Is it worth the watch? "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi"

Friends, we made it. The final movie. Well, it's the final film in the original trilogy. Quick recap: oh wait. I wrote about the other two movies. Feel free to check them out here. This movie had beyond a lot of content, so we should go ahead and jump in. This movie is almost a mirror to “A New Hope.” We started the series with Darth Vader, and this film follows suit. On a seemingly new and partially developed Death Star, we see the Empire toiling away at the plans to take down the rebellion. Nothing new. This may sound like a critique, but honestly, I enjoy the fact that the overall plot is simple. The world and characters are complicated to the point where there have been shows upon movies upon books. The simple plot keeps the series grounded. 

Darth Vadar sets the tone for the film like always. I love that we still have no idea what he looks like. Luke also seems like a mirror to his dad in this film. Highly advanced Jedi movements at a young age and wearing all black. A fun and thoughtful choice by the costume department. It really is all in the details. Having now seen the original trilogy, I get why the prequel series was made. I am more than a little curious about the origins of Darth Vader. How did this guy go from a Jedi knight to the Emporer’s right-hand henchman? Maybe I’ll see if they’re worth the watch. 

Guys. I don’t know how I feel about following C-3PO and R2D2. I get it. The movie follows the same formula. After Vader, we follow the drones while they deliver a message. I just don’t think I care. Can I continue to comment on the parallels? I think I will. I love the hologram Luke sent, even though the recipient of it is pure evil. Let me rephrase EVIL. The way he has Solo hanging in the hall and the way he eats the people around him. VILE. When Jabba acquires C-3PO and R2D2, he sends them to the basement for assessment from his other androids. One of the androids was responding to the torture being inflicted on it as if his metal feet felt pain from the hot prongs. Who decided the androids would feel pain? How human are these androids? Is it more or less ethical for the androids to feel pain? I don’t know. What rights do these androids have? Interesting questions which I have no answers to. Maybe they have a TV series about this. Is that what the “Clone Wars” focuses on? 

LOVE that Leia was the bounty hunter who brought Chewie to Jabba. It was so fun that Lando was also already at Jabba’s place in costume. They are a TEAM. Solo was in trouble, and they all risked it ALL for that man. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the team's plan fall about as perfectly into place as it could. It was energetic, funny, and impactful to each character's plot development. Also, I loved seeing all the costumes. They were so zany and detailed. It was truly fabulous. 

I do wish I knew how long Solo was in that state. How long were they formulating that plan? How long did it take Luke to switch over his entire wardrobe? How long was Lando at Jabba’s place? 

When Luke arrived on the scene, though, he did NOT come to play. He came in SWINGING. Jedi knight Luke unlocked. I don’t understand why he couldn’t use the Jedi mind trick on Jabba, though. Random note: They did not try to make his fake new hand look fake new. You know what I mean? Oh, that sound worm kind of looked like the Dune sand worms. At least the ones I’ve seen from the posters. Should I watch and review the Dune series next? TBD. It is a TRAGEDY that we never saw who the bounty hunter was before he was eaten by the sandworm thing. Love that Leia is the one who gets to take out Jabba. I feel like this plot point was handled rather quickly, but I get it ok. We have a ton of ground to cover in this movie. 

We finally met the Emporer! He looked crazy. We start dealing with the larger themes surrounding this film when the Emperor enters the scene: forgiveness and justice. Where are the lines for both? We see this best exemplified in the tension between Luke and Darth Vader. Luke seems to immediately forgive his father to follow the force. Keeping love and goodness at the center of his being. While Vader stays tried and true to his anger, rage, and master. The Emperor seems to justify his actions with his foresight of the events to come. An interesting belief system that is thoroughly based on one's perception. Wild take on the world. 

I love the choices in costume for Luke, Leia, and Solo. Specifically, the camo-esque trenchcoat for Solo and the poncho variation for Luke. Unique to their characters, while being in unison with the set. Fabulous. Hollywood magic. Leia is tactical while not sacrificing her feminine qualities. Luke is wearing capes that look like Obi-Wan while being in his father’s color palette. While the costumes are my favorite out of all three films, the CGI is NOT as good as the other films. It kind of felt like they were trying to make it look cutting edge to the point where it fell into cheesy. The Ewoks (yes I did have to look them up) were so iconic. I love them. Funny. Loyal. Iconic. Perfect for the final movie. Sidenote: I am very proud of myself for not dedicating a generous amount of time to the Solo and Leia content. When he said “I love you”, ya I freaked out. So what? It was about time. 

My favorite scenes were between Vader and Luke. Filled with tension, heartbreak, compassion, and contention. Like watching a tennis match. Luke would refuse to fight, Vader would counter, and the Emperor would entice. The force was like a character in its own right. It was masterful and worth waiting for three movies to see its conclusion. I did not like all the battles happening at once, but again I get it. It was a lot. At times it felt rushed, simultaneously I don’t know what could be cut. It all seemed necessary. I think that fact makes the rush seem unavoidable. The end scene. The Jedi funeral for his father: tears brought to my eyes. ANAKIN SKYWALKER. Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. It was crazy. It was a perfect end. This series falls into “meh” for me. If you’re looking for something to watch this can be a go-to choice. Exciting, nostalgic, cohesive, satisfying, fun. Get your friends together. Pop some popcorn. Get ready for a TREAT and do yourself a favor. Watch the series. 

Image from The Brattle