ALL SCI-FI Forum Index ALL SCI-FI
The place to “find your people”.
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ALL SCI-FI Forum Index -> Sci-Fi Movies from 1970 to 2000
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:28 pm    Post subject: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) Reply with quote



I've actually read reviews that criticized this magnificent movie, claiming it was a disappointment after "The Empire Strikes Back".

Balderdash! This movie gave me the same thrill I got from "A New Hope" (minus the — "Oh my God, I've never seen anything like THIS before!" — and you only get that one time per franchise, right?)

Wikipedia says this:
____________________________________________

Although a critical and commercial hit, grossing more than $475 million worldwide, Return of the Jedi has, in the decades that followed, been considered by many critics and fans to be a slightly lesser achievement than its predecessors, but is still overall considered superior to the prequels.
___________________________________________

For me, this one is kinda the best of the bunch out of all six. It has the full range of great cinematic moments.

It's got the humor —

Darth Vader: "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."

Han Solo: "Luke? A Jedi Knight? Jeez, I'm out of it for a little while and everybody gets delusions of grandeur!"

It's got the sentiment:

Luke: "I feel the good in you, Father. I will not fight you."

And it's got the nobility — like that amazing moment when Darth Vader rebels against the torture of his son and throws that cackling bastard right down into hell!

Okay, so the Ewoks suck, but even they have some terrific moments during the final battle when they rig up booby traps like "Swiss Family Robinson" and bring down a few Imperial walkers.

And then of course there's this . . .






Oh, sorry. Wrong picture. I meant to use this one. Wink





And of course, the special effects weren't too shabby either.





I saw this movie on opening day at Altanta's Lenox Square Theater with a packed house of Star Wars fans who would have sold a kidney to get the ticket price. Some of them had Han Solo action figures frozen in ice (in Tupperware to prevent leakage Laughing ), and they watched him melt while they waited in line a few hours for the feature to start.

I took my trusty Time Saving Device into the theater and recorded both the movie AND the audience's spirited reactions — whooping and hollering and generally having the time of their lives, all preserved in stereo on my little time machine.



_____________


Yes, indeed, this is one fine movie . . . Very Happy
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:01 pm; edited 6 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

This is THE funniest HISHE I've seen yet. If you don't like this one, don't bother with the rest. Very Happy


_____ How Return Of The Jedi Should Have Ended


__________________

_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Maurice
Mission Specialist


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 460
Location: 3rd Rock

PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 1:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nah, it's a lesser film than either of its predecessors because it already starts recycling elements, notably another Death Star. Then there's the slapstick laden opening Muppet Show that doesn't advance the story at all except to de-popsicle Han and show that Luke can kick some butt.
_________________
* * *
"The absence of limitations is the enemy of art."
― Orson Welles
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maurice wrote:
Nah, it's a lesser film than either of its predecessors because it already starts recycling elements, notably another Death Star. Then there's the slapstick laden opening Muppet Show that doesn't advance the story at all except to de-popsicle Han and show that Luke can kick some butt.

I'm often puzzled by the phrase "doesn't advance the story" when I see it used in situations like this.

I mean, we loved the "Muppet Show" of the cantina scenes in A New Hope, so Return of the Jedi just gave us a legitimate variation on that, without trying to be SO original it wouldn't really feel like it was revisiting a beloved concept.

Ironically, even George felt like he had to gild the lilly and substitute a CGI version of Jaba's rock band. Frankly I was fine with the Muppet version. Rolling Eyes

And the rest of this "slap-stick" opening was a prime example of what Star Wars is all about! Shocked

Flash Gordon sneaks into the palace of Ming the Merciless to rescue Prince Baron and wrestle with the horned gorilla monster. Fun stuff! Very Happy






I'm not trying to trivialize Star Wars, I'm just pointing out that its purpose has always been to provide a Jim Dandy whiz-bang Saturday morning serial — and when it gets too big for it's breeches (as the fans seem to think the prequels did) then those fans will throw figurative rotten fruit at it and demand something less original and more familiar . . . like The Force Awakens.

Give 'em that and they'll stampede to the box office and throw money at it, making studio executives fat, rich, and up-to-their-asses in expensive cigars!
Very Happy
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:18 am; edited 3 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
orzel-w
Galactic Ambassador


Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 1877

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm siding with Maurice on this. ROTJ just felt like a "Been there; done that; bought the T-shirt" rehash of the original plot, only Lucas had his new toy (CGI) to play with. I was ready for something new, storywise.
_________________
...or not...

WayneO
-----------
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Krel
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I remember reading a review of RTOTJ, where the reviewer started off...Best Star Wars rip-off yet! Laughing

David.
Back to top
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Gentlemen, just to clarify your individual opinions of the Star Wars films in general, which ones did you like?

And this question is for Wayne: Which one (if any) gave you the "something new" you wanted?

_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
orzel-w
Galactic Ambassador


Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 1877

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bud Brewster wrote:
And this question is for Wayne: Which one (if any) gave you the "something new" you wanted?

Well, the original, fer shur. Very Happy
_________________
...or not...

WayneO
-----------
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rick
Space Ranger


Joined: 25 Feb 2016
Posts: 106
Location: New York City

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm pretty much with the naysayers here. STAR WARS was terrific, EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was magnificent (the one truly Great Film in the series). This one was, at best, a disappointment.

I stood in a long, chilly line to see this thing at the first 10 am showing on opening day. I was hoping for greatness but recognizing it was a mighty big hill to climb. For a while I thought maybe Lucas and Co. had come up with something that, if not quite as good, was at least worthy of the first two movies. Then those damn fershlugginer Teddy bears showed up.

Then they de-masked the fearsome Darth Vader to show us the Pillsbury Doughboy underneath.

I currently think of JEDI as the fourth best STAR WARS movie, just barely ahead of ...SITH. And I haven't seen ROGUE ONE yet.

_________________
Man need not kneel before the angels,
Nor lie in death forever,
But for the weakness of his feeble will.


Last edited by Rick on Mon Dec 19, 2016 2:05 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

The first one was such a novel kind of movie that comparing it to any of the rest is sort of "apples and oranges".

And even though I do like Return of the Jedi, it did something that absolutely appalled me the first time I saw it. I didn't hate the Ewoks, because I had kids who liked them, so I saw them through the eyes of my kids.

But there was another bad moment that just ruined the movie for me. Rick nailed this grievous flaw in his post above.

There we were, watching Luke try to drag his defeated father to safety as the Death Star is about to blow up, and we finally get to see Darth Vader unmasked!

Based on Vader's bad-assed nature and James Earl Jones' distinctive macho voice, we all had visions of Vader being this imposing, brooding, intimidating man — his horribly scarred face still containing features that showed us what a powerhouse of strength and determination he was.

I imagined him looking something like THIS! Cool






Or THIS!





So, what do get when the mask comes off? We get THIS!





Need a better look? Here's the same actor, in makeup.





I'm sorry, but that is NOT Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith! That's just Darth Dumpty, the Rotten Egg in the Suit!





And that's exactly what he reminded me of the first time I saw Return of the Jedi.

Sadly this started the unfortunate choices Lucas made when casting Anakin Skywalker. In The Phantom Menace, poor George actually thought little Jack Lloyd was a good choice for young Skywalker.

Big mistake.

Cute as he was, Jake just wasn't believable as the man who would become the Dark Lord of the Sith.






In Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Hayden Christensen had the right sort of brooding look, but his whiny attitude and love-sick puppy behavior was more like a character in a teen melodrama than the future Sith Lord who would terrorize the galaxy!





Folks, the bottom line here is that after all these years we have yet to actually see the face of Darth Vader back when he was Anakin Skywalker! We've just seen misguided attempts to present completely inaccurate versions of Luke Skywalker's father before he turned to the dark side!
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:18 am; edited 3 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gord Green
Galactic Ambassador


Joined: 06 Oct 2014
Posts: 2940
Location: Buffalo, NY

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think the fact that the weak, damaged man was inside the persona of the ominous Vader was exactly the point Lucas was making. Just as that the defeat of the techno-powered Empire was at the hands of the insignificant teddy bears was Lucas expressing that heart overcomes artificial might.

Still----ROJ had it's weak points to me. I agree the Ewoks were just too precious, but the author of the story should write HIS own vision and be true to his own vision. However......What's he thinkin wit JarJar Binks?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gord Green wrote:
I think the fact that the weak, damaged man was inside the persona of the ominous Vader was exactly the point Lucas was making.

Okay, I understand the idea that a proud, arrogant, cruel Darth Vader had been brought down, and he'd finally seen the error of this ways.

Great drama.

However, it would have worked much better with a forceful actor who had a strong face (despite being horribly disfigured like the ones in the pictures above), conveying his pitiful state even more tragically, because we could easily see how such a man would present a commanding presence under normal circumstances.

But my immediate thought when Vader was unmasked was, "Damn, that bozo hid his silly face behind the scary mask and tricked everybody with a fake voice!"


Gord Green wrote:
However......What's he thinkin' wit JarJar Binks?

The main thing I didn't like about Jar-Jar was the fact that I couldn't understand ninety percent of his dizzy dialog! Sad
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gord Green
Galactic Ambassador


Joined: 06 Oct 2014
Posts: 2940
Location: Buffalo, NY

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Exactly the point. He was like the Wizard of OZ, a charlatan behind a curtain.

He was not so much a creature of strength but a man to be pitied. I think that was what Lucas meant to portray. And he was redeemed by his son and brought back to the light.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17017
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gord Green wrote:
Exactly the point. He was like the Wizard of OZ, a charlatan behind a curtain.

Sorry, but finding out that the Dark Lord of the Sith was just the silly Man Behind the Curtain is not what this character was.

He was presented as a strong person who was led astray by the powerful temptations which the Dark Side of the Force presented. He went from a potentially dynamic agent for truth and justice to a horrible tool of evil and cruelty.

He slaughter good people, including little children who were training to be Jedi! Shocked

How can we just reduce all that to a mere Humpty Dumpty buffoon who pretended to be a bad-ass by disguising himself in a formidable costume?

He might have realized how evil he really was in the last moments of this life, but the important point is that he really WAS evil until that moment! He wasn't just "a charlatan behind a curtain". He was a powerful man who chose to be cruel and destructive!

And THAT'S what we should have seen when his helmet was removed!

_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gord Green
Galactic Ambassador


Joined: 06 Oct 2014
Posts: 2940
Location: Buffalo, NY

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And like Dorian Grey's portrait, the dissolute, diseased man with the corrupted soul was revealed for what he had become, reduced to a creature more to be pitied than feared.

The Dark Side had leeched the humanity from him and when he turned, at the last, to the Light Side, what may have looked like your examples above had the evil lifted from him.

He said to Luke "Let me look at you with my own eyes..." indicating that Vader was no more. He was once again Anakin.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ALL SCI-FI Forum Index -> Sci-Fi Movies from 1970 to 2000 All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group