Han Solo: Never tell me the odds.

I was born in 1983, so most of my knowledge about "Star Wars" being something of a magical property at its time was because of my uncle who is a big fan of the series and recalls all the stories about watching the original film and "Empire Strikes Back" in theaters with audiences who managed to garner an amazing experience. These days there is no such thing as a genuinely thrilling experience at movie theaters anymore. "The Empire Strikes Back" is the height of the "Star Wars" trilogy, the movie that told audiences a genuine story and amped up its dramatic tension and suspense considerably by adding more depth to its heroes and even adding much more complexity to its villain Darth Vader by giving him a master to answer to who had large plans for the galaxy under his tyranny. "The Empire Strikes Back" is proof positive that without Lucas' control, this series was destined to hit major high points that arguably faltered with "Return of the Jedi." It's not surprising because this is the epitome of the great sequel, the one movie that was impossible to top because in spite of Lucas's insistence that this series was intended for children all along, it is the most adult entry in the trilogy.

As Luke Skywalker heads to a distant planet to learn about the Force under the teachings of the mysterious enigmatic Yoda, the rest of the Alliance are ambushed by Vader and his forces including the slimy bounty hunter Boba Fett on another planet. "The Empire Strikes Back" hits on interesting chords of storytelling because it is not just about battling evil and saving the galaxy, but it is also about a personal battle and torturous journey for everyone involved including Luke Skywalker whose own powers are becoming greater under the tutelage of Yoda who is hesitant to reveal an aspect about his life that could complete the circle of Luke's entire persona in the end. Because he knows as well as Obi Wan did that where free will and emotion ends, the darkside begins, and Luke may be the key to ending the Empire or making it more destructive than ever. The film becomes much darker and melodic as the group sinks in to Cloud City that ensures a surprise at every corner and they're forced to submit to the force of Darth Vader who turns their own friends on them. It obviously takes an equally brilliant con man by the name of Lando Calrissian, an old friend of Han's, to foil their plans all for the sake of helping his own city's residents who will also fall under the rule of Vader if he doesn't capture Han. Han also manages to grow in to someone of real depth and personality going from a greedy smuggler who manages to find an actual purpose in his life through his pursuit in saving Luke Skywalker and bringing down the empire who threaten to destroy his way of life if he doesn't stop and help out the cause.

With a spectacular opener and an arguably weak finisher, the "Star Wars" trilogy is a wonderful space opera with a second act of "The Empire Strikes Back" that is its more brilliantly crafted and well told narrative to date. It's a truly excellent science fiction masterpiece that continues to set the standards for sequels to this day.