Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

This is, along with Revenge of the Sith, probably my favorite episode. I really like how this one focuses on Luke’s character development and how it compares and contrasts with Vader’s past that is hinted throughout the OT. Luke starts off as a whiny teen who wants to go get some power converters and leaves is uncle’s moisture farm, and then he turns into a Jedi-in-waiting who wants to rush to become powerful and finish his training, then he becomes a wise, developed character who has changed extensively throughout all the episodes. I especially like the scene at the end of the film, where Luke is so obviously consumed by anger, fear, and hate when he is fighting his father. He does a pretty brutal move where he slams his saber on the already fallen Vader over and over until he cuts of his hand. After that, you see the character reflect on what he has done (great acting by Mark Hamill btw) as the Emperor tries to seduce him to take his fathers place. This part of the movie, with the context of the events in the prequels, makes this one of my favorite moments in the saga. Luke shows that he is stronger than his father and will not follow down the same path into hate and anger, which is a great character development.

After this, Luke gets fried by Palpatine’s lightening, and then Vader comes in and yeets that hoe down the reactor shaft. I especially like the moment where it zooms in on Vader’s face during this time; I feel like you can see the emotion in his face despite him remaining completely still and being behind a mask. This is probably due to the knowledge of the prequels, but nonetheless, this is still a great moment in the movies that makes me emotional. This part of the movie completes Anakin’s character, as he as finally brought balance to the force. Seeing the scenes with Anakin in the Clone Wars, The Prequels, Rogue One, and Rebels really makes this an impactful moment in the story. I truly love the line in the final moments of Anakin’s life where Luke says “I’ve got to save you” and Anakin responds with “You already have”. Like… bro… that is such a sad moment, especially after you see some innocent little boy turn into something vile and evil in the prequels, and although you can see he regrets the things he as done (This Clip) he still does them in order to never feel out of power again, which all falls back to what I talked about in the Episode II post. Then when you see scenes such as these (Rogue One, Fallen Order) you see how he truly has become something unapologetically evil, but you also know that he will eventually feel actual regret and happiness in the final moments of his life as he tries to undo years of his actions. The Anakin to Vader to Anakin arc is honestly my favorite storyline in all of the books, movies, and shows that I have ever seen.

The music in this scene is also incredible, and I will never not praise the work that was gone into the score of the movie. It is probably some of the most iconic music scores I can think of, and the only thing that rivals it is the OST of a game called Skyrim.

The Battle of Endor is also a great scene in this show. I love the addition of the Ewoks; they provide a much needed point of humor and cuteness in an intense and deadly part of the conflict. Many people dislike their addition, but they should honestly just get over it. I thoroughly enjoy when the main characters get kidnapped and are about to be eaten by the Ewoks. Everything from this part of the movie furthers my love for the comedic bits and pieces scattered throughout the films.

There are so many other parts of this film that I love (Jabbas palace, Yoda’s death (surprisingly not from a ketamine overdose as the prophecy foretold.), but it is those aforementioned few scenes and bits that make this movie so great in my mind. I have already covered the acting performances of Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine) and the other characters, along with going extensively into the score for the films, so I feel like there is not much more to say that has not already been said. I only with that I could once again view this film for the first time.