Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
One of the great things about the movies we love is that they continue to evolve the more we watch them. You may notice things you didn’t before. Perhaps certain elements that were overlooked in previous viewings are now more prominent. The closer you become to the film, the better you will understand the sounds and images.
This relationship can also change over time. You may find that the movies you love are no longer as good as they used to be. If only a little, the rose-covered glasses may slide down. You still enjoy the movie but not as much as you used to. All this preamble, of course, is my way of revisiting Return of the Jedi – the final film of George Lucas’ ambitious “Star Wars trilogy”. “Jedi”, the third film in the original trilogy, is the most controversial. It’s the one that fans, especially those from different generations, may finally disagree on. No one will argue that “A New Hope”, the first movie in this ambitious series, is a wonderful film. “Empire” also regularly makes the list of greatest films, and I would not argue with that. “Jedi” may not be a perfect film, but it is a movie that contains many magnificent moments. It also serves as a satisfying conclusion to Lucas’ masterful trilogies. It was the best thing ever for this writer for a short time. As a young film enthusiast, I loved “Jedi”. I had watched all the “Star Wars’ movies as a kid, but it was “Jedi”, which I still love today. Monsters, space battles and seemingly endless action. The movie has everything. When you grow older, the wonders of the movie may not be as impressive to a more mature eye. What does Return of the Jedi appear to an adult who has seen it many times, but tries to see it with new eyes? Is it as exciting and infectious as it used to be thirty years ago? Return of the Jedi
is a tough act to follow. Empire strikes back is not only a great film, but it also has one of the best third acts in cinema history. Add to this the pressure of satisfying the masses with a successful franchise’s finale and “Jedi”, has a lot of responsibility on its shoulders. Everyone knows that Darth Vader’s father is Luke, that Luke has had his hand cut off, Han has been abducted to pay his debt to Jabba, and Lando, Chewie, and Lando are on the hunt to rescue their friend. How will Lucas, his writer Lawrence Kasdan, director Richard Marquand, and the rest of the team wrap up this story?
Well first, we have to get Han back. This brings our heroes back to Tatooine where it all started. Han is paying his debt to Jabba by decorating the wall in Jabba’s Palace. C3-PO, R2-D2, and others are there to set the ball rolling. The first time we’ve seen Jabba, his den of iniquity, is a spectacle. Jabba’s abode is a far cry from the Cantina. It’s filled with a variety of strange and ugly creatures who seem to only exist to stand in thrall to their sluglike dictator and occasionally chuckle at his morbid humor. They also appear to wonder if they will survive the night. Jabba’s Palace is a spooky place, to be sure. I’m not ashamed to admit that this writer was scared by the atmosphere when she was just three years old. That’s what my mother always told me. It’s still creepy – a word that you might not associate with “Star Wars”. Jabba is a magnificently grotesque character, and he’s both disgusting and fascinating. Jabba, like Yoda from “Empire”, is a puppet. It’s the result of countless hours spent by the geniuses at Industrial Light and Magic. He’s also instantly convincing because his personality is so evident right from the start. We note that he is fearsome and gluttonous. He’s proud of the nasty menagerie and he has created. His presence alone is enough to make you feel intimidated. You know that any of his brain-dead cronies would kill to win his favor. It’s no surprise that he is a perv, a sadist and that his expression says it all. We’re as grossed out by his behavior as the other weirdos. How often is it that we can delight in a character so distasteful?The first act of “Jedi” is like its own mini-movie. The plot is a simple one: to get Han to return to the fold. But it also allows Lucas to indulge his playful dark side, where he introduces some nasty sideshow terrors, like the merciless Rancor, and the truly upsetting Sarlaac Pit – which looked much more disturbing before the special editions. The Jabba segment of the movie lasts about a half-hour. However, it is appreciated that the “Star Wars’ series took a break from the storm troopers and the talk of rebellion in order to give us this freaky visual treat. After Jabba’s and the rogues gallery are put out, “Jedi”, returns to the serious business of tying up all loose ends. Luke Skywalker, a deeply haunted man, must now face his father and the Empire. He also makes a pit stop to see his dying Yoda who tells him he has a sister. Leia is the sister. This guy has a lot going on. He takes the news well, you know. (Empire kiss.) If there’s one major complaint about “Jedi”, it’s the fact that the second half is filled with scenes of exposition. Characters gather to discuss their plans and there is little time for the back-and-forth banter that made the previous two films more than standard science fiction. After Jabba’s death, “Jedi”, feels like it’s more about business than wonderment. The movie is not a snoozer. It’s actually preparing to introduce a new species for us to enjoy, fall in love with and purchase likenesses. “Jedi”, on the other hand, sends us to Endor, a critical moon where the Empire has installed an energy shield in order to protect its second Death Star. The rebels must destroy the shield and, unbeknownst, they will receive a lot of assistance in this regard, whether they want it or not. The Ewoks are like something out of another movie. Furry, goofy and adorable, yet incorrigible. The fluffy mischief makers immediately come across as Lucas’ most manipulative creations. You can imagine them on toy store shelves. But how important are they to the story? They are actually quite important, as our heroes wouldn’t be able to complete their quest without them. They’re certainly useful for the story, but they don’t fit in with the rest of the movie, except maybe the Jawas’ brief appearances. Lucas has said that the “Star Wars’ movies were always aimed at children. But that thought is far from the forefront in the midst of the grand and fun-for-all ages adventure of “New Hope”, and “Empire”. It is perfectly clear when watching the bouncy and chittering Ewoks. They are a great example of something that is fine when you are a child, but feels out of place and distracting to an adult. To “Jedi”‘s credit, there is so much happening in the second half of the movie that Ewoks barely make an appearance. The movie flings us around while several key set-pieces take place: the Ewoks, rebels, and Empire battle on Endor; the Rebel Alliance’s battle between the stars led by Admiral Ackbar and Lando – which was especially breathtaking to witness – and the somber encounter between Luke, Darth Vader and the Emperor. The bouncing between these monumental scenes can be jarring. However, Marquand and the team have packed the film with so much high-stakes action and drama that you are on edge for “Jedi”‘s final act. The battle of wills that takes place in the Emperor’s Throne Room during the busy end-stretch is without a doubt the most memorable and pivotal thing to happen. Luke trying to talk to his father in a humane way while the Emperor pokes him and prods him is a very fine piece of drama. The Emperor is also portrayed as a great antagonist, despite his limited screen time. He is colder than ice and insidious. You can see how Darth Vader became such a ruthless savage under his tutelage. Ian McDiarmid deserves a hat-tip for his stellar performance. Peering creepily beneath his hood, McDiarmid nails the character. From his evil laugh to the condescending way in which he addresses others, even his way of hitting the consonants within the Emperor’s carefully chosen statements (“your pitiful small band !”);, they’ve created a truly distinct bad guy for the age with him. It’s a standout performance in a film that needed one. We don’t agree with Dante about his muppets comment, but the characters that make the biggest impact in the film are all cleverly-crafted Aliens and one incredibly wicked sorcerer. It’s not a diss to the acting of our returning stars but, in truth, Luke, Leia, and Han aren’t as entertaining as they used to be in the first films. Mark Hamill is excellent, but Luke is a disappointment. His glum, humorless attitude makes us long for the gung-ho boy who was so captivating in “New Hope” or “Empire.” We understand that Luke has a lot on his shoulders with the need to defeat an Empire and face his father, but the solemn portrayal of the character is not very entertaining, no matter how necessary it may be.
Han & Leia are more like supporting characters now than they were in the first two films. They’re also more on the same page, so the spark that made the will-they/wont they romance so infectious has been lost. We’ll always love these two, but the magic is gone. They’re relegated to being plot-movers, rather than the engaging characters who made us fall in love with them. You can’t fault the actors for doing their job, but you can’t avoid feeling a little embarrassed watching Harrison Ford interact with those screwy bears. Whereas in the first two films, the narratives felt like they were accelerated by impulsive choices, happy and unhappily accidents, and pure destiny, “Jedi”‘s story feels manufactured or preordained. It’s possible that this is inevitable for the final film of a trilogy. After all, the bad guys have to lose, and the good guys have to accomplish their goals. The audience has to be satisfied that the time they invested in this long journey was well spent. “Jedi”, a film that is 130 minutes long, does all of these things. You can’t say it doesn’t have a lot to offer. It’s not the best of the original trilogy but that’s more a testament to how good the first two were. They literally transported us into a galaxy we had never seen before, and filled it with characters and situations both charmingly familiar, and refreshingly unique. “Jedi”, the third film, is perhaps the least surprising of the three. The magic has worn off a little bit. Tell that to a little kid who watched it with wide-open eyes, consuming everything with glee from Jabba’s palace to the wild pursuits on Endor to dire events in Emperor’s Throne Room. This writer is still that little kid, and you are too, so “Jedi”‘s faults seem minor in the moment. You can still appreciate this movie even if Lucas throws you the kitchen sink. This one is a classic. The Force will always be strong.
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
One of the great things about the movies we love is that they continue to evolve the more we watch them. You may notice things you didn’t before. Perhaps certain elements that were overlooked in previous viewings are now more prominent. The closer you become to the film, the better you will understand the sounds and images.
This relationship can also change over time. You may find that the movies you love are no longer as good as they used to be. If only a little, the rose-covered glasses may slide down. You still enjoy the movie but not as much as you used to. All this preamble, of course, is my way of revisiting Return of the Jedi – the final film of George Lucas’ ambitious “Star Wars trilogy”. “Jedi”, the third film in the original trilogy, is the most controversial. It’s the one that fans, especially those from different generations, may finally disagree on. No one will argue that “A New Hope”, the first movie in this ambitious series, is a wonderful film. “Empire” also regularly makes the list of greatest films, and I would not argue with that. “Jedi” may not be a perfect film, but it is a movie that contains many magnificent moments. It also serves as a satisfying conclusion to Lucas’ masterful trilogies. It was the best thing ever for this writer for a short time. As a young film enthusiast, I loved “Jedi”. I had watched all the “Star Wars’ movies as a kid, but it was “Jedi”, which I still love today. Monsters, space battles and seemingly endless action. The movie has everything. When you grow older, the wonders of the movie may not be as impressive to a more mature eye. What does Return of the Jedi appear to an adult who has seen it many times, but tries to see it with new eyes? Is it as exciting and infectious as it used to be thirty years ago? Return of the Jedi
is a tough act to follow. Empire strikes back is not only a great film, but it also has one of the best third acts in cinema history. Add to this the pressure of satisfying the masses with a successful franchise’s finale and “Jedi”, has a lot of responsibility on its shoulders. Everyone knows that Darth Vader’s father is Luke, that Luke has had his hand cut off, Han has been abducted to pay his debt to Jabba, and Lando, Chewie, and Lando are on the hunt to rescue their friend. How will Lucas, his writer Lawrence Kasdan, director Richard Marquand, and the rest of the team wrap up this story?
Well first, we have to get Han back. This brings our heroes back to Tatooine where it all started. Han is paying his debt to Jabba by decorating the wall in Jabba’s Palace. C3-PO, R2-D2, and others are there to set the ball rolling. The first time we’ve seen Jabba, his den of iniquity, is a spectacle. Jabba’s abode is a far cry from the Cantina. It’s filled with a variety of strange and ugly creatures who seem to only exist to stand in thrall to their sluglike dictator and occasionally chuckle at his morbid humor. They also appear to wonder if they will survive the night. Jabba’s Palace is a spooky place, to be sure. I’m not ashamed to admit that this writer was scared by the atmosphere when she was just three years old. That’s what my mother always told me. It’s still creepy – a word that you might not associate with “Star Wars”. Jabba is a magnificently grotesque character, and he’s both disgusting and fascinating. Jabba, like Yoda from “Empire”, is a puppet. It’s the result of countless hours spent by the geniuses at Industrial Light and Magic. He’s also instantly convincing because his personality is so evident right from the start. We note that he is fearsome and gluttonous. He’s proud of the nasty menagerie and he has created. His presence alone is enough to make you feel intimidated. You know that any of his brain-dead cronies would kill to win his favor. It’s no surprise that he is a perv, a sadist and that his expression says it all. We’re as grossed out by his behavior as the other weirdos. How often is it that we can delight in a character so distasteful?The first act of “Jedi” is like its own mini-movie. The plot is a simple one: to get Han to return to the fold. But it also allows Lucas to indulge his playful dark side, where he introduces some nasty sideshow terrors, like the merciless Rancor, and the truly upsetting Sarlaac Pit – which looked much more disturbing before the special editions. The Jabba segment of the movie lasts about a half-hour. However, it is appreciated that the “Star Wars’ series took a break from the storm troopers and the talk of rebellion in order to give us this freaky visual treat. After Jabba’s and the rogues gallery are put out, “Jedi”, returns to the serious business of tying up all loose ends. Luke Skywalker, a deeply haunted man, must now face his father and the Empire. He also makes a pit stop to see his dying Yoda who tells him he has a sister. Leia is the sister. This guy has a lot going on. He takes the news well, you know. (Empire kiss.) If there’s one major complaint about “Jedi”, it’s the fact that the second half is filled with scenes of exposition. Characters gather to discuss their plans and there is little time for the back-and-forth banter that made the previous two films more than standard science fiction. After Jabba’s death, “Jedi”, feels like it’s more about business than wonderment. The movie is not a snoozer. It’s actually preparing to introduce a new species for us to enjoy, fall in love with and purchase likenesses. “Jedi”, on the other hand, sends us to Endor, a critical moon where the Empire has installed an energy shield in order to protect its second Death Star. The rebels must destroy the shield and, unbeknownst, they will receive a lot of assistance in this regard, whether they want it or not. The Ewoks are like something out of another movie. Furry, goofy and adorable, yet incorrigible. The fluffy mischief makers immediately come across as Lucas’ most manipulative creations. You can imagine them on toy store shelves. But how important are they to the story? They are actually quite important, as our heroes wouldn’t be able to complete their quest without them. They’re certainly useful for the story, but they don’t fit in with the rest of the movie, except maybe the Jawas’ brief appearances. Lucas has said that the “Star Wars’ movies were always aimed at children. But that thought is far from the forefront in the midst of the grand and fun-for-all ages adventure of “New Hope”, and “Empire”. It is perfectly clear when watching the bouncy and chittering Ewoks. They are a great example of something that is fine when you are a child, but feels out of place and distracting to an adult. To “Jedi”‘s credit, there is so much happening in the second half of the movie that Ewoks barely make an appearance. The movie flings us around while several key set-pieces take place: the Ewoks, rebels, and Empire battle on Endor; the Rebel Alliance’s battle between the stars led by Admiral Ackbar and Lando – which was especially breathtaking to witness – and the somber encounter between Luke, Darth Vader and the Emperor. The bouncing between these monumental scenes can be jarring. However, Marquand and the team have packed the film with so much high-stakes action and drama that you are on edge for “Jedi”‘s final act. The battle of wills that takes place in the Emperor’s Throne Room during the busy end-stretch is without a doubt the most memorable and pivotal thing to happen. Luke trying to talk to his father in a humane way while the Emperor pokes him and prods him is a very fine piece of drama. The Emperor is also portrayed as a great antagonist, despite his limited screen time. He is colder than ice and insidious. You can see how Darth Vader became such a ruthless savage under his tutelage. Ian McDiarmid deserves a hat-tip for his stellar performance. Peering creepily beneath his hood, McDiarmid nails the character. From his evil laugh to the condescending way in which he addresses others, even his way of hitting the consonants within the Emperor’s carefully chosen statements (“your pitiful small band !”);, they’ve created a truly distinct bad guy for the age with him. It’s a standout performance in a film that needed one. We don’t agree with Dante about his muppets comment, but the characters that make the biggest impact in the film are all cleverly-crafted Aliens and one incredibly wicked sorcerer. It’s not a diss to the acting of our returning stars but, in truth, Luke, Leia, and Han aren’t as entertaining as they used to be in the first films. Mark Hamill is excellent, but Luke is a disappointment. His glum, humorless attitude makes us long for the gung-ho boy who was so captivating in “New Hope” or “Empire.” We understand that Luke has a lot on his shoulders with the need to defeat an Empire and face his father, but the solemn portrayal of the character is not very entertaining, no matter how necessary it may be.
Han & Leia are more like supporting characters now than they were in the first two films. They’re also more on the same page, so the spark that made the will-they/wont they romance so infectious has been lost. We’ll always love these two, but the magic is gone. They’re relegated to being plot-movers, rather than the engaging characters who made us fall in love with them. You can’t fault the actors for doing their job, but you can’t avoid feeling a little embarrassed watching Harrison Ford interact with those screwy bears. Whereas in the first two films, the narratives felt like they were accelerated by impulsive choices, happy and unhappily accidents, and pure destiny, “Jedi”‘s story feels manufactured or preordained. It’s possible that this is inevitable for the final film of a trilogy. After all, the bad guys have to lose, and the good guys have to accomplish their goals. The audience has to be satisfied that the time they invested in this long journey was well spent. “Jedi”, a film that is 130 minutes long, does all of these things. You can’t say it doesn’t have a lot to offer. It’s not the best of the original trilogy but that’s more a testament to how good the first two were. They literally transported us into a galaxy we had never seen before, and filled it with characters and situations both charmingly familiar, and refreshingly unique. “Jedi”, the third film, is perhaps the least surprising of the three. The magic has worn off a little bit. Tell that to a little kid who watched it with wide-open eyes, consuming everything with glee from Jabba’s palace to the wild pursuits on Endor to dire events in Emperor’s Throne Room. This writer is still that little kid, and you are too, so “Jedi”‘s faults seem minor in the moment. You can still appreciate this movie even if Lucas throws you the kitchen sink. This one is a classic. The Force will always be strong.
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
