The Standard Bearer of the Star Wars Universe

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 1999)

The Empire Strikes Back, technically superior to Star Wars and dramatically superior to Return of the Jedi, still remains the best of the series. While not my favorite of the trilogy, I still am fascinated by the array of events that take place in this film. It contains extreme contrasts, from the swampy Dagobah to the stark Cloud City, and gives the characters much more complex storylines. Mark Hamill stands out once again as the intrepid Luke Skywalker, who finally gets a taste of the Dark Side while training with the legendary Yoda and with a botched confrontation with Darth Vader in Cloud City. The rest of the group is trapped in space, without a working hyperdrive, and caught in the belly of a space slug. ESB also offers a glimpse of Boba Fett, the enigmatic bounty hunter who had few lines, but unforgettable screen presence and a gigantic cult following ever since. The Special Edition of ESB is also a treat, with a enhanced and truly menacing Wampa on the icy Hoth, and great CGI effects on Bespin. I highly recommend The Empire Strikes Back, but don't forget, this isn't a stand alone film. You have to see the entire series! Hopefully, that won't be hard for any of us...