While it might seem (to some) that 1983 was only a couple of years ago, the sad truth is, it is a point in time that existed a whoppin’ 40 years in the past. Why am I bringing this up? Because it has been 40 years since Return of the Jedi first graced cinema screens.
Produced as the third entry in the original Star Wars trilogy, long before there were spin-offs, prequels, and sequels, Return of the Jedi was created as the end point for the Star Wars saga. It is the one with Jabba the Hutt, the second Deathstar, and all those lovely little Ewoks.
Return of the Jedi is also the Star Wars movie which is heading back into UK cinemas on Friday 28th April. The movie is returning to the big screen for a LIMITED run, to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Directed by Richard Marquand, Return of the Jedi stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, and Dave Prowse. The film picks up a short while after the events of its predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back, with Luke Skywalker and his pals set to face their biggest challenge yet.
For those who have never watched Return of the Jedi (which I imagine is about 3% of the population), the movie begins with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 mounting a mission to rescue Han Solo. Encased in carbonite, Han has become the prized possession of Tatooine crime lord, Jabba the Hutt, and it’s up to Luke and Co. to infiltrate Jabba’s Palace, and break him out.
But while the heroes busy themselves with the rogues and scoundrels that frequent the Hutt abode, elsewhere Darth Vader and the Emperor are preparing to re-launch their ultimate battle station, the Death Star. Once the weapon is fully operational, it will bring terror to the galaxy, meaning Luke and his companions will need to regroup and band together with some new friends to stop the Empire once and for all.
I’ll throw this out there now and say that not only is the original Star Wars trilogy my favourite collection of films in this sprawling fantasy saga, but Return of the Jedi is my favourite Star Wars movie of them all. I grew up watching the initial trio of films, but it was Jedi in particular that was my go-to entry.
The reason I favour this film over the others is because Return of the Jedi has a superb opening act which not only introduces Jabba and his rag-tag collection of reprobates, but this lengthy sequence is exciting, dynamic, and action-packed. The rescue mission that kick-starts this picture covers a sizeable chuck of Jedi’s runtime, but it all feels worth it.
OK, so a bit of tinkering from George Lucas in 1997, to add a few additional scenes to Jabba’s Palace were a mistake, and continue to stick out like a sore thumb, but overlook this special effects meddling and this is all great stuff. The Jabba sequences are a lot of fun and get Jedi off to a great start.
From here the film then spends a little bit of time with Yoda; there’s a brief conversation with Obi-Wan Kenobi; and there’s a new revelation about Princess Leia. Then once this is all present and correct, it’s time to prepare for the big finale, as Luke takes on the Darth Vader and the Emperor; Han, Leia, Chewie and the droids team up with the Ewoks; and Lando leads a battalion of ships to take down the Death Star.
It’s all pretty simple stuff, but when you’re setting up the last entry in a trilogy, it is best not to over complicate things. Instead, director Richard Marquand, and screenplay scribes Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, put the focus on fun and adventure, while delivering a satisfying send off.
With Jedi, Mark Hamill puts in his strongest performance in a Star Wars movie, playing a self-assured Luke, while Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams provide more than ample support. Meanwhile, Ian McDiarmid camps it up to eleven as the Emperor (a performance he cranks up to twelve and beyond for future prequels and sequels), while Dave Prowse, James Earl Jones, and Sebastian Shaw (and Hayden Christensen) work together to bring the story of Darth Vader to a close.
Throw in some stunning cinematography from Alan Hume, as well as a beautiful and exhilarating score from John Williams, and what you’ve got with Return of the Jedi is an imaginative piece of pure escapism. From speeder bikes on the forest moon of Endor, to a dazzling assault amongst the stars, the stakes have never felt higher.
OK, so Boba Fett’s death in the film is a bit pants, but you can’t win them all. He still looks cool in his limited screen time.
Oh, and I’ll take no criticism about the Ewoks – not one single word – because Return of the Jedi is stuffed with too much eye-popping spectacle to worry about any negativity from the sidelines. Plus, I love those Stormtrooper-bashin’ teddy bears, and will happily take a full frontal blast from an AT-ST to protect every last one of ‘em!
Over the past couple of weeks a whole bunch of classic movies have returned to the big screen (Superman, Alien, Beetlejuice, etc), and more are on the way. But with times being tough, money tight, and the cost of EVERYTHING reaching eye-watering levels, you may have to pick and choose what you go and see at the flicks.
However, if you can afford it, Return of the Jedi is a must-see picture. You get plenty of bang for your buck, all those wonderful lightsaber duels, and you get a couple of hours away from the hardships of life, while you’re whisked away to a galaxy, far, far away.
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
One Response to Review: Return of the Jedi – 40th Anniversary re-release
If this is the 1997 remastered return of the Jedi then it is not the original from 1983 and it is not 40 years old! The 1983 version I felt was way better without all the goofy effects added to it and changing some of the music around I feel did not help ! I would love to see the original 1983 version
LikeLike