ESB has always been my favorite of the Star Wars movies, and I haven't seen it in a while. Watching it again made me remember why it was my favorite. It's a rich movie, much deeper than any of the other five. This movie is less about the struggle between the Empire and the Rebellion, less of an action movie, and more about the characters developing as their individual struggles become more obvious and the relationships become better defined.
Luke begins to develop his force powers, and learns of the inherent struggle between what he wants to do and what his power, and the responsibility that goes with it, require of him. As Yoda teaches him he learns to control the impatience and impulsiveness viewers saw in A New Hope, and he begins to develop into the disciplined and controlled Jedi that eventually faces and defeats The Emperor in Return of the Jedi. Like all good character developments, though, it's not without struggle, and the lesson ultimately costs him something dear to him. Han is midway through his transition from loner bad boy to respected leader of the Rebellion, and the romance between Han and Leia is developed and becomes a serious plot line. The ANH Han was selfish, self-absorbed and motivated by two things. Money and self-interest. He was a loner shunning close relationships with anyone except Chewbacca (who let's face it, is the plot equivalent of a dog with opposable thumbs). The ESB Han has developed relationships with the Rebel leadership, and seems genuinely sorry when he breaks the news that he's leaving to deal with Jabba. He risks his life for Leia, and by the end of the movie, calmly accepts his fate encased in carbonite rather than risking Leia's life.
Lastly there's Leia. She is probably the character that changes the least throughout the trilogy, but she clearly has developed a like for Han, if not actual romance. While the ANH Leia was a warrior princess, fighting her enemies wherever she found them, the ESB Leia, while still tough as nails, is much more feminine, allowing herself to be interested in Han and eventually admitting her love for him. She has a better hairdo in this one, too.
This movie also sets up, what for me, is the most interesting secondary character in sci-fi, Yoda.
Yoda is really a stereotypical wizened mentor. He hides in a remote location waiting for the day a young apprentice will arrive that he can train to right the wrongs he was unable to fix himself. Through Luke he seeks redemption for his own failures. Prior to Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, those failures were only hinted at, but oh how tantalizing those hints were. I spent years dreaming up possible reasons Vader had turned to evil and forced Yoda's flight to Dagobah. In some ways that was one of the things I hated the most about the new trilogy, it took away much of Yoda (and Obi-wan's) mystery and replaced it with a worn out "he did it for love" plot.
Yoda also has one of the best scenes in any sci-fi movie when he first meets Luke on Dagobah.
The first and only time I saw the Star Wars movies, I watched all of them in one sitting, as a marathon. I don't think that was a good idea, as the length was pretty demanding and the content, all strung together, was just a big too much. Your post makes me want to watch them again, separately. All I remember is little bears with clothes on wielding guns and a lot of sand. I'd like to actual absorb the movies this time. I've run out of good sci-fi movies to watch and this classic may be very enjoyable.
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