Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Review
by Chad Polenz (ChadPolenz AT aol DOT com)June 30th, 1997
STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (SPECIAL EDITION)
A film review by Chad Polenz
Copyright 1997 Chad Polenz
Chad'z rating: **** (out of 4 = excellent)
1997, PG, 136 minutes [2 hours, 16 minutes]
[fantasy]
starring: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (The Emperor), produced by Howard Kazanjian, written by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, directed by Richard Marquand.
"Star Wars" fanatics are divided into three camps with each camp believing one of the films in the trilogy is superior to the other two. I'm a "Jedi" fan myself and only recently have I realized I was on the underdog team. Members from the other teams say this film has the least amount of depth, but I strongly disagree. If "Star Wars" defined the basics of this universe through a great adventure, and "The Empire Strikes Back" had a great sense of design and expanded further with the mystical atmosphere of The Force, then "Return Of The Jedi" brings everything together as it has the innocent, thrilling adventure of the first film and brings the supernatural mood of the second film down to a more personal and relatable level.
Technically, the first act isn't very important in the long run. Still, it is always exciting to watch our heroes convene at Jabba The Hut's palace in an effort to rescue Han Solo (Ford). One of the reasons the "Star Wars" trilogy is so fun and appealing is probably due to this element of friendship.
Jabba and his palace have always been one of the strangest aspects of the trilogy. He's a huge slug that everyone seems to voluntarily worship, and although we never really learn why, it doesn't matter because it's so charming. In this special edition the song and dance routines are even more lighthearted than the original. In fact, it's so cartoony it seems like something from one of the Muppet movies. But it was still fun to watch because it's something familiar and brand new at the same time.
I never noticed how slowly the middle act is paced. The chase scene through the forest of Endor has always been exciting, but seeing it on a big screen left me breathless. Although it is just an excuse for action, it certainly is original and fun to watch and I can respect that.
The naysayers claim "Jedi" doesn't have the mystery and mysticism the previous films had, but I think it does. The truth of Luke's family is finally confirmed, and the words both Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz), and Ben Kenobi (Alec Guiness) use and the way they say them is moving. We might not be able to relate to The Force but we all can relate to family, and therefore we sympathize with Luke's plight. In order to save the universe he must confront Darth Vader (voiced by Jones), his father, just when he realizes he is capable of redemption.
If ever there was a character of pure evil, The Emperor (McDiarmid) is it. Although he is just a character in a movie, he is quite possibly the closest representation of who we know to be Satan. His dialogue might be a bit over the top, but that is the point. The Emperor plays mind games not only with Luke but with each individual viewer as he placates to and encourages hate. We had always thought of Darth Vader as bad, but we suddenly see him in a different manner as he does something that takes more courage and power than the entire Rebel Alliance has to offer.
The final act of is a non-stop adrenaline rush. It's a fantastic, adventurous battle that has been built up over the course of three films. When the cute, innocent Ewoks ring out their battle cry against the evil Imperial Empire it's something that would be stupid anywhere else, but because these films are so charming it's inspiring. At the same time, Lando Calrissian (Williams) and the Rebels' attack against the second Death Star and the massive Imperial army is wonderful.
The ending to this special edition is basically the same as the original but with a few modifications and additions. Instead of the Ewoks' tribal music, we get a much more glamorous and modern score over several shots of thousands,
if not millions of people celebrating the defeat of the Empire. These shots were absolutely marvelous, and I wish more had been added.
I still say "Return Of The Jedi" is the best of the trilogy as it has all the surface and metaphysical elements of the two prior films, and an exciting, charming, and detailed story. But, to paraphrase Randal Graves (see "Clerks"), I can't help but wonder if any independent contractors working on the uncompleted Death Star weren't innocent victims when it was destroyed by the Rebels?
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