3) Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

Okay, now that we’re done with the kids table, we can get into the real shit.  While my #1 choice is firmly my favorite movie of all time, these next two often change for me. It’s that close. The reason Return of the Jedi slightly gets bounced to #3 is because there isn’t much for Han and Leia to do in the second half. It’s basically just them shooting Stormtroopers on Endor, which is fine, but for two crucial characters in the saga, I wish there was more for them to chew on.

Thus ends all my complaints for Return of the Jedi. While it might be third on my list, it might have the greatest opening half hour to any movie ever. All the stuff at Jabba’s Palace are sequences I adored as a kid, and still love today. I love that grimy, dank palace with all these disgusting gangsters and sick creatures. Man, do I love Salacious Crumb, that little laughing hyena. I must have seen the Rancor scene 800 times. And while many hold Greedo shooting first as the worst special edition offense, it’s the new musical number at Jabba’s Palace for me. Not only does the new song suck bantha balls, but the song before it (Lapti Nek) is so awesome!  Maybe you haven’t heard it in a while?

Getting rid of that scene was criminal. Then there’s the whole Sarlacc Pit debacle. Damn you, George.

But aside from Jabba, this is Luke Skywalker’s movie.  It’s the most satisfying character arc you’ll ever see.  Everything that happens in the Death Star II throne room between Luke, Vader and the Emperor is gut-wrenching storytelling.  When we get to that final unmasking, it’s one of the most powerful scenes in all of a cinema, and a great acting job by Mark Hamill.

Return of the Jedi kicks ass, AND THAT INCLUDES THE EWOKS!

Best Scene: Darth Vader unmasked.

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