DoubleSith wrote:
I loved the "Making of Star Wars" book, and I'm really looking forward to this one. That reminds me, I never got around to reading the Indiana Jones one. Is that one any good?
The Indiana Jones book was very good. A little more than half of it is dedicated to Raiders of the Lost Ark. The rest of the book is split between the other three films. It's very much in the style of the Making of Star Wars book. If you liked that one, you will like the Indiana Jones book.
I absolutely cannot wait for this new ESB book! I know I will love every page of it, but I really hope the book can address the Gary Kurtz situation. He was Lucas's partner from American Graffiti through ESB, but I hope this book gives the definitive word on why Kurtz was booted from LFL after ESB was completed. I've always wondered if it was because of the budget, or differing visions for the story aspect of the saga. I hope Kurtz's outsting from LFL isn't just glossed over, but fleshed out once and for all.
Why does ESB resonate with me? Several reasons:
In looking at it from a filmmaking standpoint, it is the Star Wars movie that to me, looks least like it was filmed on Earth. The production staff did an amazing job at creating the environment of Dagobah. Cloud City had the appropriate futuristic look for the saga. I can't imagine how tough it must have been for cast and crew to film the Hoth scenes, but those scenes were absolutely believable in terms of being shot someplace other than Earth.
Kershner brought out some terrific acting performances out of the cast. He took the extra time that Lucas is not fond of taking on the set, to make sure the actors brought out the proper emotions in the scenes. Harrison Ford was at the top of his game. Mark Hammil played off the character of Yoda beautifully. Carrie Fisher gave Princess Leia more depth and character.
Frank Oz's work with Yoda was nothing short of genius. As pure a form of genius as has ever been captured on film.
John Williams was also at the absolute top of his game. His music belnds in with the scenes and characters so seamlessly, it's hard to imagine one existing without the other. To this day, for me, the ESB soundtrack is one I will listen to from the first note to the last. No track is skippable.
The editing and pacing of the movie are brilliant. I have watched ESB trying to poke holes in the story, performances, and other things, I just can't find them. I've had other friends of mine declare to me "Empire Srtikes Back is the greatest movie ever made." I can't disagree.
