Film Review #1: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

Return of the Jedi by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasden

On Friday I went to see The Force Awakens so to prepare my self for that I watched Return of the Jedi the film that predeceases The Force Awakens.

Pros

Pacing - The pacing in this film is one of the best in the whole Saga. It is never dull. Some bits are more exciting than others but none of it is dull.

The Battle of Endor - The Battle of Endor is the best space battle and also has a good land battle too.

Seeing life outside of the war - I always like to see the Star Wars Galaxy outside of the rebellion and the empire and this film does it for quite a while with Jabba's Palace

Cons

The Death Star - A reused idea, but it would make sense that they would do another one and the way the go about to destroy it is different from A New Hope

Comic Relief - The Ewoks in my opinion are great but the film uses comedic elements just by something serious which doesn't always work well.


Primary Cast 

Luke Skywalker: 9/10 - Luke is mysterious and very good as a Jedi Master. The acting also picks up
Han Solo: 10/10 - Han Solo is as brilliant as ever.
Leia Organa: 8/10 - Perfectly good but just not great, this is perhaps her worst of the trilogy.
Total: 27/30

Secondary Cast 

Lando Calrissian: 9/10 - Lando is good but just isn't given a lot to do.
C-3P0: 10/10 - C 3P0 is really good as playing the God of the Ewoks
Chewbacca: 10/10 - Are cute and cuddly friend does a fine job once more.
R2 D2: 10/10 - R2 is R2 so you can't really fault him.
Total: 39/40

Enemy Rating

Darth Vader: 9/10 - Doesn't really do much throughout the film except talk and fight with his lightsaber at the end.
Emperor Palpatine: 10/10 - I know I just complained about Darth Vader talking a lot but it does suit Emperor Palpatine
Jabba the Hutt: 10/10 - The fact that a slug can be in charge of so many people I think is an excellent idea.
Stormtroopers: 7/10 - The foot soldiers are all right but this is their worst in the saga. Counting Scout troopers gives them the '7' score.
Total: 36/40

Story Rating

Story: 9/10 - Only because of the re use of the Death Star
Seriousness: 9/10 - Can't get the full ten because of where the comedy lies.
Scariness: 7/10 - Not the most scariest of films and it is one of the least scariest of them all.
Humour: 8/10 - Perfectly good humour with the Ewoks.
Continuity: 9/10 - Minor nit picks that don't make too much sense but generally very good.
Total: 42/50

Total: 144/160

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi: 90%

This is a very impressive score but as this is in my top half of Star Wars films I am surprised that other films will get lower.