: I've never understood why people diss the Imperial Storm Troopers. They kick butt on everyone except Ewoks (and they are NOT bad shots). Sometimes I think George Lucas arranged for me to see completely different versions of these movies from everyone else.

I wouldn't dis them at all. But they are portrayed as rather inept. Which I don't think is their fault, nor is it the case, but it is borne out by the movies.

By means of comparison, Luke, Leia, Chewie and Han Solo seemed to be rather good at shooting everyone. The best example of this is right after Obi and Darth have their duel, and Luke gives up the boat by screaming, "NO!"

How many trained stormtroopers were present in the hanger? We could surmise that there were at least 20 and probably closer to a hundred hanging out, cleaning their armor, and placing bets on how long it would take Vader to chop down the old dude in the funny brown robes.

And yet after the alert is unwittingly given out by Luke, not one of these guys could hit our fleeing heros, while Luke et. al. managed to down half a dozen, plant a pot shot in the blast door (and why does that cause doors to shut and lock??) and then take off without a scratch (except for Obi, of course . . . but was he really scratched??).

Now, I assume that the Empire trains these guys, and doesn't just pass out blasters and armor to any JarJar Binks that walks along! And thus, with some twenty blasters all pointed at Luke et. al. one would think that these trained soldiers would be able to at least wing someone. Chewbacca is the biggest target walking, and I don't recall his fur even being singed!

But perhaps I was just drunk when I watched the movies. ;)

-RR