Return of the Jedi (1983)

User Review

• 

  Barneyonmovies

  8 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: 'Return of the Jedi,' is arguably the most interesting original Star Wars movie to discuss, as whilst it's not necessarily as sophisticated as its predecessors, it's definitely the most spiritually-minded of the three and equally rounds out the trilogy in a brilliant way. Yes on the one hand the concept of the force really comes into its own here as we not only see Luke as a Jedi and his further exploration of the force, but we also get a greater sense of the underlying ideas about balance between good and evil that have propped this franchise up from the beginning. As a result, it's a very mystical and almost whimsical adventure this one, and that's helped by the world-building which is less grand and epic than 'Empire's and even more influenced by the stuff that we all know and love from George Lucas' youth. Equally, the sense of light-heartedness that comes with that kind of thing shines through more here as there are many attempts at humour and the film allows itself to go on more tangents when exploring the world. This could be seen as Star Wars embracing what it truly is, and this film certainly does that as it builds towards the epic final act that rivals Empire's for suprise if not execution.
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It is an altogether goofier affair that lacks the polish of the first two in terms of its dialogue and some decisions made regarding how the universe is explored. Also, it's definitely the film most ruined by those hideous special editions...
  VERDICT: 'Return of the Jedi,' sees Star Wars embrace its roots, its underlying spirituality, and its silliness, and that makes for a brilliant - if less sophisticated - end to this incredible trilogy.

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