Right time for the third, but not last part of my look at the Star Wars series, as I will get to the prequels a bit later, but for now I will do Return of the Jedi to complete the original trilogy. So let's have a look at episode 6.....
OK so the story starts with Luke Sykwalker (Hamill) who has now completed his jedi training who returns to Tatooine to save Han (Ford) from the alien blobulous gangster, Jabba the Hutt. Luke's plan also involves Leia (Carrie Fisher) who turns up dressed as a bounty hunter who frees Han from his carbonite encasing only to be captured herself and forced to be Jabba's slave (as his previous one was eaten by his pet, a monster named the Rancor, which dwells in a dungeon below). Luke soon arrives at Jabba's palace himself and confronts Jabba and tells him to release Han or he will die, but Jabba then traps Luke down in the dungeon with the Rancor but he manages to outwit and kill the Rancor. Jabba however is outraged and sentences Luke and Han to death at the hands of the Sarlacc, a creature that digests its enemies over a thousands years! At the site of the pit of the Sarlacc, Luke manages to release himself and fight off Jabba's men with his light sabre (hidden in R2-D2 who was also present at Jabba's palace with C-3PO who are both here at this point as well!) along with the help of Lando and Chewie. Leia meanwhile strangles Jabba to death by using her chains and Luke rescues her as he sets Jabba's sand barge canons on itself to destroy the barge as they rescue Han and fly off.
Luke then returns to Degobah where he meets with Yoda for the last time, who is dying of old age and in his dying breaths he tells him that Darth Vader (Prowse and Jones) is indeed his father and that he must confront him and only then he will be a jedi, and also there is another Skywalker, then he dies. Luke then speaks with the spirit of Obi-wan Kenobi (Guinness) who tells him that the other Skywalker is Leia, who is his twin sister. Menawhile the rebel alliance are in the process of making a plan to destroy the new Death star by landing on the moon of the planet Endor, which houses the battle station's sheild generator, which once destroyed will let them enter infrastructure of the station and destroy it within. Luke then rejoins with Han, Leia and the others on Endor, where they land and end up fighting with imperial scouts and have an ensuing speeder bike chase, in which Leia is separated from Han and Luke and is taken by a group of small furry creatures named Ewoks, the inhabitants of the planet. Han and Luke are also captured by the Ewoks, but when they see Threepio, they worship him thinking him to be a God. Luke then uses his force powers to levitate Threepio which astounds the Ewoks, believing he is capable of magic and they release Han, Luke and Chewie and they form a partnership to fight the Empire. Luke later tells Leia that she is his sister and that Vader is his father and that he must go and confront him.
After this Luke surrenders himself to Vader and he tries to unsuccessfully persuade him to leave the dark side of the force, who tells him it is too late and he then takes Luke to Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) the ruler of the Galactic Empire onboard the new Death Star. On Endor Han's strike force team are captured by stormtroopers, however the Ewoks launch a surprise attack on the imperial troops, which allows Han's team to eventually capture the base. Meanwhile the Emperor taunts Luke into fighting Vader where he intends for him to kill Vader and take his place as his apprentice. Luke engages in Vader in an intense light sabre duel and this time the tables are turned as Luke is now the stronger of the two, however he eventually he refuses to fight him and hides in the shadows. Vader taunts Luke back out to fight by revealing that he knows that he has a twin sister in Leia and if he can't turn Luke to the dark side then he will turn Leia, which enrages Luke as they re-engage their duel and Luke get's the better of Vader and cuts his hand off (in revenge for his own). The Emperor urges for Luke to kill Vader and take his place at his side, but Luke refuses and tells the Emperor he has failed, which enrages him and he attacks Luke with force lightning from his finger tips. As Luke writhes in pain and pleads with Vader to save him, Vader finally relents and saves Luke by hoisting the Emperor over his head and throwing him down a chasm. Vader however is fatally wounded as a result and he tells Luke to take his helmet off, which reveals Vader's face to be badly scarred, and he tells Luke to tell Leia that he was right that there was still good in him and he then dies.
And from here its up to Han to disable the Death Star sheild generator to allow the rebel assault lead by Lando to enter the battle station to destroy the Empire's reign once and for all and Luke must escape before its too late.......
It has to be said that Return of the Jedi is the weakest entry in the original trilogy especially given the very high standards of the first two films. However that is not to say its a bad film, in fact its far from it and it is in itself a very entertaining and at times gripping film to watch, which has its fair share of highlights and still stands hand and shoulders over the prequels. The tone of Jedi is also a bit more light than that of Empire as we see a happy reunion of the regular characters once Han has been rescued and despite the inveitable danger that lies ahead of them. The film also features some great action as well, especially in the scene where Luke and Leia give chase to some imperial scouts, and the dogfights with the imperial fighters during the climactic battle to destroy the Death Star as well as the scene where Luke and the others battle against Jabba and later when Luke has his final confrontation with Vader. As for the production Lucas managed to avoid going over budget as he did on Empire as the film was budgeted at 32 million dollars and he hired Richard Marquand to direct the film after his first choice of David Lynch was turned down. The film's original title was Revenge of the Jedi, but this was later changed to Return of the Jedi as Lucas said that revenge is not in the jedi nature. Early in pre-production, Harrison Ford suggested that Han be killed off as an act of self sacrifice, but this was later rejected, and initially Yoda was not to have re-appeared in the film but Marquand insisted that he was re-appear to confirm Vader's identity as Luke's father.
Getting onto the performances they are pretty good overall, starting with Mark Hamill, who once again does a fine job as Luke, who's character has now become more focused and mature and is no longer the impatient and naive youth we saw in the first film. Hamill has several highlights in the film and the main ones are when he confronts the Emperor onboard the new Death Star and later fights Vader. Hamill plays Luke in a pretty straight serious manner although he still has one or two moments of levity among his dramatic journey toward his destiny. And Hamill has some good lines as well in the film, such as when he first meets with Vader and he acknolwedges him as his father, and Vader says "So you have accepted the truth" and Luke replies "I have accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker my father" and later when Vader says its too late for him to turn back to the good side, Luke says "Then my father is truly dead". And later after he defeats Vader in their light sabre duel and as the Emperor urges him to join him and take Vader's place, he get's one of his most memorable lines: "Never! I'll never turn to the dark side! You've failed your highness! I am a jedi, like my father before me!".
Harrison Ford does well here again as Han Solo (now been promoted from Captain in Empire to a General!), although I think his role is slightly more marginalised than before as he seems to take a back seat to the rest of the drama that happens in the film. Ford still has some good moments in the film such as where he let's Lando take over the Millenium Falcon for the attack on the new Death Star and as he prepares to leave for Endor on a stolen imperial shuttle, he looks anxiously out the window at the falcon. And Leia puts her hand on him and asks what's wrong and Han says "I don't know, I've just got a funny feeling, like I'm never gonna see her again!". Also in the scene where he is reunited with Luke at Jabba's palace, and Han asks Luke how he is doing and Luke says "Same as always" and Han replies "That bad, huh?". And later as they are taken out to the Sarlacc pit by Jabba's men, Han who's eyesight has been temporarily been blinded due to his time in carbon stasis, Han says "I think my eye sight is getting better, instead of a dark blur, I see a big bright blur!". And Luke follows it up by saying "There's nothing to see. I used to live here you know" and Han turns to say "You're gonna die here, you know. Convenient!". And in the scene in the woods on Endor when Chewie springs the trap by running for a slab of meat, which get's them trapped in a large net, Han says "Nice goin, Chewie! Always thinking with your stomach!".
Carrie Fisher again is fine in her role as Leia, although it has to be said that she has lost alot of her feisty personality that made up her personality. This however was a directorial decision as well as from Fisher who felt that in Empire that Leia had become way too bitchy and by Jedi she is more happy and in love with Han at that point (so basically she just needed a good man (or a shag even!). Fisher still has some good scenes in the film and the ones that stand out are of course when she is at Jabba's palace as she is captured and forced to be Jabba's slave, and she wears that rather sexy and revealing bikini type outfit! Fisher also shares a good scene with Hamill in the scene where Luke tells Leia that she is his sister and that Vader is their father and he must go and confront him. And when Luke tells her that she is her sister, Leia looks surprised and says "I know.... somehow.... I've always known!" yet what springs to mind right away is if you did know why did you kiss him in Empire???!! Lucas clearly forgets the implications of incest in that one! And Fisher also has another good moment near the very end after the rebels are victorious, Han asks her if Luke wasn't on the Death star when it blew and she says "He wasn't I can feel it". And Han says "You live him don't you" and she replies matter of factly "Yes" and Han is hurt and says "Its OK. I understand. When he get's back I won't get in the way" and Leia says "No, its not like that at all! He's my brother".
David Prowse and James Earl Jones also again do a fine job together as Darth Vader, although this time around Vader plays second fiddle in the villain stakes to the Emperor and he no longer has any power or does anything evil, as he is just the Emperor's pawn. Regardless of that though, Jones still provides some of the film's best lines for Vader, such as in the opening scene where he berates a terrified officer who greets him on the new Death Star, which is still under construction. And as the officer says "We shall double our efforts" to get the Death Star completed, Vader says "I hope so for your sake, commander. The Emperor isn't as forgiving as I am!". And later when Vader meets with Luke and when Luke mentions his former name of Anakin Skywalker, Vader angrily says "That name no longer has any meaning for me!" and as Luke continues to try and turn him from the dark side, Vader says "Obi-wan once thought as you do. You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master!". And later as they fight and Luke hides in the shadows, Vader taunts him to drive him out by saying "Sister! You have a twin sister! Obi-wan was wise to hide her from me! Now his failure is complete! If you won't turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will!".
Billy Dee-Williams once again does very well in his reprising his role as the suave Lando Calrissian, who redeems himself after his forced betrayal in Empire, and fights for the rebel cause and leads the assault on the new Death Star. Williams has some good moments in the film, which include the scene where he is about to leave in the Falcon for the assault and he reassures Han he will take good care of the ship and says "I'll take good care of her, buddy, she won't get a scratch!" and Han nervously says "I got your promise! Not a scratch?" and Lando laughs saying "Will you get going, ya pirate?!". And later when Lando is onboard the Falcon he says to his fellow rebel pilots "Don't worry my friend will get that shield down in time. Either that or this will be the shortest offensive of all time!".
Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker also again reprise their roles as the robotic duo of C-3PO and R2-D2 and provide some moments of amusement in the film. Baker as R2 has some fun in certain scenes the one which springs to mind is where R2 and the others are captured and tied up by the Ewoks and when they released him, R2 protudes a zapper from his chest unit and zaps one of the Ewoks in ass! Daniels again provides a fine vocal performance as the neurotic and haughty droid C-3PO and he get's some good lines in the film. And his best scenes come when they are surrounded by Ewoks, who worship Threepio as if the droid were a God or Idol, and as Han insists that he pretend to use "his devine influence" to get them out of the situation, Threepio says "I'm sorry General Solo, but that just wouldn't be proper! Its against my programming to impersonate a deity!". And later during the scene where Luke, Han, Chewie and R2 are all tied up and about to be set on fire as sacrificial victims, Luke says to Threepio to tell them he will use his magic if they disobey him, and he uses his force powers to lift Threepio in his throne like chair, which freaks out the Ewoks who release them afterwards, and Threepio who is petrified says "I never knew I had it in me!". Peter Mayhew also makes his return as Chewbacca although he isn't give a whole lot to do here he still cuts the unmistakable figure of the large Wookie.
The film also features some new characters that are purely puppets which were operated by different puppeteers. The most notable character of all is Jabba the Hutt, the massively overweight blob, which sits on a large sofa, laughs and licks it massive tongue, which is dribbles and slavers like nothing else. Jabba also has some good lines in the film (the voice was done by Larry Ward) which were of course subtitled as he speaks in Huttese (the native tongue of the Hutts). Jabba's best lines come when he faces Luke and as Luke tries to use his jedi mind powers on him, Jabba says "Your mind powers will not work on me, boy!" and later "I shall enjoy watching you die!". And later on his sand barge as he has taken Leia as his slave, Jabba has Leia chained and he grabs her close to him and says "Soon you will learn to appreciate me!". Other new puppet characters also include the Rebel alliance officer, Admiral Ackbar, an alien creature, who delivers the immortal line, when the rebel assault fighter team are ambushed by the Imperials TIE fighters, he exclaims "Its a trap!!".
Then of course we have the return of Yoda, who in this film is near death when Luke visits him again and he lives just long enougn to reveal the truth about Darth Vader as being his father and that there is another Skywalker. Frank Oz, who voices Yoda again as he did in Empire, provides a charming performance as the poor old Jedi master is about to buy it and he delivers a good line when he says to Luke "Do I look so old to such young eyes??? When 900 years old you will reach, will you look as good, will you not?!".
And last but far from least, Ian McDiarmid steals the show as the evil Emperor Palapatine, who is the real villain behind it all and at last we see him in the old scaly flesh. McDiarmid clearly relishes in playing the part and he is simply wonderful at it as he seems to take great glee in delivering the Emperor's tasty dialogue. McDiarmid provides some of the film's real highlights, particularly the scenes where Luke is brought onboard the Death Star by Vader and he continues to goad and taunt Luke into joining him and taking Vader's place. McDiarmid has numerous good scenes and dialogue, such as when we first see him emerge from his shuttle onboard the new Death Star and he says to Vader "Everything is proceeding as I have forseen!" and cackles madly. And later as Luke is brought before him he says to Luke "It is unavoidable, it is your destiny. You, like your father, are now... mine!". And one of my favourite lines in the whole film is when he says to Luke that his rebel allies are walking into a trap and that the Death star "Is quite safe from your pitiful little band! Oh and I'm afriad that the deflector shield will be quite operational by the time your friends arrive!". And later as he fails to turn Luke he grimly says "So be it, Jedi!" and later "If you will not be turned, then you will be destroyed! You're feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side! You have paid the price for your lack of vision!" as he zaps him with the full force of his electric bolts from his finger tips. And lastly his most infamous line "Now young Skywalker... you will die!".
Finally moving onto the direction, Richard Marquand, who was hired by Lucas after David Lynch turned down his offer to direct the film, does an excellent job here with Jedi and keeps the action coming thick and fast and he also handles the film's softer moments as well and again like Kershner manages to get some good performances from his cast. The film itself was shot at Elstree studios but it was also shot on Location in Arizona for the desert scenes on Tatooine and also in the redwood forests of California for the Endor scenes and the filming lasted over four months. Getting onto the film's music score, which is again excellent and is again by John Williams and while its not quite as good as his scores for the previous films its still more than good enough to put most film scores to shame.
As for the flaws of Jedi???? Any worth moaning about???? Well OK it has to be said that yes it is the weakest entry out of the three films and while its a very entertaining end to the series, what nearly ruins it are the Ewoks. And it has to be said that the Ewoks remain the most tedious creatures in the original series as they really appeal soley more to kids than anything else, and it takes away from the othewise compelling drama that Luke faces against The Emperor and Vader. The film also has an abundance of puppet characters in it as well, most of them appear in Jabba's palace and it also has to be said that the pacing of the sequence at Jabba's palace is a bit slow as well. And again the film is guilty of a rather cheesy happy ending with all the original crew reunited together and smiling at the camera as if they are in a family photo! I also wonder why all the imperial officers are all British (or mostly anyway!) its as if they are trying to say something about the Empire, like all the villains must be British (or in Ian McDiarmid's case Scottish!) whereas the Americans are the good guys. Just what are you trying to say, Lucas???!! ;-)
I also in retrospect think its a bit daft how Darth Vader sustained fatal injuries from lifting an electricity charged Emperor over his head for about 10 seconds before he threw him into a chasm below, when Luke was getting zapped by the Emperor for at least a minute, yet somehow Luke didn't die as a result! I think there's a lack of continuity there! Either that or they are saying that as Vader is the older of the two he would be more susceptible to the Emperor's force powers, but it still seems silly.
The other problems I have with the film however are more related to the special editions released since, especially the 1997 version, which featured some pointless new additions to its special effects, which it hardlt needs as effects was Jedi was easily the best and most spectacular of the three. But first off the music number at Jabba's palace is awful and cringeworthy with a new annoying alien singer, who get's his face right up into the camera, which makes you want fast forward! Then there is the awful replacement of the cool end music that was in the original film during the scene at the end where rebels celebrate on Endor, which yet again shows that Lucas should stop tampering with his films! And in some cases the additional CGI really doesn't add much at all and that has been case with all these re-done editions, Lucas should have learned that if it ain't broke don't fix it! And one of the worst inclusions of all is the scene where the Emperor tortures Luke with his force lightning and as Darth Vader looks on, all of sudden we hear him yell "No!!" as he moves to stop him! Its just wrong, George!! Leave it alone aghhhh lol!! And lastly another naff inclusion is of Hayden Christensen as the spirit of Vader, which replaces the actor, Sebastian Shaw, who appeared originally there and played the unmasked Vader. Now given that Vader died as an older man, it would have been more logical to STILL have him appear at the end of the film, rather than the young petulant Skywalker we get who can't even stare in the right direction! But again Lucas just doesn't know when to stop.
But all that aside Return of the Jedi is a fine entry and finish to the original trilogy of Star Wars films and with Episode 7 currently in production (thankfully it will not be directed by Lucas but by J.J. Abrahams) the saga will continue its intended 9 episode run. Next up I will cover the prequels, perhaps not right away but they will be done, for what its worth. ;-)
So with that I shall finish right there and no I will not finish by saying something naff like may the force be with you, so I will instead say simply bye for now!
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