Why is "Empire" regarded as the best of the original trilogy?

[Tabitha]

I have often wondered this.

It was the first Star Wars I watched at the cinema as a child, but I clearly remember not liking it as much as the other two movies, once I had seen all three.
The Star Wars movies, along with other movies like Indiana Jones were always played at Christmas time when I was growing up, and I can recall being a little bit disappointed when Empire was on... And as far as I can remember it wasn't on nearly as often as the others.

Now that I am a bit older I think I like it much more than I did back then, I definitely prefer it to A New Hope, but still have a huge soft spot for Return of the Jedi.
It is actually quite depressing - Han lost to Boba/Jabba, Calrissian's subterfuge, Vader's revelation and Luke's loss leave you depressed at the end - very different from the joyful celebrations at the end of IV.
In fact as a self contained film it is totally unsatisfying, there is no resolution of the 'problems' the heroes run into, and overall many more issues are raised than are dealt with or solved...
Was there ever any doubt that Return of the Jedi was to be made? If so, this was a very brave way to end a movie - it doesn't feel like the end, with so much left hanging.

Any thoughts?

 

[HeyLynny]

For the longest time i have also liked this film the best of the original trilogy. I think it's because it starts off with action and just keeps going. There is no prep work needed for the audience. For ANH, Lucas had to introduce all of the main characters. In ESB, we didn't need that. The movie started with action, had action in the middle (along with a little love story) and left off with a great cliff hanger! That left everyone wanting more (for 3 long years). That's 3 years of talking about what might happen, etc. There probably wasn't that much talk during the 3 year gap after ANH. Or even after ROTJ. Just my thoughts!

 

[Tabitha]

You make a really good point there - the suspense in itself would have left people feeling upbeat - "How are they gonna get out of this one?", but confident that there will be another installment coming soon to finish the story.

 

[Rodders]

I've been looking back through some of the older threads, so apologies everyone.

ESB has always been my personal favourite SW movie. I think that it's generally a better directed movie and for me it's darkness is what makes it such a great movie. It doesn't have your typical Hollywood movie ending. As Heylynny states, a lot of things have already been established in SW, Including ILM and John Williams' soundtrack as the effects where better, the music was better. It just flowed a lot better. That's just my opinion. A lot of people don't rate this at all.

 

[Parson]

Empire is regarded as the best of the original trilogy by the "arts" crowd because of it's brooding dark nature. There are plenty of reasons for despair, and few for hope at the end of the movie. I suppose it's more like "life" in that regard. But none of the subsequent movies had anything like the shear thrill and wonder of "Star Wars" or a "New Hope" as I think its called today. I did however think the celebration in "Return of the Jedi" felt contrived. I especially was disturbed by the "ghosts" at the end.

 

[Shadow Trooper]

I really don't know if it is my favourite, but it is superb!

I think the films positive points was that it was able to take a Galaxy far far away (pardon the pun), that we had all been introduced to, and extend our knowledge of that environment in a rich, colourful and enjoyable way.
Add to that the development of the main characters from the first film and drop in some jaw dropping revelations and a cliff hanger ending and it certainly is a memorable film that can certainly be considered by many as the best of the originals.

 

[C Of K]

When I was little, nothing in Star Wars left an impression on me quite like the Imperial ATAT Walkers, and the probe droid. Don't get me wrong, Darth Vader was the most powerful image, but he was a familiar role that so undoubtedly belonged there as to be almost mundane in comparison.

When I was little, and could hardly grasp the things I saw, the walkers and the probe droid were that extra special something that I wished to see more of. Later in the movie, Boba Fett and the line of other Bounty Hunters, had a similar effect on me.

In Return of the Jedi, the the Red clad Imperial Guards, and the Lambda Class Imperial Shuttles worked similar magic. But the Ewok's weren't the only disappointments for me in that movie. After being rescued, Han Solo was practically useless as an active character. He did things, of course, but it seems to me as though he was forced into the script instead of the natural fit he'd always been previously. Darth Vader had a few good moments in that movie, but generally I think he was worse than a stagnant character. He was actually less active in Return of the Jedi, than in any of the other films.

Lastly, I enjoyed Empire more than the others because of Cloud City. Now, that was a scene. I can't ever forget the Millennium Falcon soaring through a fluff of pink cloud, flanked by an escort of deep orange-ish/red cloud cars, en route to the pinkish City-palace type thing. What happened once our characters got inside the city was just enthralling.

 

[Rodders]

Nice Answer C of K. The Cloud City scenes were my favourite of the entire film. Maybe not as iconic as the Walkers, or the Asteroid chase, but beautiful scenes.

 

[C Of K]

I can just imagine Darth Vader sitting down to dinner, with Boba Fett at his side, just after being fired upon by Han Solo.

That image tickles me to no end

 

[Culhwch]

But what does Vader eat for dinner? Live babies?

 

[Rodders]

I'd imagine he would have one of those curly straws.

 

[reiver33]

I loved the original Star Wars and went to see it twice in one day (yup, that sad), but I did find myself starting to root a bit for Darth Vader towards the end, especially during the 'trench' attack, as the bad guys seemed to have no redeaming features at all and the 'plot' became a tad slimplistic.

With 'Empire' though the moral ambiguity kicks in and the Imperial troops, officers especially, are portrayed as simply 'doing their job' - maintaining peace and order throughout the Empire (check out www.impstherelentless.com for a wonderful take on this). I've always felt the dark tone many critrics mention is simply in comparison to the previous film, and that 'Empire' is simply more 'realistic'.

 

[Jon Sprunk]

I've always preferred Empire as the best SW movie. The cinematics (Hoth, Cloud City, Dagobah), the action (Battle of Hoth was one of the best I'd ever seen until Private Ryan), and the exploration of the Imperial side of the war. Oh yeah, and no Ewoks....

 

[Scifi fan]

It's considered the best because it's a good story, and the best story of all six movies. Simple as that.

I love Empire.

 

[paranoid marvin]

AT-ATs . Simple as that

 

[Rodders]

Of the three, only Star Wars (not now and not ever A New Hope) can come close. The Ewoks in Return of the Jedi just made it more of a children's movie.

On another note, i wonder how Hollywood would look now if the Empire Strikes Back hadn't been a hit? (Every other film they release is either a sequel or part of a Franchise.)

 

[elfdragonlord]

Because it's dark, because it has loads of atmosphere and mystique. Hoth, Boba Fett - those things are just very, very cool. Darth Vader is absolutely the dark lord of this film, as he should be and not overshadowed by the Emperor or Moff Tarkin. The sparky dialogue between Han and Leia is very well-written and engaging. Lots of Yoda/The Force stuff for people who like that. And basically it has all the elements that people love in Starwars. And there's no irritating cuteness or silly comedy that isn't funny (what comedy there is actually is funny).

Basically, it is better than the others