Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi

George Lucas’ original trilogy comes to a close with Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, with the narrative revolving around the rebels’ last-ditch efforts at taking down the Empire and the second Death Star. Filmmaker Richard Marquand, working from a screenplay by Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan, does a fantastic job of immediately launching into the relatively fast-paced proceedings, as the movie kicks off with an exciting opening stretch detailing the rescue of Harrison Ford’s Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. From there, however, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi progresses into an episodic midsection that is, unfortunately, often as padded-out as it is engrossing – with the continuing emphasis on the protagonists’ exploits on Ewok home-planet Endor certainly perpetuating the erratic vibe (ie most of this stuff isn’t terribly interesting). It’s just as clear, on the other hand, that the film boasts a number of typically stellar moments and sequences, with the entirety of the final act, involving a series of electrifying battles, more than making up for the somewhat lackluster nature of the movie’s midsection. (There are a few similarly enthralling quieter scenes as well, including an affecting heart-to-heart conversation that transpires between siblings Luke and Leia.) The charming, feel-good conclusion, in addition to finally putting the Ewoks to good use, ensures that Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi ends on an exceedingly positive note, which secures its place as a capper to a solid trilogy that’s nevertheless not quite the flawless work its reputation would seem to indicate.

*** out of ****