Return of the Jedi (1983) Retrospective / Review
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Return of the Jedi (1983) Retrospective / Review
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The choral score with the strings that kicks in when Luke loses his temper at Vader gives me painful goosebumps every single time I hear it.
Utterly breathtaking.
Years later after episode 9 has come out, we’re still waiting for the unaltered original trilogy to be re-released
Just get the De-specialised edition, it’s the goods! All the good stuff without the rubbish
Years after your comment, still waiting
@@GerryMcGarry2 weeks after your comment I'm still waiting
watch it be in 2027 for the 50th anniversary
@@markjackson6431 with about 70 degrees of DNR added to it of course because Disney’s remastering process is… well it’s interesting to say the least
The added 'Noooooo!!!!' dubbed over Vader at the end really pisses me off. What was great about that scene was Vader looking from Luke to Emperor, Luke to Emperor, Luke to Emperor, then wordlessly hoiking up and throwing the mad old fuck down the shaft. It annoys me more than it should.
Totally agree. It was actually a brilliant moment untouched which I would have thought the director was keen to get right and did get right. It was so powerful without that crap ‘nooooooo’
yeah, also they had absolutely nothing to gain from this, it doesnt improve the scene at all and it didnt need any improvements anyway, so best case people wouldnt mind it, worst case people would hate it, they could only lose out by adding it in and they did it anyway, because they weren´t thinking ... so stupid really.
as seen in the prequels also and the strange additions in new hope, george really is the master of throwing lots of useless bullshit your way, in hopes that you are dazzled enough to love it.
"its so dense, every single image has so much going on"
jasrust you’re correct to be annoyed. Don’t feel the need to justify it
Agreed! It's always bothered me more than the FX bullshit they threw in. This was a poignant scene, emotionally powerful and those silent looks back and forth, the music etc. perfection which anyone would find powerful, not just for sci fi but any genre.....and they ruined it by chucking that stupid "nooooooo" in all just so that it matches up with the prequels.....we all get it, they are linked but they were desperate to connect the two trilogies, like we wouldn't understand if they didn't do this... it's the same thing with the Anakin swap out at the end...I prefer the reasoning of him being the age he was when he died in the suit, and this is the "pure" him now, as he would be now he's let go of the dark side... another powerful moment shafted, because someone let George into the Computer room.
Charlie Burrows matches up with a scene in the prequels that everyone ridiculed anyway
I always cry when i see the final confrontation between Luke and Vader. Its so tragic and combined with the score makes it such an emotional experience. Its the first thing I think of when ever I think of Star Wars.
“If you won’t turn, then perhaps she will”
“Ahhhhh” 😏
@@wattsnottaken1 Brilliant ! Awesome scene. Mix of action and dialogue, like all the first 3. IV, V & VI.
❤
I remember going to the theater with a friend to see this, in 1983. We were not disappointed in any way. When the Emperor was frying Luke, and Vader kept looking back and forth, it seemed like an eternity. When he saved Luke, and also when the Falcon burst out of the flames of the Death Star with Lando's yee-haw cry ... great moments. I think when I see those moments I am still recalling how I felt seeing it for the first time. Thanks for the retrospective.
I've just watched all of these Star Wars retrospectives back to back and have been blown away by the execution. This guy deserves more views and more subscribers.
This video brought a heartwarming smile to my face all over again. You did such beautiful justice to this film. It's strength is truly the emotion. Many seem content to criticize Mark Hamill for some reason, but his work in this trilogy, especially when taken as a whole arc, truly impresses me. I'll sing his praises and defend his work as Luke Skywalker to the ends of the Earth. If I had one, my hat would be off to you, Oliver. I live for the day some studio hires you to produce a full-on documentary or featurette for a movie.
Ian mcdiarmid is an absolute boss. Arguably the best cast character in the entire star wars trilogy.
Best in the trilogy of trilogys
Age eleven, I still recall the thrill of that green lightsaber blasting into action the first time. The long, dark Jabba's palace scene set everybody up for it perfectly.
Oliver @21:28 - we now know they're doing another three films!
Han - I have a bad feeling about this!
Obi-Wan - I feel a disturbance in the force!
C3P0 - Oh no!
Chewie - Grrrrrrrwwwwh!
Luke Skywalker - You want the impossible!
Yoda - The greatest teacher, failure is!
Leia - I'd just as soon kiss a wookie
Darth Vader - I find your lack of faith disturbing!
R2D2 - Beep Beep Beep Beep!
I'm not ashamed to admit Return of the Jedi has and always will be my favorite of the Star Wars saga.
my personal favorite also
It used to be mine as well, when I was a kid.
As a grown-up, I recognize its flaws, not the Ewoks as much as those mentioned in the video: Han and Leia having basically nothing to do (blowing up a shield generator somewhere? it sounds like a forgettable level from a Rogue Squadron game), no new location except an unremarkable "forest planet", the derivativeness of a second Death Star.
The Luke vs Vader duel in front of the Emperor, and in a way the Luke vs Emperor duel for the soul of Anakin-Vader, used to be the part I skipped as a kid, as the battle of Endor was much more exciting, but it's actually the emotional core of the movie and the moral core of the franchise.
Also, I never really understood what was Luke's (and Leia's, the droids', Lando's...) plan to rescue Han. Other than the final duel, the Tatooine sequence is probably the best part of the movie, but the more one thinks about it the less sense it makes. There are even articles on the internet with theories about what the plan was, if any.
Overall, it's a well-made movie technically, but the plot is just uninspired and ungainly.
I like all of them equally.
As long as your top three are all OT films, I personally have no problem with you. Star Wars (not "A New Hope") will always be my favorite because I was 13 and still remember how amazing it all was.
@@johnjamele Revenge of the Sith is the best Star Wars film, then Return of the Jedi, I just love Anakin and I love watching his downfall and his redemption
23:37 The original ending with Anakin, Yoda and Obi Wan played by the original actors (Sebastian Shaw, Frank Oz voiced Yoda and Sir Alec Guinnness)...a perfect ending to a great trilogy,
I was fucking livid when I saw that scene with Lucas changing Anakin to the prequels actor.
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Your videos are pure quality! keep up the good work, would love for you to do a review on my favorite film Alien 3, that poor thing gets an awful doing!
TheY2JMc Way to stand apart from the crowd. That's usually my favorite Alien movie, but I thought I was the only one who accepts it for what it is.
TheY2JMc
Alien 3 Sucks. It's broken right before the movie starts with the Eggs on the Sulaco. There has 2 be 2 Eggs to start with as Ripley gets infected and then the dog/ox (depending on which cut of the film you watch) gets infected.
But the problem is that there is ZERO way for those eggs to be on the Sulaco after the ending of Aliens. The Queens Egg sack is GONE and she didn't have any eggs with her when she came from the dropship. Also the Queen never leaves the shuttle/cargo bay thus there is no way for those eggs to be upside down near the cryopods.
So Alien 3 is completely broken and that is why I despise that movie.
snake2006
Awww, poor Alien 3, gets a bad doing so it does! still my favourite movie, even if you hate it you must admit its stunningly shot, and has a fantastic soundtrack, i dont claim it to be a great movie, just my favourite. I never took issue with the eggs on the Sulaco, as far as im concerned they are there because they needed to be for a movie to be made.
TheY2JMc
Well I am about the story. If they had a plausible way for those eggs to be there I would accept it since it's not bad outside of that. But since there isn't it breaks the entire film so I can't be bothered to watch it.
The eggs are there just because excuse doesn't work for me.
0:12 Harper's Trailer
2:18 Retrospective/History
9:32 Synopsis
12:11 Visual Effects
13:35 Soundtrack
15:16 Video Games
17:32 Review
22:25 Ending Trailer
Tysm
Watching this movie is actually one of my earliest childhood memories. I remember a number of my first nightmares involved running from the Rancor and I can't think I'm alone in that. The whole finale on the Death Star is burned into my brain as one of the most intense moments I've ever seen. From Luke defeating Vader, to the Emperor zapping the bejeezus out of Luke, to Vader just up and chucking the Emperor down the shaft, holy cow was all that awesome.
But the real moment that stuck in my head and evoked the most intense emotions was that moment when Vader finally dies and all we hear is that soft, somber reprise of the Imperial March on a harp. That remains my all time favorite piece of music from the franchise. The difference in tone from the usual pompous menace of the song to being utterly tragic is amazing and it accented Vader's passing perfectly.
"But the real moment that stuck in my head and evoked the most intense emotions was that moment when Vader finally dies and all we hear is that soft, somber reprise of the Imperial March on a harp. That remains my all time favorite piece of music from the franchise."
You and me both - I'll probably have that played at my funeral.
21:24 you make a fitting, touching explanation of why these movies are the most popular series of films ever made. It really is true; when you sit down and watch the originals, you instantly fall in love with them again.
If they had replaced Ewoks with Wookies I think people wouldn't have minded them taking down all of the Imperials.
The original plan was wookies but Lucas didn't think they were primitive enough.
derek swartzl Lucas should have added some Ewoks jumping out of trees with spears and running around with speed and dexterity to the "Special" Editions. The main problem with the ewoks was that they looked cheap (some didn't even have eyes, but just holes in their costumes). They look like midgets waddling around wearing rugs, which is exactly what they are.
+Derke73 good call
thejusticeavengers1 he wanted to sell more toys
That would have been incredible, nicely done.
The editing of this intro segment is incredibly slick. Makes me excited about a movie I've probably literally seen 100 times. Most impressive.
As a fellow filmmaker/youtuber I am in awe of your videos Oliver and they are my favourite film reviews on RUclips. You include a mixture of things I know and things I don't know. Especially about the games and music etc. Please keep going!
Regards
You should check out SF Debris on BlipTV. He is probably the best online movie reviewer.
Thats great to hear Lawrence!. Really appreciate your feedback and its fantastic you've learnt new things from my reviews. There is loads more to look forward to this year.
Oliver Harper
A great review as always. Do you plan on doing the other five films in time for Force Awakens?
"I'm a Jedi, like my father before me!" --If u don't get choked up hearing that line, I guess you're not a STAR WARS fan.
True. Although as a kid it it always struck me as arbitrary that Luke was obliged to face Vader a second time before he could consider himself a Jedi. Seemed like a rule Yoda just made up LMAO.
@@monsieurmitosis off the top of my head I'm guessing Yoda's character might've done that (besides just advancing the plot) because a Jedi can't have fear, so Luke has to face his fear, which is Vader
I guess I am not a Star Wars fan. I like Star Wars, I love Empire Strikes Back, but this one is, meh. Actually, I guess I really am not a Star Wars fan. I fell out of favor with the prequels (which is more of a victory), hated The Force Awakens, and I never looked at any new Star Wars movie or shows since. The only Star Wars themed material I watched recently, because I never wanted to watch it, was the holiday special. However, I had a very good reason to watch it, and that was because I knew that I would appreciate the documentary A Disturbance in the Force if I did watch it. I will never regret that choice. Yes, the special is absolutely dreadful, but I cringed more in the end with the prequels. For the documentary, watching the special made it such a fun and hilarious experience that I consider it one of the best and funniest documentaries I have ever seen, as well as incredibly interesting.
Anyway, that's about as far as my interest in Star Wars goes.
I appreciate that you chose to end on the original ending shot, and included the original Ewok celebration in there as well. My main gripe with the special editions is the way the ending to Jedi has been altered, from the visuals to the music (especially the music!). My favorite moment, as well, is when Lando comes shooting out of the Death Star.
But why does Anakin get to be a young ghost? Wwwhhhyyyyyyyyyy?
I'm surprised you never mentioned much about Kurtz in the movie though. He was originally supposed to be involved again. But the whole Ewoks thing pushed him away.
At least it wasn't Jake Lloyd going: "I get to be ONE with the FORcE?! YIPPIEEE! Eternal Youth, right master Obi-One? Oh. Maybe that's just for the dark side.
Magus Marquillin I actually find Jake Lloyd more annoying in the Phantom Menace than Jar-jar Binks. We just didn't need to see Anakin as a kid, teenage years - young adult - brink of turning to the darkside is allwe needed, his childhood could've been breezed over with some well placed dialog for all I care lol.
It would have been a lot darker and far less of a muppet movie.
shockz16 They were both horribly annoying.
LinkMarioSamus Yeah no doubt but in a scenario where I have to pick the lesser of two annoyances I'd take Jar Jar over Jake Lloyds Anakin lol.
Jedi had the least interesting story, but had the best action, I thought the last battle in space on the Death Star made it all worthwhile. I was in shock how awesome that was.
I thought it had a great story, i love the escape scene in the beginning but i think there's too much of a leap from Tatooine to Endor
Can't hate the forest speeder chase either
Return of the Jedi was, for those of us who saw the Star Wars movies in theaters the first time, the completion of a journey with characters who have become our friends. It was a story six years in the telling that took us to places we’d never imagined with heroes that were new and fresh and yet timeless. The Force exists only on the screen but the memories will be with us always.
Return of the Jedi was my first Star Wars theater experience. As a 9 year old, I LOVED the Ewoks, and took to drawing and painting them all the time afterwards. :D Wonderfully informative review, thanks!!!
I've been a big fan of "Return Of The Jedi" from its opening day 37 years ago. It delivers not just a satisfying conclusion to the cliff hanger ending of its predecessor, it is also the best visually of the original trilogy. The best experience I have ever at the movie theater. Ian McDiarmid's giant performance as the Emperor and the redemption and death of Annakin Skywalker are what stand out in this one.
I hate how Lucas swapped out old Vader at the end of Jedi with Hayden from the prequels, as Olivier pointed out it makes absolutely no sense. I get George wanted (for whatever reason) to tie the original films with the prequels, but switching old Vader for Anikan is just plain dumb.
+deraj nitram I agree with you and with Oliver, but I suppose what Lucas would say is that is how Anakin looked when he died, when he 'became' Darth Vader in spirit. It's a weak argument, as I say they should have left it alone.
I think Luke was just delighted his father was saved.
Luke was like; cool, Obi-wan, Yoda, and who’s that other douchebag?
deraj nitram no. The original version makes no sense. He NEVER looked like that.
Luke has no idea what young Vader looked like lol I was expecting Luke to be like "Who the fuck is that guy!?" Lol
The thing that really impresses me is the edit you do at the end of all these Retrospectives. They are truly phenomenal. It's like the best you will ever see for the movie.
Beautiful closing words, Mr. Harper... for some reason they opened up a box of onions that started being peeled by The Force here in my room... Kudos to you, sir, again.
Ollie, I recently watched the unaltered trilogy for the first time since they were on VHS in the early 90s, and it felt like I was a kid again. Somehow, when you strip away all the extra goo on the effects and add-ins, it becomes Star Wars again - that great adventure story full of wonder and imagination.
This was the perfect thing to watch on the run-up to Star Wars Day. It's got me well in the mood to watch the original trilogy this weekend. Cheers, Olly.
I always thought that Richard Marquand never got the recognition he deserved directing Jedi. I love Episode 4, 5 and 6 equally for different reasons. Great review.
Because he didn't really direct much. Lucas stepped in about midway through shooting and did most of the filming himself. This is mentioned in the documentary Empire of Dreams.
snake2006 Oh yeah? I heard Lucas just directed a lot of the special effects stuff.
*****
He did allot more than that. Again watch Empire of Dreams the making of the Star Wars trilogy.
CF_105 Arrow It's almost like Lucas just can't hack it without the help of others. His former wife Marcia played a huge part behind-the-scenes in the original trilogy, but they divorced soon after. To say nothing about others like Lawrence Kasdan, Irvin Kershner, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola (who produced his pre-Star Wars stuff)...man.
LinkMarioSamus
Pretty much. Hell Star Wars would have flopped if not for the editing by Richard Chew. According to Empire of Dreams the original cut of Star Wars was terrible but Richard Chew came in before the film was released and fixed it and thus made it a big hit.
I would like to see that original edit of the film, Lucas must have it in the Lucasfilm vaults, just to see the difference between that cut and the finished cut that was released in 1977.
This 43 year old has always loved ROTJ. It will always be my favorite movie of ALL TIME.
I still remember that Sunday evening in 1983, when my aunt hustled us out of the Kingdom Hall, that was cclose to AU, the second we heard the final prayer's "AMEN", to try to get to the movie theater on Wisconsin Avenue here in DC. I never had seen ANH nor ESB in theaters yet. Only ANH on CBS once in a blue moon. But to now see a new and 3rd installment in person. I was so elated. Beyond excited. We sadly arrived when R2 and 3PO met Bib Fortuna. But... I ATE ROTJ!!!
I still can't get enough. I watch it twice a year. I make a big deal of it. I make the anticipation grow.
ROTJ is my first Star Wars movie experience and it's still my fave to this day! As much as I love empire. Don't understand the hate towards the Ewoks. Think they add a sense of fun and lightness to the end sequence. Jaba's palace scene is beyond a awesome. Good review though Oliver
I hated the Ewoks as a kid and I STILL hate them to this day. Teddy Bears beating the most elite fighting force in the universe with STICKS AND STONES. That was such a insult. I wish all the Ewoks would just die in a fire along with the Gungans.
*****
Gungans are fucking annoying as shit.
*****
When did they beat Grievous?
That is not in any of the prequels at all.
If it is not on screen, it didn't happen,
*****
Doesn't count. Not on screen, doesn't count.
*****
It's not in the 6 films, so it's not canon.
Episode 7 isn't canon either just big budget fan film.
Only the Lucas movies count.
Recently found your reviews and have been binge watching them. They’re thoroughly entertaining!
This is my favourite Star Wars Episode with number 3 coming in to close second. I remember having the lunchbox in America when I was young and many of the figures.
What's important to keep in mind is that the Expanded Universe, which sort reached its high point with "Heir to Empire", is what kept the fandom alive!
You tell the movies so good! Your retrospectives are so entertaining to watch, they make me go back and make me wanna see the movie again. I love this Star Wars trilogy so much.
I enjoyed the great reviews and retrospectives of my favorite movies and appreciate you sharing your personal experiences.
Thanks, Rob!
Hey Oliver, I'm looking at all the big onlne reviewers and your channel is such a refreshing change to the rest of them. Don't get me wrong I like all the biggies but your restrained style and thorough content makes for a much more academic and interesting experience. I came to this video as I'm researching director Richard Marquand, from Cardiff, and appreciate your references to him here. Unsurprisingly you are one of the few reviewers to mention him Da iawn, boy bach. You've given me great encouragement to grow my channel here.
+Wales in the Movies Thank you very much for your feedback. My goal is to educate my viewers and provide material that is equal to something you'd seen on TV and not just another VLOG video approach which require little effort to do.
+Oliver Harper Absolutely amazing. I used to listen to Siskel and Ebert, and later just Ebert. For years I watched Nostalgic Critic for my review/retrospective fix. You however you a much better job of education and excellent quality. I am very very glad I found your review on one of my favorite vampire film, Bram Stroker's Dracula (1992). I learned far more about how it was made, then I found in any behind the scenes.
I love Siskel and Ebert but i hated the Nostalgia Critic. So i came across Oliver Harper and his research about the making of these films is incredible. Regardless of what some RUclipsrs think of Siskel and Ebert, they and Oliver Harper have one thing in common, they love movies.
i like this film for one thing , Wedge , he's one epic pilot who doesn't need no force to bring down a death star
Great review. You totally nailed it with the emotionel ending. I've never been shy to admit that Jedi is my favorite Star Wars movie. :)
Thank you for the review Oliver. I waited in line with my elder Sister for 45 mins in the rain to see Jedi the day it opened. Your review brings it all back, a huge moment in my childhood...Your right about the toys too. I remember the last line of Kenner figures had Han and Luke in Stormtrooper outfits with removable helmets. I was the only kid in my year to have them, as most had moved on to other toys. Within 3-6 months of that line coming out, there were no Star Wars figures in the toy shop.
I just want to say thanks for the good posting Mr Harper. You put a lot of effort and facts in all Your videos and wish I found them earlier .
Excellent video and review!
George Lucas' last try at "fixing" Star Wars reminds me of Father Ted when he was trying to fix that slightly dented car with a tiny hammer (and then smashing it up completely).
I think it would be a great idea to get the Original Cut Trilogy or even the 1997 Special Edition Trilogy out on Blu Ray. I can remember liking most of the Special Edition when it was released in cinemas when I was very young, so I didn't get the controversy until many years later when I went on the interwebs.
TedShatner10 you shouldda just stayed off the interweb. It ruined all of us humans. Ruined us good.
@Analyzing Male Slavery The Special Editions led to the first fan backlash against George Lucas, The Fandom Menace I.
Met Baker and Mayhew I did.
Grumpy they were.
Amazing
Yeah I mean most of the choices when you go back and see what they are were definitely good choices. I downloaded an original version of A New Hope and it was very jank looking compared to the version out now
It seems we both had the same experience of Star Wars: I got into it in the early 90’s when none of my school friends had even heard about it, Jedi was my favorite one back then, and it’s turned to Empire as I grew older, the ending to ROTJ makes me cry with joy and sadness at the same time... Damn I can relate to every single thing you’re saying dude!!!
THX = The audience is now deaf.
Also this is my favorite film in the SW trilogy.
I was in third grade when Jedi came out, and my family and I spent the night in front of the local theater to see the first showing. It was an unforgettable night capped off with what would become my favorite of all the Star wars movies. In fact, it is of my opinion, that while it's become quite trendy to say that Empire is your favorite, most people of my age range thought empire was kind of boring and preferred Jedi. I know as a kid I loved the Ewoks.
Jedi was always my favorite, #1 it looked the best, the effects and sharpness of the picture where high quality, #2 The Emperor, this character raised the stakes, was scary, engaging, and his dialogue and interplay with Luke and Vader was the best, #3 never had a problem with the Ewoks, I always saw the big battles of star wars as WWII, I saw the endor battle as Vietnam, I also don't see the Ewoks as winning the battle but as a diversion, only goal is to destroy the shield generator. #4 the music, I could just listen to Jedi without the picture, it sounds that good John Williams outdid himself, #5 it's the best trilogy finale, the ending felt perfect and worth during through 3 films for!!
It would have been great to show the scene where Jabba's, "pet" breaks the forth wall for a moment when Luke first confronts Jabba in his audience chamber.
It is still my favorite 2 seconds of the movie!
As a kid and even today ROTJ is my still my favorite. I like seeing Luke as the confident and capable Jedi and Lando taking the Falcon was pretty cool as well.
I think the Star Wars franchise is dead and I don't believe that JJ Abrahms is going to be able to fix it.
I can safely say as a child of the late 70s/80s that Jedi was the one film of the trilogy I saw the most in the theater and had the most merchandise from. As a kid, it was easily my favorite. Like you, Ollie, age and wisdom allows us to see Empire as the definitive film of the series. But, I will say this - if someone were to tell me today that Jedi is their favorite, I'd totally understand and not even question it. Jedi does have the amazing sequence with Jabba's palace/Skiff Barge, the touching send-off for Yoda, the JAW-DROPPING final assault on the Death Star II and, of course, the epic standoff between Luke, Vader and the Emperor. People tend to give a lot of grief to the Ewoks but, you know, after Jar-Jar they are practically as cool as John Shaft (Shut your mouth! I'm just talkin' about Wicket). Jedi isn't perfect, but what it is is a perfectly entertaining film that truly gives a proper send-off to the Star Wars saga. As a kid, I didn't cry at movies (not even E.T.), but I bawled at the end of Jedi because I knew it was the end of my favorite series of films. As a child of that era, the films had a profound impact on me. As an adult, they still do. Thank God I never truly grew up. ;) And yes, I still have my Jedi bedsheets and sleeping bag. :)
I saw this back when it came out and saw all three of them together in London in the mid 80s. I saw Jedi before I saw Empire, so when I finally got to see Empire it felt like a sort of prequel film..which it is, but you know what I mean. It answered how things that happened in Jedi came about, which was quite cool. They never showed Empire on TV, it was a New Hope every damn xmas. Watching Jedi now, I get extremely emotional towards the end, as you say, amazing space battles and the extreme narcissistic control and manipulation from the Emperor. You can feel the evil throbbing in that throne room, and when it finally comes to a head and Luke loses his shit, I have to stop myself from sobbing. It is an amazing and emotional piece of film.
Great review mate. well done.
Best Star Wars trivia fact: this is the only film in the saga to NOT feature a blue lightsaber!
As a kid, I loved all three Of the original Star Wars trilogy. We lost our Return of the Jedi tape in a flood so I always wanted to watch it but never could. I never fully understood all of the movies when I was younger but the action and characters were interesting and fun to watch. The different environments and ships flying through space, it was great fun.
Can we all agree, that it is AMAZING how much emotion they make Vader show throughout this movie under a mask covering any expression! Still to this day, the characters are so well written, and the actors do such a good performance. Every time I sit down to watch this, I forget I'm watching a movie, cause I'm so invested in the heroes, that I'm glued to the screen.
But having a character completely covered in a very dark suit and helmet, show the emotion so well to us, that is one of the things I love about this movie.
The spacebattle in the last part of the movie was superb, and I love Wedge playing such a bit role despite him not having much screentime at all, we know who he is, we know he's an amazing pilot, and we trust him as Luke does. The rebels show how much they're willing to sacrifice and that everyone know this is it. They have to make it, or the empire will crush them. The switch between the spacebattle and the emperor forcing Luke to watch his friends die out there is so well done and written. And ofc Vader throwing the emperor to his death (yes death screw Disney), must have made everyone go crazy with happiness in the cinema back then.
After watching your Empire and now Jedi retrospectives it's very refreshing to find someone else shares my opinion on how the movies line up in the trilogy. Jedi works for me because of Jabba's palace and the duel between Luke and Vader. I respect Empire but New Hope and Jedi captured my interest more as I grew up. Empire was the acquired taste that I now love.
Great review - it never made sense to me that Marquand was passed over in discussion. The fact his dialogue scenes are great rings true. RotJ's emotional moments are the best in the trilogy.
Great review Oliver. And may the force be with you.
I loved the ROTJ space battles as a kid. They looked incredible and the effects hold up remarkably well, much better than many later efforts rendered in CGI. The drama & score permeating the final encounter between Luke, Vader and Palpatine formed a stirring climacteric sequence whose twist still comes as a surprise.
I remember watching that dance number when I was 9 in the theaters and being so confused. Upon growing up I must say that having a catching dance number before Jabba kills a woman really sets the tone.
I grew up with these movies, played with the toys etc and really, in retrospect, they are more a microcosm of a history of technical innovation and marketing than anything else.
Fantastic work! I really enjoyed the editing and the depth that you take into the backstory of the film. I definitely agree with you that as a kid ROTJ was my favorite film. Empire is most certainly the superior film and in my opinion one of the top 10 films ever made. Anyway keep up the great work, if I ever get into producing RUclips videos i could learn a heat deal from your work.
Wow Oliver....I had 'goosebumps' and wonderful shivers at this presentation...so much detail, hard work and sheer excellence...yes I love Return of the Jedi so biased perhaps you may think but I just LOVE your style...never experienced a review the way you do it PLEASE keep going....LOVE it...Dan.
You put a lot of work into these. I cant believe you make them so often. Very well done, thanks for upload
First time out, in 1983, RETURN OF THE JEDI was liked by fans MORE than The Empire Strikes Back. It ended a triumphant closure to the saga. Few people even minded the Ewoks, who WERE quite popular too at the time, popular enough to be the subject of their own TV movies and animated series. Jar Jar Binks can't say that.
Thanks for putting the original Yub Nub song and especially the ORIGINAL old Anakin Skywalker (Sebastian Shaw) at the end.
9:00 episode 9 is about to come and Disney hasn't done this or re-release them in 4K
I KNOW, its so stupid, why promise this to us, if your not even going to bother?
I am a Jedi...like my father before me....that line always punches me in the feels...
ROTJ is actually my fav of the OT, although I can understand why people think it's the weakest.
It's actually my second favorite after 'Empire' - no shame man, ROTJ has its fans, I'm with ya!
ROTJ is damn good, my favorite!
I saw ROTJ in 1983 when I was 15 years old, and I was really disappointed in it, mainly because I had discovered GL wasn’t planning on making any more Star Wars movies in the near future. After seeing Revenge Of The Sith, it made perfect sense why Vader turned on the Emperor in ROTJ. He didn’t do it on a whim. This was his son the Emperor was killing and he couldn’t let that happen, not after the Emperor lied to him about being able to save Padme. The Emperor was able to see into the future, but he completely missed how Anakin felt about his family.
@@collegeman1988 That's why I love Revenge of the Sith and Return of the Jedi, Anakin Skywalker is a great tragedy of a character and I like that they put Hayden Christensen in Jedi, it nicely ties everything together, especially for those who watch the series I through VI which was as intended by George Lucas
My Star Wars favorite film of all time! Thank you for doing this! This was a very emotional experience 💯😭💖
I'm always going to love this channel and its content. Thanks for all the hard work Oliver. Its superb work.
Thanks Stefan!
Get the Star Wars series on Blu-ray here goo.gl/59j2CH
Get the soundtrack to Return of the Jedi here goo.gl/AyofAM
This is, BY FAR, my favorite of the OT Star Wars films. I have always, and will always, pick this as my favorite Star Wars film. Luke has always been my favorite character in this series, and he finally shines in this film, becoming a Jedi. Great film, and a great review. Keep up the awesome work sir.
Great reviews, great channel. I loved Star Wars as a kid but got sick of it after the prequel and remasters and only last came back to it with the new film and coming across the 'Despecialized' versions online and I fell in love with the series again.
RotJ was always my favourite... but tbh, I love them all (Original Trilogy) equally. I also remember the Star Wars Arcade game with green lines, but I played it on some Commadore Amiga (with the big Function buttons)... you flew the the X-Wing with the mouse - flying through the asteroids, all you had to do was go to the extreme bottom right and only one asteroid would hit you, lol. But I could never succeed on the isometric scroller, I just really sucked at it.
Awesome review and a brilliant presentation, good work xD
I love the montages that you do at the beginings and ends of your reviews! You even make crappy movies like Superman 4 look good. You are very talented and if I were a filmmaker, I would definately hire you to make trailers for every one of my films.
Another great review. So many memories brought back. I for one would love to see a Conan The Barbarian review done by you Oliver.
As a kid I always liked the Ewoks, and now I still don't have a problem with them. Nice reveiws a retrospective Oliver. Very informative!
This was truly the Return of this classic series. Thank you
Fabulous editing on this one. Thanks for making my day.
I have the Return of the Jedi soundtrack myself on my Ipod and I love listening to it.
really like your reviews.. plz do more.. really good job on describing the reviews and using the movie themes to make us feel we are watching the movie again and using it right at that..
"And you can see an Ewok smoking Endor weed!"
5/25 BLAZE IT
It's tobacco. Why does everyone just assume it's weed?
Saw the original "Return of the Jedi" while it was still in theaters with my dad (watched the first two Star Wars films at home), and I still love the Star Wars films, regardless of the reactions of nitpicking so-called "fans". Still, this one has a special place in my childhood, with its creatures, epic fight scenes, and the final conflict between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force (prior to the Sequel Trilogy, of course).
Just subscribed.
Your videos are fantastic and very educational!
Keep up the good work!
+Skywalking Thank you very much!
Oliver Harper
Your review videos are amazing sir. Well done!! I'm glad I found your channel.
"You can see an Ewok smoking Endor weed" Oh my god hilarious!!
Thats how ewoks party bro
That was before their devastating crack epidemic.
Long bottom leaf
It’s the most popular series of film ever made. I don’t know how anyone could not like Star Wars.
Kathleen Kennedy: Hold my beer.
This is my favorite Star Wars movie and my second favorite movie of all time!
Watched episode 4-6 so many times .. ❤
_Luke wouldn't recognize him_
So, you think that Luke is so dumb that he can't put 2 and 2 together and figure out that this young lad standing next to Obi-Wan and Yoda is his father? Gee! My older nephew, who was only 5 when he saw ROTJ Special Edition in 2004, immediately understood that "it's Luke's father, and he's a good guy again!!". And no, he hadn't seen the prequel movies yet at that time.
_His father turned good at an old age_
Nope, Anakin/Vader was 46 when he died, which is not "old age". And no, this fact was not retconned because of the prequel movies. It had already been clearly established in ep. IV and VI that 1) Anakin was still young when he turned to the dark side, and 2) this happened not long before the twins were born. Seeing as Luke and Leia are in their early 20s in ROTS, there's no way Anakin/Vader could have been older than 45-50 tops when he died. That's why Sebastian Shaw, who was nearing 80, never made sense as Anakin's Force Ghost, and it was in direct contradiction with what we had been told about the character. It's one of the biggest continuity errors of the OT, and I could already tell there was definitely something wrong with Anakin's age the first time I saw ROTS in 1983, at the age of 10. I'm sorry, but I'm sure a lot of people defend Shaw only because of nostalgia, or because "he was the original actor, and original = better", and not for the sake of "consistency".
At least, Hayden represents the young promising Jedi Anakin used to be before he turned to the dark side. Shaw, on the other hand, represents the older, wiser Jedi Anakin might have become over the years if he hadn't turned evil. The problem is, Anakin never reached that age.
Besides, this controversial change makes perfect sense, thematically speaking. Luke is 23 in ROTJ, just like Anakin was also 23 in ROTS. The parallel here is obvious: it's as if Luke were looking at his own reflection. Both Luke and Anakin were tempted by the dark side, the difference being that Luke rejected it whereas Anakin embraced it. In other words, the OT and the PT mirror each other. I totally understand that many fans don't like the PT and wish Lucas hadn't altered the OT to match the much maligned prequel trilogy, but from an artistic, thematic and symbolic standpoint, this change is perfectly valid.
You can slag of george lucas all you want but episode 5 adding the new emperor into it talking to vader is the best change to a movie ever
Empire Strikes Back is still my favorite, but you're right, the ending to ROJ is magnificient, the feels are strong with this one.
Side note, would have been perfect if you released this vid on May 4th. lol
Yeah I was thinking leave it till this Sunday but I thought fuck it, its done and its going online!. lol
Oliver Harper Hey Ollie, can you please review the following: Point Break, Best of the Best & Little Shop of Horrors
Thanks :)
I love your videos Oliver, I may have seen them all. you are very talented and have a great voice for this. thank you for all your work.
Such a Flawless review Oliver. You really are a damn genius!
Great series of videos man, I completely relate to your take on all the positive and negative aspects of the trilogy. ROTJ was my favourite as well as a kid, possibly because it was the only one I got to see at the cinema (as a 4 year old). I agree that Empire holds up as the strongest instalment in retrospect, although Jedi has the edge in terms of visual and effects quality. Great work!
I love how he says just pick up the laserdisc like it's readily available, cheap, and/or has a laserdisc player...lol. It's probably easier to just download the Despecialized editions than get the good laserdisc versions, and a laserdisc player.
Class bit of work that Mr Harper. Love the editing. Part of my childhood those movies and you nailed that Retro mate. When you said the Scarlac looked like a But hole in the desert I laughed out load. Well done sir.
Question, why is Vader being burned the "traditional" funeral for Jedi's when most of the ones we see die disappear?
@Kommissar before Qui Gon and Yoda, there were no force ghosts, so the traditional funeral was them being cremated.
Watch the prequels, and most importantly the Clone Wars show.
Anakin disappeared, his suit remained
Hes not a jedi
@@johnhenry6797 he is a Jedi, not a master.
Another excellent and expert (and I hate using that word) review of a piece of history.
Compliments to the whole team, the editing, writing, and talent is Quality™️