Anthony's Film Review - Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

A breathtaking and bittersweet conclusion to a classic sci-fi saga...

With a somber ending in The Empire Strikes Back suggesting that Darth Vader has won the day, nobody wants a story to end right there. In everyone's mind, the good guys have to eventually win. With that comes Return of the Jedi, the sixth episode marking the final chapter of the Star Wars saga. It's hard to say which of the films of the original trilogy is the best, but this film has the most spectacular space battle of the three. Not only that. There are two other simultaneous battles: one in a forest and the other in a second Death Star.

The beginning of the film functions mainly to reunite the main characters. 3PO, R2, Luke, Leia, and Lando all try to free Han Solo from his encasement in carbonite in the palace of Jabba the Hutt. After a deadly fight in the desert over a monster pit, the allies escape and plan their next action against the Empire. This part of the movie also serves to tie some loose ends with Luke. When he returns to Dagobah, he witnesses the death of Yoda and speaks with the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Not only does he learn the truth about Darth Vader but also another family secret.

Darth Vader once again makes his appearance, but this time alongside someone even more menacing and ruthless: Emperor Palpatine. We also get a glimpse of the Emperor's inner sanctum, complete with an Imperial Royal Guard whose faces are completely concealed. With Palpatine's presence, Darth Vader and the rest of the Imperial officers become simply pawns in our eyes. That is significant, because as Luke Skywalker believes, even Darth Vader has a little bit of good in him and not fully seduced by the Dark Side of the Force.

The film after the desert scenes takes place on the forest planet of Endor, populated by short furry creatures called Ewoks. There haven't been any cute creatures seen in the Star Wars films so far, and with them, there even seems to be some extra humor added to one of the final three battle scenes. For some, it may make the film have less of a dark tone, but then again, aren't 3PO and R2 more of the humorous characters in the film? After all, they don't do too much direct fighting and are just caught in the middle of everything.

Nevertheless, Return of the Jedi is a marvelous film that still delivers what A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back had given to the fans. It has characters we care about, a plot that engrosses our imagination, and impressive visual effects leave us in absolute awe. The musical score by John Williams continues to be great, using familiar themes established in Episodes IV and V.

The film ends the Star Wars series nicely simply because its ending is a heartwarming wrap-up. In the battle of good versus evil, evil has been rooted out. The good folks of the galaxy rejoice, which the last scene of the film does a great job portraying. George Lucas deserves much merit for bringing the Star Wars saga to us. Thank you, Mr. Lucas, for your imaginative innovations.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, visit the Internet Movie Database.

In addition, check out my reviews of the following:

The Main Star Wars Saga

The Star Wars Anthology Series

Other Star Wars Films