Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

1983

2.5/4 Stars

When Return of the Jedi was in pre-production, Star Wars creator George Lucas had his sights set on Steven Spielberg directing the film. After their success working together on "Raiders of the Lost Ark", pairing these two once more seemed the best way to ensure that the Star Wars cycle ended with the appropriate crescendo it deserved.

Unfortunately, this was not to be. For legal reasons, Spielberg was kept out and Lucas scrambled to bring in the lesser known Richard Marquand. Marquand, whose earlier experience includes a TV episode called "Big Henry and the Polka Dot Kid", creates a passable film in "Jedi" that lacks the same edge and excitement of Episodes IV and V.

While the film is shot reasonably well, the main deficiencies are in the story and script. The notion that a tribe of little bears called Ewoks could crush a legion of the Emperor's "best trained storm troopers" has long bothered Star Wars fans. Much like the Gungans of Episode I, Ewoks seem to be made to entertain children. The plot device of a second, new and improved, Death Star is also rather weak. The exciting climax of "A New Hope" that has Luke skimming the surface of the trench and taking out the original Death Star is thrilling. In "Jedi", the Death Star seems lightly defended and is easily destroyed.

Another element of the plot that is questionable is the notion that Luke and Leia are related. While Lucas would argue that this was his plan all along, in watching only the original trilogy (IV-VI) one gets the sense that this was merely tacked on to clean up a potential love triangle between Han, Leia, and Luke. Especially given that it comes right on the heels of the "stunning" revelation regarding the identity of Luke's father, the news of a sister seems less important.

There is also a lack of witty dialogue between Han and Leia. Their bickering has vanished in this picture and Han Solo has been replaced my a softer, mushier version of his former bounty hunter persona. When Harrison Ford was initially contacted about making the third film, he lobbied hard for Solo to be killed in Jabba's Palace. This did not take place, and instead the audience is left with a softer, less cynical Solo (the little bears like him though).

The low-point in the DVD release comes when there is an impromptu pop-song performed in Jabba's Palace by CGI "critters". Other Easter eggs include an appearance by Hayden Christensen and a very special new ending to the film.

There are some good moments throughout the film. More questions should be answered with the line: "because I'm holding a thermal detonator". The space dogfight action is pretty solid and the scout race through the forest is exciting. In the end, however, Return of the Jedi comes up a little bit short in delivering a brilliant finish to the story and tragedy of Anakin Skywalker.