As for Return of the Jedi, to say that it was uneven would be an understatement. It was really two films: one half I call ‘Muppets go to Space’, perhaps some of the lamest moments in the trilogy; and the other half revolving around Luke’s and Vader’s relationship, representing some of the most powerful moments of both trilogies.

As for Return of the Jedi, to say that it was uneven would be an understatement. It was really two films: one half I call ‘Muppets goes to Space’, perhaps some of the lamest moments in the trilogy; and the other half revolving around Luke’s and Vader’s relationship, representing some of the most powerful moments of both trilogies.

@moge703 Pitch perfect with the 6 film hierarchy.

Return of the Jedi could have been second best if they had NOT made a second Death Star, (although the space battle and reactor scene was amazing), replaced the Wookie’s with Ewoks (Lucas’s idea), and given Han Solo an insignificant role in the film. That saber duel in the shadows at the end between father and son was one of the strongest scenes in the both trilogies. Imagine just how bat ROTJ would have been in Lucas directed it…

What makes ROTJ not as good as ESB: Boba Fett’s death (random swings by Han gets him?!!!), the twig (It goes like this: On Endor, while sneaking around the forest, Han steps on a twig. The noise alerts some stormtroopes, which kicks off the Speeder Chase, which ends with meeting the Ewoks. Then, the Ewoks capture the Rebels, but end up being forming an anti-Empire alliance. And, if the Ewoks don’t help fight the Empire on Endor, and knock out the shield generator — allowing Lando and Nien Nunb to destroy the Death Star II — the good guys lose. When writing your galactic good vs. evil saga, don’t make the fate of the universe hinge upon where a dude places his foot), Ewks in general, no Obi-Wan (well, living anyway), Yoda DIES, we get to see what Vader looks likes (he’s a weak old man, ewwww), luke vs. vader pt. 2 (it’s rather anti-climatic) and the Sarlacc (a vagina with Teeth [oh yea, some indie writer/director later took that to the Nth degree in 2007]).

Some fun stuff in ROTJ: speeder chase, luke kicking ass on Jabba’s…boat(?), Leia in that gold bikini (so not needed, but so just for the fan boys), the best space battle in the entire hexology, and we finally get to see the emperor in person.

What makes A New Hope not as good: mopey Luke (“But I was going into Tashi Station to pick up some power converters!” however HI-larious that line is)

Some still fun stuff in ANH: The opening scroll (so epic), Han saves the day (“YOU’RE ALL CLEAR KID! NOW LETS BLOW THIS THING AND GO HOME!”), the death star, the eel and Han shoots FIRST.

did I miss anything?

I thought ESB was the best until I re-watched it with my daughter. It’s pretty tough to get past the bit in the Cave. Right then I realized what I secretly knew all along: nothing beats A New Hope.

I mean, I guess objectively Empire is the most consistently well-done of the movies.

But that last lightsaber duel between Luke and Vader? You can’t beat that. Unlike the lightsaber duel in Empire, it’s not just a physical battle. It’s not just good guy vs. bad guy. Luke is battling both himself and Vader on an emotional and psychological front. And when he finally turns and says “I am a Jedi. Like my father before me” – for me, it’s the highlight of the entire series. I still get chills.

/duck

It’s true. And it’s entirely due to the scenes with the Emperor, Darth Vader and Luke, which to me are the highlight of the series.