Sam Fritzlaff

Although much darker and a more in depth film than it's predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back sets new standards for sequels that have yet to be matched or broken. This is one of the few sequels that beats the original, and features one of the biggest shocks in cinematic history. This film is the reason the prequels exist. This is the definitive Star Wars movie. It is is over 2 hours long, yet it feels like a 15 minute car trip due to the relentless fast pace and intensity of the entire film.