Return of the Jedi-A Satisfying Finale for the Original Star Wars Trilogy
Return of the Jedi is an incredibly satisfying finale in that every character gets a chance to shine. Every character, minor to major, has a general purpose in the plot, and the most significant characters get satisfactory character arcs. Han and Leia fulfill their love for each other. Lando finds a purpose as general and aids in the attack on the Death Star. Luke proves himself as a Jedi and, most importantly, proves there is good in Darth Vader. All of these character arcs make Return of the Jedi into a very well-rounded finale for this trilogy.
The film also contains some of the trilogy's most sweeping, adventurous set pieces. From Han's rescue at Jabba's palace to the speeder chase to the entirety of the third act, the film contains some incredible set pieces. Each set piece continues to build and build, adding elements that make each one all the more tense and engaging.
Out of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi does feature the most inconsistent tone. Aside from the Ewoks, who I find more endearing with each viewing, much of the goofy Alien humor and slapstick don't quite work and stick out like a sore thumb each time I watch the film. The choice to stick all of the characters on or around Endor for much of the second act and the entirety of the third act also makes the film feel like it's on a much smaller scale than the previous two films.
Return of the Jedi does feel like the most flawed of the original trilogy, but it's still a solid film and an incredibly satisfying finale. Many may harp on the film for its somewhat lighter tone, with the film filling itself with much more juvenile humor than its predecessors. While I agree to an extent, I also find an inherent charm to some of it, such as some of the goofy aliens in Jabba's Palace, especially the Ewoks. But more than anything, the character dynamics and the overall adventurous feel of the film are so solid that I find the film to still be incredibly entertaining despite the goofy elements that don't work.
Now Streaming on Disney+ in the U.S
