Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Published 2015-04-12
Film info
- Title Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
- Director Richard Marquand
- Year 1983
- Run time 2hr 14m
- Genres Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
- Tagline The empire falls...
- Cast Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Experience the triumph of the Force in Return of the Jedi. In the epic conclusion of the saga, the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star while the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 3:56 | "Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them." Eeeek. |
| 9:42 | Jabba is fatter than ever. Living the good life not so good for him. |
| 13:16 | These bar type party scenes with all the aliens do make me think of Men in Black. |
| 20:57 | Oh, Princess, what have you walked into? |
| 23:28 | Friends reference at last. Princess Leia and the Gold Bikini. |
| 28:49 | "How we doin?" "Same as always." "That bad, huh?" |
| 32:04 | It's the desert stomach! From my childhood nightmares! |
| 39:26 | The emperor has an incredible evil laugh. |
| 45:12 | Awwww, Yoda. |
| 46:28 | "From a certain point of view." |
| 50:59 | He may not have discussed it with his girlfriend. |
| 54:03 | "It is of no concern." I bet it is. |
| 1:03:11 | Oh my, a giant Mogwai thing. WANT. |
| 1:10:52 | That's going to do his ego the world of good. Bah. |
| 1:15:22 | Tasered Ewok. Cute! |
| 1:21:22 | There's good in him, except the bit where he chopped off his hand and threw him into oblivion. |
| 1:39:11 | War, Ewok style, is brilliant! |
| 1:48:50 | The 'I love you,' 'I know,' thing is cute. |
| 1:53:05 | Sister rage. |
| 1:56:58 | Vader rage. |
| 2:05:57 | There are such beautiful colours across these planets. |
Thoughts
Finally, the one and only scene that I remembered! And actually there were a couple of other scenes that rang weird bells in my head, so perhaps I have seen more of Star Wars previously than I thought. Regardless, it was only this time that it made any sense.
Hideous Jabba, Princess Leia and her bikini, all those excellent Ewoks, it's great fun. By this point, I was getting a bit annoyed by Chewie, the loyal Wookiee is lovely but basically spends three films making an irritating crying noise, so I was done by the third.
Somehow, even though Star Wars culture has been rubbing off on me for my entire life, I always figured Vader was the big bad. It was really interesting to see the turn of events in this one, the continuing twists and turns and how the saga eventually resolves itself.
Overall, I really loved all three films. They may not have aged expertly, but I know that I'm spoiled to see digital reconstructions instead of some of the original crackly film. It's the story that makes the difference, and the influence it had on the rest of cinema. I want to rewatch them already, and oh boy, it's going to be a lot of fun for Star Wars references to make sense in the future.
Rating: 4 / 5
Revisited - May 2022
I somehow hadn't clocked that it's a full year between the end of the previous film and the rescue in this one - Han was frozen in carbonite for a year? Oof! It was also good to see the moment Boba falls into the pit - I'd not really paid that much attention before but now having seen the TV show where he makes his big exit, that makes sense. It doesn't quite make sense how much he aged in between but shhhhh.
This film feels like it goes back to the successful formula of the first, but of course there are extra elements and higher stakes, and the big Vader reveal at the end. I also really like the moment where Han is jealous and thinks Leia loves Luke and is willing to step aside. Rebel with a heart of gold, that guy.
Such a great trilogy.
Rating: 4 / 5
