Anniversary of the Pinnacle of Pop Culture in 1980 ‘Empire Strikes Back’ ‘Pac-Man’
May 21, 1980 was the release of the most anticipated sequel in movie history as “The Empire Strikes Back” hit theaters. Sure, the 1999 return of “Star Wars” with “The Phantom Menace” created a frenzy, long lines, but it was thirty years ago that history, both movie and pop culture, was re-written.
Irvin Kershner sat in the director’s chair taking the George Lucas saga to all new heights as Boba Fett, Yoda, Lando Calrissian and the great “Father-Son” ending made “Empire” more memorable than the original.
“Star Wars” was revolutionary, but “Empire” defined the epic, created seriousness and depth that would propel the Lucas saga further than anyone ever expected.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, in Japan, Pac-Man was released (May 22, 1980) and arcades would now explode onto the Pop Culture landscape.
Sure, there was pinball, Space Invaders and Asteroids, but “dot” consuming yellow mouth would create a social phenomenom, not to mention a horrible 80’s song “Pac-man Fever” as the greatest video game icon in history.
Like Mickey Mouse, kids at a young age learn what Pac-Man is without even playing the game.
30 years of Rebels battling the Empire in the snow of Hoth and Pac-Man dodging Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Spot — Pop Culture’s pinnacle in so many ways as they “it was never the same again.”