CT The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary

Am I a heretic for not thinking TESB is better than ANH?

 

I saw the movie in the theaters today with my kids. I went to the earliest showing, so there was not much of a crowd. My kids enjoyed it. They had seen it before, but it is always nice to see it on the big screen. I had debated about going, but the theater I went to had good safety protocols and it was not busy. I saw the original run in theaters as a kid, the special editions when in college, and now this re-release with my kids.

Empire was number 1 at the box office this weekend. It only made about 500K this weekend, but with it playing in less than 500 theaters and the virus still around, not a bad haul.

 

Yes. Kidding; they are my 2 favorite movies.

 

I think there are a lot of people who like Star Wars 1977 the best. I'm pretty sure my dad liked that one the most.

Empire has always been in my top 5 movies of all time though.

 

An earlier poster mentioned this - ESB, still #1 at the box office.

https://deadline.com/2020/07/star-w...ice-drive-ins-coronavirus-1202983364/#respond

 

ESB was the number one movie for 8 weeks in 1980.

 

Still my favorite SW movie! Just saw it in theater yesterday and it was wonderful. COVID safe, only about 20 percent of the seats were taken and my family had an entire row to ourselves, as well as empty rows behind us and in front of us. Still, it was great to see it on the big screen, as I'd never seen it in theater before, just on VHS, DVD, and blu-ray.

 

It was never going to be dethroned as the best SW movie. And never will be. It’s just too good, and the nostalgia factor makes it untouchable.

 

just finished watching it on disney plus still a classic movie still my second favourite after ANH, one of the greatest films of all time and one of the greatest sequels ever made

 

Just got back from watching Empire at the cinema. There’s not much more to add that I haven’t said already. It’s a timeless classic.

 

How full was the cinema? And how did they react to the movie during key scenes?

 

The Odeon cinema closest to me that is playing it has it on for 4 days, with 2 showings a day and its only on a small screen, capacity of 60 people. With social distancing between each group I’d estimate it was half full last night. As for reactions, it was as usual for most films I go to, nothing over the top, people chuckling at some of the funny lines but no cheering and hollering.

 

The OT but especially ESB I hold dearly. First saw it on VHS in 1990 with my mum at 7 years old. I watched it again for the umpteenth time on Blu-Ray however this time was different. I watched it with my 7 year old daughter after watching ANH last weekend. This is a moment I've been waiting a long time for, the reaction to the twist. I even recorded it on my phone and I wasn't disappointed

For a movie that's 40 years old, I still consider it a masterpiece in many ways and it's a sequel I hold many others up to. It's impact on fans and culture is still felt to this day. One day, I will see it on the big screen.

 

Such a great movie, and firmly established as tied for my second favorite Star Wars film with ANH (behind Rogue One, which is at the top).

 

Good. Our first catch of the day.

 

ANH is coming to my cinema soon and I’m really excited. Hoping TESB and ROTJ are added soon after.

 

Envious of all who get to see it on a big screen lately! I have seen TESB for a special release a few years back, but would really like to now as well.

They're both great. TESB, having a higher budget, is more polished, but on the other hand, ANH is a self-contained story (for the most part), and of course was the one that started it all.

 

ESB and ANH are definitely my favorites. ANH almost looks low budget next to ESB. ANH has the better ending, but I'd give the edge to ESB myself.

 

I feel that ANH had a "happier" ending, but not a better one.

 

True, and I love all SW movies, but I found TESB contained elements which I found somewhat ridiculous (e.g. the Space Slug on the asteroid, inter alia).

 

It’s true, however ANH has a very special atmosphere. Particularly the scenes on Tattooine. An intimate, low key charm.

 

Absolutely. It plays like a futuristic western, the Tattooine scenes.