides enough spectacular action sequences (including a stormy duel reminiscent of the one in The Empire Strikes Back) to reward a young viewer who might have endured the awkward dialogue (loaded with innuendos) and uncomfortable overdose of strangeness (giant teddy bears, anyone?) that ran rampant for the first sixty minutes.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)
Directed by Nia DaCosta
influenced by The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot
The second film in a trilogy has a tough remit with relatively high stakes. It should feel like a natural continuation of the first film, while advancing both the plot and the world-building in meaningful and interesting ways. Sure, sounds easy, but few films can objectively claim this, such as “The Empire Strikes Back,” “The Two Towers,” “Aliens,” and of course, “CarousHELL 2.”
Of course you could say the same thing about The Empire Strikes Back or Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo…