Most people seem to forget that the original point of Star Wars was to take a bunch of Hollywood cliches, accentuated on the serial brand of cliches, and do them both way better than ever -and- a bit tongue in cheek.
The cackling, mustache-twirling Emperor was CLASSIC StarWarsness.
Perhaps the hologram Emperior of ESB was more believable, but hardly an indelible and memorable character that could carry a movie. McDiarmid's performance in Jedi was delightful, a perfect combination of menace and, yes, comedy. Every line delivered with style and charisma.
To each his own, of course, but I rather prefer my space-opera movie-serials to be a little on the goofy side, with plenty of fun and eye-twinkle. Star Wars fit that bill perfectly - and won the appreciation of the world. Its sequels and prequels have never fared as well in capturing that elusive tone.
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