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Ever since I can recall, George Lucas’s distant galaxy has been the object of my deep affection. It’s disheartening to listen to fans criticize the film that concludes a trilogy, labeling it as having a flawed narrative, an unbelievable, forced happy ending, and ultimately a money-grabbing move. I’m not referring to a certain more recent movie, although it could be. Instead, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi has carried this negative image in my mind for most of my life. I may not remember the exact moment when I first watched Return of the Jedi, but I know it was on the big screen. As a child, I lived just a stone’s throw away from what was once known as a “third-run movie theater.

Typically, films premiering in these discount cinemas would wait a year or more after their initial release, which means my first viewing might have been around mid-1984. Although the exact dates are hazy, I distinctly recall watching that movie. To this very day, when “Yub Nub” (rest in peace) transitions to the Star Wars ending fanfare, I am instantly transported back to my initial viewing experience. I remember gazing at the screen, thinking: “I’ve just witnessed the coolest thing in the world, and it’s OVER.” Since I adored that film so profoundly, I can still picture vividly all the criticism it received from kids in my neighborhood as well as online forums like America Online and Usenet groups. Today, whether we’re discussing its narrative depth or its connection to its predecessor, George Lucas’ famous quote resonates with me: “It’s like poetry. They rhyme.

Return of the Jedi Used to Be the ‘Bad’ Star Wars Film in the Fans’ Eyes

The Hate Episode VI Garnered Was a Warning About the Future of the Saga

One captivating (yet regrettable) similarity that “The Rise of Skywalker” and “Episode VI” exhibit is quite striking. Both struggled with creating extraordinary creature effects, visuals, and other aspects, which seemed almost impossible at the time. Additionally, there were creative disagreements off-screen between the filmmakers and their team, making the films’ production a veritable miracle. This strife gave rise to speculation and gossip within the entertainment industry, with many predicting that “The Rise of Skywalker” would be a box office disappointment. Similarly, “Episode VI” had the challenge of concluding the story while living up to the exceptionally high standards set by the first two movies.

The criticisms about the movie voiced in the media and among fans echo my own memories from the cafeteria and schoolyard. I found it disappointing that the character Boba Fett, who seemed so cool and mysterious, was killed off in a rather unfunny way. Many people back then were also dissatisfied with the reintroduction of the Death Star as a plot device, arguing it was an unoriginal attempt by the filmmakers to capitalize on nostalgia since they knew the movie wasn’t very good. Lastly, the Ewoks were introduced in the film mainly to sell cute toys to kids, and their victory over the Empire felt contrived and devoid of any deeper meaning.

In an unexpected turn of events, my beloved Star Wars movie transformed into a near-flawless addition to the “Holy Trilogy.” Many of the previous criticisms seemed to vanish, and even those that lingered, like Boba Fett’s ending, were brushed aside as minor inconveniences rather than fatal flaws.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Is a Film as Complicated as Its Legacy

Not Just the End of the Sequel Trilogy, Episode IX Had to End the Entire Saga

In the Original and Prequel Trilogies, fans had a three-year gap between each movie’s release. When the Sequel Trilogy started, Disney asked Lucasfilm to deliver what George Lucas accomplished in two years, while still producing anthology films during off-years. Moreover, the production turmoil for this film was more intense than the previous two. To add to this, a thriving industry of content creators who profit from fueling fan expectations and upset has significantly expanded since the first sequel movie. Lastly, among the divided fanbase, there was only one consensus: Episode IX could never meet or resolve what had transpired earlier.

The Rise of Skywalker Critical Scores
Aggregator	Score
Rotten Tomatoes Critics	51%
Rotten Tomatoes Users	86%
Metacritic Critics	53 (Mixed)
Metacritic Users	4.5 (Mixed)
IMDB Users	6.4/10
CinemaScore	B+

The responses from fans towards “The Rise of Skywalker” seemed somewhat familiar, echoing reactions to Palpatine’s return and the perceived lack of edge in the storyline that culminated in a neat conclusion, similar to Death Star II. Those who cherished “The Last Jedi” were disappointed (for various reasons) by its failure to further challenge the conventions of “Star Wars.” On the other hand, those who disliked “The Last Jedi” were frustrated (among other things) by Rey’s adoption of the Skywalker name despite her tainted Palpatine lineage, which they saw as an additional blow to the already questionable portrayal of Luke. Much like with “Return of the Jedi,” without giving the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt, the foundation of each critique becomes shaky upon closer inspection.

It’s true that both “The Rise of Skywalker” and “Return of the Jedi” have drawn legitimate criticisms, as everyone has their unique perspective on art. When it comes to personal preference and enjoyment of a movie, there is no definitive “right” or “wrong.” For me, each new Star Wars release feels like a delightful surprise for the kid inside who was saddened by the idea that Star Wars had ended. I count myself incredibly lucky to appreciate so much more of what we receive than what I don’t. It’s unfortunate when Star Wars fans from any generation feel let down by “Return of the Jedi,” “The Rise of Skywalker,” or other productions, but I empathize with their disappointment. The issue becomes problematic or even toxic when disgruntled fans attribute their dissatisfaction to a malicious agenda that may not actually exist.

How Reaction to Return of the Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker Is Similar

With Time, Fans’ Attitudes About the Entire Sequel Trilogy Will Evolve

In contrast to what some devoted viewers might argue, neither ending of the trilogy departs from expectations in the same way as its immediate predecessors. This is due to the fact that the final chapter of a Star Wars trilogy carries unique narrative demands compared to the middle one. The triumph of the heroes should align with the fundamental values of the universe, so they can’t simply kill the villain(s) in rage. The antagonist, who may be conflicted, must choose the self-sacrificing path that ends their life. The larger heroic group encounters an insurmountable obstacle; were it not for a band of unexpected allies, who are underestimated by the villains due to their own prejudices, the heroes would face certain defeat.

It seems that those who express strong criticism towards these films often assume the worst of the creators behind them. This perspective might suggest that George Lucas, for instance, intentionally diluted artistic integrity in order to profit from toy sales by introducing characters like the Ewoks. However, an alternative interpretation could be that the Ewoks symbolize underdog forces, such as indigenous insurgents who overcame powerful military adversaries, like the American Patriots or the Viet Cong. Likewise, labeling Disney, Lucasfilm, or J.J. Abrams as creators of subpar corporate content to undermine “The Last Jedi” and cater to bigoted audiences is a misconception. Critics who fixate on Rey’s origins or her connection to Palpatine tend to overlook the film’s central message, which emphasizes that one’s identity isn’t defined by their name, bloodline, or chosen family.

Framing their criticism with a suspicious or pessimistic viewpoint helps people dismiss any other reasons for decisions they dislike. For instance, I adore Return of the Jedi, but from a critical perspective, it’s simpler to challenge the nostalgia argument when discussing Palpatine’s supposed return instead of the Death Star II.

Star Wars is more about how institutional flaws foster authoritarianism and the New Republic becomes too comfortable. The similarities between the Empire and the First Order, such as their use of Stormtroopers and a reliance on destructive weapons like planet-killers, show that regardless of what a totalitarian regime labels itself, they all share fundamental characteristics.

In the creation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it was a clever move to bring Palpatine back after Snoke’s demise. This underscores that even if the new tyrant may appear different in appearance, demeanor, or speech, they are essentially the same as the old one. J.J. Abrams and co-writer Chris Terrio didn’t work on the script in isolation. They drew upon numerous suggestions while crafting the plot, with George Lucas being one of the contributors. Abrams had multiple discussions with Rian Johnson to guarantee that the narrative progression in The Rise of Skywalker was an extension of the ideas introduced in The Last Jedi, rather than a contradiction.

Given this situation, it’s understandable why people might create disputes and disagreements in order to present Force Ghost Luke’s joke about discarding a lightsaber as a critique of Johnson instead of the character poking fun at himself. This has been done before with Return of the Jedi, but eventually, it stopped. Regardless of what fans from my generation or the prequel era believe, it is ultimately the new generation that the movie was intended for who get to decide the meaning.

You can now own “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” on Blu-ray, digital platforms, or stream it alongside other movies and shows from the Star Wars saga on Disney+.

2025-06-01 01:57