Review by Tres
Re-watching Return of the Jedi brings back some great memories from my younger years. Being the oldest guy on our blog I can say I actually remember every release of the original 3. Return of the Jedi in 1983 was a much anticipated film for me. I was under 10 when I first saw Star Wars: A New Hope. I had matured to a grown 12 year old now with RotJ. I wanted to be the first there, that didn’t happen because I couldn’t drive. However, it was the first family film that my (step)dad took all of us to. It was a good evening. I sat mesmerized at the graphics, the film, what would happen with Luke and his dad, Vader, and what about Yoda?
Had I forgotten any of Empire? (This was before our family ever had a VCR.)
We join the droids visiting Jabba to retrieve a frozen Han Solo for Luke Skywalker. (Han was frozen in ESB.). C3PO is shocked to discover that as a bargaining tool he and R2D2 are being given to Jabba.
Now I watched the newer versions with the added graphics and extras. I personally like the additions most of the time; the band members are included in that like.
Chewbacca is captured and brought in by a bounty hunter to Jabba. Without giving things away… We have Han, Leia, Chewy, and Luke all as prisoners of Jabba’s, plus the droids working for him.
Luke and Han are to be sacrificed to a sand pit monster where they will be “slowly digested for 1,000 years”. Now this is an added animation I do not enjoy. I am a big fan of The Little Shop of Horrors. I can’t see the out creature without thinking that I’m seeing a tan Audrey 2… Audrey Tres. [some will get that]
Obviously they escape because the movie doesn’t just end.
We then see Luke and R2 flying off to see Yoda as he promised in ESB to return. Yoda confirms the biggest shocker in my movie history, Darth Vadar is truly his father. He also discovers he has a twin sister.
Han, Leia, Chewy, and C3 are off to help the Rebellion by disabling the force beam being sent from Endor… Enter EWOKS!
One of the biggest reasons that this is my favorite of all 6 movies. I love the Ewoks.
The movie is centered on a major battle between the good and the bad, the dark force and the light force, the power of the dark and ultimate power of the Jedi way.
There are so many Biblical applications that can be made to this movie. The constant gnawing of Satan on our conscience and soul; the dark side wanting you to always do wrong. (Luke 22:31) Once you have completed your life as a Christian, your spirit goes on; the highest level of the Jedi way is after death your spirit continues in the Force. (Matt 11:29) The idea that a bad person, making bad choices, and treating others poorly can repent and find forgiveness; the villain can become a good guy. (Luke 7:47)
The movie overall is my favorite for many reasons. I think the acting is the best of all 6 movies. It’s still not top-notch acting performance award winning stuff, but it’s decent. Mark Hamill I feel is finally acting from beginning to end and not just partially acting and saying lines. I struggle as I have gotten older, in the idea that Hamill was the best acting choice for the lead role of a trilogy. In Return, though, I finally felt like he was an actor. Leia is portrayed much better in Return than New Hope. Carrie Fisher is a good supporting actress and continues to be. I felt much more confident in her acting in Returns, as well. Harrison Ford is my favorite of the entire crew. I bought Han from the first moment in IV all the way through to VI. He’s edgy and sarcastic and some may say that’s why I connect with him.
The special effects are much better than in previous movies. You can tell the advancement in green screen, digital projections, and computer editing from each movie as the time passes. The characters are much more appealing in this film. I LOVE the Ewoks. I like the different faces of the Rebellion. The little guy, Nunb, that copilots with Lando just cracks me up.
And, let’s face it, I’m a big supporter of movies that portray good conquering evil.
I like that Alec Guiness, Obi Wan, was even more active in this movie than Empire. He was one of my favorite characters growing up and he continues to be a forerunner as I have aged.
One of my favorite parts… beyond Ewoks… is when Darth asks Luke to remove his mask so that he may look upon him with his own eyes. It’s like shedding of all that is bad and suddenly a new and good person is revealed. Anakin is willing to lay down is life for his child. No greater love has any man. He sees his some with human eyes and leaves the “robotic”/electronic part behind. When we are baptized into a watery grave, we go down masked and coiled and worthy of nothing, and we arise a new with all the good that God has to show coming forth from us.
The bad… some of the acting is still pretty weak. The special effects are much better, though still not perfect. Loud explosions in space still drive me crazy since there’s no rational behind it.
I’m going to see VII Thursday evening and I have to say I am truly excited. There was a lot of grumbling when Disney bout out Lucas, but honestly, Disney has the resources financially and expertise in creating some truly awesome films. If anyone can bring the Star Wars saga back to life and do it with style and appeasement for the 40 somethings that grew up with the originals as fans, the 20 somethings that grew up with the prequels as fans, and the kids of today jumping to see it, Disney can do us all proud. I have high expectations going into this film tomorrow and I truly hope I’m not disappointed.
Do I recommend Return of the Jedi? YES!… IF…..
First you have to like Sci-Fi.
Second you have seen at least IV and V.
And finally, you have a couple of hours to enjoy a film.
I give this one a 4. I have seen it at least 25 times and will still watch it again, but I just can not call it a 5 star movie.
