Expert: Frolin S. Ocariza,Jr. Date: 8/17/2007 Subject: Views/Ratings of Return of the Jedi
Question Dear Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.
I really enjoyed Star Wars IV and Star Wars V, but I have
some mixed feelings about The Return of the Jedi.
What's great about Episode IV and Episode V is that both are pretty realistic about life and death, war and justice,
and the quest for peace or stability. We see main characters dying(killed), planets completely destroyed,
characters asking major questions about justice, fairness etc. But the Final Episode in my opinion is more watered down and not as realistic and meaningful as the other Episodes. It would have been more dramatic if some of the main characters were killed in action. Although it would be very sad and devastating, it also be more realistic, effective, dramatic, and powerful like the other episodes. The final episode paints an overly optimistic picture. In real life heroes die, suffer, etc.
Questions:
1. How do you rate the Return of the Jedi?
2. Do you think it is a good ending and a good portrayal
of war?
3. How does The Return of the Jedi compare to other episodes?
Answer Hello. Thanks for the question, first of all.
Seeing that your questions all seem closely related in some way, I'll give you a condensed response instead of answering the questions one by one. In my humble opinion, "Return of the Jedi" fares just as well as the other two original trilogy movies. (A more surprising response may be that I like each of the six episodes equally, which is an opinion that I actually hold. I'll stick to the original trilogy though, seeing that you made no mention of the prequels). I think the reason that we differ in opinion is that we're concentrating on different themes within the same film, which is quite alright. In other words, you seem to focus primarily on the themes of life and death and war and justice (judging by how you phrased your question), while my main focus is on the triumph of good over evil. If your focus is on the former theme, then you'll realize that "Return of the Jedi" has a more optimistic tone compared to IV and V (and yes, it is less realistic). However, speaking from my point of view (i.e., the triumph of good over evil), the optimistic tone that characterizes Episode VI is not obtrusive at all because, well, the theme is fulfilled, so to speak: good triumphs over evil.
As a bit of compromise, keep in mind that the main character of the Star Wars saga dies in Episode VI (Anakin Skywalker). He might have been Darth Vader in the early stages of the original trilogy, but Anakin's death, though sad, is fulfilling because balance to the Force has been attained through the destruction of the Emperor and his Evil Empire.
In other words, I'd give "Return of the Jedi" the same rating as the other films (i.e., a perfect score) because I thought the way each of them portrayed the triumph of good over evil was very well done (and they were equally done well in each film). While I agree that realism was lost a bit because of the optimistic tone, I didn't think this loss was at all obtrusive to the film because it didn't interfere with the theme that I focused on.
If there's anything else you'd like me to add, or if there's anything unclear in my response, please feel free to ask again. Thanks.
