COUNTDOWN TO THE FORCE AWAKENS | A LOOK BACK AT STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI
I may be in the minority when I say this, but Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is a tremendous disappointment. I suppose that was always going to be the case though; especially as its predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back, is pretty much perfect in every single way.
As we’ve come to realise as filmgoers – most recently with The Hunger Games series – the final movie in a trilogy or franchise is always the toughest one to get right. Too often we’re promised an ‘epic conclusion’ to the latest blockbusting series, and too often we end up being let down. Needless to say, this was exactly what happened with Return of The Jedi.
Its main problem can be summed up by focusing on one particular character in the Star Wars universe, Boba Fett. Introduced to cinema audiences in The Empire Strikes Back – although his first appearance was actually in the utterly bonkers Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978 – the bounty hunter was mysterious, dangerous and flat out cool. He quickly became a firm fan favourite.
Most would assume that his popularity would have led to him playing a bigger part in the final part of the story, yet his potential is squandered here. He shows up at Jabba’s palace, stands around not doing much and soon after gets killed by accident, in a scene that is played for laughs – complete with ridiculous sound effects that include a Sarlacc burp.
This is supposed to be one of the greatest bounty hunters in the galaxy, not your average Stormtrooper, so it’s hard not to feel deflated by the sudden death of one of the more interesting characters in the franchise – the same could be said for Darth Maul in Episode I.
Boba Fett is the perfect example of why Return of the Jedi is such a disappointment; its script from Lawrence Kasdan – whom I have praised highly in the past, and George Lucas – not so much – feels flat and lacklustre for what is supposed to be the grand finale.
It doesn’t help that a good twenty-minutes or so is spent dealing with the rescue of Han Solo. Harrison Ford has always said that he wanted George to kill him off in the third film and as his contract was only originally for the first two movies, I can’t help but think that Han Solo’s fate past The Empire Strikes Back was never really planned.
I guess it’s a similar situation to the Back to The Future trilogy, where the original film ended with Marty McFly and Doc Brown being joined by Marty’s girlfriend, Jennifer, in the flying DeLorean. Suddenly, when the sequels came around, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale found themselves in the tricky situation of trying to decide what to do with her character.
The same could probably be said with Han Solo and Star Wars, in that Lucas and Kasdan had to now decide on how they were going to bring back one of their most popular characters and stars out of his carbonite prison.
The result is an overly long sequence at Jabba the Hutt’s palace, which does nothing but detract from what should have been the main focus from the off; Luke’s relationship with Darth Vader and the final battle between the rebels and empire. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad for the return of Han Solo and the film comes alive the second Ford returns, but the opening sequence is just one of the many narrative problems that plague the film.
Far too much time is spent with the Ewoks, Lucas’ infamous teddy bear creations. Most would say that the inclusion of what look like smaller and cuter Wookies, was only for George Lucas to make more money from merchandise. Maybe that is indeed the case, or maybe they were included as a way of showing that even the smallest of creatures can change the course of the world forever. Either way, it doesn’t really matter. After all, when it comes down to it, they just suck.
Return of the Jedi isn’t original – the Death Star is back? Really? – nor does it have the energy you’d expect from a final film in a trilogy. In this respect, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, is better. Controversial I know, but for all of its problems there’s at least a sense of occasion with Revenge of the Sith; it’s huge, fast paced and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the key moment of Anakin’s turn to the dark side. Return of the Jedi, however, seems quite content in just plodding along at its own pace.
I’m not saying Return of the Jedi is a terrible movie. It’s far from awful, especially when compared to The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. It’s more a case of that classic parent thing, where I’m not angry but just disappointed.
It certainly has its moments – namely the final lightsaber battle between father and son – and the cast are all on top form. It’s an enjoyably silly romp that keeps you entertained, but as far as endings go, I just find it a little anticlimactic.
Then again, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is no longer the ending, with the eagerly awaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens due out in cinemas tomorrow. By continuing the story of Luke, Leia and Han whilst introducing a new generation of characters, perhaps Return of the Jedi will sit more comfortably as one chapter in a continuing story.
You can read Joe Richards’ previous articles on the Star Wars franchise here.
words JOE RICHARDS