ROTJ at 30! 30 Reasons to love Jedi - #30: Par-tay!

I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell anyone reading this blog that 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of Return of the Jedi and there has already been a great deal of celebrating going on! From exclusive merchandise, various anniversary screenings, the upcoming Making of book from J.W. Rinzler and the soon to be released online documentary from Kyle Newman, this is one birthday that isn't going by quietly.

A few weeks ago in my first post on here I mentioned that my favourite film was Return of the Jedi and so I'm going to get in on the action too. To me Episode VI is looking better than ever and in this series of blogs I'll be returning to Jedi to look at some of the reasons why I think that it still takes the Star Wars crown.

So let's begin at the end... #30 on my list of reasons to love Jedi is the final celebration scene.

To me this particular scene is just purely joyous. A celebration for the characters as much as it is a celebration for the audience. And after what has came before; the ground and space battles, the confrontation with the Emperor and the fate of Darth Vader a bit of partying seems like just what the doctor ordered.

The '97 Special Edition, DVD and Blu-ray release have all added to the sequence and whilst some of these saga wide tweaks are controversial at the best of times I believe that these particular additions to the the films are amongst some of the best.

The galaxy wide celebrations that the special editions give us an even greater sense of victory and resolution to the saga, and after the cathartic experience of watching all 6 films (in the machete order, if possible!) it is so powerful to see how tyranny can be overthrown and freedoms restored to all.

Plus to me the new music of the revised version of the scene appropriately fits the conclusion of the saga, tying the imagery of jubilation and celebration to the sense of achievement, it isn't overly epic or as bombastic as some of the music we are use to in the series but it's hopeful, a theme for a time of peace and new beginnings. And sorry for slightly opening Yub Nub gate here and getting into the merits of the classics vs. the updated editions, now I'm sure that is a blog for another day...

Anyway, check back for the next entry in this series soon and till next time remember to party like its 1983!

Chris.

And just to keep those Ewok fans happy...