Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. The picture is judged on two questions, does the picture accomplish what it set out to do, and does it do it well?
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, is a science fiction film that stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Willaims. Produced and written by George Lucas, it was directed by Richard Marquand. The plot is as follows “After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.”
UNDER THE LENS: CHARACTER-FOCUSED AND EMOTIONAL BEATS
Character Focused: The main strength of Return of the Jedi, is that it’s less story-focused and more character-focused. Each of the pictures there action setpieces are built around particular characters’ narratives, in act one the focus is on reducing Han Solo, from Jabba the Hutt. This leads into the thrilling Sarlacc Pitt fight, it’s made more iconic and thrilling because of the stakes for the characters we know and love.
The Act three duel between Vader and Luke is not the best-choreographed fight, however, the narrative we have followed around the two gives this setpiece so much gravitas. At the end of the day we don’t rewatch Star Wars for the story, we return again and again for the characters, and framing this final picture of them, and not the overall story was a very smart choice on the part of Lucas.
Emotional Beats: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, just drips with emotion, we are served multiple emotional climaxes that have been building since the trilogies start. The Throne Room duel delivers an emotional gut-punch as we see the climax of Luke and Vader’s conflict, not only are we given the endless love Luke has for his father, even until death. We are also shown that even the smallest sliver of love is powerful enough to defeat even a lifetime of darkness and evil.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The final space battle remains one of Star Wars’ best
- The action sequence at the Sarlecc pit is ripped right from the pages of John Carter
- Features of the most emotional lightsaber fights of the Saga
QUOTABLE QUOTE
- Luke: Never. I’ll never turn to the Dark Side. You’ve failed, your highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Have you ever been told to give up on a friend or family member? How did that make you feel? Did you continue to help them?
CONCLUSION
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi may not be the most beloved entry in the original Star Wars Trilogy, many point to the Ewok’s and the second act that drags. However, it is reinforced by a very strong first and third act, that reminds us why we loved these characters so much in the first place. Return of the Jedi may be the weakest link in the trilogy, however considering the towering rights of Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back, this is not a bad thing. Mark Hamill shines as Luke Skywalker showcasing him as both powerful and vulnerable, overall Return of the Jedi is a terrific conclusion to one of the greatest trilogies of all time.
