Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Dir: Richard Marquand

1983

*****

There is a ridiculous notion that has been passed around by people who claim to be 'Star Wars purists' that suggests that the last film of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi, isn't really all that good. Utter nonsense. Sure it recycles a few ideas from the first film but frankly, it was by far the greatest 'feel good' film of my childhood (The Boy Who Could Fly is a close second). If you ever should encounter one of these 'purists' then take my advise and remind them that if there was no Return of the Jedi then there would be no Slave Leia costume. That usually shuts them up. It may not be as great as the first two films, that I will agree on but it does tie up the trilogy quite nicely. It is strange that George Lucas would hire Richard Marquand as director though. You could say hiring an inexperienced director would enable him to have more creative input but it was his baby, he could have directed it himself. It's even stranger when you remember that he approached Davids Lynch and Cronenberg. As successful as it was, I'm sure neither director regrets his decision. Both are successful but mega bucks haven't quashed their creative talent like it has with Lucas. The original script is very different to the final film, unfortunately the Toy manufacturers do have a lot of say in these matters but at least everyone survives and thirty-two years later, the story could continue. Our heroes save the day with the help of a planet of Teddy Bears, seriously guys, what's not to love about that?