Is it a sic-fi? Is it a romance? Or is it an action action movie? This epic space opera has captured the minds of many, young and old. What is this film you might ask? It is none other than George Lucas' Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. This film follows a handful of main characters as they battle the Galactic Empire and attempt to overthrow it, as well as destroy the ultimate super weapon; the second Death Star. Featuring a soundtrack by world-renowned composer John Williams and a plot that is expertly crafted.
The most prominent way that Lucas unifies the plot is through the use of parallel structure. This is most prominent in the scenes leading up to the penultimate scene; the destruction of the Death Star. Han Solo, Princess Leia and Chewbacca are attempting to disable the Death Stars shield from the planet at the same time that the Rebel Alliance are attempting to destroy the Death Star from space.
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The inclusion of the parallel technique, is what allows the scene to be developed. Without the showing of the shield being destroyed, the fleets attack on the Death Star becomes more of a head scratcher. But by showing the shield being destroyed from the ground, a flow is established in the scene by Lucas. Another time that the parallel structure is on display, is when Luke is battling Darth Vader, in what is arguably the greatest duel in all of Star Wars, and the panning from the duel to the Emperor showing his joy at the possibility of Luke embracing the Dark Side of the Force. The parallel structuring employed by Lucas goes unacknowledged by most, but without its inclusion, the film would lack its success and would not be as memorable as it is.
Lucas also masterfully foreshadows the most memorable scene in the movie, the Duel between Luke and Vader, and the tempting by The Emperor. The Emperor tempts Luke to embrace the Dark Side when he tells Luke to take his lightsaber and embrace his anger and strike him down. He goes on to say that with each passing moment as he lets his anger grow Luke becomes more his servant. Luke then takes his lightsaber and duels with Darth Vader, giving into aggression and anger and relentlessly attacking Vader, ultimately severing his arm. As great as a scene as this was, what is even more memorable is how Lucas had already set this battle up in our minds. In the scene where Master Yoda is drawing his last breath, he says,
“Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke... Luke... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor or suffer your father's fate you will. Luke, when gone am I... the last of the Jedi will you be. Luke, the Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned, Luke. There is... another... Sky... walker.”
This scene sets up the tempting and the duel as it refers to the Emperor’s manipulation ability as well as how anger and aggression can corrupt one into following the Dark Side. For several moments in their duel, Luke is consumed by the Dark Sides aggression as he hammers on Darth Vader’s defenses. This setup all but goes ignored, but deeper analysis brings true appreciation for this stroke of director George Lucas’ genius.
George Lucas blessed us with five other Star Wars films, we can only hope that they offer the masterful plot that Return of the Jedi offered. So now you have a reason to have a Star Wars marathon. You are most welcome.
