Still great fun!

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2015)

Perhaps a bit more comedic and light-hearted than the previous film, but still a great movie all the same. Indeed Return of the Jedi is off to a bit of a bad start because it's intention is to finish off this particular trilogy and saga, and thus we all know the ending will involve the heroes saving the day and destroying the baddies (although it could really have taken us for a ride of confusion by having the bad guys winning instead, but that may have been a bit too dark as closure to the Star Wars saga). Indeed the dark ending to Empire Strikes Back took many by surprise, with the good guys essentially not winning, but that's what many consider to be the winning trump card of that film, the fact that it didn't take the conventional path of stopping the villain and saving the day, but this doesn't make Return of the Jedi a bad movie, in fact it's the exact opposite.
So what's the blurb? In the years following Episode V, the Empire has created yet another Death Star, and prepares for the arrival of their illustrious leader, the Emperor. Meanwhile, Luke and the gang are on a mission to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of the evil gangster Jabba the Hutt. After rescuing him, the group once again go their separate ways as Luke returns to Dagobah and an ailing Jedi Master Yoda to complete his training, whilst Han and the group join the Rebel Alliance fleet, destined to launch one last desperate assault on the Death Star to destroy both it and the Emperor.
To my mind, there is very little wrong with this movie. Again it takes elements from the previous films and takes them up a notch like a good sequel should. The action is just as fun, and the effects have once again been improved no end to give us a thrilling final battle in the skies above Endor. At the same time the characters continue to be developed and their relationship between one another remains true, making you want them to succeed all the more.
Indeed a few added elements could be perceived as unwelcome, such as Leia in her scantily clad harem outfit, and the Ewoks being able to take down a mechanised army of gun wielding Stormtroopers and AT-ST walkers with rocks and sticks, but to be brutally honest I didn't find them too distracting, not detracting from the overall story, which is indeed the best part.
The story is largely based around the redemption of Darth Vader and bringing him back from the Dark Side. The section towards the end in the Emperor's Throne Room is especially intense, and there is a true amount of tension between the characters, especially Luke, who must try to rescue his father from evil whilst not allowing himself to be consumed at the same time.
Overall, this is my 2nd favourite Star Wars movie, perhaps not as dark as Episode V, but with a gripping story and amazing special effects that will keep you glued to it for the entire running time. As a kid I loved it, as an adult I love it even more, and I'd recommend it to you all!