Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
George Lucas
Quick View: Luke faces his greatest challenge: Rescue his friens and defeat the empire. He has learned everything he can about the force, but one thing stands between him and the title of Jedi: his Father, Lord Vader. Will his merry band of rebels and their small furry friends be enough to halt the construction of the second death star without his help?
Full Review: Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi is the final installment of George Lucas’ groundbreaking Scifi-Fantasy saga. Set not long after the events of the last film, we get to see a stunning and visually inspiring final chapter in the story of Luke Skywalker, and his struggle against the dark lord of the sith, his father, Darth Vader. The movie offers a well developed crew of characters, broad open scenery, and a unique use of alien life, space battles, and the force. Although many fans disagree, I was very happy with the care free
and family friendly nature of the film. Although much less obnoxious than the prequel’s use of comic relief, the ewoks offer a welcome break from the serious overtone of the film.
The movie follows Luke Skywalker, as he ventures to Tatooine to rescue his friend Han Solo. After being captured by Jabba the hutt, and having Leia free Han from his carbonate cell, The crew face almost certain death. With jabba refusing to surrender, Luke uses his new lightsaber, and the new force powers he has mastered, to make short work of Jabba and his minions. Luke Goes on to seek out yoda and to finish his training, only to learn that his final test is to defeat his father. He confronts Obi Wan’s force ghost, asking questions about why he was lied to. Obi Wan tells Luke about how important point of view is to a Jedi, and that Vader must be defeated. He also informs luke of crucial information about his family. Luke joins back up with his comrades, and the put together a plan to destroy the brand new Death Star the empire have constructed. The team works their way through the blockade, and after a scuffle with the native inhabitants of endor, join forces with the ewoks to help defeat the ground forces of the Empire. Luke surrenders to Vader, and is brought before the emperor. Whilst his friends fight and die in a fruitless space battle, luke is forced to fight his father in order to save the lives of his friends. Angered by Vader’s taunts, Luke gives way to his anger, injuring his father. Realising he is making the same mistake his father made, luke rejects the dark side, proclaiming his achievement of the rank of Jedi, like his father before him. The emperor casts down luke using the force, and moments before death, Vader saves his son by casting the emperor down the long shaft of the spire. Vader thanks luke, succumbing to his injuries. Luke narrowly escapes as the death star is destroyed, and the rebellion is Free. Before continuing his celebration, Luke gets on last goodbye from his former mentors, as well as his now revitalized father in force ghost form.
This movie does an amazing job with the characters of Star Wars, and Lucas really does deliver with concluding the stories of each one. This movie, although not as breathtaking and original as the previous film, is a fitting sequel and really delivers in the Jedi aspects of the trilogy. The more mature and experienced actors add a nice touch to the more serious and developing plot, and the cast perform their duties astonishingly.
The set design is beautiful as always, and the lush green forest presented as endor really adds a nice contrast to the deserts and snowy wastelands of previous films. The emperor’s spire is presented well with the dark, low lighting and hard black colors, and the contrast between the rebellions bright white halls and rooms really helps set that feeling of good versus evil. The space battle is easily the best of the series, and we feel a much greater connection to the pilots. We also get to see destruction on a galactic scale as entire rebel battle ships and star destroyers find themselves exploding and crashing into the massive death star,
Overall, the good execution, cast, and story adds a nice, entertaining end to a well made trilogy. George Lucas, although tainted in the eyes of fans by his prequel trilogy, will always maintain a level of respect for these masterpieces. The family friendly nature adds to the mature feeling of this movie, and makes it a much more innocent and enjoyable trip to the theater. Here’s hoping the new trilogy can do just as well.
Final Score: 8.5/10