16. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983)
The strangest thing about Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is that, growing up, it seemed to be everybody's favourite entry in the saga. Only revisiting it years later (in adulthood, no less) allows former die hard fans to see the movie for what it is: the most flawed and haphazardly constructed of the original Star Wars flicks. And whilst it is indeed the weakest installment, it's a still a great and entertaining exercise in fantasy filmmaking. So the story picks up years after the events depicted in Empire, as Luke Skywalker sets out to rescue Han Solo. Return of the Jedi could have probably used a weightier story; indeed, it's fairly flimsy when compared to the likes of Empire, and the Ewoks - which come into play during the movie's second half and stick around 'til the end credits are rolling - are an unmistakable travesty, sheer proof that George Lucas is a very clever man indeed (when it comes to selling toys, at least). Those quibbles aside, though, Jedi clings to some stunning moments; the escape from Jabba's palace, for example, is without question one of the entire saga's most brilliant scenes.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
