Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
You've already watched the original trilogy... right? Right?"Some of the trick effects in this concluding film of the STAR WARS trilogy might seem miraculous if the imagery had any luster, but this is an impersonal and rather junky piece of moviemaking. It's packed with torture scenes, and it bangs away at you." - Pauline Kael
Warning. This review contains spoilers for the original "Star Wars" trilogy. Go watch them if you haven't already.
"Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi" is a good end to a fantastic trilogy.
It opens strong. We finally meet Jabba (No, we definitely did not meet him in "A New Hope") who has captured both Han and Leia. There are a couple of epic battles and fight scenes with a couple of giant monsters. There are some epic chase scenes on the speeder bikes.
It closes strong. First, the Rebels went all-in on their plan, then the Emperor makes credible claims to Luke that he will crush the entire rebellion right there and then. But even more crucially from Luke's point of view at this point, his friends seem likely to die, and as we saw set up in "Empire," nothing is more important to him. The whole drama involving Luke, Vader, and the Emperor is expertly done, on an emotional level. You actually get some sense for how a good person can be seduced by the dark side. The final battle between Luke and Vader, with green vs red lightsaber, is epic. Vader tries to corrupt Luke by unleashing Luke's untapped hatred, therefore turning Luke to the dark side.
The middle is very weak, however. Two out of three ain't bad, I suppose.
We had left the previous movie with a new hope. “That boy was our only hope.” “No, there is another.” The promise for additional help sadly goes wanting. In fact, Luke gets very little help, Leia & Han aren't much help, so everything seems to fall on Luke's shoulders.
The Ewoks are also a weak element. They are a cliché representation of primitive natives. Portrayed as fierce warriors, it's hard to take these small, feral teddy bears seriously. I understand that size doesn't matter with the force, but they don't wield the force—they use spears and rocks.
And speaking of tropes, we have another Death Star to destroy. Originally I think George Lucas planned for only one Death Star destruction, but he decided to slip it in twice, but make the second time significantly escalated in size and scale. The space battle is utterly epic, boasting the finest space combat in all of the "Star Wars" movies, which is an impressive feat considering the absence of CGI.
In the film's original draft, Han was slated to die within the first 15 minutes during a heroic act of self-sacrifice against the Empire. This would have neatly concluded his character arc from a self-serving rogue to a committed rebel, and it would have increased the stakes of the film. Ford was completely supportive of Han dying early in the movie. However, George Lucas overruled Ford and co-screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, fearing that Han's death would impact toy sales. It's rumored that once Ford discovered he wasn't being written out, he merely went through the motions for the final episode.
It's ironic that after our earlier discussions about George Lucas wresting control of his intellectual property from the so-called evil Hollywood empire to prevent profit-driven motivations from diluting his creative control, Lucas let his own profit-driven concerns override the screenwriters' creative control.
Despite the film's many flaws, we are ultimately given the happy ending we all craved.
Well, except for Boba Fett, whose death was notably unsatisfying. And except for Jabba the Hutt. However, with Princess Leia in her provocative slave outfit, one could argue that Jabba the Hutt had a happy ending of a different sort.
- You are sensitive to violence or action scenes, as the movie contains plenty of light saber duels, laser gun fights and spaceship battles.
- You're not a fan of science fiction or adventures set in a distant galaxy.
- You haven't seen the previous Star Wars films (Episodes IV and V). This film is part of a saga and might be difficult to understand without prior context.
- You are not a fan of films with non-human characters or creatures, such as Ewoks, Droids and Wookies.
- You don't like movies with a mixture of serious and humorous tones.
- Due to the violence and complex themes, it is recommended for viewers aged 10 and above.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi?"You've got these pint-sized Ewoks taking down an entire Imperial force. I mean, I love a good underdog story as much as the next guy, but come on! These little furballs are using rocks and sticks against laser guns! It's like bringing a spoon to a lightsaber fight!
And let's talk about Jabba the Hutt. This guy's a big-time gangster, but he's got no legs? He's like a giant slug with a crime empire. I've seen snails move faster than him! How did he even get into a life of crime? Did he slowly ooze his way into it?
And then there's the Emperor. The guy is all powerful, can shoot lightning from his hands, but he can't get a decent dental plan? The dark side must not have good dental insurance. They can build a Death Star, but they can't fix a set of teeth?
But seriously, the movie's a blast. We've got Luke Skywalker finally becoming a full-fledged Jedi, Han Solo being his charming self, and Princess Leia... well, let's just say the gold bikini left a lasting impression on a generation of young men. But remember, it's not the bikini, it's the woman in the bikini... who can choke out a giant slug with the chains he put her in! Now that's a memorable scene!
Star Trek (2009)
A reboot of the classic series brought to life by director J.J. Abrams, this Star Trek film has enough spaceship battles, imposing villains, and team dynamics to satisfy any Star Wars fan. Apart from the adventures in space, the film also offers an origin story for the legendary Captain Kirk and his team aboard the USS Enterprise.
Serenity (2005)Directed by Joss Whedon, this film is a continuation of the short-lived but beloved Firefly series. Much like Star Wars, it's a space opera that follows a charismatic crew as they navigate their way around conflicts in their galaxy. The film carries the same blend of drama, humor, and sc-fi action that made Star Wars fun.
The Cocoanuts (1929)Though seemingly different, both "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" and "The Cocoanuts" share a common element: a complex narrative that combines humor, drama, and adventure. Like “Return of the Jedi”, “The Cocoanuts” is a film that balances comedic elements with more serious plotlines, offering a similar blend of entertainment. While "The Cocoanuts" is a Marx Brothers' classic that introduced their unique style of comedy to the big screen, it also contains elements of romance, mystery, and even musical numbers, providing a well-rounded cinematic experience that Star Wars fans may appreciate.
Moulin Rouge (1952)Lovers of "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983) will also appreciate "Moulin Rouge" (1952) for its immersive storytelling and rich, detailed aesthetic. Both movies transport viewers to meticulously crafted universes, whether it's a galaxy far, far away or the bohemian underworld of 19th-century Paris. Furthermore, the two films share themes of love, sacrifice, and struggle against oppressive forces. Just as Star Wars captivates with its epic space opera narrative, "Moulin Rouge" mesmerizes with its dramatic and romantic tale, making it a must-see for any Star Wars lover looking to explore classic cinema.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017):If you love Star Wars for its outer space adventures and camaraderie, this Marvel Cinematic Universe film should satisfy your craving. Directed by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 manages to blend exciting action with genuine camaraderie, much like Star Wars. The film delves further into the lives of the beloved rag-tag team, with a particular focus on Peter Quill's parentage.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016):Seems fairly obvious, but if you love the Star Wars series, why not delve deeper into the franchise with their spin-off films. This film tells the story of the team behind the plan to steal the Death Star plans, a pivotal moment in the Star Wars timeline. It maintains the same space opera feel of the original trilogy, and there are plenty of familiar faces along with new ones.
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