Still holds up

Rating: 10/10 (21 February 2001)

Just saw the special edition of this movie again last night after a few years, and I'm still amazed by it. Easily the darkest and most dramatic of the star wars films (and the best), highlights include the opening hoth battle, the asteroid belt chase and the final lightsaber dual between Luke and Vader. The special edition actually adds to cloud city, making it seem much larger and open and enhances its feeling. The added wompa creature scenes are not as effective, but do not really detract from the film.
The look of the film really sticks with you, especially on Degobah and Cloud City...great lighting, angles in the scene where Han Solo is frozen in carbonite. Best work by John Williams in the trilogy as far as music goes too..."Empire theme" ranks with "ride of the valkyries" in apocalypse now as a power anthem.
Only part that slightly bugs is when the millennium falcon is docked in the worm's stomach on the asteroid and the "minocs" appear (it goes for amateurish "startle" scares like in a corny slasher flick) but otherwise an awesome movie. A perfect 10.