13 Things You Learn When You Rewatch Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
8. Yoda Is A Beguiling Presence Here
Watching The Empire Strikes Back on the back of the Star Wars prequels ensures that the depiction of Yoda here feels strange. Last seen weary and damn-near beaten at the end of Revenge Of The Sith, the Jedi master was still nevertheless a sprightly (at least in battle) presence; old, yes, but still going, still fully believable as the Greatest of all Time. Cue his entrance here, which sees Yoda aloof and bizarre, amazed by a stick of food, a flashlight. Hes raggedy, unkempt, makes odd noises when hes not speaking in odd English. Granted this might be part of his attempt to test Lukes belief - and naturally he has aged greatly - but it remains that this is a wholly different Yoda than that of the prequels. This is by no means a complaint, and if anything, it makes sense that he has weakended. Not only does it show that his failure to defeat Darth Sidious weighs heavy on him, but it also adds gravitas and emotion to the eventual demonstration of his powers; his lifting of Lukes X-Wing out of the swamp is an awe-inspiring moment that ranks as a franchise best.
