After the loss of the Death Star battle station to the rebels in the first film, the Empire's forces led by Darth Vader (David Prowse / James Earl Jones) are fighting back and are hot on the rebels' trail. After a close call on the ice planet Hoth, the rebels manage to escape but Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) breaks off to meet with the legendary Yoda to begin his Jedi training.
On the planet Bespin, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and our other heroes are captured by Vader. Luke comes to the rescue but discovers a horrific fact about his past...
A darker film than Star Wars with new layers added to the main returning characters, greatly adding to the richness of the leads established in the first film. All the joy and wonder of Star Wars is enhanced by thoughtful additions to the universe, these additions all makes sense (something later sequels often forgot). A fantastic film. The best Star Wars film? Maybe, it is certainly in the top two.