Attempting to evaluate it fairly, which is difficult to do when the original version has been existentially threatened for over half its lifetime by the newer versions, the SE of ESB improves about as much as it worsens and is maybe the most frustrating for it. If I sit down with the SE or DVD of ANH of ROTJ you know you’re gonna have a bad time. With ESB it’s more subtle, more insidious.

I will say, though, that the materials with ESB let me put together a satisfying Custom SE, and the little niggles that remain are negligible. For ESB the 1997 SE was pretty good, with only a couple things to dislike. The DVD and onward add only garbage but remove the scream, so… ugh. But when I watch the original I miss many of the audio changes, especially a few parts where the musical score appeared to be fixed. But my GOUT-synced 1997 audio project scratches that itch for me.

ESB gives us the best shot at an ideal version through fan contrivance, so I’ll give it that.