Star Wars Episode Vs The Empire Strikes Back Analysis

George Lucas is known for the creation of the Star Wars film series. Even if you have not seen every movie created in the series, you have at least heard about it. The series began with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). This is a time when the film industry knew little about computer generated imagery and special effects. Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (1980) was released three years after Episode IV. Lucas’ creation of the Star Wars film series is believed to be what inspired the advancement of computer generated images and special effects. The Empire Strikes Back is full of action packed, suspense filled, battle scenes that would not be possible without the assistance of computer generated imaging and special effects.

Most would consider this film to be what revolutionized what is thought of as todays special effects industry.
From time spent in space, to the formation of planets, and even laser guns and lightsabers, special effects play a large role in the success and popularity of Star Wars. Without the use of special effects most of the film would not be possible. For example, when Darth Vader finds the location of the rebel base on planet Hoth. A large convoy of Imperial infantry soldiers are led by massive armored walkers. An epic battle takes place with aerial vehicles, land troops, and of course the armored walkers. None of this action could have taken place if it was not for special effects. The use of these special effects played a key role in the enhancement of the perspective of the viewer. By creating this intense battle between the Rebels and the Imperial soldiers, the viewer was able to picture themselves fighting alongside the soldiers they wish to fight with. This is an element that was not yet incorporated in films during this time period, and is why Star Wars is considered to be well ahead of its time.
There are several examples of the use of special effects throughout the film.

Another key example of the use of special effects is present when Han Solo flies the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field to escape the Imperial fleet they are being pursued by. This scene is a very “on the edge of your seat’ type of scene. Not only does Han have to worry about being shot down by the Imperial fleet, he also has to maneuver his way around thousands of deadly asteroids. He eventually outmaneuvers the Imperial fleet and lands safely in what is believed to be a cave on an asteroid. Later, it is revealed that instead of a cave they have actually landed inside of a worm type creature. The use of special effects is a key element in this scene as well as many other scenes throughout the film. One of the main ideas behind Star Wars is something known as the Force. The Force consist of the light side and the dark side; and is basically a power that allows those who possess it, to use their mind to perform certain tasks similar to telekinesis. Obviously humans do not possess such an attribute, so we see evidence of computer generated imagery and the art of special effects again. The way Lucas utilizes all of these different elements and ties them together with the use of special effects is truly an art in itself; this is why Star Wars is believed to be what revolutionized the special effects aspect of the entire film

industry.
Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times states, “[It] (Empire Strikes Back) is a visual extravaganza from beginning to end, one of the most visionary and inventive of all films.” (Ebert) Throughout his review he mentions how the visual details are key components to the overall outcome of the film. He states, “Entirely apart from the story and the plot, the film is worth seeing simply for its sights.” (Ebert) This is because the special effects present in the film were so advanced for the time it was created. No one had seen anything like the special effects that were in the film except for the effects in the previous Star Wars. Ebert also states, “The whole world of this story has been devised and constructed in such a way that we're not particularly aware of sets or effects--there's so *much* of this world that it all seems seamless” (Ebert). I agree with what Ebert says. The world that Star Wars created was so vast and so detailed the viewer does not even realize that it is a result of computer generated imaging and special effects. They simply see the set for what it is constructed to resemble, without questioning whether or not it is real. It is my opinion that Ebert is spot on when he says the film is worth seeing simply for its sights. The special effects in this film is what really makes the movie. They allow you to really feel like you are in the scene with the actors and actually helping them defeat the dark side, something that was not really around during the 1980’s. I believe the reason Star Wars became so popular is because of the highly advanced special effects present in the film.
To conclude, the first three Star Wars films are the films that is thought of as what revolutionized the special effects industry. For all we know, the special effects industry may not have advanced as well as it did, let alone, even exist if it was not for the popularity of the Star Wars trilogy after it was released. From laser gun fights, to aerial attacks, to even hand to hand lightsaber fights, The Empire Strikes Back keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. Space flight, lightsaber battles, armored walkers, and laser gun fights are all possible because of special effects. Without the use of these highly advanced special effects, Star Wars would not be able to exist. It is because of these special effects that most would consider this film to be what revolutionized what is thought of as todays special effects industry.