CT Empire Strikes Back Is NOT enjoyable

I don't see how the movie gets called slow and badly paced. Few scenes are longer than three minutes. Even the most intense action is in short scenes. You might just not like watching movies multiple times after a while; after time I lose focus of certain things that would get my attention and propel my appreciation for the movie.

 

I watched ESB today as part of an on-going "Machete Order" viewing of the Saga (that's IV, II, V, III, VI and I). This would be something like my 100th viewing of Episode V since seeing it in theaters 5 times in 1980, 6 times in 1997, and ~thrice yearly on home video since 1985. Prepared to consider the OP's contention that the movie is not enjoyable, instead I found myself vacuumed up (as always) into the special universe this film depicts, and re-discovered how The Empire Strikes Back is not only my favorite movie of all time, but why it's anything but dull.

First and foremost (for me), the photography and art design of this film are par none. Every frame is bursting with craftsmanship -- in costumes, sets, props and opticals -- and artful lighting: mainly low-key with half-tone shadows, but some hot edges and deep blacks are used to enhance mystery and drama. And with its soft focus and rich color, ESB boasts a more romantic look than either its predecessor or direct sequel. To me that makes the piece inherently fascinating, irrespective of the events of the narrative. It just looks gorgeous.

Fortunately for us, the story and characters are just as engaging as the design. Freed from the "ticking clock" constraints of the previous (and following) film, Ep. V is allowed to roam the expanse of the galaxy, to enrich and deepen its characters, and to explore the emotional terrain of their individual journeys. The tone is more serious, the humor more mature, even adult, while never forgetting the fun of a Saturday-matinee serial. And though the action is certainly front-loaded (by careful design), the middle of the story is introspective and personal, even philosophical, in an unprecedented way for this kind of blockbuster adventure movie.

Metaphysical lecturing on the misty bog planet is juxtaposed against betrayal and torture on the cloudy gas planet: surprising subject matter for a juvenile space opera, especially in this direct sequel to the cheerful, goofy, crowd-pleasing original. The entire enterprise is a risky one, fraught with the dangers of potentially unconvincing puppets and stop-motion animation, but the gamble pays off in part because it's all so unusual, and in part because of the peerless skill of the performers and technicians. In the end, the climactic saber clash and plot twists combine to provide one of the most emotionally and sensually jarring third acts in film history.

If anyone finds this movie boring, I suggest that the surprise of the thing has worn thin after too many viewings. Give it a year, maybe, and watch it again. And feel the gust of cool air on your mind as the scales are peeled back from your eyes.

 

The ESB not enjoyable?

Spoiler

 

I love the thread title and the all-caps "BORING" in the first sentence. This is a topic designed to jolt hearts and keyboards.

 

I couldn't agree more. TESB feels more like a drama than a science-fantasy story in a way that's analogous to how The Dark Knight feels more like a thriller than a comic book film. There's nothing wrong with that, and I love the color scheme, costumes, sets, and especially the characterizations. Before I was twelve, I thought a couple of the scenes of Yoda and Luke were a bit boring, but that's because I was a kid. I came to appreciate those scenes a lot, since I listened to what Yoda was saying. TESB is anything but boring. It would be boring if it was loud, dumb, and filled with explosions. I mean, we delve more deeply into who Darth Vader is a person, Luke's growth as a Jedi and his own moral ambiguity, etc.

 

I would never say that "The Empire Strikes Back" seem more like a drama than a science-fiction/fantasy story. One, there are too many fantasy/sci-fi elements still in the movie. And I don't regard drama as superior to science-fiction/fantasy. Just different.

 

Well, I prefer A New Hope over The Empire Strikes Back, since I found it to be more enjoyable than Episode V and it has charm that none of the Star Wars movies, yes even Empire, has. But I wouldn't go as far as saying that Empire is a boring movie.

 

I used to agree with you until I re-watched it at an older age. The beginning at Hoth (the entire opening sequence from beginning to escape) is better than the Yoda / Luke training in my opinion except for maybe the "that is why you fail" line.

I guess I can kinda, sorta see where you're coming from though. Attack of the Clones definitely has a better ending in my opinion.

 

I didn't say it was superior. I just like it. I believe that TESB is a good mix of drama and science-fantasy.

 

esb dives deep into the psychological underpinnings of the story. nothing boring about that unless you don't get it.

 

No need for that. It's both condescending and fallacious, not allowing for differing interests.

One can "get it" and still think it is boring.

 

it's my opinion.

 

I love that Empire Strikes Back turns some common Tropes on their head.

First all the big battle scene being at the beginning is a great way to kick off the movie.
The bad guys win. This might be one of the few movies in a series where the bad guys repeatedly win.

 

That's true. It's unconventional in many ways. Also, its slow pace is another example of that. I wasn't fond of that as a kid, but I appreciate it now.

 

You just described every lightsaber battle in the Star Wars saga, as well as any sword battle, or even gun battle, in any movie.

I think the OT is worlds better than the PT, but the Qui-gon/Obi-wan/Maul duel is awesome, music included.

 

Easy fix for this OP,don't watch ESB.

 

Hell, he described every action in any form of any story ever thought up in the history of time.

 

The ESB not enjoyable?

Spoiler

 

Deeply fascinated by people who love Star Wars so much, they will defend the worst of it by tearing down the best of it - all the while being completely unaware of the irony.

 

Fascinating that people want to subject themselves to things they claim to hate or find uninteresting when the choice is easy as to just avoid it.

 

This topic just amuses me. Meanwhile, ESB is like my favorite movie ever. I love it so much. Seriously, if it were a person, I'd marry it and have about half a dozen of its babies (we'd probably get a nice place upstate. With a yard and wrap-around porch).

 

The Empire Strikes back not only shook things up for the established series, but for filmmaking in general. Starting out the movie with a large scale battle? Madness. But somehow it all worked perfectly. It definitely brought a different pacing, which may account for slower moments in the middle, but I never found it to be boring, even as a kid. You're so immersed in this universe by now that you don't need constant action to keep your attention.

 

I agree. It was an unconventional movie that did not rely on action, and I wish we had more of them. I'm not against action if it's in a good drama.

What I appreciate most about TESB is that we get to know more about all of the characters' emotions. This is true about Chewie, R2, and 3PO, as well. It's a great film, since the first time you watch it, you wonder why the heck Darth Vader is after Luke and his friends, and after he reveals who he is to Luke, you're shocked and disturbed out of your mind. But you think, "Ah, I see. It all makes sense now! But what the ****?" I like how we delve deeper into who Luke Skywalker is, which truly paves the way for his maturity in ROTJ. I would argue that TESB helped make Star Wars popular and it continues to do so.