The least impressive of the "Star Wars" trilogy and the least touched up for its second coming, "Return of the Jedi: Special Edition" is nevertheless a rousing adventure and a "must see" for "Star Wars" fans. Although suffering from a nasty case of "the cutes" due to the presence of the lovable Ewoks, the film still packs a punch and does well in tying up the loose threads in the trilogy.
The story begins on Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) home planet Tatooine, where Luke, Leia (Carrie Fisher), Lando (Billy Dee Williams), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and droids R2D2 and C3PO are attempting to rescue their friend Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from the clutches of the huge, slug-like villain Jabba the Hut. After this entertaining episode, the story focuses on the Rebel Alliance's attempt to destroy the Empire's second and more powerful Death Star. Lando head up the space fleet charged with destroying the huge space station while Han lead up the ground force which must knock out the defense shield guarding the station. The defense field it situated on the forest moon Endor, which is inhabited by a race of teddy-bear like creatures called Ewoks. At first apprehensive, the Ewoks are soon fighting alongside our heroes. Meanwhile, Luke confronts his father, Darth Vader (David Prowse), for the amusement of the Emperor.
Once again, as in the other special editions, the visual effects have been enhanced and the soundtrack has been given the THX treatment. New footage includes a longer musical number in Jabba's palace and an extended victory celebration which now occurs on three planets in addition to Endor. The release "Return on the Jedi: Special Edition" means its time to make one more trip to the movie theater to watch a spectacle that must be scene on the big screen to be truly appreciated.