Audio problems are not a factor here either. Once again, the battle on Hoth is the highlight just like it was in the video department. Each laser shot is accompanied by a stunning amount of bass when they connect and fly through the sound field when they miss. Inside the base, each of the AT-AT's footsteps resonates throughout the base and in the viewer's home. Luke and Vader's unforgettable fight is also highlighted by atmospheric bursts of steam from each speaker. This is powerful sound usage. (*****)
The individual disc for "Empire" contains only a commentary track. The rest of the features are over on disc four. Director Irvin Kershner gets his say along with the crew from the first films track, Lucas, Burtt, Muren, and Carrie Fisher. (**)
Even without the obviously enlarged budget, "Empire" would still succeed. Very few movies can claim to be this engrossing, powerful, and exciting while still giving the proper amount of time for the actors to add multiple layers to their characters. It's also that rare sequel that can eclipse the original on almost every level. This is an undeniable classic of American cinema.
Article comments
1 - B Russ
Han pounding the ship after stalling is gone: I just watched the Empire Strikes Back DVD. Remember when, before escaping Hoth, the Millenium Falcon stalls, the lights go out? Han pounds the wall above the door, the ship restarts, and off they go. Wellll.... it's gone from the DVD. Was this gone from the recent special release too? Anyway, WHY would they cut that scene? It was funny, and really gave you a sense of how fragile the MF was. Damn it, its absence will always bug me. Just leaves me hoping for an eventual DVD release of these movies without all the new tampering.
2 - Matt Paprocki
You blinked, because it is there. I seen it. Still gets a chuckle out of me.
3 - Jim S
second that motion.. it's there. The film wouldn't be the same without that scene....
The HUGE difference that I noticed (and maybe I'm wrong) is that the conversation between Vader and the Emperor is different. I haven't gone back to my SE videos to see if it was changed there (I've only watched them twice... I mostly go back to the original editons if I'm VHSing...) but the conversation is totally different than in the original theatrical release.