Ten years ago next month, I sat in a theater to see Revenge of the Sith, assuming it would be the last time I would ever see a new Star Wars movie in theaters. I suppose that’s how it felt in May 1983, when Return of the Jedi hit the big screen. Now, 32 years later, we will finally get to spend more time with Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker on the big screen.
Considering the trailer was released yesterday, today seems like the best time to look back at the last film adventure to star the main heroes of the Rebellion. Following the incredible critical and financial success that The Empire Strikes Back saw, George Lucas got the band back together to finish out the arc that started in the 1980 film. We had to find out if Han (Harrison Ford) would be rescued from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt and if Luke (Mark Hamill) would finally face Darth Vader, who happens to be his father, again.
Therefore, Return of the Jedi seems to exist merely to tie up all those loose ends. It’s not a great film, but thanks to the prequels, it’s not the worst Star Wars movie. Directed by Richard Marquand, the film suffers from an incredibly episodic nature, whereas Empire was held together with stronger glue. There’s also the painfully weird introduction of Ewoks instead of Wookies to fight the Empire and the use of a second Death Star. Apparently, the Empire forgot how poorly the first one did.
One thing that has irked me about Jedi in recent years is how aloof Luke is. He always thinks he’s right, even when he’s wrong. The farm boy who dreamed in A New Hope big is gone and so is the idealistic, headstrong rebel of Empire is nowhere to be found. Instead, he is written as a stoic character, as if his experiences have turned him into a war-weary veteran. Being a Jedi has turned him into a distant figure, one the audience can struggle to identify with.
If there’s any remaining characters in the trio that we want to be like, it’s Han. Even Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) is relatable. Here’s two close friends, along with Chewbacca, suddenly fighting for a cause that they have learned to believe in over the course of one or two movies. While a sacrifice from Han at the end would probably have pleased Ford’s dreams of playing a death scene, his survival isn’t a bad thing. After all, he’s back in The Force Awakens and Han certainly did learn a lot. He went from a criminal with only one friend, but now he has an entire family.
The one part of Jedi that does seem to get everything right is the final duel between Luke, Vader and Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). It has a dark, mournful tone that separates it from the David vs. Goliath match in Empire. Luke and Vader are closer to equals at this point and the goading from the Emperor is the real difference. Of course, if we buy into the idea that all of the Star Wars movies are about Anakin, not Luke, then the real turning point of the whole series is Vader’s rejection of the Emperor.
Leia (Fisher) is a bit misused throughout the film. She doesn’t have much to do but bring Chewie into Jabba’s palace and learn from Luke that she is his twin sister. That’s certainly disappointing, considering she was such a strong character in the first two.
Jedi may be a big step down from Empire, but even with all its flaws, it’s still an enjoyable film... as long as you can buy into the Ewoks defeating the Empire. Thankfully, we will get to see the further adventures of Han, Luke and Leia on the big screen and maybe Lando is along for the ride, too (please).
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