I'm In The Minority, But I Prefer It To Empire

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2014)

Whilst a lot of people rate "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi" as the worst of the original trilogy. I disagree, and even with George Lucas's tinkering I find it a lot more entertaining that "Empire Strikes Back" but accept I will be I the minority
Plot In A Paragraph: A long time a go in a galaxy far, far away the classic tale of good vs evil is heading towards it's conclusion, Our heroes set about rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, whilst the rebels attempt to destroy a second Death Star, while Luke attempts to make Vader turn from The Emperor and the dark side of the Force.
What can you say about this movie that has not already been said?? Princess Leia in THAT gold bikini, Luke's new lightsabre, A new Death Star, another revelation about Luke's family oh and the controversial Ewok's (I'm pro Ewok, as the rebellion would have failed without them) Once again the story is filled with the standard elements, (love, friendship, over coming your fears and good vs evil) but the movie is anything but standard and it is a lot more enjoyable than the preceding movie. Helped in no small part by the thrilling rescue of Han Solo taking up the first 30 to 40 minutes.
I'll get what I didn't like out if the way first. Mark Hamill has ages a lot since the last movie (hardly his fault, but my young son questioned if it was the same actor) and Luke does a lot of waffling and moping about (to go with his new all black wardrobe) and I'm not a fan of Darth Vader saying "no" before screaming "NOOOOO" being inserted by Lucas!! Just leave them alone George. It's the longest running of the trilogy (yet it feels shorter than "Empire Strikes Back") and could have done with a little bit of trimming. We watch a lot of The Emperor goading Luke on the Death Star, and did we really need the Han Solo jealous of Luke and Leia storyline??
Now that's out of the way.....
This is my second favourite of the original trilogy. I loved the rescue of Han at Jabba's Palace, Luke's new green lightsabre, (the only time we seen a green lightsabre until the prequels) Lando, Yoda's scene isn't as sad as it should be, (but that's nit picking) the battle of Endor and the "It's a trap" attack on the Death Star. Oh all this and I've not mentioned Princess Leia in the gold bikini. The main stuff my early fantasies were based on.
I can't praise the cast enough of this movie enough here. Everyone is spot on. Mark Hamill is still excellent as the hero Luke Skywalker (Hamill is not to blame for the problems with his storyline). Harrison Ford is still perfectly cast as the cocky, but at times insecure Han Solo, he is good looking with charisma in spades, whilst Carrie Fisher looks great in THAT gold bikini, and is OK in the action scenes on Endor. David Prowse does what is need of him as Darth Vader, but it's still James Earl Jones who makes Darth Vader.
Unfortunately with the exception of Ford, the success of these movies type cast them and despite starting in some interesting movies with a good story and good performances. Sadly these pictures never found audiences as movie goers refused to see him as anything other than their characters here.
The score by John Williams is once again another valuable asset to the movie.
All in all "Star Wars: Episode VI: "Return Of The Jedi" is a highly professional piece of work, suspenseful, with a good sense of pace and atmosphere it makes for excellent entertainment and a perfect end to the trilogy.