A superb and fitting finale to the epic Star Wars saga.

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2003)

CONTAINS SPOILERS
Return of the Jedi is, in my opinion, a superb and fitting finale to the epic Star Wars saga.
Picking up where The Empire Strikes Back left off, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, C3PO and R2 D2 all set off to rescue carbon frozen Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. Meanwhile, the Emperor and Darth Vader are secretly constructing a new Death Star more powerful than the first, aiming to destroy the Rebel Alliance once and for all.
Widely regarded as the weakest of the original trilogy, the criticisms levelled at this film over the years are deeply unfair. I will now attempt to counter these criticisms one by one. First, some say the film isn't dark enough and that Han Solo should have been killed off (as apparently he did in an earlier draft). This would be ludicrous as the film already has enough tragedy to balance the ultimate triumph over the Empire. Killing Han Solo would have been wrong, plain and simple, especially after all the trouble our heroes go through to rescue him in the first act. As for the film not being dark enough, the Luke/Vader/Emperor confrontation has some of the most intense and emotionally satisfying drama in any Star Wars film to contrast with the films brighter moments.
Secondly, how much one enjoys Return of the Jedi depends on ones stance on Ewoks. Depending on whom you speak, they are either annoying teddy bears or instrumental in underlining the point of the entire story. I take the latter view. The Ewoks symbolise the whole `David and Goliath' aspect of the story - ie the triumph of courage, imagination, and primitive technology over colossal technologically advanced evil. Leaving that aside, the Ewoks are fun for goodness sake! The slapstick comedy (such as the logs smashing the Imperial scout walkers) is brilliantly done. What's more, the Endor battle has just enough of an edge to it to let you know its serious (for instance, there's a small and wonderfully understated moment where an Ewok mourns a dead friend killed by laser fire).
The space battles remain the best ever put on film. The Death Star battle in A New Hope remains better dramatically, but effects-wise these are better. Considering it was all done with models and opticals they are nothing less than a staggering achievement. Also, the speeder bike chase (making great use of bluescreen) remains as exhilarating as ever. Compare it with, say, the chase through the city in Judge Dredd and it becomes clear this has never been equalled, even 20 years later.
The performances are all solid (if unremarkable). There are some lazy moments, such as the bridge scene where Luke tells Leia her true identity. Really that scene should have been played far more dramatically. The film makes up for it instantly though, by following with a brilliant scene with Vader and Luke where Luke tells Vader `his father is truly dead'. In that moment where Vader is left alone with his thoughts, you just know the turmoil going on inside of him, despite the mask.
In fact, Darth Vader (voiced superbly by James Earl Jones) emerges as the best character. (SPOILER WARNING AHEAD) - His ultimate redemption as he turns the tables on the Emperor remain as unexpected and exhilarating as ever. This is, unquestionably, the most powerful and moving moment in the entire saga - especially in the poignant and wonderfully understated final scene between Luke and Vader (`just once let me look on you with my own eyes.').
The 1997 special edition is actually my preferred version of the film, as it expands on the galaxy wide celebrations at the fall of the Empire, instead of reducing it to an Ewok night on the town. The music has also been changed here to something more appropriate. Instead of moving from Vader's melancholic funeral pyre right into the Ewok bash, the audience sees many other planets celebrate, including the Imperial capital Coruscant where the Emperor's statue is torn down.
All in all, a brilliant ending and well worth 10/10 (take two points off if you don't like Ewoks).