Welcome to our Star Wars countdown. We’re now up to The Empire Strikes Back, having previously given our best and worst things from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rogue One and A New Hope.

RELATED: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: 5 Best And 5 Worst Things

The middle movie of the original trilogy is widely considered to be the very best the franchise has to offer. But, while we have to acknowledge its brilliance, we also have some flaws to point out. Here are our highlights, and lowlights, of the blockbuster.

Best: Darth Vader’s Entrance On Hoth

The last time audiences had seen Darth Vader, the Sith Lord had failed to stop the destruction of the Death Star and been sent whizzing into space by Han Solo during a frantic battle above the skies. Naturally, you’d expect the villain to be out for revenge and he starts the movie in the mood to get it.

Vader’s entrance on the Rebel Alliance’s Hoth base is sublime. You can detect the anger and frustration within the character as he charges in, flanked by both stormtroopers and snowtroopers. This scene is now iconic and it helped give fans the impression that the Sith Lord would be chasing our heroes with more intensity than ever before.

Worst: Luke’s Wampa Stupidity

Luke Skywalker held by a Wampa in its cave in The EMpire Strikes Back

Fairly on in the movie, Luke Skywalker finds himself in the spot of bother when he’s attacked and captured by a Wampa, one of the space-yetis that reside within the caves of Hoth. The creature looks set to kill the Jedi in training but Luke, fortunately, uses his lightsaber to attack his enemy and escape into the freezing subzero temperatures.

However, what Luke should have done is kill the Wampa then stay in the warmer cave until sunrise. Instead, he nearly perishes when he foolishly chooses to go out into the open. Minus points for sheer stupidity. What made him think that was a good idea? It’s Hoth, not the Bahamas.

Best: Leia And Han’s Relationship

Han and Leia arguing on the Hoth base in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back

In our look at A New Hope, we stated how we thought the chemistry between Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker is absolutely superb. And, with Luke heading off to Dagobah to learn the ways of the Jedi through Yoda, it’s left to Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher to keep things ticking along in the meantime.

RELATED: Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones: 5 Best & 5 Worst Things

And the chemistry between the duo is even better during this movie. You genuinely get the impression that Han and Leia don’t like each other very much but do, despite those feelings, actually love each other nonetheless. The peak moment is when Leia is about to express her love for Han shortly before he’s encased in carbonite - only for the former smuggler merely to say ‘I know’ instead.

Worst: Luke And Leia Kissing

Luke and Leia kiss

Okay, we accept that Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa didn’t know they were related until the events of Return of the Jedi. But that still doesn’t excuse their kiss.

It’s bad enough that it happens anyway, with it patently clear that Leia and Han Solo are more-suited to each other. But looking at this clip in hindsight is enough to make you cringe, now knowing that they’re actually siblings. We’re sure Luke and Leia wouldn’t have done the deed had they known the truth at that time. So our criticism is aimed at George Lucas here. Why George, just why?

Best: Luke Skywalker Evolving Into A Jedi

Yoda trains Luke Skywalker on Dagobah

The hero of A New Hope due to his superb flying skills that helped destroy the Death Star, Luke Skywalker continues to evolve majestically during The Empire Strikes Back. He starts on a low note, nearly dying at the hands of the Wampa on Hoth. But, after that, he only goes from strength to strength.

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It’s wonderful to watch him training under Yoda, showing that even he, as a hero, has his flaws. He’s impatient and reckless but reaps the rewards, transforming into somebody capable of using a lightsaber and performing remarkable acrobatics. Not that Yoda gives him much credit for it...

Worst: Crazy Yoda

Yoda Uses the Force Star Wars Empire Strikes Back.

Star Wars fans had been anticipating big things from Yoda. They’d been led into thinking that they were about to meet somebody even grander than Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had been introduced in the previous film. However, some were left disappointed when Yoda turned out to be a small, unstable green thing instead.

He’s not exactly the best master, either. He doesn’t seem to show Luke much, instead choosing to berate him when Skywalker fails whatever task is put in front of him. Yoda also discourages him from going to save his friends which, if the Jedi were so high and mighty, you’d think they’d do? Apparently not.

Best: The Failed Rescue Mission

Lando looking at Han Solo frozen in carbonite in Empire Strikes Back.

Perhaps the most exhilarating part of The Empire Strikes Back is when Lando Calrissian, after previously betraying his friends, attempts to become a hero. Knowing Han Solo is about to be transferred to Jabba the Hutt, Lando frees Leia and Chewbacca from the clutches of the Empire and leads a frantic mission to come to the former smuggler’s rescue.

The heroes fail, missing Boba Fett (who is the one taking Han to Jabba) by a matter of seconds. This only enhances the scene, knowing that they’ve got it all to do in the sequel and that they’ll be out for revenge. It actually works better that the heroes fail, rather than succeed.

Worst: Han Solo Wanting To Leave

Han Solo Threepio Empire Strikes Back

During the early stages of The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo intends to leave the Rebel Alliance behind despite them being in the midst of the fight against the Empire. The reason why? Because he wants to pay his debt to Jabba the Hutt before the giant slug catches up with him.

RELATED: Star Wars: Solo: A Star Wars Story: 5 Best & 5 Worst Things

This is understandable, given how Jabba eventually does manage to get to Han. But really, Solo? At this stage, things are pretty dire for the Rebels. Despite destroying the Death Star in the previous movie, the Empire is on the ascendancy. And, when you consider all that, that makes Han a selfish shmuck. They need him but he just doesn’t seem to really care and only stays because it’s the only way of keeping Leia alive.

Best: ‘I Am Your Father’

Darth Vader reaches out to Luke

Following an adrenaline-fuelled lightsaber fight on Cloud City, Luke Skywalker finds himself facing certain death. His hand has been chopped off and Darth Vader is bearing down on him with his crimson blade very much ignited. However, in a sensational twist, Vader says the words ‘I am your father’ to turn Skywalker’s world upside down.

It was something nobody saw coming, least of all Luke, who had been told that his father had died at Vader’s hand. It was so secret that only George Lucas, Mark Hamill, and James Earle-Jones knew about it. And, to this day, it’s considered the biggest twist in movie history.

Worst: So Vader’s Not The Big Bad

Darth Vader is at his best during this movie, emitting villainous vibes during every scene he features in. However, The Empire Strikes Back is also when it’s revealed that, despite his incredible powers and phenomenal costume, he’s not the big bad guy in town.

Instead, that’s Emperor Palpatine, who is shown off for the first time. This is a very minor complaint but it slightly detracts from Vader, knowing that he’s instead somebody at the end of a leash. However, Palpatine proves to be so good during the Return of the Jedi it’s certainly not anything that costs the film.

NEXT: Star Wars: Rogue One: 5 Best and 5 Worst Things