Classic 80s Movie Review: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

For three years, fans of the Star Wars intergalactic fantastical films waited for Return of the Jedi, Star Wars film Episode VI (1983). It was the final film in a movie trilogy: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) was followed by Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

While the world was waiting for Director and Producer George Lucas to bring closure to the battle between good and evil in outer space, Lucas' characters must have waited, too, for their opportunity to put an end to wicked leadership and see good and order restored to the galaxy.

The movie begins with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) having to rescue all of his friends from the evil gangster Jabba the Hutt who lives on Tatooin in the outer rim. Luke has accepted his calling to Jedi knighthood. He is growing in his Jedi powers and skills.

After the magnificent rescue that completely annihilates Jabba and his evil reign, the group goes to join a small force of rebels. These rebels, creatures from all over the galaxy, dare to think they can destroy the insidious Emperor Palpatine's (Darth Lord Sidious played by Clive Revill) deadliest weapon: the Death Star, which they believe has not been completed yet.

Luke doesn't immediately join his friends, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) Chewbacca the Wookiee (Peter Mayhew) and two droids - C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker). He has other pressing business with his Jedi master Yoda (Frank Oz) on the Degas system.

Yoda confirms that the Emperor's menacing and powerful part machine part man assistant, Darth Vader (David Prowse, James Earl Jones - voice), is indeed Luke's father - Anakin Skywalker. Luke must complete his training by confronting this evil Lord. The fact that Vader was once a Jedi knight who was deceived and turned to the dark side by Emperor Palpatine doesn't matter to Yoda or Anakin's old Jedi master - Obi Won Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness). Luke's conflict lies with the fact that he must kill his own father in spite of the strong feelings he has for him and about him. Luke learns from Yoda about his twin sister, who'd been separated from him at birth.

He rejoins his friends and the rebels as the plans are laid out for the attack. Little do they know that the Emperor is aware of their every move, and the entire plot leads them to their annihilation. In the midst of it all, Luke is challenged with either being killed by Vader, killing Vader, or coming over to the dark side of the force, like Vader.

The rebel fleet approaches the Death Star and finds out too late it is fully operational, and they are gliding into a death trap. When it seemed that the side that's fighting for justice and freedom would be defeated, the rebels get help from unsuspected sources and has a surprise triumph of their own. While the battle rages in the galaxy and on Endor Moon, Luke's battle with hate and anger threatens to turn him as he engages in battle for his life and mind against Vader and Palpatine.

In the end, he and his father save each other from the evil Palpatine. Anakin dies, but he dies a free man, not someone who'd been a slave to the emperor for many years. For this reason, Return of the Jedi has a double meaning. Luke returned and completed his Jedi training. Anakin is returned to the good side of the force.

The creatures on all the stars, moons and planets celebrate the end of the diabolical reign of the emperor and his assistant, Darth Vader.

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