(Review originally written at 9 January 2006)
For some reason I, out of all the Star Wars movies, always enjoy watching "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi". Perhaps its because of the humor, the action and battle sequences, or the great new characters introduced in the movie, or the fact that everything ties up brilliantly at the ending, or maybe its due to the bright atmosphere of Endor. The real reason is possibly a combination of all those elements, plus some more.
"Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" is a breathtaking action packed and fast paced science-fiction adventure movie. The movie never has a slow or dull moment. Still it also knows how to emote at the right moments. This is necessary because the story of the movie is quite emotional on its own. It's about the redemption of Darth Vader, the temptation of Luke to the Dark Side and about the downfall of the Empire and the Emperor. This are some heavy subjects which are told brilliantly and without ever making the movie go over-the-top.
Still perhaps the biggest power of the movie are in its character. The three main heroes, Luke, Leia and Han all get their stuff to do again for the last time. Their characters are so incredibly strong, well written and portrayed by its actors, that all of them have become classics over the years. And not just they, many characters from the Star Wars universe has grown into well known movie characters. I think this says something about the brilliance of the whole Star Wars saga and how it is written and brought to the screen with lots of passion and talent involved, behind and in front of the camera. This movie also introduces some new well known characters, such as Jabba The Hutt, The Emperor (OK he also was in "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" but this time he is fully correctly introduced and used in the movie.), the Ewoks and many more memorable characters.
Out of all the Star Wars movie this one is quite possibly the most spectacular, even though "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" comes close. It has many action sequences and the end battle is memorable as well as impressive. It's a three way-battle, where we have Han, Leia, Chewie, 3PO, R2 and the Ewoks fighting the Imperial troops on the forest moon of Endor, we have the Rebel Alliance in space battling the Empire and the Death Star II and we have Luke fighting on the Death Star II against Darth Vader. All three battles are just as important and are given just as many screen time. It makes the final battle sequences something unforgettable and totally awesome to watch. Especially the space battle is without doubt the most spectacular, tense and adrenaline pumping space battle out of movie history. Yes, even after "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith".
The special effects for especially the battle sequences look better as ever before. But it are not just the spaceships that are made to look great. Also the sail barge, the Rancor, the battle for Endor with its AT-ST's..it all looks incredibly spectacular and convincing. So are the costumes and make-up. We get to see some crazy looking but oh so cool new characters this time.
The whole totally imaginative world, characters and weapons is conceived brilliantly in the movie. Perhaps even better than in any other Star Wars movie. Most credit for this really has to go to George Lucas for creating and realizing all of it. Also an amazing amount of credit has to go to composer John Williams, who helps to make the imaginative world look even more convincing and likable and giving every sequence and character its own feeling and atmosphere through the music.
Spectacular, humor filled, imaginative, action packed,...unforgettable.
10/10
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