Pros: special effects, cinematography, sets, costumes
Cons: ewoks, ending
The Bottom Line: While not the best Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi has many excellent sequences and is unquestionably entertaining and meticulously produced.
Return of the Jedi, of course, is the third chapter in the first Star Wars trilogy. Which isn't to be confused with the second trilogy, which takes place before the first trilogy. This would all be confusing, except that media hype has ensured that we know all these things already.
Return of the Jedi packed the theaters nearly as well as its predecessors, and was the biggest grossing film of 1983. Perhaps the most sentimental film of the series, it also had action, special effects, and a simple theme of good versus evil. The combination once again registered with audiences.
However, Return of the Jedi did not receive the nearly universal acclaim from critics that had been given to the previous films. It also came up short at the Oscars, winning only a well deserved Special Achievement Award for its visual effects. There were nominations for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Score, but these categories had lesser prestige.
George Lucas, to some degree, had been a victim of his own success. Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back had raised expectations so high that he was no longer able to fully deliver. The letdown would be even greater with The Phantom Menace (1999), the first entry in the long-awaited prequel that proved to have an even greater drop-off in quality.
It is generally recognized that Return of the Jedi has its highlights. Jabba the Hut is a formidable and original villain, and the speed bike chase through the forest is exhilarating. The audience is as surprised as Luke when the Emperor demonstrates 'the power of the dark side'. When the dreaded Darth Vader removes his mask, he is revealed to be a pasty-faced and dumpy middle-aged man. A very ironic moment.
But the film, while still great, does have its problems. The story doesn't know what to do with Han Solo. Again and again, his character is reactive, and is in need of rescue nearly as often as the comically hapless C-3PO. Leia is also softened, which may suit her as a love interest for Solo, but not as a warrior against the Evil Empire.
Yoda has lived 900 years, but he dies within a few minutes of Luke's arrival for a visit. Solo's hair is shorter when he emerges from the carbonite than before he went in. The body armor of the Stormtroopers is useful only in keeping actors from receiving any recognition for their roles.
But of course, the biggest problem is with the Ewoks, who take over the middle third of the film. They look like cute little teddy bears, perfect for marketing, except that their eyes are lifeless, and their adorable faces are expressionless. They are limited to sound effects and hammy gestures to convey their emotions. They quickly wear out their welcome, and we cheer their conquest of the stormtroopers only because it removes them from the rest of the plot.
But on the whole, the force is with Return of the Jedi. Lucas' skill with developing action sequences is unquestioned, and his meticulous efforts at set design and costume is appreciated. And while the major characters have not improved with age over the previous two entries, they still deserve to be immortalized in our popular culture. Luke may be a goody-goody, but he is impassioned and incorruptible. This world would be a better place if we all could be more like him. (81/100)
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