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EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK SOUNDTRACK (1980)
Outdoing originals is rarely done, but amid the first known "worldwide media blitz" (with fan clubs, merchandise, and front-page headlines) in history, George Lucas pulled it off with the outstanding Episode V of the Star Wars series. As a movie, The Empire Strikes Back highlighted personalities and human conflict of a galactic battleground; John Williams's score, in turn, plays on both inflaming personal themes, and grave, imposing marches. The indomitable "Main Theme" serves as a prelude to approaching Hoth, the ice planet, with appropriately bulky, minor-key selections. Next up surges the Imperial battle anthem that lives in infamy, "Darth Vader's Theme," a malevolent cue that dominates the soundtrack (never heard, however, in the same manner twice). Maverick spirit elevates "The Battle in the Snow," composed illustriously for deep, melancholy brass winds, and telling of a military campaign gone bad. Tracks 7-9 blaze on through the Millennium Falcon's daring maneuvers, Vader's strangling of his own men, and Luke's hurried decision to search out Ben Kenobi's mentor. These imaginative, balanced compositions, particularly "The Asteroid Field," show why The Empire Strikes Back score has been immortalized as one of the best ever. Innately close, a concert arrangement of "Yoda's Theme" summons the deepest feelings of triumph as heavenly harmonies are rendered by trumpets, clarinets, harps, and the entire 110 instruments of the London Symphony Orchestra. Equally weightless is "Han Solo and the Princess," an affectionate theme competing with Darth Vader's overbearing march in several key movie scenes. Complex, mood-setting pieces (tracks 12-14) speak of Dagobah and its forest surroundings, where Jedi master Yoda emerges as both a discerning sage and whimsical crackpot. "City in the Clouds" melds various cues for a breathtaking musical collage, including the aerial shots of Bespin, and a brief theme specifically for the fanatically-followed bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Royal and suave, Billy Dee Williams's portrayal of administrator/gambler Calrissian is characterized in "Lando's Palace." Evil vs. good, experience vs. youth--father vs. son. These are the struggles fought in "The Duel," a climax so memorable you can nearly hear the clashing lightsabers. Diehard fans and analyzing critics agree: The Empire Strikes Back boosted Star Wars immeasurably, introducing and refining the thematic mainstays of the Trilogy.
- Josh Shepherd
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