2nd Time Lucky: 5 Sequels That Are Better Than the Original (No.4)

4 ­ Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back 

Plot: After the Death Star was destroyed at the end of the first film, you may have been deceived into thinking that the Rebels had won. However, we now see that the Empire is back up and running, Hoth is under attack and the three main characters- Luke, Han and Leia - are separated. Han and Leia go on the run whereas Luke learns how to be a true 'Jedi' under the watchful eye of a familiar face. Darth Vader gets his mojo back and the film ends with the Empire being firmly in the ascendancy.  

Why is it Better? It's the daddy of action sequels. The power balance is changed wholly by the end of the film, which is both admirable and entertaining and is a firm step away from the standard model of 'Good-guys-win-in-the-end'. (Although they do eventually, shhh). It has created two of the most famous events in film history (spoilers); the encasing of Han in some space-age metal (I wasn't listening) and a Jeremy Kyle-esque reveal of who Luke's father is (You're all saying the line). The triumvirate of main characters work really well of each other; you have Leia's bullishness which plays off against Han's casual cockiness whilst Luke is growing into the role as a Jedi. 

Gone are the 'Oh My God I'm a Jedi!', 'What's a Jedi?' scenes that are in all fairness a necessity in the first scene. The whole tempo of the film is like a Western in space, which in turn makes the whole thing bouncy and fun. Don't forget as well that for the time, the special effects are excellent and create a tangible universe, even if it is so far, far away. It's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously whilst still maintaining a real sense of danger for the main characters. It's this balance that perhaps evaded the prequels (I and II in particular) and it must be an aim for JJ Abrams to re-kindle this balance when he begins filming the latest sequel next year. Overall, it's pacey, bouncy, full of memorable moments and has been used as an example for what a blockbuster sequel should be for 20 odd years, so can't be too bad. It's the type of film I would have given my hand (No offence Luke) to see at the time it was first released in the cinema.