Bolivar687
Banned
I do see the argument for the action sequences being several levels better, even before you get into special effects. However, I would actually say that only the Phantom Menace Lightsaber duel stands out, because it had both speed and weight to it. Episode II and III lightsaber duels are just flinging around rubber wands and when you get to the fights that aren't even real people, it just goes off the rails. The duels in Empire and Return of the Jedi weren't just swashbuckling, there was a lot of tension and dread in those moments, they were thriller-type moments of fear with Vader.
However, I do think all of the prequels are better than Return of the Jedi. And the Han and Leia romance in Empire is just as forced and unbelievable as the Anakin/Padme romance in AotC.
It's complicated, I like all the movies but A New Hope is my favorite Star Wars film because of how pure of an adventure it is without all the baggage of a franchise. And Empire Strikes back is just a legitimately good film, getting beyond nerd fandom and sci fi.
The sequels are where it's not really a conversation or debate...
However, I do think all of the prequels are better than Return of the Jedi. And the Han and Leia romance in Empire is just as forced and unbelievable as the Anakin/Padme romance in AotC.
It's complicated, I like all the movies but A New Hope is my favorite Star Wars film because of how pure of an adventure it is without all the baggage of a franchise. And Empire Strikes back is just a legitimately good film, getting beyond nerd fandom and sci fi.
The sequels are where it's not really a conversation or debate...