Star Wars Episode VI: Return of The Jedi

DVD, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of The Jedi (1983) film

Where to begin with this film? Some may consider it the weakest of the Original Trilogy, and some may even have valid points, but for me, tinged, nay submerged; buried; enveloped in nostalgia, this is my favourite 'Star Wars' film, and even my favourite film of all time, almost the only film I ever considered 'near perfect' (the other being 'Star Trek: Insurrection,' though that was more of a momentary consideration, not an enduring experience, and is another story entirely, for another time). Why should it appeal so much to me, even above the oft-acknowledged 'The Empire Strikes Back'? For one thing, I don't have a problem with Ewoks (just as I didn't with Jar Jar), and for another, and most crucially, it was the first of the films that I actually saw (or so I believe from that dim and distant past where memory is all that survives in its plastic-wrapped carbonite hibernation until it gets reactivated and all I see is a big dark blur or a big light blur…). I associate it with Christmas because, in my mind, it was often on at that time, though it was probably only a couple of Christmases. My exact memory is of the excitement of the end of Boxing Day (I assume), when relatives had been and gone, after a fun-filled time of games and food, and we were allowed to watch 'Jedi' up until the Speeder Bike chase. I don't know if it was because the end was deemed unsuitably scary, or whether it was time for bed, but I remember a feeling of loss following the exhilaration of chase on the forest moon of Endor. Jabba The Hutt stuck in the mind, too!

The film can never hope to recapture that childish wonder for me now, especially as it's one of the films I've watched most in life (too much, as I got quite sick of the OT for parts of the last fifteen years), but it was intriguing to me to see what the original version was like, having indulged in the sharp, shiny Special Edition ever since I got hold of the videos in the late nineties. That original version definitely looks a lot less high quality and I can say without shame that the SE's are my preferred version (as long as it's not version 1.5 with Hayden Christensen booting out poor old Sebastian Shaw as ghost-Anakin! I've never even seen version 2.0 where Vader is reputedly given a "NOOOOOOOO" to make 'the circle complete' with 'Revenge of The Sith' - because everyone loves the subtlety in that scene where he realises Padme's dead, right…?). Aside from the magic of rekindling Christmas past, from the early nineties or even late eighties, what I like so much about this film is that everyone's so perfectly established, they all look great, the effects are the slickest they got, and the ending satisfies greatly. I need a good ending to my films: 'The Lord of The Rings' has it, 'The Bourne Ultimatum' has it, 'Star Trek: Generations' has it… and my favourite film has it, too: Darth Vader is redeemed through the willpower of his son, who refuses to give in to the easy, tempting future that is spread out for him by the Emperor, and instead is willing to die rather than go to the Dark Side. It's a wonderful moment of triumph matched only by the celebrations on Endor and around the galaxy, that the Galactic Empire is defeated!

Again, I have to say that the original version was superceded by the alterations to those last moments where we have an even more joyful, uplifting song of the Ewoks as we flash across the galaxy to planets throughout the saga, all celebrating the downfall of the oppressors, and then– dum de dum de dum de daddla daaaa daa, da da da daaaa da, daddle adaaa da, da da da daaaa… we're into John Williams' masterpiece of joy, the main theme of the series. Everyone's happy, it could have remained untouched forever and that would quite comfortably exist as the end for SW. But of course they made so much money, as does the merchandise that it was only a matter of time before Episode VII was conceived. Perhaps that will tell us what happened to all those many thousands of loyal Stormtroopers and officers of the line. How can it be that the entire Empire is defeated merely by taking out its biggest weapon and its top two leaders? You can think that it was as much the evil spirit of the Emperor keeping those forces together as it was military tactics (which might help to explain the generally clumsy, useless actions of the foot soldiers in all three films!), and, like Sauron's destruction at the end of 'The Return of The King,' his minions were scattered and panicked into disorder. I must admit, like most people I was always keen to see the story continue, but until recent years I never thought it would happen - sad then, that it comes when I'm no longer excited by the prospect, though still interested.

'The Force Awakens' can wait for its turn in my reviewing spotlight, because I'm here to examine 'Jedi,' and what makes it work or not work so well. I find it interesting that this was seemingly the beginning of the prequels' design to emulate scenes, scenarios or images from the OT, as we have several elements that are an obvious return to the first film. The biggest (literally), is the second armed and fully operational Death Star and the squadron of tiny ships sent to take it out. I used to think it was just the original Death Star which they'd collected up the bits of and were in the process of sticking back together, but that's not entirely practicable! It certainly has a cooler look this time what with it's deceptively incomplete construction, shown by reddish girders sticking skeletally out into space. We also see the two droids, the real stars, both running through a firefight again (as they did in the first ever scene), and recreating their desert wanderings on Tatooine (I don't think it was named in this film, but Luke admits he used to live there). Unlike the prequels, the exact details of planets, midiclorians and such aren't important, it's story that counts, not feeding the fans with their desire for dry detail, satiated at the expense of drama. I love that the pair of droids are integral to the plan, even though, as usual, C-3PO isn't in the know - at least he's become a much nicer character than he used to be. We also see Luke and Leia swing across like Tarzan and Jane, just as they did in the first film, though it's much more dramatic this time, escaping Jabba's Sail Barge which is about to explode (though you do wonder what the rope was attached to…).

Others aren't so much recreations as continuations, with visits to Yoda, Vader and Obi-Wan important to the plot. Yoda's death is probably the most affecting moment of the film, beautiful yet tragic, and I still marvel at his life, not even lifelikeness, but that he has a real life to him and it really is devastating when his time has come and he fades away. I might even suggest that he's not in the film enough, but if a character leaves you desperate for a few moments more with him then you know you're onto a winner. It is a little strange that Luke arrives just in time to see his Master die, but I think of Yoda as marshalling all his strength to keep going until his former protege arrived and what we see is him relaxing his hold on life: as he rightly says, he deserves to rest. I only hope that if they do bring him back for his own film or cameos, that they can recreate the life of that puppet that was so sorely lacking in Episodes II and III with the CGI version, and even Episode I, though it had reality to it, still didn't quite achieve the same level of realism as the production magicians of the 1980s did. He lives just long enough to give Luke the information that we already knew from the last film: that there is another. They don't keep us in artificial suspense a moment longer, Luke instantly seeing it's Leia and that she's his sister (not smirking any more are you, chap!), his insight serving him well (though it could have served him a lot better if he'd known that when he first met her!).

It's a good film for Leia (apart from the embarrassingly old-fashioned, "Hold me!" she cries, flinging herself into Han's arms in a whirl of emotion), not only does she get to show her diplomacy skills, winning over Wicket The Ewok, but has her share of action, taking out Jabba and being part of the 'Mission: Impossible' team that take out the gangster and all his court (the 'M:I' feel continues with the Death Star briefing on what appeared to be the stark white ship of Captain Antilles, which I hadn't noticed before - this viewing also made me realise that Luke transfers off an AT-AT on Endor when he meets Dad in that transparent corridor, I don't know why I never realised that previously!). She gets better hairstyles than she used to, too! I'd love to see how she fared as a Jedi… One plot hole, that's really rather insignificant in the grand scheme, but for which I couldn't help grimacing slightly, is her assertion that she saw the face of her Mother. Yes, we know that Padme died of a broken heart and gave up on life despite having twins to bring up (kind of selfish, really), and the babies were around just long enough that Leia might have some image, but I didn't get the impression from Episode III that she was very sad. More like distraught enough to die from it, when Leia's words always gave me the idea of a wistful Mother. She says she died when she was very young - well, yes, the day you were born! But none of this is the fault of 'Jedi,' I lay it squarely at the feet of III, just one more stupid decision that continues to haunt the franchise like a sick Sith ghost.

Wicket is about the only new supporting character and, like Billy Dee Williams before him, Warwick Davis should be applauded for being able to add to the mix without interfering in the superbly judged family chemistry that Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the droids have together. I never understood the hatred for the Ewoks in general - even as an adult, and understanding that they were a deliberate ploy to generate more cold, hard cash for Mr. Lucas because cute toys sell, I like them and their culture, it clashes so intensely with the high technology of the other races. Yes, they're laughable, on purpose, but they can also evoke sympathy, whether they're raising a chuckle by their terrified response to C-3PO's newfound powers or the real price of their combat with the Empire's forces - surprised by the sudden loss of one of his companions a lone Ewok grieves over his friend. They aren't just faceless cannon fodder and their inventiveness in taking on a far superior technological enemy is inspiring, far more than the Wookies in Episode III, which I felt tried to emulate the Endor battle with far less success  in structure and character. I also love their voices, facial features, and proud, fearless attitude. I think the main reason people are against them is because they show up the Stormtroopers for the lazy, useless slackers they are, but if you watch any of the OT films you come across the brainlessness of these troops which really are just cannon fodder, without any real character to them (and their armour squeaks like a mouse made of plastic!). It was also fun to discover in the credits that Kiran Shah (Frodo's scale double in 'LOTR'), played one of the Ewoks!

One of the strengths of the SW universe is the sheer variety and scale of the races and cultures embodied by their onscreen representatives, and that inventive alienness continues big time with Jabba's palace. Like the Mos Eisley Cantina of 'Star Wars,' this is a real hive of scum and villainy with no redeeming characters (except perhaps for the wildly upset potbellied keeper of the Rancor, who bursts into tears and is comforted by his skull-faced mate - even a hideous creature like the Rancor is loved by someone!), and it is into this mire of evil that Han's friends go to rescue him. Lando wears a rather dodgy mask, pointedly opening it up in case someone at the back didn't catch on that it is he (but who else would it be since he's basically the only token black character in the trilogy, like Leia is almost the only female - Oola the dancer and Mon Mothma hardly count! Mind you, this is really the Old West where women aren't supposed to be). Much credit to the makers and puppeteers of the vast Jabba creation, who not only looks and sounds unique, but is almost as impressive as Yoda. He totally sells the exotic weirdness of SW, perhaps more than any other creature, and is both disgusting and fascinating in equal measure (Deep Roy, who has many film roles, such as Keenser in the Abramsverse 'Star Trek' films, is credited as a Puppeteer, though I don't know if he had a hand in Jabba or if it was other outlandish creatures). He also gave us the important phrase "Bantha Pudu."

I can almost believe from the way he's presented as someone with a mischievous and cruel streak (such as throwing Oola to the Rancor), that he waits up every night with his group of gribblies to see if he can pull a practical, and lethal, joke on some unsuspecting denizen of his den, as how would he know that Boushh had come to release Han from his carbonite prison? He definitely has a life beyond the sum of his parts, and what's more, thanks to Jabba we get one of the best setups of the trilogy: as usual it's only R2-D2 that's in the know as Luke calmly gives the crime lord one last chance to save his slimy skin before unleashing the armed and fully operational powers of a Jedi Knight upon his gathering of misfits. It's such a great poker play, or seems to be, with this former farm boy threatening the vast and well-protected slug from his seemingly powerless position of prisoner, only to demonstrate his agility ability by turning things around at the last possible moment of being made to walk the plank above the Pit of Karkoon, otherwise known as Sarlaac (it always struck me as a rather empty addition to the fact that you're going to die: it will consume you for a thousand years - so it's a slow eater, you're not going to be able to stay alive long enough to experience that anyway!). For me, it is one of the two standout action sequences which stand this film apart, and not just because of the superbly excellent stunts, timing and breathtaking thrill of it all. It is the epitome of what SW is all about: teamwork, good humour and heroics in an otherworldly setting, against impossible odds, a group of disparate friends thrown together and taking on the galaxy.

If the Sail Barge sequence impresses with its visually appealing desert setting and full reality (none of your CGI halfheartedness here), it is the forest chase that really got my heart thumping when I was younger and remains possibly the best sequence I've ever seen on film, very few have ever come close to the perfection of the moment (I think of Chakotay being beamed away at the last half second as he rams his ship into the enemy in 'Caretaker,' the 'Voyager' pilot episode, one rare example of matching this, or that bit in 'M:I2' when Ethan rips off the mask of the South African baddie he'd been masquerading as, zipping along at pace as realisation hits his opponent!). It's the mix of speed, daring, and ultra-cool technology that can't be beaten (and what I believe they were trying to top with the Pod Race in Episode I, which was close, but not quite), that does the job: most people would probably choose a lightsaber as their tech of choice from SW, but I think it would be the Speeder Bike for me! Luke isn't a superhero, he's still basically a learner, but he's come on so far from the first film, his black, smart cut outfit and green lightsaber tell you he's confident in himself, without being arrogant. I have a theory about the lightsaber colours, which may or not be intended: red is Sith, blue is Jedi, we all know that, but the best colour by far is green, and it seems to stand for a Jedi Master. Yoda uses it in Episode II, Qui-Gon does so in Episode I, both considered Masters, and now that Luke is the only Jedi in existence, he gets the upgrade, too.

If Luke looks the part in 'Jedi,' the others do too, and to me it seems as if the wrinkles have finally been ironed out and everything is just right. Except perhaps for the Emperor, who's wrinkles get even wrinklier! For me, this is the definitive likeness of his evil highness, because unlike the unfinished version which appeared to be a puppet in Episode V, or the very prosthetic-like design for Episode III, the skin of Palpatine looks real. It's not shiny, the wrinkles aren't tailored and manicured, he has leathery, pale skin and an uncertain facial structure that we never fully see. It's also more stretchy than the taut version of III, and far superior in helping to create the character. It's also interesting to me to note that Vader's eyes, which in Episode IV were tinged with red, and in V appeared to be fully black, have a slight silvery sheen on the inside. Maybe it was just the lighting, but it's almost like you're seeing the tears of a broken man before we even see the redemptive, but fatal, decision he makes. C-3PO's eyes also seem more distinctive with those triple planes of light emanating out from each pupil, though R2 continues to suffer the indignity of having to be painted black for any scene in which he's in space, the blue panels obviously subject to faults with blue-screen techniques.

3PO, much more a member of the team in this one, has an interesting side story as being worshipped by the Ewoks. It does strike me as a little bit daft to be creeping around in a forest setting, all wearing camouflage in order to blend in, and then bringing along a blazingly shiny gold droid with you that could be seen a mile off! Not that I'd have had it any other way, as he's an important part of the family: not only is he fluent in six million languages, but he tells a great story with his own in-built sound effects, as wonderfully presented when he explains/performs the basics of the whole saga until that point! That's the great thing about this film, though, everyone gets their moment. It might have been nice to have Han and Lando together on the Millennium Falcon for the big offensive (if nothing else but that Lando didn't have to make that promise about not letting her get a scratch, which he blatantly fails to do!), especially as Han is almost an extra thumb for much of the film thanks to his recovery from the effects of hibernation sickness after being in carbonite for a while. Perhaps Boba Fett's demise could also have been a little more meaningful than being in the wrong place at the wrong time and being accidentally knocked into the pit by a half-blind Han, but I'm not entirely convinced by the love of his character - yes, he looks cool and I love his ship, but he hadn't been developed enough to be as big a part of the universe as people consider him to be.

Spare a thought for all those Empire staff, too, many of whom weren't that bright, may have been drafted from who knows how many worlds, and never had a say in anything. Perhaps there were cooks on the Death Star that would have loved to be part of the rebellion if only they hadn't had to make ten thousand sausage rolls by dinner time? Even the leaders don't appear to be all that bright: when that first commander responds to Vader's criticism his first words are that they'll complete the Death Star on time, then a few moments later he says the Emperor asks the impossible! I expect he was just a bit unnerved by the wheezing bucket head that was pointing a finger under his nose, even if he was more 'forgiving' than the Emperor. The Death Star attack was excellent, especially when they realise it's a trap, and it's an awesome display of Palpatine's foresight and planning that he uses all this for one simple purpose: to turn Luke to the Dark Side. But he couldn't foresee everything, and as Lando and his pug-faced chum burst out of the enveloping flames of the soon-to-be fireball, it creates an exhilarating finale that still has the power to effect a response in even the most jaded viewer. The real cost of it is seen in Luke's solemn duty, and it's with great pleasure that the final scenes are without dialogue, after, fittingly, Leia has the last word. Seeing Anakin blink into existence at the side of ghost-Obi-Wan and ghost-Yoda is the icing on the large cake of the galaxy that is 'Star Wars.' I would recommend the SE vastly, thanks to its sharpness, crispness and for the extra scenes included that probably integrate better than the other films, and for me it will always remain the best film ever.

*****