Why do many people and critics think that Empire Strikes Back was better than Star Wars: A New Hope?

Why do many people and critics think that Empire Strikes Back was better than Star Wars: A New Hope?

I think Empire is narratively the best film of the original trilogy, by far. Collin Barrett brilliantly explains in his answer above the point about a clear protagonist and antagonist, something lacking in the first film but crystal clear in the second. Those points are really at the heart of why the narrative is superior in the second film -- if you don't know who your story is about, and you can't identify a clear, singular obstacle, then a quest tale of this sort is going to have some structural problems.

The actual role of the supporting characters is also so much clearer and more powerful in the second film, and it is much more driven by the character arcs than by plotting. Not that the first film lacked narrative or good character arcs, but just that it was clearly a film in which "this happens, and then this happens" is really the primary way events moved forward, instead of the relationships and character development taking the story where it needs to go.

There is also a lot more emotional heft to this story, and this is because the narrative is stronger and more focused on characters. The darkness and loss of this chapter are possible only because it is so rooted in strength of arcs and themes, and it leads to an emotional investment in these people and their fate.

Additionally, I listed these examples when I answered another question (What is the best film of the Star Wars trilogy and why?). So here are some other reasons, lifted from that answer:

• It has the greatest light saber duel of the series
• It has the single greatest line of the series (Vader: "I... am your father.")
• It has the second-greatest line of the series (Han: "I know")
• It has the best moments depicting Yoda ("That... is why you fail") in the series
• It has the best Vader uniform of the series
• It has the Hoth battle sequence, probably the best battle sequence of the entire first trilogy (one of the answers given by someone which I agreed with on that other question)
• It has that fabulous chase through the asteroid field that is the best space chase sequence of the series
• It may be the only film of the series with true twists and shocks (the door opening at Cloud City to reveal Vader at the table, Leia shouting out to Han that she loves him, Luke fighting fake-Vader in the cave on Dagobah only to see his own face under the mask, Vader revealing that he's Luke's father)
• It introduces Boba Fett
• It has the most buy-in to the characters of any film in the series (meaning it's the best distillation of every individual character and the actors are really going all-in to portray their emotions and personalities).
• It has a powerful, chilling musical score that is the best of the series
• It has an epic feel to its moments and themes that gives it an air of classic legend

vob to mov mac | mov converter mac |  mov to flv mac | mov to flv converter mac | flv to mov converter mac