Star Wars Reviews: Return of the Jedi

Directed by: Richard Marquand
Written by: Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones and Ian McDiarmid

At last we come to the third film of the original Star Wars trilogy, and what was previously also the end of the fable up until the end of 2015. Star Wars was a crucial release in both the fact that it launched arguably the most popular movie franchise of all time, but it also changed the way audiences looked at movies. Blockbusters became events, directors like George Lucas were emerging as the real superstars behind these pictures and it really illustrated the fact that cinema had entered into a new age. Three years later, we're bestowed with a new gift called The Empire Strikes Back, a film that is arguably as good if not better than the original Star Wars. By no means was it the first sequel to match up with the original in such a way, nor was it the last. The darkness, bigger scope and growth on the originals framework established The Empire Strikes Back as one of the ultimate case studies in the making of a sequel.

1983 wasn't by any means one of the greatest years in the history of cinema, but what's interesting to know is that it was a solid year in terms of the output of sequels to successful blockbuster movies. Evidently these weren't always great, considering it was the year of both Superman III and Jaws 3-D. Looking at it with some optimism, it had some great releases too like Scarface, WarGames, A Christmas Story, The Big Chill, The Outsiders and many others. Undeniably, the year's real focus was on its highest-grossing movie and the final film of the Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi.

As I talked about before, the Star Wars movies are not only childhood favourites, but watching them made up some of the happiest times of my early years. Without hesitation, I'll also say that these movies created a sense of wonder in me about storytelling and cinema that would eventually transform into passion and borderline obsession in my adolescence. I held Return of the Jedi to the same level of greatess as Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back and in many ways I still do. The Battle of Endor, Luke's showdown with Darth Vader and the world of Jabba the Hutt continue to amaze me as much today as they did back in my youth, but I've also come to look at the film with a more objective point of view. Don't get me wrong, it's an astonishing movie, but it plays it very safely according to the 'rules' of what makes a Star Wars movie and occasionally deviates away from this towards where an even greater potential may lay. This could be seen as both good and bad, and I'm undecided on it myself. With that in mind, here's what I have to say about Return of the Jedi.

Not long has passed since the events of The Empire Strikes Back. Han Solo remains encased in carbonite and imprisoned by the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine. Luke Skywalker and the others have put together a rescue mission to save their friend. The empire has begun construction on a Second Death Star, and the Emperor himself is overseeing its completion. Luke contends with the reality that Darth Vader is the father he long believed to be dead and his future as a Jedi Knight. After learning that the Empire's new weapon is orbiting the forest moon of Endor, the Rebellion regroups and prepares for a final assault that could bring peace back to the Galaxy.

In many ways, this film continues in the same vein as its predecessor with an orientation towards dark imagery, themes and dramatic questions about the future of our heroes and their chances of survival against a more powerful foe that wants their destruction. At the same time, it also takes a stylistic approach that is possibly even more tame than in the original film. While all of these factors helped make Return of the Jedi the beloved conclusion to the trilogy that it is, it also has the unusual quality of being both a great sci-fi epic and a family-friendly space opera. Fortunately it focuses on the former of these two approaches, it does have the habit of mixing what's cute and humourous with what's ominous and exciting. It's almost as though Return of the Jedi has decided to amalgamate the individual accomplishments of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back without doing as much to be unique in its own way.

To demonstrate this, it's best to look at some of its creations and observe the contrast between them. The presence of the Ewoks, a small, furry and bipedal race on Endor continues to inspire debate over their appropriateness to this film and Lucas' creative choices to this very day. It appears that they exist to entertain young children and provide a comedic touch. It could be argued that such decision were also made in the first film, but also that they're out of place among more adult elements. Return of the Jedi is not afraid to test out some new boundaries. It's the first film in the series to offer a sexual aspect in its depiction of Leia in a slave bikini outfit, and willingly exploits the varying degrees of disgust of Jabba the Hutt. Perhaps most significant is the Emperor, played wonderfully by Ian McDiarmid. From his formidable appearance to use of psychological torment, he's a great villain who is both threatening and creepy. Does this combination of darkness and maturity blend well? I believe that depends on your perspective and cherished memories of viewing it.

Putting that discussion aside, Return of the Jedi really is worthy of the same praise you'd give to the two movies that came before it. Its creation of new worlds is done with the same level of expertise that inspired our curiosities many times before. We revisit Tatooine and get insight into the grisly underworld of Jabba the Hutt, a new world comprised of dense jungle, and get a truly visual experience of the Dark Side of the Force. Every moment in the Emperor's throne room is sinister and you're never at ease. In true Star Wars fashion, we're treated to three great battle scenes. A grand space sequence, an inventive (if not a bit comedic) battle in the forests of Endor, but most importantly Luke's final showdown with Darth Vader. To this day, I still maintain that this is the greatest duel in the history of Star Wars for its aesthetic beauty in the way it's shot, amazing use of John Williams' score and the underlying drama between the two characters. It's something that I consider to be criminal if not specifically discussed.

What makes this movie an ideal conclusion? Like any other end to a series, it has to offer closure to its characters and leave their world changed forever. It's here that Return of the Jedi really puts a smile on my face. The Rebels win the war, the Empire is destroyed and peace is restored to the Galaxy like we had been wishing for since our first adventure in 1977. Luke Skywalker realises his destiny as a Jedi, Darth Vader redeems himself, Han and Leia find hope for their future together and Yoda dies knowing his task has been completed. If this movie shines anywhere, it's here. It's an uplifting ending that leaves you full of positive feelings and a sense of finality. While there's never a time you ever want Star Wars to come to an end, this is an ideal way to say goodbye to these characters.

Overall, where do I sit on Return of the Jedi? I have to admit that there are imperfections, but they aren't so major that they affect my immense love of the movie. At worst these would only be minor annoyances to viewers rather than the bad element that completely spoils something great. I grew up with this movie and saying anything majorly bad about it feels like blasphemy. In all fairness, this movie had a lot to live up to. A revolutionary first film and a perfect example of a sequel left it in a difficult position and with that considered I think it lives up to expectations admirably well. It completed the story in some of the best ways possible and continues to be a riveting finale more than 30 years on. Even with The Force Awakens beginning a whole new trilogy, I don't see any future releases offering as great an ending as Return of the Jedi.

My Rating: 10/10