ROTS absolutely could have been the greatest Star Wars film... the storyline could have been the strongest, the action could have been the most exciting, the emotion could have been the most predominant... if it was in the right hands. Face it, ESB is the best film because it's the one Lucas had the least to do with.
Originally posted by tpaquin
From a cinematic point of view, Irvin Kershner was a shrewd director who concentrated on creating a feeling that something big was going to happen throught the entire film. The color palette has many, many stark blues, which is contrasted beautifully by the fiery red of Bespin. Sith lacked any sort of concious directorial tricks based in the fundamental sense of direction, concentrating on teh technical aspects of filmmaking, making it a strkingly inferior film, in that respect.From a story point of view, both stories have decently well-crafted plots, but Empire's protagonists have a more reactionary goal in the film, while Anakin and Obi Wan have decisions that must be made. Anakin deciding what he does was not bought by everyone, and I've often wondered why Obi Wan and Yoda didn't take on the Emperor together, and then go after Anakin together. If they surprised both of them, they could have easily taken over. Because ROTS requires more of a suspension of disbelief, its story tends to lack the power of Empire's.
There are also those overtly campy moments that there are no excuse for. You know what I'm talking about.
So, it seems clear, to me, at least, that Empire is a stronger film and will be remembered more fondly as a cinematic achievement, in the future.
Inconcievably correct there. Most people will merely say ESB is better because of the "I am your Father" line, however it truly was a masterpiece of film making throughout.