'Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi' Review
Nominated For: Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Score.
Won: Special Achievement Award (For Visual Effects).
Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi is the third and final film in the Original Trilogy, originally just entitled Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, and takes place sixth chronologically in the saga. Return Of The Jedi is probably the most controversial of the Original Trilogy, although not nearly as controversial as the Prequel Trilogy. What can be agreed upon however is that Return Of The Jedi is pure fun.
Richard Marquand directs and ensures to bring the best of all that is beloved in the franchise to the forefront. Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas return to pen the story and once again craft another masterful tale. John Williams once again scores the film with more epic harmonious music that shall stand the test of time and still remains among the best film scores of all time.
The performances and characterization on display are once again incredible. Mark Hamill returns to the role of Luke Skywalker bringing a new vibrato to the character, now that Luke is a trained Jedi Knight. From the moment Luke arrives you can just tell how much Luke has grown as a character since the beginning of it all and it's very satisfying to see Luke finally become one of the Jedi Knights of legend.
Harrison Ford returns and wears the role of Han Solo like a glove, given his familiarity with the lovable scoundrel. Carrie Fisher is back as a bit of a more level headed Leia, who's not quite as chirpy and sarcastic but more of a leader in her own right showing her fierce and assertive independence. Although Leia's given quite a bit of growth in this film she's somewhat relegated to a smaller role, giving more spotlight to Luke.
Billy Dee Williams is once again the smooth Lando Calrissian and is given much more to do this time around. C3PO, R2D2, and Chewbacca all return with each having plenty of great moments onscreen.
Meanwhile for the antagonists, this film introduces us to Vader's superior, the Emperor, in person for the first time. Ian McDiarmid is phenomenal as the sick twisted leader of the Galactic Empire.
At the Emperor's feet, James Earl Jones once again breathes life to Vader through his commanding baritone voice that certainly adds to the villain's vindictive nature. However, Darth Vader is shown to possess humanity that balances out with his malevolent nature adding more complex layers to the character.
The story begins with Darth Vader's arrival to supervise the construction of a second Death Star. He informs the imperial officer that the Emperor shall arrive soon so they must get back on the construction schedule planned out.
The film then transitions to Tatooine where we see our favorite droid duo head into Jabba's palace. We are introduced to Jabba The Hutt, the most vile, slimy space slug in the galaxy. It was interesting to finally see this crime lord that's been discussed throughout the films and his foul appearance certainly lived up to the horrid descriptions. The two are accompanied with a message from Luke pleading for Jabba to release Han Solo. They are followed by the rest of the gang each arriving one wave after another in their attempt to rescue Captain Solo. Now this all sets the stage for Luke Skywalker's arrival.
Luke arrives cloaked in a black robes and we see his newfound strength with the power of the force as he force chokes two Gamorrean guards and then uses Jedi mind tricks on Jabba's servant, Bib Fortuna. He then forces him to bring him to Jabba and threatens the space slug to his unsavory face. After some brief events I won't discuss in too much detail, Jabba declares for Luke, Han, and Chewy to all be taken to the Sarlacc Pit to be sacrificed to be digested for over a thousand years.
Then begins the one of the most suspenseful moments in Star Wars. John William's score begins a series of brief vamps and Luke is taken to the plank over the Sarlacc Pit. R2D2 makes his way to the top of Jabba's sail barge as Luke threatens Jabba one final time. He then proceeds to jump grabbing the edge of the plank and launching himself back onto the skiff, R2 then shoots Luke's lightsaber from his dome and Luke catches it igniting the emerald blade proceeding to cut down Jabba's minions. The audience now knows that Luke has crafted himself a new lightsaber. This was the first time in the franchise that audiences had ever seen a green lightsaber, and I think the color lended itself quite well for the weapon.
Now comes a very unfortunate anticlimactic end to a very beloved character. Boba Fett is taken out when Han accidentally ruptures Fett's jetpack. Fett is then trust forward into the Sarlacc Pit to his unfortunate end. It was a shame to see one of the galaxy's greatest bounty hunters be so easily disposed and is probably my biggest problems with the film, although that certainly doesn't detract from it too much. After tons of action the group escapes blowing up Jabba's sail barge upon their exit. This was such a great introduction for the film, hence why I've discussed it in such great details, allowing for some great action in the Dune Sea as they must fight Jabba's subservient scum.
Now the group splits off once again and we follow Luke as he goes to Dagobah one last time. Yoda reappears briefly at this point to provide more wise words to Luke and a huge revelation telling Luke there is another Skywalker before his death. This then propels Luke's story arc when Kenobi's force ghost appears confirming that Vader is his father and telling Luke the truth about Anakin Skywalker as well as informing Luke that Leia is his twin sister.
Luke then reunites wth his Rebel friends and they're off on a mission to take out a shield generator on the forest moon of Endor protecting the new Death Star. On the moon there's a great speeder chase scene which allows for some entertaining action. Then a series of events lead to the inevitable final confrontation between Luke and Vader. Then comes one of the greatest climactic battles in the entire saga as there is a battle on three fronts.
There's first the fight on the forrest moon of Endor and a huge space battle going on overhead in an entertaining assault on the Death Star that both have a few shocking twists.
Meanwhile, while all of this is going on Luke has surrendered himself to Vader and the two have an interesting conversation. Vader presents Luke to the Emperor with the intention of turning Luke to the dark side. The Emperor then begins to taunt Luke poking at the fact that all of his Rebel friends will be defeated. Luke is enraged by this and uses the force to seize his lightsaber and he attempts to strike down the Emperor. However Darth Vader blocks the blade from reaching his master with his own lightsaber. Then one of the greatest duels in Star Wars ensues.
What makes this duel so fantastic is the powerful engaging emotional layer of the greater conflict between Luke and his inner self. Luke is conflicted between whether or not he should stay in the light or join the dark side and this is conveyed brilliantly in a few shots where half of his face is shadowed, symbolizing the choice Luke must make. I think that was a great overarching theme throughout the duel. It was also interesting to see Luke momentarily give in to the darkness as he is enraged by some of Vader's comments poking that maybe Luke's sister would turn to the dark side.
He then loses it and starts swinging his saber ferociously and the duel intensifies. He subdues Vader and chops off Vader's hand and the Emperor asks him to kill Vader Luke refuses and flings his lightsaber away leaving himself vulnerable to the Emperor's force lightning.
Vader watches as Luke writhes in pain from the Emperor's power and is then presented with a choice to go back to the light side and save his son or remain in the dark side and watch his son perish. Vader then proceeds to grab his master and throw him over the side to his inevitable death.
However, in doing this, his suit is disabled by the Emperor's force lightning and so Vader asks Luke to remove his mask so he may see his son with his own eyes. After the removal of the helmet Anakin soon dies and Luke takes his body with him back to the first moon of Endor and has a ceremonial funeral pyre for his father. I always thought it was so interesting and sad to see that Luke was the only one in attendance at the funeral since the rest of the Rebels aren't quite fond of Vader.
Now for the controversy, some complain that the inclusion of the Ewoks, small teddy bear like creatures native to the forest moon of Endor, make the film too child friendly and fail to service the narrative. I've never been bothered by their inclusion as they're not an annoyance and don't hinder the plot. I must agree that they certainly weren't "necessary," but they are clearly present as an appeal to children.
Another chief complaint is the construction of a second Death Star, but once again I was never bothered by this because it makes logical sense to me that the Emperor was very determined to have a space station capable of destroying planets to help keep the galaxy in line.
Now to sum all of that up, I can say that when I was younger, this was my favorite Star Wars film and I've always debated between Return Of The Jedi and Empire Strikes Back as to which is my favorite in the franchise. I think Return Of The Jedi is the more "fun" film and Empire Strikes Back is the better made film overall (similarly to how I feel about my comparison between Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy as to which is the better Marvel film). So I can say this is a very close second in my ranking of the Star Wars Saga.
Overall, Return Of The Jedi is a great film that is a satisfying resolution to the Original Trilogy. If you haven't seen the film or even if you have, I highly recommend watching (or rewatching) it as well as the rest of the Original Trilogy, especially for those planning to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Won: Special Achievement Award (For Visual Effects).
Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi is the third and final film in the Original Trilogy, originally just entitled Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, and takes place sixth chronologically in the saga. Return Of The Jedi is probably the most controversial of the Original Trilogy, although not nearly as controversial as the Prequel Trilogy. What can be agreed upon however is that Return Of The Jedi is pure fun.
