Film Review — Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

The force is still strong with the OG finale. ★★★★☆

Time has been kind to Return of the Jedi. Forty years after its initial release, the original finale remains a wildly entertaining and highly satisfying victory lap for the pop culture phenomenon. Ewoks and all.

It doesn’t come close to the Shakespearian qualities of Empire, but it didn’t have to. With all the pieces firmly in place, George Lucas and director Richard Marquand give us all the Stars and all the Wars, going all out with grand set pieces on exotic alien worlds, and epic space battles with more evil mega structures and galactic consequences.

But surprisingly, the biggest battle is the one smallest in scale. The internal struggle for eternal redemption. Lucas saves the biggest twist for last, wrapping up his game-changing saga with unconditional love and reconciliation. Optimistic messages that feel so much closer to home than a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Genre: Science Fiction/Action/Adventure
Runtime: 135 mins
BBFC Rating: PG for moderate violence and mild threat

Where to watch: Stream on Disney+