Return Of The Jedi: "The First Prequel"

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Interesting article about the person who worked on Leia's hair in ROTJ
Calif. artist fights for her place in 'Star Wars' history

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This speaks for itself

It is mind-blowing when you find the one good tweet on Twitter.

I think there are two reasons. The first one is that he doesn't want particularly to capture them at that point. He is guarding the Death Star and they don't go there, also the crew is too small to be a real treat. But the most important thing is Vader inner conflict about Luke. We see Vader hesitating various times in ROTJ that is something unusual for him. Vader hesitates and in the same time he doesn't want to face the consequences of Luke's capture, at least, not yet. We can see that in the conversation when Luke surrenders to him. Vader is so conflicted that he is talking only about Emperor's intentions about Luke as he is afraid to announce his own. "The Emperor has been expecting you" (well, actually is me who's been expecting but I'm afraid to say it). In this conversation Vader reveal even more about his inner conflict while we see glimpses of it during the silent "connection" between him and Luke when the shuttle approached Endor.

I think the fact that he search counsel of the Emperor is a symptom how conflicted he is and how he doesn't know what to do. Vader is decisive in ANH and TESB. His doubts and inner turmoil came with Luke appearance.
I also think that he let them go also with the purpose to wait to their next move. I think that what is important for him is that Luke is there and he went to the Emperor also to find out if there is some risk for Luke. In ROTJ can be seen that Vader is trying to protect Luke, partially subconsciously. During the duel is more obvious but here is more subtle (my son is with them).

We are closing in on the 40th Anniversary! I'm planning a rewatch of ROTJ soon if anyone wants to join.

Here's a review of my recent 40th anniversary theatrical screening of ROTJ:

I had the entire, massive Regal RPX auditorium almost all to myself (save for a pair of folks behind me and one lone figure far in the back)!

Just before I entered the theater for my 10am screening, I'd breached the membrane of social media discourse with a reference to ROTJ as "the first Star Wars prequel" (I am an extremely proud NF'er) owing to its "[introducing] audiences to the story of Anakin Skywalker." Someone tried to correct me and suggest that ANH included the first mention of Anakin by name but I assume they then fact-checked this online and consequently deleted their erroneous posts. GTFO.

Anyway, my favorite experience watching ROTJ was at the tail end of the saga-long marathon in 2015 for the release of TFA. But this morning's experience comes in close second.

Some thoughts in non-conceptual, list form:

• The opening cutaway to the interior of the DSII from Vader's shuttle sent an electric charge up my spine (reminiscent of AOTC's striking opening cutaway to the interior of Amidala's starship)
  
  
• The production design logic involved in the brief scene where C-3PO and R2-D2 are picked up by Lando in the skiff after their fall from Jabba's sail barge couldn't be more indicative of the charming low-rent quality occasionally on display in the sextet
  
  
• The dense and exotic atmosphere of Jabba's palace (I found it somewhat noxious as a child) provides sublime relief against the latter half of the film (and vice versa)
  
  
• The contrast between the humble earnesty of Luke's hologram message and the dismissive reaction by Jabba and the depraved scum of his entourage magnifies the theme of communication and criminality (the latter of which GL would've explored far more in his ST had he made it but the seeds are here)
  
  
• Luke calling out "I see them. Wait, Leia!" as his sister leads the charge by mounting the speeder bike and giving chase is a hallowed Skywalker sibling moment for me
  
  
• The Emperor of the Universe seems to exhaust almost all of the best puppet-master dialogue in existence without a second of staleness or redundancy
  
  
• Flashes of Anakin as an innocent child coursed through my mind in watching black-clad Darth Vader in the most voidal, anti-septic and haunting sci-fi interiors ever committed to film
  
  
• A film critic friend of mine I met for brunch afterward stated that he preferred the "Celebrate the Love" closing music from the original 1983 release of the film but I counter-reasoned that it's somewhat inappropriate given the anti-emotionalist streak of the PT

And lastly, I appreciated the less saturated (more mature) 4K transfer up-close. I prefer to sit in the last row of the foremost section as a point of reference.

I may have more thoughts later but I just wanted to add something a bit more substantial to the conversation than I'm usually given to. I thought about NF quite a bit while experiencing ROTJ in grand style and felt like you were all there with me in spirit. I love all of you!

"Greedy politician" is exactly right but I'm sure we can all appreciate a man with a plan. 

And the delivery of Vader's final cry is so unsettling in its pain and desperation. Thankfully, the audio levels were peak at my local cineplex so I really felt its unnerving effect.