Return of the Jedi (1983)

John Chard December 12, 2015

★ 8/10

This is not quite Bantha fodder. Following on from the freshness of Star Wars (1977) and the all round greatness of craft and story telling that was The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi was always going to struggle in comparison. That's not to say there are not fans who prefer it of the original trilogy, because there are many, and like minded fans of George Lucas' space saga shouldn't have a problem with that. However, it is the weakest of the three. The characters we have come to love, and to be a part of their universe, are performed with gusto - but they are mostly thinly written, reduced to playing second fiddle to special effects, while the dark heart has been replaced with - well - smokey hokey (furry teddy bears with sticks and stones, I ask you). Then there's the lack of sexual tension so evident in the previous two films. Oh we love Han and Leia because that…

Wuchak August 2, 2020

★ 7/10

_**Fun, cute, imaginative, iconic space adventure with a kick-axx cast**_ "Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi" (1983) was the anticipated end of the original trilogy that began with the initial blockbuster from 1977. The trilogy is an epic, but simplistic space fantasy about an evil empire and the noble souls who dare to fight it. The main cast features Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor) and the voice work of James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) and Frank Oz (Yoda). This is an amusing, inventive, iconic space adventure with a stellar cast that upped the ante with edgy cuteness. While I prefer the adult-oriented space science-fiction of Star Trek, I can’t deny that the space fantasy of Star Wars always grants you an entertaining couple hours. …

r96sk February 1, 2021

★ 9/10

Arguably the weakest (comparably) of the original trilogy, yet 'Return of the Jedi' is still an excellent film! Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher remain a thoroughly enjoyable trio. I did find parts of the plot a little similar to 1977's 'Star Wars', due to the Death Star stuff, but overall I unquestionably enjoyed the 135 minutes. The score is great again, while the new bunch of characters are cool. There are some memorable moments in there, as we see the first spate of films come to a close very nicely. I'm very intrigued to see where things go with the prequels, hopefully they continue to hit high marks.

CinemaSerf June 8, 2023

★ 7/10

This third of the original Star Wars films is probably my weakest. Possibly because the writing is not too tight but for me, more so because the "Ewoks" take over the thing and they are just stupidly annoying. What had potential to pitch the ultimate evil partnership against the Rebel Alliance became a toy-fight straight out of a Laurel and Hardy comedy - the storyline was infantile. Still it’s a great film to look at, and features just enough menace and diversion in the first hour to make it worth watching until an ending that I found the ultimate in disappointment!

Joogle83 July 20, 2026

★ 8/10

Watched one favorite third acts Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi .Starring Mark Hamill(Britannia Hospital) as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford(Blade Runner) as Han Solo ,Carrie Fisher(The Blues Brothers) as Leia Organa, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Jermey Bulloch(George & Mildred) as Boba Fett, Billy Dee Williams(Colt .45 ) as Lando Calrrission, Anthony Daniels (Bashki's Lord Of The Rings) as C- 3PO, Kenny Baker(Flash Gordon) as R2-D2 Denis Lawson(Bitter Cherry) as Wedge Antilles, Dermot Crowley(Giro Ciy) as General Madine , Caroline Blakiston(Les Miserables) as Mon Mothma, Tim Rose(Just William) & Erik Bauersfield as Admiral Ackbar, Michael Pennington(Cymbeline) as Moff Jerjerrod ,Kenneth Colley (Firefox) as Admiral Piett ,Frank Oz(The Muppet Movie) as Yoda, , David Prowse(Doctor Who) & James Earl Jones(Conan The Barbarian) as Darth Vader ,Ian McDiarmid(A Performance Of Macbeth) as Emporer Pal…