Return of the Jedi: To dream about our heroes after the fall of the Empire

My article on Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

In 1983 the conclusion to the Star Wars saga hit cinemas. Originally intended to be titled Revenge of the Jedi it was changed to be more appropriately titled Return of the Jedi. It was a year after E.T (1982) and science-fiction/fantasy was well and truly upon the kids and teenagers of the 1980s. In 1997, I was experiencing Return of the Jedi for the first time and seeing how the epic story concluded. 

The title change was Lucas feeling it was inappropriate, as a Jedi shouldn't be following the path of revenge (source). The change directive came after promo material had already begun circulating. This would also become part of the belief from some that it was also to soften the film to being more child/family friendly a film, which was met (and still is) with criticism following the darker theme and delivery of The Empire Strikes Back. I can honestly say, I was aware of this even as a child where it certainly did feel an intensity lack in what was to be an "epic conclusion to the saga". However, I was only a child myself and still feel the conclusion is satisfying for the journey of our heroes against the Galactic Empire.

By the time my cinema viewing of Return of the Jedi rolled on in, I had quickly become an evangelical Star Wars fan, with a lot of excitement to see the conclusion. I'd avoided the temptation to go hire the film from the local video store, and instead kept my eyes peeled to the local newspaper to see when viewing times were released. And soon they were.

That Saturday my mum took me down to watch the conclusion to the Star Wars trilogy, and by further good fortune I did not see a Special Edition, so was not subjected to the appalling Jabba Throne Room CGI vomit fest musical number - showcasing poor music and distracting alien character CGI. Got to sell IL&M right? What a detractor from the magic of John Williams' work and the power of the music. This would become my sour serving of a viewing when I would purchase a Star Wars boxset...the Special Edition bundle. My local video store didn't stock these until the DVD revolution came into town. I consider my initial viewing of all the films to be the good will of The Force!

The initial impression of Return of the Jedi is that it did not meet that of the first two films with the electric feeling - but I never disliked or hated the film at all. I did get absorbed into the opening scenes on Tatooine, seeing the Rebels bizarre tactics to rescue Han Solo unconventionally play out, as well as the grotty underworld of Jabba The Hutt's gangsters "paradise". It was a little bit of a shock to then see our heroes split after this scene, as Luke goes to finish his training with Yoda on the surreal world of Dagobah, while Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and the new recruit Lando Calrissian, plan an assault to surprise attack the Empire on a new Death Star being built in secrecy.

The Death Star 2 has been slammed as lazy writing and a lack of imagination. I guess my justification of this always was the Empire had the resources to do this, they learnt their flaws and wanted one final almighty effort to dominate the Rebels. This time a bigger battle station (it will be better), built in secrecy (they won't know what hit them), and the Emperor (Palpatine) himself overseeing it ("Everything is going to plan as I have foreseen it", Palpatine reveals during the films final act). I can get behind the idea and the arrogance of the Empire, ultimately leading to their downfall - right before the mastermind himself.

Our return to Dagobah with Luke is brief but has beautiful exchanges between the alien and human, the master and apprentice, as one ascends to his ultimate challenge and the other, Yoda, ascends into the spirit world of The Force. I always found it odd how Yoda in that moment gives himself over to death. He seemed quite chirpy in the initial moments of the scene. I guess in his old age and believing Luke could bring balance to the force (we know Darth Vader's death and the return of Anakin Skywalker does this) allowed him to no longer hold onto life, no need to stay in the physical world. Either way, it is sad as our wise and quirky character from The Empire Strikes Back passes on, his old fragile body fading away. The character's impression in Empire is realised.

We then get the interaction with Obi-Wan Kenobi. So, what we did get in this scene is some glimpses into Lucas (not alone in this) treading into Star Wars prequel world here. Laziness. Lots of talking, not enough "show, don't tell", and comically even Obi-Wan Kenobi's force ghost decided to take a seat on a log and continue telling Luke all about Darth Vader actually being his father, the real-story how that came to be, and confirming that Leia is indeed his sister. I get the criticism. A ghost sitting down, or the late-great Alec Guiness just being so over it. Again, in that moment I would say I could roll with this story by this point. To be honest, I was just on edge to see the master of Evil, Darth Vader, have another crack at Luke Skywalker and see how powerful Luke had become since their last battle. This time though I realised The Emperor would be there - who'd been very elusive a character by this point in the stories.

The film then sees the plot take us to the forest moon of Endor, where we see the film break off into three stories - not two. In this potentially messy formula we do get a mixture of thrill and fatigue - the thrill being the speeder bike chases and AT-ST walkers in the Rebels vs Imperial battle. However, the fatigue? Well, my stance to this day is that I wanted many of the Endor forest scenes to pass.

I was disappointed Han Solo was not flying the Millennium Falcon and taking the battle to the Empire in space, and the primitive little bears, Ewoks, while cute and giving comic relief did take me out of the intensity. I had mentioned that I do recall the lack of intensity in Jedi. I also think an actor of Ford's calibre and skill at that point was a massively missed opportunity. Ford wanted Solo's character killed in a heroic moment. Instead he got stuck by a bunker for most the films climatic finale. He did get the girl though.

Fortunately, there were two of the three stories that didn't lack intensity which kept me engaged and locked on the screen.

Before these break-off we see Luke and Leia share their moment where it is revealed by Luke they are siblings, and the revelation she has The Force flowing through her as known and advised by Yoda in his dying moments. "There is another Sky-wal-ker". This initially excited me knowing there was going to be a new Star Wars trilogy, thinking it would continue to adventures of the Jedi under Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. However I learnt shortly after seeing in Star Wars Insider magazine this would not be the case. What an opportunity missed if ever there was one.

So after their moment under the night sky of Endor in the oddly quiet Ewok village before the final battles take place, we see the break off into three different stories of the final act.

The first was the space battle. I loved the special effects and visual "blink and you miss it" delivery of the battle - quick and intense, and visually just outstanding.

Imperial Tie Fighters screeching by the hundreds in consistent formation firing lasers at the inconsistent numbers by star fighter class in our Rebel Alliances final showdown to hold their ground before they can get into the unfinished Death Star 2 and blow it up at the core. We also see a character get a redemption I don't think gets talked about enough - Lando Calrissian. Lando betrays his friends in Empire, but does his best to remedy the situation. He doesn't gracefully get an open ticket to join the struggle, and sure he could have just pushed off into hiding. Instead as the Empire takes over his city and world, he decides to build a new one and must join the struggle. He takes responsibility for his actions and puts himself on the front lines leading the space battle at the controls of the Millennium Falcon (once his pride and joy) and see him successfully destroy the Death Star 2 core. As he fly's out of the erupting station with a joyful "Yeeha!", I love that moment! It's a cinematic moment I absolutely rate and his character arc showing bravery and selflessness for the greater struggle is on point. It added emotional depth to the battle, also seeing Wedge Antilles from the previous films right there as well to see victory, as many of the X-Wing fighter pilots had not been so fortunate to experience who flew alongside him. 

The second story was the one everyone was waiting for. Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader. However, no longer is Luke fighting the villainous monster we came to assume Vader truly is. Instead we now know this is a man with remnants of his former human self, where he was a Jedi, and had also been the father to Luke. There's emotional conflict now, all the while we know Vader and Emperor Palpatine must be defeated, not just for Luke to become a true Jedi, but also eliminate the power of the dark side both of them possess. Maybe even Luke?

"Quick is the path to the dark side", Yoda warns Luke in Empire.

When Palpatine taunts Luke, we feel the taunt too. It feels personal. We feel the wrath rising in Luke, the anger, the fear even! Yes, the Dark Side of The Force is being worked into his being in a sinister way by the force user more powerful than Luke or Vader. The trigger for Luke to activate his lightsabre and go for the Emperor is when he accepts he can't just stand there. His friends are being taken out, and he has no control over what their fate will be. Only his own. The lightsabre is used in an offensive manner - not defensive - and the battle has begun in the darkest of ways.

The fact you feel the intensity shift so consistently every time the battle moves to the throne room shows the imbalance there was between the three scenes in the final act of the film. I love the contrast of the lightsabres, the dominant presence of shadow and black, Luke himself becoming the evil incarnation of the man who brought him into existence, and the spike in heightened emotion with John William's musical score sensationally driving Luke's rage as he dominates Vader. As he brings Vader to his knees you feel the exhaustion of the moment, and as Luke towers over Vader this time the Emperor makes him realise the path he just took. Vader's robotic hand is gone - Luke looks at his own hand, a robotic one. Both dressed in black. No doubt he'd be thinking back to his failure in the cave on Dagobah. And with that he sighs, and turns, vulnerable but valiant as he declares to the master of the dark side, "No. I'll never turn to the dark side". And announcing he is a Jedi, like his father before him, the true wrath of the dark side is unleashed by Palpatine!

Before the savage attack on Luke, we see the shield generator explode down on Endor, where Han Solo has lead the ground attack, and the Starfighter battle lead by Lando Calrissian is coming to mission completion. Then we return to the throne room between quick cuts of the beforementioned scenes. Luke gets burnt alive by Palpatine - getting shocked by lighting...shot from Palpatine's hands! It was a power I did not expect. Thinking a lightsabre would get whipped out? No. Instead a wizard of sorts, an evil one, presents his own powers and does so brutally and clinically. We see Luke crumble to the floor, smoking and burning, pleading his father to come to his aid. He under-estimated the Emperor as Yoda had warned and is paying the price for different reasons as stated by Palpatine as he continues to fry the life out of him. And in the most important of moments in Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker's spirit returns into the body of Darth Vader, taking back what was his, as he hoists up the caught off guard Palpatine and throws him down into the depths of the incomplete Death Star. In a ferocious explosion of force lighting and energy, the Emperor dies (I don't regard the Star Wars sequels as "canon" or officially accepted story lines - Palpatine does not live!).

Vader, now Anakin, lies there as his mechanical vessel begins to shut down as a result of the attacks from Luke and Palpatine against him. He begins to die, again, just as he returns from redemption. 

In a powerful moment before the Death Star explodes and the Rebels have their official triumphant blow to the soon-to-be crumbling Galactic Empire, Luke pulls his father into the hangar where Imperials race around desperate to flee - oblivious their fallen leader is being dragged across the hanger bay floor. Luke takes this moment to bond with his father as we see the mask of Vader removed. A helmet of mystique, menace, authority, beauty of evil personified in this galaxy far, far away. And when removed all that fades as we see Anakin Skywalker in the human form. A man aged beyond his years, scarred all over his face, faded features, ghostly white, and frail with a hint of sadness and relief. In the novelisation of the book it reads of Vader feeling Luke's tears fall on his face as he tastes the sweet saltwater and finds a further final moment of connection to the human experience as he looks upon his son. A Jedi, his hero, his son. 

And then both Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker die. The sinister wielders of dark side of the force perished from the living galaxy. And Luke sobs. Bittersweet victory as our heroes journey in the saga is concluded.

As the Death Star 2 explodes in as equally impressive cinematic magic as Star Wars, the Rebels (and Ewoks) secure victory on the ground battle (seems unlikely, but it happened), and Luke escapes to join his friends and soldiers in solidarity as they both celebrate and grieve. We see Luke Skywalker finish his lone story by cremating his father, but also disposing of the suit, the physical evidence of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. And as Luke looks on, the fire raging before him in the soft wind on Endor, the camera pans up to show celebrations around him for the battle and war which has been won.

The original musical score, versus the Special Edition, is a more primitive conclusion in the original film, alongside the Ewok villagers as our heroes unite to celebrate their victory - the security of galaxy at reach from the stronghold of the now fallen Galactic Empire. And as the victory resonates throughout the galaxy and other arms of the Empire falls (and will fall), Luke Skywalker walks away one last time from his friends - only a few paces to see through The Force, the ghosts of Yoda, Obi-Wan, and lastly that of his father, Anakin Skywalker. And as Luke looks upon with pride, his sister, Leia, daughter of Anakin Skywalker walks over to reassure Luke all will be okay. And the film concludes with our band of heroes triumphant at last and together as one. 

And the film ends.

I often think the childlike joy that comes from the conclusion is fitting. Lucas has often said Star Wars was always meant for kids. I don't believe everything that comes out of Lucas' mouth, so I always thought that was him justifying his decisions for fan criticism of Ewoks, then later comic-relief character failures of the Star Wars prequels. And his toy empire where he negotiated industry changing contract agreements - and coined it! Return of the Jedi is deemed the weaker of the films, which I agree with as an adult but I managed to basically view all three films as one story and never really tipped one as better than the other. They just served different roles to the greater story.

I always saw the movies as escapism for any viewer, child or adult. Sure, in my opinion Return of the Jedi did not match the intensity of the first two films, which don't feel or play-out like children's adventure films. But all three films of the trilogy share a common theme - they strongly feel like science-fiction adventures in an alien world far removed from our own earth - yet something we feel part of on a human level as if we were there. We journey with Luke Skywalker as if we are experiencing that journey with him. And with that, it brings childlike joy - remembering being 10 going on 11 and all the joy and imagination immersed in the experience over those 6 weeks brought me as the winter of 1997 set in. And yes, even then the special effects and visuals wowed me and I still respect what was achieved across the trilogy.

I would soon start to regularly hire the trilogy from my local video store. Comically this was to such an excessive point over 12-months that the video clerk one day said to me during 1998, "you know that your parents could have bought the movie already on video with the number of times you've hired it?" 
In an unusually cocky fashion (channelling my inner Han Solo?) I replied, "so do you want me to hire it, or not?"
And he handed over the video. To break it up I regularly hired the Indian Jones films, and other films of the nature of escapism, adventure, and action.

Shortly after the video clerk exchange I would get a box set of the films which turned out to be the Special Editions. When DVD's came around I secured a rare release that had both the original cinematic release and a separate disc of the Special Edition. Another stroke of good fortune for yours truly.

It's strange looking back on this 28 years later though. Writing about the Star Wars world being open to me has brought back some wonderful feelings - nostalgia presenting what it does, sadness and charm.

Beyond my own Star Wars bubble, so much has happened in the Star Wars commercial world since, mostly not for the better as far as I am concerned and it would be hard to sway me otherwise. I did enjoy discovering the Expanded Universe books that I could read and see what adventures independent authors imagined for the Rebels at different passages in the Star Wars timeline. They were regular Christmas or Birthday gifts. I also got great joy out of the video games, Rebel Assault, Dark Forces & Dark Force II (Jedi Knight) which introduced me to Kyle Katarn. Maybe an article on that game one day? I also felt nagged by the oddness how 7 dark Jedi seemed to exist during Palpatine's reign? Big galaxy I guess? I just rolled with it - the Star Wars community was a lot more easy going back then and truly geeky. It's different now and isn't for me.

What I do hold value in 28 years later is that the films continue to feel special to me. I've protected what they mean and embrace the geekiness or nerdiness that comes with that territory cause it went beyond the movie screen. And I know there's many other Star Wars fans young and old who found themselves being stunned by this alien yet familiar world, where we followed the adventures of Luke Skywalker, a moisture farmer stuck on a desolate, dull, and dangerous planet where fate took him down a journey he never could have imagined. Right to the point the fate of the universe was in his hands - more than once. And he rose to the occasion despite failures. Nothing came easy.

We never know where life will take us, what adventures we may endure. And even if it lacks the excitement, danger, adrenaline, or great fortune others may experience, or what we'd hoped for as children in our worlds of fantasy and dreams that we can't go back to; the magic of Star Wars is that the escapism is always there to be experienced, entertained and moved by in a galaxy far, far away.

And one thing I still like to ponder all these years on, no longer a child and seeing first hand the staying power of this film from childhood to adulthood is simply my daydreams about what adventures our heroes got up to after the fall of the Empire.