1980 at the movies: Star Wars returns and Redford rules

 

I made a little mistake.

With Star Wars it was a no-brainer to watch the original, untouched 1977 version. With The Empire Strikes Back, though, I got a little lazy. Yes, I could have watched the Laserdisc which pretty darn close to the original version, but it hadn't been that long since I watched the LD anyway, so I figured I'd just watch on Disney+ because, for one thing, it looks great and I'd like to give Empire that treatment. Also, as I recalled, Empire was the Star Wars movie with the least adjustments made in those Special Editions. I was thinking, of course, of seeing it in 1997, and forgot that more changes were to come later.

For the most part, I don't mind the changes anyway. Most of them are cosmetically improving the effects and not adding new characters or musical numbers. I don't mind Cloud City opening up, although I don't need it, and I really couldn't remember any other changes.

Well, as soon as Luke said to R2 "You were lucky to get out of there" instead of "You're lucky you don't taste very good" I was reminded that some changes cannot be explained. Meanwhile, the scene of two characters clearly *not* intended to be brother/sister at that time sharing a kiss, a scene that could easily be cut without any impact on the plot whatsoever, remains untouched after who knows how many special editions. 

I also missed my old Emperor: 

I should've watched the Laserdisc.

Anyway - the movie is so good. So good, in fact, that I'm convinced that it sets the bar for every other Star Wars film too high and "it's not Empire" becomes a very convenient and accurate statement about every film to come afterwards (Rogue One comes closest).

This time I was also struck by Oz's performance as Yoda. He looks really, really good and lifelike, and there were only a couple of times where puppeteering looked at all obvious. The rest of the time it really is Yoda acting with Hamill.

Now then, let's change the mood:

Is it weird to say I love this movie? Ordinary People, Best Picture winner from the following year, isn't something I'd pop it in at any old time, but from start to finish I find it fascinating. Each performance, each little story told within the larger tale, each time the focus changes to roles both big and small to reveal yet another impact of the tragedy - I think it's brilliantly done. 

Sutherland fits this role to a tee, but this is another time when I wish I'd been around to experience the reaction to Mary Tyler Moore taking on this role and excelling in it. I don't expect that this tone of film from Redford would have been much of a shock, but it would have almost certainly been of a quality beyond expectations for a first time gig.

And, not that Ordinary People invented psychiatry, but does Good Will Hunting owe some very specific things to this movie?