2. The Closing Shot Is Stunning
Technically, the last shot of The Empire Strikes Back is an exterior one looking in at the image above as a few ships roar past. But the real last shot, the one everybody remembers, is this one, this gorgeous image of Luke, Leia, R2, and C-3PO looking out at a stunning space vista, a great planet dominating the screen, the Millennium Falcon in amongst it. Theres a false sense of happiness - of hope - that precedes this shot: Luke is fitted with a prosthetic arm; he and Leia share a laugh; Lando sets off to find Han and seems relaxed and confident about doing so. But this is not A New Hope, this is false hope: Lukes arm is still metal beneath the prostheses; Lando has no idea if hell find Han in time; and, crucially, Luke and Leia share an awkward moment, missing each others concerned glances before settling on an unconvincing smile as the camera swings round to show the great unknown, with our heroes looking out into uncertainty, into a galaxy they cant comprehend, one in which Han could be dead and hopes have been dashed and all the stars can do is shine back, beautiful and ambivalent.