Review of Return of the Jedi (1983) by François M — 29 Dec 2014

Review In A Nutshell:

After recently just coming out of the latest Hobbit film, I cannot help but see similarities between the two films; both films seem to execute the same set of events where at the start, an action set piece happens, and then character development occurs whilst building up elements for the expansive climactic battle that surpasses the scope of its previous film. Both films have executed their stories wonderfully, and it does retain that certain "epic" feel that was not as prominent in the films that preceded it.

But when Return of the Jedi is compared to The Empire Strikes Back, it seems to lack that dramatic impact and darkness that made that film so impacting and emotional. Return of the Jedi no doubt has more personal growth for its protagonist as compared to the first film, but to see a film fall shorter than its predecessor is quite a disappointment. Even though Kasdan's presence has elevated the series for the better, Lucas still has this tendency to create a story that is too comfortable for its own good. Return of the Jedi is large and ambitious, delivering a spectacle that will never be forgotten but it also fails to take risks with its character's storylines, aside from maybe a big reveal here and there. The duel that appears in the end of the film is meant to carry more weight in its emotion since the threat is much larger than before, but I felt the film hasn't gone in deep enough for me to feel that, always seeming distant in order to get a great view.

As an action-adventure film, it succeeds immensely through generous set pieces that are large in scope and intensity; following three story lines that are connected and relied on one another in order to achieve the intended goal, to stop the Empire. There is so much happening, yet I never at all felt confused; I was constantly engaged with the gunfights and the space battles, even the Ewoks were not frustrating to see in battle, it is only the slow segments with the creatures right before the battle that bothered me as it affected the film's pacing. The final duel between Skywalker and Vader may not be as emotionally provoking as the previous film, but it does however improve upon the choreography and effects, making better use of their surroundings.

The score shifted its tone slightly once again, to a much grander feel, matching the large scope of the film. It would have been an amazing if Williams kept some of its darker shadings in the score from the previous film, into this film.

Return of the Jedi is not the amazing grand finale that it should be, but it isn't a failure either, as it shows the epic battle that fans have been craving for since the start of the franchise.