10 Sci-Fi Movie Sequels Better Than The Original
2. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The Star Wars franchise has experienced a number of highs and lows over the years but it has never come close to recapturing the grandeur of The Empire Strikes Back. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels of all time, the 1980 classic took the saga to greater heights than before as it set the stage for the ultimate showdown between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
What makes the second instalment in George Lucas' original trilogy so captivating is how it equals its predecessor in all the ways that matter - providing impressive special effects and engaging character journeys - while also leaning more heavily on the story, making it a darker and more enthralling tale. And that paves the way beautifully for what is perhaps the greatest plot twist in movie history.
There's an irony in the fact that the response was more mixed in the beginning. It was well-received, yes, but there weren't many who felt it exceeded the adored original. And yet, as we've seen with so many sci-fi classics, time proved to be Empire's greatest ally as fans and critics grew to appreciate the film for everything it was, realising what is now common knowledge: that it is, without question, Star Wars' greatest achievement.