The Empire Strikes Back: Rediscovering the Magic of a Sci-Fi Classic
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- In 1980, when “The Empire Strikes Back” was released, “Star Wars: A New Hope” had already established itself as the most popular movie ever made. Beloved by practically every person who saw it, firmly ensconced in the pop culture conversation forever, the film lit up the imaginations of children and adults alike. That’s what made it so special. Very quickly, it went from modestly-budgeted gamble... to an industry game changer, with everything from highly-coveted toys to a rather bizarre Christmas special capitalizing off the goodwill generated by George Lucas’ terrific film. The actors were now stars, and their characters were celebrities - “Star Wars” was the feel- good story of the business, helping to usher in a newfound appreciation - and soon enough, a reliance - on high-concept summer blockbusters.
But a showstopper of this magnitude needs an encore. For all the merchandise and souvenirs offered in the wake of “A New Hope’s” footprint, only a sequel could truly fill the void felt by people who’d seen the movie a half-dozen times or more. If you stand back and really look at it, “A
New Hope” has the perfect Hollywood ending. In short: good triumphs over evil, our conquering heroes are treated like the noble champions they are, everyone lives happily ever after... If the movie had been a gigantic flop, a non-starter, this would have been a very satisfying finale. But as we know, that was never meant to be the end, ideal as it may be. Our heroes have only made the first step in what will continue to be a journey filled with tests, hardships and more than a few significant surprises. The battle is over, but the war is not. The “new hope” must find out just how heavy that crown weighs...Here on Revisited
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Still the best Star Wars movie ever made
Agreed, it's the first one I ever saw, and I was instantly hooked!
100% undeniable truth.
Yup 💯
Ye totally agree. I have Rogue One a close second though. The only decent star wars film Disney has done.
I kinda prefer a new hope.
This movie has perfect pacing. Not even one minute of being bored.
I can't speak for everybody but it definitely my favorite out of all the movies. The Force is with you young Skywalker but you're not a Jedi yet.
I like how Jim Henson helped design Yoda (as well as recommending Frank Oz) in exchange for the Star Wars characters appearing on The Muppet Show.
I was a wee lad when I watched that eps premiere and it blew my mind apart.
It's not only the best Star Wars ANYTHING, it's also one of the best movies ever made. Period.
Absolutely... ESB is not pigeon held to just the greastest movie in sci fi history, its one of THE greatest movies ever made period
The 3 year wait between Empire and Jedi was the longest when I was a kid. Only had the original Marvel Star Wars comics and the Kenner action figures to help the wait go by. Great times.
I first saw them with the special edition rerelease in 97 and only had an hour wait in between . I remember thinking “ wow how did people handle having to wait 3 years for this!”
@@Skute I was quite a different person at age 9, seeing _The Empire Strikes Back,_ playing with toys and imagining it, than I was at age 12 for _Return of the Jedi._ I remember wanting but not getting the soundtrack for the former and the book for the latter.
If someone's watching them for the first time, they should wait at least a day between them to get the experience of thinking about what they just saw (maybe seeing it again before continuing), and thinking what might come next.
Me, age 11 in '80: 👍
Me, age 54, now: 👍
Imo still one of the best sequels of all time.
In my opinion one of the few perfect movies.
My perfect movies are back to the future and Ghostbusters,yes they're are plot holes but everything is on point the acting,story,and music are all perfect in those 2.
@@ericseitzler81Every movie’s gonna have some form of plothole.
@@MediaLoverChris02 very true
When Vader said "I AM your father," there was a hush in the theater. All I could do was think "Was I supposed to know this? Because I didn't." There was something about it that reminded me of those ancient Greek Classics.
Yes, this movie is my favourite sequel of all time, right up there with "The Godfather" Part 2, and "Shrek 2." Not all sequels have to be mediocre.
Sequels should only get made if there’s a good story worth telling, which can live up to or surpass the previous movie
I'd also have to include: Aliens,Terminator 2,...
And Caddyshack 2!
Evil Dead 2
Batman Returns
People tend to tell me that watching the films in numerical order is a must for newbies to the franchise, but I disagree. If you DON'T watch the original trilogy before the prequels, you lose that feeling you get watching Empire. Best cliffhanger ending ever for a franchise (other than Infiniy War)🙂.
Not only the best Star Wars chapter but the greatest independent film of all time. It was produced with "Star Wars" money and directed by Lucas's USC instructor; Fox only distributed the thing. I stood in line for 3 days at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood for that first midnight screening and never had such an emotional audience experience. That shocker of a reveal during an ending that seemed hopeless, made their escape "by the skin of their teeth" such a catharsis that the cliffhanger ending (with John Williams best score) will never be equaled.
I wanted the soundtrack, but it must have been an expensive double album, because I only got a disco record with one of the Meco themes on the other side of "Funky Town."
Best sequel? That’s an impossible debate since there’s many great sequels: Godfather 2, Terminator 2, Toy Story 2 and 3, Aliens, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, etc.
Now add Across the Spiderverse. My vote still goes to Terminator 2. If you did a JoBlo style face-off battle royale, I think T2 would come out on top.
Its cos of the way that movie was made, much darker and mature that it is hailed. Many movies followed that on your list since after. Expt Godfather 2
Star Trek II…
Watch this.
It is and you’re wrong.
Be amazed
_Aliens_ is hurt by _Alien³_ as is _Terminator 2_ by its successors, though _RotJ_ didn't hurt _Empire._ If the MCU ended with _Avengers: Endgame_ then I think that would have become the best sequel, even though _Infinity War_ was the darker one. If not the best, I'd agree with the comment near the top of this video that _Empire_ was the most _influential_ sequel on other movies, sequels and franchises.
_Godfather Part 2_ was excellent as was _Across the Spider-Verse._
_Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan_ was good in its day, but doesn't hold up as it's a comedy of errors or stupidity, (like missing a planet) and the "old" theme is at least 9 years too soon. It's not just a sequel to "Space Seed," but is derivative of "Balance of Terror" and "The Deadly Years," just as it predecessor was a reimagining of "The Changeling" and its successor used "fake" suspense from "The Menagerie Part One" of stealing the Enterprise which wouldn't have amounted to much if they'd just parked outside.
I remember watching Empire in 1980 at the Esquire Theater in Springfield, IL (sadly, it's no longer there). When the movie's big twist came, you could hear a pin drop in the theater.
When I was a kid I had to see the original Star Wars when it was repeated at the theater right before the release of Empire and I loved it...
But my god when I got to see Empire a few months later it blew me away and really kinda became THE movie in my life. Afterwards I would always compare everything else I watched to it. It really was an AMAZING film that has never dulled in my eyes and is the best sequel I've ever seen. Godfather 2 and Terminator 2 were great sequels too, and I personally loved Star Trek 2 and Aliens as well
Also a point, at the time the bad guys winning was a big deal, and the world was expanded so much. After all this was the film series that defined what a trilogy even was and set the rules.
I think I saw them in reverse order, listening to _Star Wars: the Original Radio Drama_ also after _Empire._
Damn. This is some good writing and great delivery!
Best Dialogue ever:
"I LOVE YOU"
"I KNOW"...
❤
And it was improvised too!!
Imagine if Luke did take up Vader's offer and turn to the Darkside. After defeating and killing the Emperor and Rebels, what would the galaxy be like under their rule?
I'm glad that never happened.
I didn't get that the opening of _Return of the Jedi_ with Luke wearing black and force-choking the guards was Lucas trying to tell us he's tempted by the Dark Side, until someone mentioned it a few years back. Maybe if Luke's message to Jabba via R2 was more aggressive?
The 2 captain America sequels deserve some love too
Just the scenery alone makes this movie phenomenal
Episode IV is the best because Lucas used a simple plot that took ideas from classic literature--Beowulf, Hamlet, Macbeth, Titus, and many other characters--and merged the plots and subplots to create a story of his own. He technically gave us a sci-fi Lord of the Rings. Simply brilliant!
This is the one film that Darth Vader is the primary villain as well. Tarkin was the main villain of A New Hope and the Emperor is for Return of the Jedi.
Sometimes its better not to see how they did these films...
Just let it stay magic.
One of the best films of all time. 👍
I think seeing the behind the scenes adds to the magic.
THIS and the dark Knight are the best ever sequels
Masterpiece and well said
I just had to watch a non skippable 9min apple pro ad this video better be amazing
nice job on the video guys!
Greatest Star Wars film? Greatest sequel of all time? Hell yes! Godfather II is right behind it, though.
Best Star Wars movie and maybe the best sequel ever made!
I watched Empire with my kids and made sure my daughter took notes.
I saw it when i was 10, in 80. I felt at home with it. Still do
It’s close but The Godfather II is the best sequel I reckon
Damn you ! Now I'll have to break my 30 year ban and have to watch the first 3 original movies again.....
Yeah I know those prequels and sequels soured the originals for me as well! 😂
So long as Aliens and Terminator 2 exist it can only ever be one of the best sequels of all time.
Terminator 2 was a great move. I remember seeing it when it came out at the drive through. What an experience. I was blown away!
Aliens is the best sequel. It’s been scientifically proven
AGREED. Game over man !!! Game over !!! They mostly come-out at night.Mostly.
Don't worry I'm sure Disney is working on erasing those 2 movies, Darth Kennedy 's rule will never end
@@ericseitzler81 the wokesters already put a warning label on Aliens on some streaming services.
"This film has outdated attitudes, language and cultural depictions which may cause offence today. Sci-fi sequel starring Sigourney Weaver. Contains violence."
It was so cool showing my 3 kids this together for the first time and watching their faces when Luke finds out! So cool, shock, surprise, disbelief! My daughter thought he was lying, my son was shocked and my little girl covered her mouth and yelled oh no 😂😂
James Earl Jones thought he was lying, too!
In my opinion, the best sequel ever made!!
Yeah back in the good old days when you....GASP!....had to wait for a sequel! Omg
I've been waiting for sequels that finally came out this year, and they were disappointing, except for _Across the Spider-Verse._ Now its sequel might not make March 2024. How long can I go without spoilers? We can't even speculate what's coming next, when too many people have inside information and a desire to spoil it. I hope what I saw two weeks after its release is false and just concept art.
@@sandal_thong8631What about Guardians of the Galaxy 3?
In my opinion, that was the best one and we had to wait 6 years for it!!
@@MediaLoverChris02 Some people liked it, but introducing animal-people just to exterminate them was abhorrent. Better had some of the Guardians sacrificed themselves. The trailer hinted that one of them would die, but like other superhero movies that year, there was no sacrifice, so no consequences.
For me this is one of the greatest sequels of all time.
adding humour and cuteness awwwhness ruined it for me, this is my favourite and the first Star Wars as seconth, 1999/2002/2005 is forever in my black hole... Rogue one and everything after 2015 is great and ok...
*Terminator 2: Judgement Day* 😎
Facts!
3 best sequels imo, no particular order:
1. SW: Empire strikes Back
2. LOTR: Two Towers
3. Godfather Part II
Where was I? Graduating highschool...
I just bought the Skywalker Saga on Amazon prime video sale all 9 Star Wars Skywalker
I am the chosen one
What more can be said about this movie,not much if anything. One thing though the fact that after over 40 years that revelation still gets a miriad of responses.
"The first transport is away!"
The GOAT!
Prefect movie!
My 8 years old mind thought Vader's telling Luke that he was his father was a ploy to get him to join him. I didn't believe he was Luke's father. Even when Vader tries to connect with him thru telepathy I still didn't buy it until Return of the Jedi.
I read Lucas ran it by a psychologist who said little children wouldn't believe it, so go ahead.
Best sequel? That's hard to say. There has been so many great sequels. Look at The Godfather Part II, Aliens, T2, Spider-Man 2, The Dark Knight, Top Gun Maverick, Shrek 2, The Two Towers, etc, etc. The Empire Strikes Back is definitely in the top 4 or 5
I showed this film to my kid and she thought it was a new movie.
Yes.
It's between Empire, The Dark Knight, and Godfather II
Kershner is the master of sequels - see Robocop 2
"FIREFLY/SERENITY" was still MUCH better!
If mondern filmmakers want to portrait a strong independent woman they can just watch the original trilogy and learn from Carie Fishers portrayal of Leia Organa.
I think in today's Culture Wars, she'd be criticized as a ball-buster for the way she talked to Han and Chewbacca in the first movie, and not being a proper damsel in distress, or supporting character.
The Empire strikes back is a great sequel, but, to me, it doesn’t stand on its own. It needs the first and third movies to bookend it. Star Wars(yes that’s what it was called in 1977) is the only move that stands up as a movie by itself and therefore I feel Star Wars is the best of the series.
Some people like to overuse the word "trilogy" when three books or movies don't actually link together as closely as the OT did. As in "Michael Keaton [or Andrew Garfield] didn't get his trilogy," when the movies were more episodic and not having an arc of character development linking them together, as well as no cliffhanger to bring us back for the third installment.
Terminator 2: judgement day is the best sequel of all time
Let's keep it short.... Yes it is
Best sequel is human centipede 2, but this is a great movie too.
When I was a kid return of the Jedi was my favorite, but 2 has the most storytelling
When Luke asked Yoda if the dark side was stronger, Yoda should have said, "A good question, for another time". And then, of course, never answer him. That's what good storytelling is all about.
Is the sarcasm coming through?
Hahahahahaha
No. In a world where Aliens, Godfather Part II and Bride of Frankenstein exist, how are you even asking that question?
As a kid I was more shocked to find out Leia was Luke's sister than to find out Darth Vader was Luke's father. I mean Luke fought Vader; father's & sons sometimes fight.
But Luke KISSED Leia before we find out they are siblings in a non sibling way. Then Leia says to Luke "I know. Somehow, I've always know." when acknowledging Luke was her brother...😳🤯
Just sayin'
After reading _The Secret History of Star Wars_ I like to think of an alternative Earth where Lucas saved his marriage, and didn't try to end the series with _RotJ._ So Luke's sister is somewhere in the galaxy, married, with a couple adolescent daughters who don't need her anymore, so she's ready to leave them and take off with the former Jedi who's keeping watch over her.
@@sandal_thong8631 I just imagine a world where Splinter of the Mind's Eye was sequel film to A New Hope
@@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 Ugh. And I thought an alternative from an earlier script where Obi-Wan survived the Death Star was bad. It would have meant no need for Yoda in the sequel. If Darth Vader had died in the Death Star trench too, then I can't imagine _Empire_ being anything like what it was.
@@sandal_thong8631 I never claimed it was a good thing to imagine but it does ease the pain of the Disney sequels a bit 😂
Theres a weird question mark in your title
🎉
Not as good as The Umpire Strikes Back. That's where the ump threw the ball at the pitcher's nuts.
It’s close, but not the best sequel ever. That goes to The Godfather, Part 2.
It is definitely one of the best sequels of all time. Other legendary sequels (theatrical films only) in my opinion include, but aren't limited to: Return of the Jedi, _Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home_ , The Last Crusade, _Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets_ , Return of the King, _Spider-Man 2_ , _Shrek 2_ , _Toy Story 3_ , _MIB³_ , _Thor: Ragnarok_ , _Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2_ , _Avengers: Infinity War_ , _Incredibles 2_ , _The Suicide Squad_ , _Spider-Man: No Way Home_ , _Top Gun: Maverick_ , _Puss in Boots: The Last Wish_ , _Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3_ , and _Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse_ .
And yes, _The Dark Knight_ isn't good enough to make the list.
But Guardians Vol 2 is? Smoke on bro.
@@carncats07 I ain't smoking shit. Guardians 2 is one of Marvel's crowning achievements.
I would 100% replace Return of the Jedi with The Dark Knight
Love it, but ld put Mad Max 2, Aliens and Terminator 2 ahead as best sequels.
_Road Warrior_ was the best of three in its franchise.
Torn to be honest. Thought it was a bit boring after the first one.
Dark Knight = Best Sequel EVER. New Hope is almost as good as Empire, whereas Begins is miles behind Dark Knight.
That honor goes to back to the future part 2
sure.
but "back to the future" 2
- was a too delayed sequel
- did not have the benefits of being in comparison to anything as bad as "the star wars Christmas special" filler-clip-show
If we’re stretching that far… I’m going for Ghostbusters 2!
The funny thing is half of back to the future 2 is actually the first movie
I can't stand _Back to the Future Part 2_ which parodies some of the lines and situations in the first film. It's more painful to see MJF play his character's son and daughter than to see him with Parkinson's. They didn't know what to do with his kids, so just trivialized his son's problem, didn't have a story for his daughter and rushed through it to get to _Part 3._ If they did take it seriously, it would most likely have to be something political with them wanting to make the world a better place, but not to Marty and Doc's liking.
Back to the Future Part 2 is the worst movie in the trilogy.
World war 2 is the best sequel of all time
No AT-AT's in that war though.
T-2 though….
Terminator 2
Best sequel would be police academy 2
Flarf
It's not "Sci-Fi"
it's a fantasy film.
It's not set in the future.
Best sequel of all time? Is like saying what's our favorite song or TV show of all time
Too complicated to answer. Depends It Does on too many factors
But I will say it is my favorite Star Wars movie 🍿
Even though all 3 are spectacular
Nothing Star Wars related has been this good until the animated shows
I pretty much hate all Kathy Kennedy Threequles
Kathleen Kennedy was involved with all of the Star Wars movies. George Lucas HANDPICKED HER AS HEAD OF LUCASFILM.
It was free of Disney, that’s why it was amazing!
its part of a trilogy and not really a sequel...
It is my favorite among the original trilogy...and I refuse to believe the Disney trilogy exists
I love the Disney trilogy because I love the Original Trilogy
Just a TINY bit overrated….I can think of Several sequels that are better (Hell, James Cameron has made TWO of them…)
You're definitely right there. Avatar 2 and Piranha 2 are the best.
No. ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE and DARK KNIGHT are.
I really like Empire but i don't think it's the best Star Wars film and for two reasons. Empire is an incomplete story. I wouldn't say it ends on a cliffhanger. It just stops. I remember seeing the film in 1980 as a 12 year old and thinking they're not ending it here, are they. This is bullshit. The second reason is Vader being Luke's father. That was an awesome reveal at the time but sent Star Wars down a story rabbit hole that Star Wars never recovered from...namely 9 films about the Skywalker family screwing up a galaxy far far away. A New Hope is still the best one for me. :)
its a space opera / soap opera.
so there are family conflicts...
Contrary to popular belief, Empire IS a complete story. Sure, everyone loses at the end, but each character has an arc.
Empire has always been my least favorite of the original 3. I've always found it boring. Return of the Jedi is my favorite
Return of the Jedi’s boring as fuck💀
This sequel was overrated. Luke got beaten like a dumbass by a snowman, spent most of the movie hanging out with a glorified muppet and then after all that "deep" Jedi training, got his hand cut off by his retconned dad.
Terminator 2 is the best sequel, in my opinion.
I saw that in theaters was my least favorite Star Wars movie maybe I was just to young to understand
You’re still too young to understand
Stop calling it a new hope its just Star Wars just plane and simple Star Wars kinda like Garak of DS9
I always loved how Kershner described Star Wars as a fairytale instead of a science fiction. I think he understood these films and its lore better than anyone else, even George Lucas himself.
George called it fantasy. He understood his world also, y’all just like discrediting him at every chance you get.
@@theman8034 After selling Lucasfilm to Disney, I think his credibility can be questioned. Maybe it’s because I’m so in love. 😉
A-T A-T ...not At At 🤷🙄
Best sequel of all time?
TRY BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME! ❤
well, ANY sequel will look great, when it runs (in comparison) just the year after something like the "Star Wars Christmas Special" holiday-filler, where Bea-Arthur somehow had by far the best performance in what can only be described as a softcore-Wookie-furry-porn-for-children clip-show.
IMHO - Empire is simply the best film in the entire Star Wars franchise!
I always maintain that, for such a dark, "no-nonsense," and ruthless villain, Darth Vader can be pretty funny. Three of his most hilarious lines, (one from each of the original trilogy films,)
1. A New Hope: "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
2. The Empire Strikes Back: "Apology accepted Captain Neda."
3. Return of The Jedi: "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."
Revenge of the Sith: “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”
Rogue One: “Be careful not to CHOKE on your aspirations, director.”
@@MediaLoverChris02 nice. I almost mentioned the Rogue One line but decided to limit my comment to just the OG trilogy. I hadn't considered the one from Revenge of the Sith but now that you mention it, I can't think of it being anything but a hilarious Vader line. 😆
There will never be another Empire Strikes Back. There will doubtless be many more absolute cinematic masterpieces made (and there have been), and sequels which are much better than their originals (there have been), but there will never again be a film made which shocks humanity with these particular archetypes.
This is the best directed Star Wars movie as well.
I would say it’s definitely in the top five, but it is possibly one of the most influential sequels of all time since a lot will say “ this is the Empire strikes back of our series” when describing their sequels
It’s one of those rare sequels that many would argue are better than the originals. Terminator 2 is the other I can think of.
Some of these films are getting criticized for "copying" _The Empire Strikes Back's_ darker tone and putting the main characters in a bad place. But they don't say what the alternative is to either copying the first film, or copying _Empire._
I think origin stories, like in comic books, are generally weak and less interesting as the protagonist usually doesn't know what he's doing, or his "powers." An experienced fighter is more interesting. I don't think a "Young James Bond" would be that interesting with a team of people training him and bailing him out of trouble when he fails to do it himself. Mark Hamill said the series was over just as Luke was coming into his own as an experienced Jedi.
ESB is great, but everyone knows Aliens is the best sequel ever made
I can prove you wrong with one word:
"WIIPLEEEEEEEEEYYYY!!!!"