Just Misses Being As Good As A New Hope

Rating: 10/10 (15 May 2005)

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is the third installment (or last depending on how you view the films release) and in my mind the second best. In this epic sci-fi film, the evil Empire finally falls and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) finally accepts the path of the Jedi.
After Empire Strikes Back left off with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) being frozen and sent to Jabba the Hutt, we find Luke Skywalker arriving at the Hutt's palace. As Luke fights desperately to save his friend, the Empire under Lord Darth Vader (voice of James Eral Jones, body David Prowse) and Emperor Palpantine (Ian McDiarmid) are building a super-powerful Death Star to conquer the galaxy.
After rescuing Han, Luke and his companions are sent on a mission to destroy the imperial base on the massive moon of Endor which would help lead to victory over the Empire. Instead of following into a circle of good and evil, ROTJ allows itself to develop characters including: Luke, Darth Vader, and Leia.
Above all character developments is the struggle between good and evil for Darth Vader, who is stuck between helping his son or destroying him. The special effects are incredible and out do such special effects 'wonders' as Dungeons and Dragons (2000)and Troy (2004). The lightsaber duels are well choreographed and filmed. George Lucas is able to represent the dark side overtaking Luke in his climatic duel with Vader in the Death Star.
ROTJ does not disappoint on any level. I, however, do not think that it was as good as A New Hope which was just incredible and fresh when it came out. The magic is not lost as most people thought. The Ewoks were considered annoying little fury guys but I thought they were neat they way they lived in tribes and weren't adapted to the advance galaxy around them.
ROTJ will take you on a journey like no other filled with action, love, and drama like none of the other films. Mark Hamill is in top form and a real presence as Luke and leads the film in history as one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, voice of James Earl Jones, David Prowse, and Billy Dee Williams.
5 out of 5 Stars.