Star Wars:
Episode VI Return Of The Jedi (1983) (135 min)
iReview: Version: Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Blu-ray);
Video: AVC 1080p; Audio: DTS 5.1.
Genre:: Action | Adventure | Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction |
Sub-Genre/Type:: Action & Adventure | Ensemble Film |
Master Villain Film | Modern Classic | Sci-Fi Action |
Sci-Fi Adventure | Science Fiction Epic | Space Adventure |
Settings:: Out In Space.

Mood?:: Adrenaline Rush |
Guy Movie | Other Dimensions.
iRate:: 4½ / 5
Director:: Richard Marquand.
Writers:: George Lucas (story); Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas (screenplay).
Cast:: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Frank Oz, Billy Dee Williams, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Sebastian Shaw, Ian McDiarmid, Michael Pennington.

Credits (Click to expand)

Trailer (HD):

iReview:
This week’s selection was a no-brainer, as a happy coincidence of events made the choice very easy. Today is the 30th birthday of all-round-good-bloke and son in law, Morgan, who shares a birthday with the final chapter of one of his favourite film franchises, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi. It’s hard to believe, I know, that it’s been that long. I had intended to set aside a whole weekend to view the entire Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set, with its 6 movie and 3 Extras discs. But that’s going to have to wait. In the meantime, and in honour of Morgan’s birthday, I’m going to enjoy revisiting this much loved film.

What Happens:
In the epic conclusion of the saga, the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford) emerges intact from the carbonite casing in which he’d been sealed, after rescue by R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), disguised as a bounty hunter, and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Then they must escape the clutches of the grotesque Jabba the Hutt.

On the forest moon Endor, the reunited team enlist the help of the Ewoks as the rebellion reaches its decisive stage.

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader (David Prowse & voiced by James Earl Jones) in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). As he enters into this spirited battle with his light saber-wielding enemy, some surprising revelations await the young warrior…

Story (Click to expand)

With the plot safely secured back in my memory, I sat down with a little unease; this was the first time I’d watched Jedi in isolation and also in glorious 1080p HD. How would the movie stand up without its usual crutches, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back to lend it support? I wanted it to be great, and you know what, I wasn’t disappointed.

In my memory, Jedi was the least impressive of the original trilogy. That may still be true but I get the feeling that by its release in 1983, we’d become very familiar with the Star Wars universe. I still remember the goose bumps I felt on that day in 1977, when I first saw the mighty Imperial Stardestroyer emerge from above and gradually fill the huge dark screen. The sequence was made perfect by the accompanying deep rumble of the sound track and John Williams’ opening of the Star Wars Symphony. When I first saw it, everything about Star Wars was new for me. I’d seen and been perplexed by 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) but I’d never seen a space fable like Star Wars. The special effects were not a compromise of Flash Gordon model spacecraft darting drunkenly in front of an obviously painted matte space. They were believable and very real in a way I’d never seen before. I remember that very quickly, Star Wars had been integrated into my life to the extent that the sound-track vinyl album got frequent play even though it was completely out of place next to my Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac.

With the second installment, The Empire Strikes Back, in the hands of Irvin Kershner, the continuing story transcended the novel appeal of its predecessor and emerged as a cinematic triumph with a great story, great effects, and most importantly, none of Lucas’ dreadful dialogue. I recall seeing Jedi for the first time as a much anticipated closure to the story and with a very high bar set by the first two films, it didn’t disappoint.

The Picture:
In this high definition version of Jedi, the image is brilliantly saturated and crisply defined, with no discernible noise. I don’t remember Endor being quite as lush and beautiful as it appears here. As well, the battle between the Imperial and Rebel fleets fills the screen spectacularly and with a pitch-perfect DTS 5.1 audio track. The final confrontation between Vader and Luke also has all the drama and visual excitement I’d hoped for and remembered.

The Audio:
The Blu-ray DTS 5.1 sound track is stonkingly brilliant and that’s with no ifs, buts or maybes. The mix of sound effects and music score is pristine. The discretion of spacecraft rumble and other mechanical noises together with the subtlety and richness of the sounds of the Endorian natural environment, are a joy to hear. John Williams’ Star Wars theme has been waiting patiently for 30 years for the exposition of this Blu-ray set. And, never has Darth Vader’s respirator assisted voice sounded so menacing and the swoosh and hum of the lightsaber, so threatening.

Verdict:
My only criticism of this edition of Jedi, and it’s very minor; I wish someone had held Lucas back when he decided to tinker with the later releases of the film, including this one. Look out for the CGI soul singer with suitably silly alien backing group singing Jedi Rocks. I found myself mildly irritated that George thought the addition of this turgid song and its inconsequential CGI would somehow elevate the movie. Also, some of the other cosmetic CGI changes that Lucas has brought to the movie seem to stand out even more in HD, especially the not so successful additions of some obviously CGI building structures.

Coming back to the film in isolation, did also highlight how much merchandising Lucas was able to attach to these movies. I’d never been so conscious of how cute, kid friendly and stuffed toy-like the Ewoks were.

Overall though, this has been a wholly satisfying return to one of my favourite movie sagas and one I’m really looking forward to completing. I also have a sneaky feeling that once I’ve seen the rest of this Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray pack, the old DVD box-set (with the exception of the Special Features disc), might reluctantly have to migrate to Cash Converters.

Anyone looking to augment Morgan’s (if you know him, that is) Blu-ray collection can use these convenient links:
Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray (at eBay)
Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray (at JB HiFi)

iRate:: 4½ out of 5.

4Movie Tragics

Extras:
• Feature Commentary by Director George Lucas, actor Carrie Fisher, and crew, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren (this is a surprisingly interesting and informative track, dominated, as you might expect, by George Lucas, which also appears on previous releases. If you’re new to this then I’d urge you to remember that Lucas is the creator and curator of the Star Wars mythology and so treat his recollections of fact with due caution.)
• Audio commentary from archival interviews with cast and crew.

You want More!
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi – IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi – Rotten Tomatoes
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi – allmovie.com
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi – Wikipedia

Where does “Return of the Jedi” fall on your list of favourite Star Wars flix? A lot of critics were unenthusiastic about this when it was released. Were they wrong? I love it, what about you?

:: Please leave a comment ::