Why is "Empire" regarded as the best of the original trilogy? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Tabitha · 15th June 2002, 11:14 PM

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 · 6th July 2002, 03:45 AM

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 · 6th July 2002, 06:44 AM

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.

15th June 2002, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,638	Why is "Empire" regarded as the best of the original trilogy? 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?

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6th July 2002, 03:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
HeyLynny Explorer Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: New York Posts: 621	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!

6th July 2002, 06:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,638	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.