The Truth About The Empire Strikes Back - A History Lesson 

Yes, the footage at the start is my local Star Wars club. If you look closely you will see me at the bar. Hope everyone enjoys the video. If you did, consider liking, sharing and subscribing. Cheers!

The fact Rian thinks Luke getting beaten by Vader is a bad scene shows how out of touch he is.

Rian : "empire was absolutely ROASTED when it came out" *mark hamill stares at him like he wants to beat the shit out of him*

"As a kid I distinctly remember being disappointed by the empire strikes back!" Don't worry Rian plenty of people will distinctly remember being disappointed by the last Jedi too, the only difference is their opinions wont change over time

When you realize empire strikes back made 500 millions plus dollars when a movie ticket waas like 2 bucks.

"Jedi have added nothing to the universe" I give up. They literally saved the universe.

Rian: “Am I so out of touch? No, it’s the fans that are wrong”

I’m not surprised that Mark is not happy with the way Rain talks about The Empire Strikes Back. Mark played Luke throughout the original trilogy. He knows Luke better than almost anyone else and if I was in Marks situation I would be really angry. It’s honestly more of an insult from the reaction Mark gives. I fell sorry for him honestly. ..... *sigh*

You need the hero to experience some struggle, otherwise there's no tension in your film. Luke's "getting his ass handed to him" was important for his character development and made Vader more imposing and dangerous

Rian Johnson will forever be rememered as the guy who almost killed Star Wars and tried to blame it on the fans.

I love how Mark Hamill’s just sitting in the interview having a look like “really? Really?”

I saw *THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK* when it was released in 1980 -- I was 19 years old at the time. That film was DEFINITELY NOT badly received!

>People don’t like how Rey wins every fight >”People would be upset that Luke is losing to Vader”

Empire wins people's choice award: I love democracy.

Rian Johnson: "Empire would be roasted today because Vader beat Luke" Infinity War: Thanos beats the Avengers, most of whom had several films of development, and wins in the end. General Audiences: Split on TLJ, praising Infinity War.

"As a kid I distinctly remember being disappointed by the empire strikes back!" I doubt that. I'm pretty sure Rian Johnson has actually never seen that movie!

‘Empire would have gotten roasted’ Those words piss me off every time i hear them

Rian-"Han solo that goes down without a fight..." Rian Han tries to murder Vader only to get disarmed by the force and arrested by dozens of stormtroopers and a Sith lord immune to blasters, quit misremembering scenes so you can say your god awful film is anything like empire strikes back.

Rian: I was dissapointed by Empire Strikes Back as a kid... Me: So why did you even wanted to write a Star Wars movie at all?

In 1980, my entire childhood revolved around Star Wars. I promise any skeptics who weren't around then, Empire was absolutely 100% universally loved. There was literally nobody who wasn't giddy over that movie, it exceeded all expectations, and left an agonizing cliffhanger. I was out of patience waiting for the next movie by morning after seeing it.

I saw Empire in the theater at age 10 and loved it. Blown away by the ending. And by the way Rian, Han did not go down without a fight. The whole (non Luke thread) of the movie after Hoth is about the Empire trying to capture Han. They even had to resort to bounty hunters and betrayal to get him. He put up plenty of fight.

"Luke got his was kicked." A cyborg with 30 years more experience fighting other Jedi beat a kid. It checks out.

He's like a chef who blames the customers because they don't like his food. Well how do you measure success then Rian?

Luke getting his ass handed to him by Vader is what made empire good

Could you imagine making a movie where an inexperienced, impatient hero who hasn't completed his training gets completely beaten by the strongest villain in the franchise? Such a polarizing scene.

Mark Hamill, after playing Luke for 4 decades & being directed by its creator: "I fundamentally disagree with your concept of this character" Rian Johnson: "No, Luke is 100% consistent with his character from the original trilogy" LOL

"Can you imagine what people would've said about Luke getting his ass handed to him by Darth Vader" Here's what I say, it makes perfect sense because it was DARTH VADER! And Darth Vader was a very strong, established character by the climax of TESB. He wasn't a bland Mary-Sue who came out of nowhere with mysterious, unearned superpowers. And Luke was only part of the way through his character arc and had lessons to learn. Imagine having to explain this to a professional filmmaker.

What kind of kid in the 80s was actually "disappointed" with the Empire Strikes Back? I was a kid back then, and every-single other kid I knew LOVED and was obsessed with it. All we did back then was pretend we were in in Star Wars. I remember how jealous I was at my neighbor because he got an AT-AT Walker. It was the first thing I really-really wanted. You know, I don't even believe him... I really don't. I think he's just trying to cover his a55 some more.

Fun fact, Han solo was frozen in carbonite because they weren't sure if they could get Harrison Ford signed on for a third movie because Harrison Ford was signed on for each movie individually instead of signed on for all three movies at once, that way if they couldn't get Harrison Ford on for a third movie, they could easily kill off Han Solo

"Han solo goes down without a fight" he straight up tries to shoot Vader on seeing him. Vader stops his blasts unarmed then he's surrounded, not much you can do after that.

"Rian Johnson still doesn't understand Star Wars." Who is surprised?

Poor Mark Hamill, he looks so miserable in all these interviews sitting next to Rian.

I've always maintained that Rey should have been a Skywalker and had it revealed in the Last Jedi. It's the only scenario that would have justified Luke's actions and behavior... if when he sensed Ben's thoughts he had a vision, of Ben already turned to the dark side, but more importantly of Ben, now Kylo, turning Luke's own daughter to the darkside. That vision is the only thing I could see justifying him even considering to ignite his lightsaber. His love and desire to protect his own daughter, after his wife was killed (by Snoke to add more depth and history to that story arc). He hires someone to take his daughter away, to a location even he doesn't know, to protect her from Snoke, who is obsessed with ending the Skywalker line. Then all these years later, he sees the vision of Kylo turning her to the dark side. Every thing he's done to protect her has failed, maybe his only chance to save her is to sacrifice Ben, here and now... that's the only believable motivation for that scene. And of course, the catch 22, by his own actions and response he ends up driving Ben away for good, leading him down the path to the dark side and fulfilling his vision. The very actions he takes to prevent the events from happening just end up causing them to happen anyway. A self fulfilling prophecy. That would be enough to drastically change his character, to take himself out of the equation. And then, upon learning of her true parentage, learning that her own father not only just abandoned her but had no intention of returning. That he turned his back on her, on his family, ultimately drives her to join Kylo. Family is important to Rey, you don't turn your back on family. Luke lied to her, decieved her, abandoned her, turned his back on her. Kylo did not. The second movie ends with Rey joining Kylo, the future of the resistance and who will rise up to defeat the First Order is unknown. That, would have made a much more compelling second movie. In my own humble opinion.

I miss the good old days when people who made Star Wars actually cared about it. This is just sad now

“Could you imagine how people today would react to Luke getting his ass kicked by Vader?” Ummm yeah. Probably pretty well given that’s it’s a perfectly logical plot point.

It's incredible how little the people involved in creating these movies knew about the originals. It's like they never heard of them and someone just explained it during a bike ride and halfway through they said, "ok I get it," and then sat down to write a week later.

The only thing disappointing about anything Empire Strikes Back related is that over a thousand shills dialiked this awesomely crafted video. We'll done, Robothead. Keep 'em coming!

“So, did most people not like Empire?” “Yes, I mean, I didn’t like it, so how can anyone else?”

"Imagine how people would react to luke losing!" Yeah Rian, he should have just curbstomped Vader with no preparation or training, right? People love that...

The fact that he explains how Luke getting beaten was bad storytelling (to Luke Skywalker, no less) is proof that he doesn’t get it.

Rian Johnson was six years old when "Empire" came out, and three when Star Wars was released. My brother is 3 months older than Rian and doesnt really remember seeing Star Wars in the theatre, and has some memories of seeing ESB, but not of standing in line for 2.5 hours. I was just turning 11 that summer and I remember falling madly in love (more than I had already been since 1978) with Harrison Ford and being swept away by the message of the movie. I went home and started writing my own Star Wars stories (long since disappeared). I thought it was the greatest movie ever made and I will go toe to toe with Rian and die on that hill. All he has to do is say when.

Imagine going to your favorite restaurant for years, but one day the sign outside reads "Under new ownership" After ordering a meal you find the taste is distinctly different, and not in a good way. When bringing this to your server’s attention, you’re told "Our food is great, you just have bad taste" The distinct flavor and personality of the restaurant you once loved is now gone. Sure, the restaurant still bears the same name; but now it’s just an empty shell of its former glory.

It’s not that he doesn’t understand, he is willingly ignorant and deceptive

I always wondered why the new trilogies were hated... Cuz it was a while since I watched the previous ones. Took some time to re-watch and also watched videos criticizing it... Yeah... Now I understand

Rian : " Nobody liked Empire when it came out " Anyone with a brain : " LIAR! "

"Rian's opinion is the only one that counts." -Flashback to Obi-wan saying "Only a Sith deals in absolutes."

The way Rian talks just pisses me off. He’s so annoying.

Rian is trying to roast Star Wars because he doesn't want to be roasted himself.

I was there, in my teens for Empire and it was awesome and not divisive at all. We all not only loved it but thought it was just awesome that it did end on such a sad moment for the story. Not all movies and stories have to end with the good guys prevailing.

"I dont like Star Wars" is now a socially acceptable statement

Seeing Mark Hamill’s face when Rian was talking about “The empire strikes back” on CNN pretty much made it clear he was making up BS.

I was 11 when Empire came out and even then I loved how it took the viewer on a rollercoaster ride. From Luke getting hurt, force pulling his light sabre, and seeing ObiWan's ghost to the stunning battle of Hoth, to Han Solo saving everybody's bacon multiple times before being frozen in carbonite (oh no!). When it ended you wanted more! Wait! It can't end, show them chasing Boba Fett! Show Luke going back to defeat Vader! It was awesome and made us wait 3 years for the answers we wanted.

I thought the reason it was so great was that everyone loses Han is captured and frozen in carbonite, Luke was beaten, lost a hand and, learned his greatest enemy was his father, leia lost Han, c3po was disassembled, lando loses the sky city to the empire, it shows that the hero’s are vulnerable and fallible, that the empire, Vader and emperor are a real threat and hooks the audience by bringing them every step of the way to the utter failure of the protagonists and making them desperate to find out how it ends, it was genius

Rian Johnson "Empire would be roasted today because Luke lost to Vader" This is why he wrote Rey as an indestructible force god who never loses even when it's fake fights with Luke. what a hack.

The face of disbelief on Mark Hamill as he watches Rian spurt his nonsense is golden

Darn right I'm a hero! I would never say no, and I know the REAL Luke Skywalker wouldn't either! JAKE Skywalker on the other hand, well I can't speak for him but he's the fictional ravings of a madman who never understood Star Wars anyway so no need to waste our time on him.

Rian Johnson was born in Dec 1973. He would have been 6 years old when Empire Strikes Back was released in May 1980. How would a 6-year old in 1980 (no internet) have his finger on the pulse of how well a movie was received by critics or the public? He hadn’t even started 1st Grade. What part of Empire would a 6 year old kid not like??

someone should check and see if the carbon monoxide detector at his house is functioning properly

I’ve come to the conclusion that Rian Johnson was NEVER a Star Wars fan to begin with.

I was a kid when Empire was released and I remember people loving it.

_Empire Strikes Back_ didn’t start out with a “ur mom” joke...

You can see poor Hammil's face when Rian's talking about the Empire "wtf is this tool talking about? Is he for real?"

I can’t get over Mark Hamill’s face when Rian made that arrogant remark. Savage! 😂

Mark Hamill's acting in that CNN interview with Rian Johnson deserves an Oscar.

I was thirteen when Empire came out. I still remember queuing to get in the theatre, the huge poster above the doors. I remember exactly where I sat and I still feel just as emotional watching it now as I did back then.

Mark Hamill's jaw is on the floor when Johnson drops that 'roasted' line.

I love how Mark Hamil is giving the "no it wasn't" look during that inteview.

epic and beautiful job RH..... so well thought out.. researched and presented.... still cracks me up too!

My dad was in the army when ROTJ came out and I remember him telling me he was fucking pumped when he saw BDW leading the charge at the end. He is mixed and grew up in the 70s around a lot of racial turmoil. He said the army was one of the few places where that didnt matter and thought it was cool in Star Wars it was the same. To me that's how you do diversity and messaging right.

The more I learn about this "Rian Johnson" person, the less I like him.

Also seeing Mark just looking at Ryan when he says it, its just hurts

Your vids are fire, bro. They always got me laughing out of my chair, Thank you.

Mark Hamill’s action of stratching and rubbing his head after Rian made him shut up at that convention panel spoke a thousand words. His anguish and frustration with how his character went is near tangible

When someone who hates Star Wars makes a “Star Wars” movie.

I hope Rian Johnson has a niece / nephew or small child in his life that will watch all of the star wars then get to The Last Jedi and just honestly and harmlessly ask him why did he destroy Star Wars. I hope that day comes and he will finally realize what he has done lol

I love the fact that you put Rian Johnson’s face in the little girls body 🤣🤣🤣🤣

So the Beatles and Michael Jackson were real???? I thought they were a myth?!?!?!

The next movie is called Rise of Skywalker because luke is about to wake up from this really bad dream

Rian Johnson is making stuff up. I watched "The Empire Strikes Back" when it came out, and the film was beloved. I was also one of those people waiting in line to see "Return of the Jedi".

The BEST time for me as a Star Wars fan was the time between ESB and ROTJ.

The Thing. Classic. Thanks for mentioning it.

Remember when luke left his Jedi training to save his friends? Remember when luke chose death over killing his father? evidently Lucasfilm doesnt.

I found myself getting angrier every time that Rian clip went up.

7:22 i love Mark Hamill's face when he heard that quote from rian johnson

One of the most comprehensive and concise take downs per minute I’ve ever seen hope you’re proud of this one

10:27 “Han Solo that goes down without a fight” Han Solo drew a gun on Darth Vader at a dinner table at the drop of a hat. That’s what The kids now a days call a vibe check

I love how Ruin states all these things about Empire's reception as if they're fact... while sitting next to Mark Hamill... WHO WAS THERE.

Who else thinks the fight scenes in the prequels should have been filmed with the actors fighting really slow so that the moves are more precise then speed up the footage

Rian's argument is that if the ESB came out today, it would be blasted by fans. You could test that argument, by having teenagers who have never seen the film and have them rate ESB. there was a video of a dad recording his kid watching the scene where Darth Vader reveals to Luke that he is Luke's father. the kid is astounded, absolute shock. hell, when i showed my wife the star wars films for the first time, she looked at me during this same scene and was like, "is this true?? is he really Luke's dad?" Rian just cannot face the truth that his film was underwhelming, poorly written and an absolute insult to Star Wars fans everywhere. Also, it wouldn't surprise me if this interview helped Rian lose his trilogy. How are you going to shit on films that Disney owns? Did he think they would be thrilled that Rian was trying to prop his shit up by yanking down a well respected film like ESB???

I love the WTF look on Mark Hamill's face while Rian is talking.

Not just Ryan Entire Disney doesn’t understand Star wars! Except Dave Filoni, that was before Emper- ehm, Kathleen kennedy. And also Edwards, who got fired

My father said he had to wait hours to see Empire even weeks after its initial release. He has no recollection of anyone being disappointed in that film.

Catastrophe Kennedy and Ruin Johnson are by far and away the two most clueless individuals in the history of show business.

I like how in the marketing for Knives out they say “from the director that brought you Star Wars the Last Jedi” like that’s call to fame 😂

I can't imagine what waiting 3 years for a sequel would be like. Especially a sequel to Empire.

2 YEARS LATER, Obi Wan ends saying no

"Can you imagine what they would have said about Luke getting his ass handed to him by Vader" What's this Rian Johnson hears, a character who develops slowly over multiple movies and is fighting the greatest force wielder of all time???

Rian’s name is the crippling effect of apple autocorrect

This all needed to be said. It just did. I’m not sure anybody has been able to articulate it quite the way you have. You’re videos are brilliant, informative, humorous and accurate. What they did to Luke Skywalker is such a shame.

I was alive in 1980 when The Empire Strikes Back was released. I can attest to the fact that it was absolutely loved. It was a masterpiece akin to the terminator and the terminator 2 releases. I certainly never heard of any backlash or dislike for it.