DESPITE THOSE IRRITATING FURBALLS, `RETURN OF THE JEDI' SATISFIES.Byline: Bob Strauss Daily News Film Critic Although the new bits in the ``Return of the Jedi Special Edition'' are very nice, the real fun of seeing the ``Star Wars'' trilogy climax so soon after the first film's re-release comes from comparing the two pictures. ``Jedi,'' which is much more like ``Star Wars'' than the middle film, ``The Empire Strikes Back,'' is by most measures a better production. The special effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. are much more elaborate. The acting (especially Harrison Ford's, but even Mark Hamill's) is noticeably improved. And even though the evil Emperor invites Luke to join the Dark Side of the Force about 20 times too many, Lawrence Kasdan's screenplay input keeps George Lucas' clunkier notions to a relative minimum. Of course, ``Jedi'' is still infested in·fest tr.v. in·fest·ed, in·fest·ing, in·fests 1. To inhabit or overrun in numbers or quantities large enough to be harmful, threatening, or obnoxious: with Ewoks, and all the computer enhancements in the world can't counter serious ``Star Wars'' fans' complaints that they're pretty annoying little merchandising rodents. But at least a bunch of 'em still get killed. Those of you who aren't concerned with how many plush toys George can sell will be happy to hear that ``Jedi's'' coolest, ickiest sequences - the stuff at Jabba the Hutt's headquarters of horrors and outside his flying barge - have been enhanced. There's a new, more elaborate alien orgy production number (with better music), and that thing in the Tatooine sand pit has grown more tentacles and a nasty looking beak beak or bill Stiff, projecting oral structure of birds and turtles (both of which lack teeth) and certain other animals (e.g., cephalopods and some insects, fishes, and mammals). . There are some impressive new computerscapes at the end of the movie, too. But not all the improvements are visual. Remember that white-knuckle speeder bike chase through the forests of Endor? They've revved up the sound of that thing to ear-splitting decibels, and the sonic assault adds an entirely new degree of delicious unease to one of the most kinetic sequences in cinema history. As always, the attack on the second Death Star is much more elaborate and attractive than the one in ``Star Wars.'' And despite the fact that it's repeated to death (but then, what is the whole ``Star Wars'' phenomenon about if not repetition of the same, limited batch of pleasing motifs?), both Luke and Darth Vader's struggles with the Dark side - with their dark sides - have resonance and impact here that neither of the preceding films managed to achieve. Spiffy spiffy - /spi'fee/ 1. Said of programs having a pretty, clever, or exceptionally well-designed interface. "Have you seen the spiffy X version of empire yet?" This was common mainstream slang during the 1940s. 2. as Lucas and his high-tech team's improvements are, the best aspects of ``Jedi'' remain the contributions of its late director, Richard Marquand. His sense of staging, skill with actors and ability to raise the series' underlying themes from the theoretical to the palpable Easily perceptible, plain, obvious, readily visible, noticeable, patent, distinct, manifest. The term palpable usually refers to some type of egregious wrong, such as a governmental error or abuse of power. are still what make ``Return of the Jedi'' a worthy finish to the most popular film cycle of all time. Suggestion to Lucas, though: Next time you take a pass at this, keep in mind that computer technology can erase irritating furballs as well as it makes spacecraft blow up better. THE FACTS The film: ``Return of the Jedi Special Edition'' (PG; violence, Ewoks). The stars: Mark Hamill <noinclude></noinclude> Mark Richard Hamill (born September 25, 1951) is an American actor. Hamill is best known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy. , Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher Carrie Frances Fisher (born October 21, 1956) is an American actress, screenwriter and novelist. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia Organa in the original Star Wars trilogy, although her comedic novels also have won praise. , Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Anthony Kingsley Daniels (born February 21, 1946 in Salisbury, England), and educated at Giggleswick School, is an English actor best known for his role as , Ian McDiarmid Ian McDiarmid (born August 11, 1944) is a Tony Award-winning Scottish actor. He has had a successful career in theatre; he has been cast in many plays, while occasionally directing others. . Behind the scenes: Directed by Richard Marquand. Written by George Lucas Noun 1. George Lucas - United States screenwriter and filmmaker (born in 1944) Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. Produced by Howard Kazanjian. Released by 20th Century Fox. Running time: Two hours, 14 minutes. Playing: Citywide. Our rating: Three Stars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: ``Jedi's'' sequences at Jabba the Hutt's headquarters of horrors, with a captive Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), have been enhanced. |
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