We’ve come to expect the videos in Screen Junkies’ Honest Trailers to be full of mockery and criticism, but we got a surprise in the series’ take on Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back. The latest Honest Trailer makes a few hilarious jabs, but mostly, it is uncharacteristically complimentary.

Given that The Empire Strikes Back is most Star Wars fans’ favorite movie, it isn’t really a surprise the video series’ narrator had to admit that the film is “one of the best sequels ever made.” The parody trailer sang the film’s praises, highlighting its “excellent directing, great acting, brilliant dialogue, gorgeous music, and iconic moments that will stay with you for a lifetime.” In fact, the few criticisms launched at the film required some serious nitpicking.

When it came down to it, the video managed to find a few fair points of criticism. The narrator brought up the weird relationship between siblings Luke and Leia, noted how Han’s name is pronounced differently throughout the movie, and showed off some of Luke’s more ridiculous decisions. Not even The Empire Strikes Back can be perfect 100 percent of the time.

Of the relatively few digs in the trailer, perhaps the biggest is aimed right at Star Wars’ creator. After heaping praise on the film, the video notes that The Empire Strikes Back “just so happens to be the one where George Lucas was involved the least.” The implication is clearly that Lucas began to have a negative impact on the franchise, an assertion that sadly many fans wouldn’t hesitate agree with.

However you feel about Lucas, though, you’ll appreciate Honest Trailers’ take on The Empire Strikes Back — perhaps almost as much as you do the film itself.

Related Posts

You can now enjoy Substack on a TV, if that’s your idea of fun times

The app, which has just rolled out for Apple TV and Google TV, basically takes the video content and livestreams from the creators you already subscribe to and splashes them onto the biggest screen in your house. It is a smart, calculated move toward what the tech industry calls a "lean-back" experience. Instead of hunching over a laptop or squinting at a smartphone screen to watch a forty-minute interview or a deep-dive lecture, you can now throw it on the TV while you cook dinner, fold laundry, or just relax on the couch.

Wondering if YouTube TV is worth it? This new promo will help you decide without hurting your wallet

Typically, YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial, after which subscribers pay $82.99 per month for the streaming service. Under the new promotion, subscribers can enjoy a 10-day free trial and pay just $59.99 per month for the first two months.

Netflix’s latest move is huge for movie theaters, and fantastic for you and I

In April 2025, Sarandos previously stated that he loved theaters but thought that theatrical moviegoing is an “outmoded idea, for most people, not for everybody.” As a result, Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. ignited backlash and fears over the film industry's future.