Sam Witwer Defends Return of the Jedi as Brilliant

[@TK199999]

James Earl Jones said, he always imaged that Vader was shedding tears as he watched Luke get electrocuted by Sidious. That when Vader realized he was crying, that he loved his son and son loved him. Anakin returned in that moment and slayed Vader forever. That look of Vader going from Luke to Sidious was Anakin realizing what was going on. Anakin being Anakin, he did the craziest most dangerous thing possible, grab Palpatine and throw him over the nearest railing.

[@gtchrisblue2460]

Yes completely agree. Had rewatched ROTJ last night and hearing Vader's lines as he struggles with the Dark/Light side in his mind. Got me all emotional lol

[@RobPaulson88]

That’s canon idc who says it’s not.

[@gregthackray]

Anakin did return in that amazing cinematic moment. Anakin/Vader were one imo, thus "balance" was restored. The key to "balancing" The Uni-verse is by finding "balance" within oneself first. Only by accepting both aspects of yourself do you become "Whole." Vader saved his son by becoming the Father that he'd never had! And Luke was a new kind of Jedi. One who was more like Qui-Gon, more in tune with The Now moment + less bound by a rigid code!?

[@davidlong990]

The last jedi was horrible plz retcon that crap yea luke does all that for hus father drops his saber and then last jedi hes a coward see ben and rey were supposed to be twins lmao

[@LuocasKitten]

@@davidlong990 what relevance does this have with the original trilogy?

[@IsoMorphix]

SAM FUCKING GETS IT! OH MY GOD HE GETS IT! "Luke's gonna reject his elders...Luke's a man now. They're telling him to go kill his father...and that's the only way to win. And Luke is gonna refuse to do that." Dude. I talk about this very thing all the time.

[@DamianHowardTV]

Exactly what I thought/think, too 👏🏼 Sam knows his shit and he just gets it.. So well👌🏼.

[@Mickayel134]

I honestly can't believe it even needs defending.

[@stevenlitak2464]

So true!

[@TheRockinDonkey]

Ewoks never bothered me. ROTJ was always my favorite star wars

[@squattingheads]

It’s only fake attacks to make people not argue the actual shitty movies

[@VickStarkiller]

Shows you how stupid this fanbase is sometimes

[@NickMartinproductions]

Its my fav film of Star Wars

[@afernandezaf55af]

Wow. This has given me so much insight into this movie and has made me enjoy it so much more. I already absolutely love it and it's inching closer to my favorite. I do think Lucas also unintentionally, possibly highly intentionally, made this movie exponentially better through the prequels with some lines of dialogue, specifically the last words said to Anakin. In the prequels all the important characters anakin loved (His mother, Padme, and Obi-Wan) leave him and all their last lines of dialogue to him are: Shmi- I...I love (dies), Padme-I love you (then in a sense leaves him) and Obi-Wan- I loved you (literally leaves him). All of these people who said they loved him left him which is what Anakin tried so desperately to prevent but then in RotJ when he is about to die the last words ever said to him from his own son are not I love you but I Won't Leave You. Finally to end the tragedy, or perhaps to cement it, he no longer has to worry about loss; his son won't leave him. If that's not heart wrenching I don't know what is.

[@GundamFan89]

Beautiful comment, Alex.

[@afernandezaf55af]

GundamFan89 Thank you, and really I just came across the realization recently and I'm certain that if I watch the saga again, even the trilogy, I'd probably be in tears.

[@MartinKirbits]

Alex Fernandez i love comment sections for this very reason. people who dont hate. they understand and share that understanding with others

[@FuddlyDud]

Alex, thank you for commenting. You made watching these movies better than I thought possible!

[@CorvoMcCloud16]

Alex Fernandez Holy Shit, I'm actually teary eyed, I never thought of it that way, thank you for that comment. That was one in a million.

[@thepaultato3243]

“ ‘We’re gunna have him prove that he’s the one true Jedi by having him not kill his father’ They wouldn’t do that in hollywood nowadays...” Rise of skywalker: *Rey proves she’s the “one” true Jedi by simply killing grandPaPalpatine* Yep... Sam was right about all of it.

[@kungolaf4499]

Luke: Wins by throwing away the lightsaber and not killing space Hitler and instead proving his greater moral as well as his superior social and psychological dexterity in tackling challenges by giving mercy to a great evil. Rey: Wins by ripping open his decapitated and injured grandfather by peeling of his skin, muscle and tissue of his old ass face by deflecting a kamehamehaa against him and proving that his side is physically stronger in the arbitary power levels of this high fantasy universe. Which ending has more profound implications?

[@Glassesgirl2002]

rey actually doesn't kill palpatine. she does what Windu does and deflects the attack. i dont like TROS that much. i liked it on the first viewing but that changed on second viewing. the message of that final confrontation in TROS is that evil destroys itself. say what you will about the rest of the mediocre pit of a film, but rey did not kill Palpatine. all she did was essentially make a wall for the lightning to ricochet back to good ol' Sheev. Sheev Palpatine killed Palpatine, not Rey Palpatine

[@Deathpool_04]

Disgruntled goth Girl How he lost to Rey was still awful though. They made Palpatine a complete idiot for losing like that. Apparently, he couldn’t think to just stop using his lightning on her and then gets killed like that.

[@qqqfuzion2582]

@@Deathpool_04 i mean no... the lightsabers cleary absorb the lightning and rey channels it into palpatine. She still technically kills him but it is still by his own hand.

[@Deathpool_04]

Quantum Stop Motions So yeah, she kills him and gets himself killed.

[@condeuiosandilixtos7858]

I've only noticed this now, but Sam is absolutely right: everyone and their mother wanted Luke to kill his father, be they Jedi or Sith.

[@henryzelman4541]

Kind've like in ATLA

[@sam8404]

@@henryzelman4541 there are a lot of similarities between ATLA and the OT.

[@kungolaf4499]

The Emperor, Yoda and Obi-Wan all seemingly wanted the same outcome. How does that make the Jedi look? This and the Prequels added, I was overjoyed that The Last Jedi adressed this ethical/moral dilemma with the Jedi.

[@aramisone7198]

​​@@kungolaf4499Yoda did not tell Luke to kill his father he said " You must face Vader" just like he had to "face" his fear in the cave on degobah when Yoda told him to leave his weapons and Obi-One did not think Vader could be redemed , Jedi are allowed to kill in self defense.

[@bensneb360]

Dear Disney, PLEASE PUT HIM IN A STAR WARS MOVIE, he would be so good in them.

[@bensneb360]

Them too.

[@simplythebest2k]

I know they need to make him starkiller

[@Tracer_Krieg]

I actually have a pretty good way to pull that off. See, there's one period that hasn't been touched in anyway by the New Canon, and that's the nine month period between Empire and Jedi. What if Vader sends Starkiller (whose an Inquisitor) to go track down his son while he's perhaps scuffling with Xizor (yes, I'm referencing Shadows of the Empire)? And on top of that, what if a certain fan favorite character was training Luke (or at least showing him some of what she knew) at the time? After all, Luke goes from getting hands lobbed off to lobbing off Vader's.

[@ashxxiv]

yeah we need starkiller movies.

[@adamantiumpandas701]

RandomUser M That's because he is Starkiller

[@jedimaster0667]

I want to be stuck in a room with Dave Filoni, Jon Faveruou, Sam Witwer, George Lucas and the force ghost of Joseph Campbell

[@jedimaster0667]

@@jacko_3770 and just let them discuss and explain starwars and the broader mythology in human societies across the world.

[@Inyourface5]

Ima add Mark Hamill to that list. I’ve heard enough interviews where he describes scenes in Star Wars similar to Witwer that you just know he “gets it”. For example he talked about his character in a new hope as a catalyst for other characters to establish themselves as funny (I believe the example he used was when he told 3po that r2d2 was going to get him in a lot of trouble and 3po replied “oh he excels at that sir”). Star Wars is about the little details that lead to character development which gives those big beautiful lightsaber/space battles more meaning. Disney forgot about this and it’s unacceptable.

[@jedimaster0667]

@@Inyourface5 yes exactly. Mark is almost just as big of a fan as the rest of us. But he does also "get it". He just does. And considering he actually PLAYED Luke Skywalker along with all those instructions from George and talking with George. It's no wonder ofc Mark Hamill gets it.

[@jedimaster0667]

@Starscream91 he definitely understands starwars too because well he was one of the first people to work on it

[@pittfan0707]

+ John Williams

[@Dinosreviews]

This is the perfect explanation on why Return of the Jedi is the perfect ending and that Rise of Skywalker does everything Sam says Hollywood would typically do.

[@ARBLACKx]

Exactly! The Skywalker Saga ended perfectly with Return of the Jedi. Its such a shame that the new trilogy was made as it ruined the ending and the legacy of the OT. I wont be showing the ST to my kids thats for sure

[@Jackaroo.]

@@ARBLACKx I don't consider Disney Star Wars to be canon. So it hasn't ruined the ending of RotJ for me.

[@ezlu77]

EXACTLY

[@2ndairborneguy790]

Honestly it's a masterclass in concluding a franchise. Revenge of The Sith didn't do a bad job either, but I think that the battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan is really the only thing that feels like it was being built up to. Everything in ROTJ feels like a conclusion of 3 (or 6) films.

[@andreasschaeflein4233]

@@Jackaroo. Not even The Mandalorian?

[@briardawdy3857]

And this is another reason why Sam Witwer is awesome!

[@jedimario22]

I think Sam would have made a great Kylo Ren, when I look at him I see a little Leia and Han. Plus he really know his Star Wars stuff.

[@lemmehelp9293]

He woulda been perfect to shove that lightsaber through Han's chest

[@LynX0n]

I like Sam Witwee but he's in his 40s I think. I hated rogue one so i wouldn't be opposed on a starkiller movie.

[@througheverything]

Hero Lynx You really hated Rogue one?

[@jesusgonzalez6715]

Adam Driver is the one thing about the Sequel trilogy that undoubtedly worked...

[@papawedge7396]

@@lemmehelp9293 He does that in the Force Unleashed 2 non-canon DLC.

[@donwinslow6967]

Sam Witwer's impressions are funny as hell. He does the voice of Emperor Palpatine for 'Star Wars Battlefront'.

[@GundamFan89]

+Don Winslow AND Rebels.

[@aafricaofficial]

+GundamFan89 No one remembers that he voiced Palpy in The Force Unleashed?

[@StevenZissimos]

Adrian Africa I do :)

[@AustinNGrayson]

Don Winslow he did Palpatine's voice in that, Rebels, and The Force Unleashed which was the first time he did Palpatine. He also does Maul in Clone Wars and Rebels, The Son in Clone Wars, and he was Starkiller. He did the voice, motion capture, and they took his likeness for the character.

[@m.unalercan8920]

ian mcdirmaid is the voice of palpatine in rebels

[@Jared_Wignall]

Everything Sam is saying is stuff I basically got from the movie, and made me wonder why people didn't like this movie. It's a phenomenal film to the original trilogy.

[@Ruosteinenknight]

Ewoks basically were Jar Jar Binks of that era. That is to say, they didn't "ruin" the movie, but they sticked out so much that they became focal point of all complaints. Personally I don't have any antipathy towards Jar Jar and whatever problems pre-quels have, Jar Jar was the smallest of them.

[@stevenlitak2464]

I agree!

[@Jared_Wignall]

RustyKn1ght I’ve never had a problem with the Ewoks nor Jar Jar. Both had a role in the films they were in and they performed those roles quite well. Thing I never understood is when people say the Ewoks destroyed the Empire, and they didn’t. They assisted the Rebels on the ground battle and acted as a distraction for them a few times. The Rebels destroyed the Empire’s presence on Endor, while the Ewoks helped them and defended their home. I’ve sometimes wondered what sort of opposition the Empire faced when they built the base where the shield generators for the Death Star with the Ewoks, since they really don’t seem to be creatures that’ll just let anyone come to their home and set up shop.

[@KyloRen0127]

And this is why Return of the Jedi is my favorite film in the original trilogy!

[@lloydshanahan154]

you'd think after seeing how the sequel trilogy turned out, people would start going back to admiring what this film did again.

[@EsotericStarWarsRubbish]

Couldn't agree more. ROTJ is my personal favourite because after all the talk/mentions of Jabba and the Emperor in Episode 4 & 5, this is the one that you finally see them 'in the flesh'. It ties up the plot nicely. The humour is great. The Emperor is fantastic, I mean, beyond excellent. I'm not the biggest Ewok fan, but I don't really mind them, and as you said it makes the dark elements of the plot more poignant due to the juxtaposition. At any rate, I think it's difficult to argue that the bad outweighs the good in this film, as some people do. Even if you assume the Ewoks as 100% crap and unwatchable, you still have the Luke/Vader/Emperor scenes at the same time while that amazing space battle by the Death Star is happening. But I still hold the opinion that if ANY of the Original Trilogy is your favourite, you can't be wrong. 4, 5, 6 - all have merits to be the favourites, and to be rightly classed as the best. TL;DR: Star Wars fucking rules either way.

[@Rocketraccoon9458]

Esoteric Star Wars Rubbish i think the emperor's duel scene that whole sequences is one of rhe greatest scenes of all time

[@familyguy-er]

Esoteric Star Wars Rubbish totally agree

[@stevenlitak2464]

It's my personal favorite too!

[@darkprinceofdorne]

ROTJ is my favorite too. And Luke is a MVP

[@Frost4Real]

You must hate the fact that the special editions ruined the Jabba suprise lol

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

Great analysis and very true, he's not making shit up out of thin air to make the story fit.

[@dustinakadustin]

Like episode 9 did?

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

@@dustinakadustin Oh rian johnson fucked them dude, they had to find whatever way possible to tlel the story of EP 9 as coherent as possible

[@kapthas59]

@@JohnDoe-tm9wz episode 7 itself fucked up sequel trilogy from the start. Illogical character origins killed it for me

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

@@kapthas59 True, Ep 7 was shit, the whole trilogy was doomed from the start

[@alosim1541]

I'm so glad Sam cleared everything up about Vader's characterizations actually being in Jedi. I think people just assume all his character stuff happened in Empire because it's considered a better movie overall. The only thing we saw more of in Empire was him choking more officers. Sure, there's the father reveal, but that doesn't reveal anything new about his character, it's just something they dropped on the audience 10 minutes before the credits rolled. The actual characterization happened in Jedi.

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

The characterization happened after the reveal. For the first time, Vader doesn't kill an officer that failed him, and instead walks away, deep in thought, after looking back one more time after Luke escaped.

[@FriendlyRivals]

The George Impression is damn good!

[@Darduel]

well he is a professional voice actor

[@GTKavanagh]

So- I didn't find out people didn't like Return of the Jedi until I hit adulthood. Which surprised the hell outta me because it's still my favourite.

[@Joawlisdoingfine]

Right? As a kid I loved that Luke put everything on the line to save his dad. When his mentor and his father figure told him, No kill him, Luke didn’t listen. However unlike before when he disobeyed because he is cocky, he is not listening because he sees the light in Vader. Luke was darker during this movie, wearing dark clothes and acting like an adult. Luke literally used the dark side to beat his father, but also showed that he could still be redeemed. While Anakin fell hard to the Dark Side Luke got back up. He didn’t beat Palapatine physically, he won the argument. Vader killed Palpatine and later let himself die, to redeem himself. Also the whole Death Star 2 is hated because is just the same song and dance again, but no it’s not. They made the death star again to lure the rebels into attacking it with everything they got. It was risky, but Palpatine went ahead with the plan because the wonder kid from before, was now in chains at his feet.

The Star Wars top movie was always RETURN OF THE JEDI. The myth of Empire Strikes Back being the top Star Wars movie started at the height of the mid 90s and it was pushed harder by Prequel fandom. The ROTJ's detractors only excuse is the ewoks, so they like to sacrifice the whole of a superior movie just because the ewoks replaced the wookies 😂. Sorry for them but Ewoks were excellently executed and the whole of Episode VI is light years ahead of the whole franchise even in 2020.

[@TheAwesomeDarkNinja]

Holy crap. His Lucas impersonation is so spot-on. The really simple words he uses and the pauses he takes. Wow.

[@TheDakkaman]

What I like most about Sam’s arguments is that, on top of the sincere appreciation he has for the works themselves, he brings *receipts*. He can and does walk through every relevant point to his larger argument, and can properly explain how it all logically ties together instead of referencing and then moving on as so many similarly passionate people do. For him it really is the leaves as much as the forest and it shows.

[@thomomcleod9342]

FINALLY! Someone who actually understands what Star Wars is all about, including the Prequels. Much respect to you Sam

[@americanfootball8194]

My favorite Star Wars voice actor is defending my favorite star wars film.....HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS

[@giantlobsterboy644]

Return of the Jedi is my favorite film of the Luke trilogy. It has the best space battle of both trilogies. It was trumped by the space battle in Rogue One. The movie worked for me. I have no complaints.

[@GundamFan89]

Agreed. Jedi is my favorite of all the films. Rogue One's space battle is neck and neck with Jedi's.

[@Tracer_Krieg]

For me (Space Battles Wise): 1. Jedi 2. Rogue One 3. Sith 4. Hope 5. Empire 6. Clones 7. Phantom The reason Awakens is not on this list is because it didn't actually have a space battle. Yes, it had dogfights, it had a bombing run. But none of them actually took place up in the big black vacuum.

[@giantlobsterboy644]

The reason Jedi is not number one is that it is dated. The fleet in Rogue One is much larger than the one at the battle of Endor. The rebel fleet in Jedi shou,d be much larger due to the rebellion gaining more sympathy. I kind of want them to go back and update the space battle with a larger rebel fleet. The rebel fleet was much larger in the book adaption of "Jedi".

[@Tracer_Krieg]

Ronald Brow Size matters not. To me, its the stakes and emotional impact it has on the story. This is literally the Rebels last stand. All or nothing. If they lose this battle, they lose the war. And it is a desperate slugging fest. We see ships getting blown apart, the last moments of pilots as they are shot down by an immaculable, unending Imperial Fleet. This is the one where the Rebels, the good guy you've been rooting for, might just lose.

[@giantlobsterboy644]

Jacob Sailer Refresh my memory. Did anyone say that the assault on Endor the last breath of the Rebellion? I do not remember that being mentioned. It has been a while since I watched Jedi. I also realize that modifying scenes after the fact is almost heresy amongst Star Wars fans. I still think the rebel fleet in Rogue One invalidates the rebel fleet size in Jedi. The fleet in Jedi should have been much larger in size.

[@aamiller90]

I’ve seen Return of the Jedi several times, and I never realized that about Luke when he’s on Endor. What I love about the movie are the slower moments, characters are taking in what’s going on around them, it’s thoughtful and deep. Yeah the opening runs a bit long, and yes there are Ewoks, but it’s got some of the best moments of Star Wars in all the movies

[@DuhAverageJoe]

I have such a greater appreciation for Return of the Jedi after this most insightful commentary. Sam brought to my attention things I've never considered. Goes to show you, although George may not be a strong director or screenwriter, he's no doubt one heck of a storyteller!

[@TheColonelKlink]

Couldn't agree more. This is a wonderful film and great concluding chapter to this landmark series.

[@Sweetness71775]

The Star Wars movies ended in 2005. I regard the Disney movies as bad fan fiction.

[@Mercurial_Phantom]

The scenes with the emperor are so good

[@Jaden-Ring]

One of the best villains in all of fiction.

What makes the Emperor the Emperor is ROTJ. When Ian was casted for the prequels I grew highly expectant but to no avail.

[@davisiimdavisiim1295]

I love how down to earth this guy is. you. an hear the humbleness in his language. like a breath of fresh air today

[@JoeSelf1982]

I met Sam Witwer at a local comic con a few years ago and he was totally awesome. Following him on Twitter and seeing him compete on Collider's Schmoedown Movie Trivia just makes me a bigger fan of his than I was before. He's a legit beast when it comes to Star Wars trivia. I know a lot of shit about the movies but he's got some scary knowledge of all of the films. Big fan of Tiffany and John as well.

[@J78Kio]

Sam Witwer's and Dave Filoni's grasp on the star wars universe is refreshing and enlightening. They articulate what I knew was good about certain films, but couldn't bring it to words like they could.

[@DogoHalibar]

I totally agree with Mr. Witwer.

[@darthbaggins007]

Return of the Jedi is a masterpiece. I'll never understand why anybody could dislike it.

[@shaggycan]

I think the only thing that hurts this film is that George didn't go with his initial idea of putting the Deathstar's construction over Kashyyyk instead of Endor. That would have been so cool to emotionally involve Chewie (and Han) in that way. I think the SW Christmas special may have been a pothole he didn't want to step in. But it would have been cool at this point to have gone to that planet in the prequels and then again here.

[@diamondplaysgames]

George Lucas actually want wookies in the film but did not have the budget.

[@namesurname624]

@@diamondplaysgames star wars didn't have enough budget for a couple fur suits? Lmao

[@aloysiuswhiteboat2934]

He couldn't find enough actors like Peter Mayhew, and generally people with those conditions don't move around that well. Little people and children were much more plentiful. That was the only reason. Nothing to do with budget.

Ewoks were executed as a masterpiece. It was the press media and the ESB's director who started the “wookie” boycott back then.

[@wonderfulwookiee6443]

Also, George Lucas wanted to include the theme of the lesser force winning with sort of primitive means of weaponry and sorts, and wookiees were shown to be too good with technology for that.

[@Lalaxbo]

Return of the Jedi is my favorite Star Wars movie :) . I am a huge Star Warsfan and Sam Witwer is awesome too :)

[@bhill2559]

Well said Starkiller!!!

Chewie doing the Tarzan scream was awesome!

[@ConnerFilms]

I love Return of the Jedi. The ending with Vader’s funeral always makes me cry and really makes me feel the trilogy has come to a bitter sweet ending point.

[@coltondavis7022]

Top 3 movies for me go 1. V 2. III 3. Tie between IV/VI

[@MFSeaMen]

For me, swap 4 and 3. But I like your opinion

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

Are you a Rouge fan? I dug it...

[@MFSeaMen]

@@jacko_3770 I've always put it as this. ifunny.co/fun/nB7RJb0M7?s=cl

[@Frost4Real]

Thats my exact order too lol

ROTJ >> ESB > ANH > TPM > AOTC > Holiday Special > ROTS > RO > Solo > TFA > TLJ >> TROS.

[@jointhe6461]

The force brought me here.

[@bunsonbaker4156]

Wow this dude has fantastic insights. Some new stuff and some old stuff I'm hearing but he layed it out so well.

[@davido7627]

I personally love Return of the Jedi, while it had it’s flaws, I cannot imagine a more perfect ending to the original trilogy.

[@Ksawarrior]

My favorite Star Wars film will always be Return of the Jedi. And finally someone articulated everything about why I live it so succinctly.

[@q.h.s5051]

I never understood the distaste for ROTJ. It’s honestly my favorite of the entire 6 films. Sam did a great job here, you can always tell he’s a Star Wars fan!

[@ValiantWrestling]

Unless you've watchedtbe shitty special edition I guess you will never understand. The original is fine apart from the emperor's finest legion gettin beaten by a bunch of primitive teddy bears.

[@Steel-101]

The Last Jedi was my very first Star Wars movie when I was 8 years old. Dude I had a blast! My eyes were glued to the screen when I saw Luke skywalker fight Vader with his green saber. Plus his black suit is awesome. I loved the Ewoks when I was a kid and I still love them now at the age of 29. I think it’s ridiculous that people were complaining about the Ewoks. Sam Witwer is a cool guy 😎👍🏼

[@kidofsteel0362]

Lmao he’s so right at the end. Hearing The “Soon I’ll be dead...and you with me.” Line as a kid I was like “wait? What did he just say??” As the emperor starts laughing Lmao. What a sicko.

[@TheTrueRandomGamer]

I remember finding this in Wolf's liked videos. Still holds up.

[@AceLM92]

Starkiller knows his stuff

[@PixlPlayer]

I could listen to Sam Witwer talk about Star Wars all day

[@jameshamilton2283]

Holy shit Sam witwer just changed my mind on this movie... fuck

[@scott-ci5is]

After listening in here, I can tell you that my respect level went up by 100%. He's knowledgeable and makes a compelling argument. Good stuff.

[@hatandbeardmedia5925]

When I was a kid, RotJ was my favourite (it still is) but I could never explain why it was, beyond that Luke and Vader were my favourite characters. There was something that I found very powerful even then about the revelation that under his armour the most feared man in the galaxy (after the Emperor) was a vulnerable old man, and it always made sense to me that Luke would save him, because Luke was the hero and saving people is what heroes do. It's only as I've gotten older that I've been able to analyse this and work out why this hits me at such a deep level. I think it's fair to say many of us have conflict with our father to some degree when growing up. Sons throughout time have wrestled with their father's expectations of them just as fathers have tried from time immemorial to fashion a legacy through their sons and preserve the bloodline, which is why it's the father's name that is handed down in most cultures. It must be remembered that Luke grew up as an orphan, raised by his adoptive parents but never felt like he belonged. When he discovered his father's legacy as a Jedi warrior he suddenly realised who he was - a Skywalker - and what that meant to him. Yet, that idealised image he had of his father was almost completely destroyed when he discovered who the monster he had been fighting and obsessing over really was. Yet Luke always clung to his idea of who his father should be because if he could not believe that there was still good in his father, then he was doomed to become a monster himself. The Luke Skywalker story is the story of a boy becoming a man. It is only when the son becomes the father, metaphorically, having made his mistakes and learned through his errors and suffering just as his forebear had, that he becomes a man. Then the father is no longer needed, his purpose having been served. This is why Anakin has to die once he is redeemed - his story is now complete and it is time for the next saga to begin. As they say, Star Wars is about family and what is more intrinsic to the notion of family than the older generation bringing up the younger generation to take their place? Beyond the coming of age aspect, this journey highlights something important about human nature. When we see Anakin Skywalker under that helmet it's not a scarred and deformed monster like we all thought, just a pale, sad and weak old man filled with regrets and with only one joy left, which was the realisation that in his son is a legacy not of evil but of goodness. Just as with the flap on Luke's tunic hinting at the lightness within, Anakin's ashen skin suggests the lightness within Vader. It is Anakin Skywalker's legacy, not Darth Vader's, that matters, but Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were still two sides of the same coin. In everyone there is darkness and light and all that stops us from falling from the light to the dark is hope. Darth Vader is devoid of hope ("It is too late for me," he says when Luke tells him he senses the good in him), while it is hope that gives Luke the strength to exercise restraint and stand up to the Emperor. I think that's the underlying message in all of this: never give up hope. If even a man who has lost everything and dedicated his life to spreading his pain across the galaxy can be redeemed, then surely there's hope for all of us to find out way back out of our darkest hour.

[@mikeadams7904]

Always difficult to follow up a new hope and empire strikes back , but i love ROTJ as a kid and still love it now. Lukes portrayal is so well done. The first 45 mins at jabbas palace is amazing.

[@Trademarked26]

A Jedis fury and the emperor theme are so frigging good

[@officialmonarchmusic]

RotJ is my fav SW movie and I’m glad it’s finally getting recognized

[@chancedortman478]

Ive never said a bad thing about Return of the Jedi. Its my favorite movie.

[@xyon172]

Sam Witwer, I love you dude! There are many ways people try to explain why the prequels didn't quite land with audiences, and without even knowing it you just gave the most basic and fundamental reason that they feel wrong. Taking away any problems a fan may have on a technical, scripting or Jar Jar level, it's all about Vader. Return of the Jedi built the concept of Vader being a conflicted character. Without any firm details of his back-story we are introduced too and accept his internal struggle. We know he was a good guy turned bad, we've seen him be a bad guy, but there are scenes planted to show that it it isn't that cut and dry for him. He made his choices and thinks he made the right ones until RIGHT NOW when he is faced with his own son and made to see him as a mirror for himself in those moments. He sees his son given (as far as we know when Jedi was made) the same choices and conflicts but choose the opposite path. Luke says NO and is going to die for that choice and Vader in that moment realises he can't allow his son to die for making the RIGHT choice. Then we get the prequels that supposedly show how Anakin becomes Vader and all of that journey is taken away. Now Anakin was ALWAYS a whiny, ungrateful, impulsive, disrespectful, arrogant, dumbass who wouldn't listen to anyone but the only guy who was very clearly manipulating him for his own gains. But in the new version he says 'Nooooo!' when he throws the Emperor of the catwalk, so clearly that is better character development than he originally had. Blah, blah, blah... Thank's Sam!

[@bikerscout7467]

I adore ROTJ. Not only is it my sentimental favourite in the saga (the only of the original trilogy i saw in the cinema when it came out in 83') but it more than stands up in its own right with some of the best scenes and dialogue (emperor's throne room!!!) Sam is bang on with his analysis and it made me appreciate this masterpiece even more!

[@Sassywizard]

I love return of the jedi and hearing Sam defending it makes me spark with joy!

[@jesup25]

Honestly imo empire and Jedi are the absolute best of all the Star Wars films

[@WhoTookPlockrock]

5:10 Gotta love how subtly Sam went "Yeah no you're completely wrong, but let's move on."

[@NostalgicHunger]

Sam Witwer is *the* brain.

[@liammack306]

Return of the jedi is actually my favourite star wars movie, dont know why it gets hate i love it.

[@geekazores253]

Return of the Jedi has always been my favourite.

[@stevenlitak2464]

Mine too!

[@aidand.7911]

The 4 pillars of star wars (living): George Lucas, Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Sam Witwer. You get all 4 of these guys together wherein they come up with ideas and look at each other as equals, and you may very well get the greatest star wars content in world history

[@brandonking3976]

@The Cambot Luceno and Zahn are great writers, and I agree with that. But Witwer is a thinker, and has played some amazing characters. He understands the execution. They both have their place.

[@ValiantWrestling]

George Lucas killed Star Wars.

[@austinliu1]

I'm just here to hear Sam Witwer's voice.

[@Splattercat]

During his livestreams you get to hear a LOT of Sam Witwer's behind the scenes commentary on especially Star Wars, but also a great many movies and TV series' as well as music and video games. Not just as an actor, but the creation process from a lot of different perspectives. The guy is awesomely well informed and has a wealth of experience and insight to draw upon. If you haven't, follow him on Twitch and try to catch his streams. Also the voices he does during games are hilarious. Most common/popular requests: Arnold, Darth Maul, the Emperor, Christopher Walken, Randy Savage... Watching him play Skyrim with a Barbarian character that sounds like Conan but has a Walken inner-monologue is just .... there are no words. :P

[@gma5607]

4:35 ‘Hollywood would just have him go fight and win’, well that was oddly prophetic.

[@Melly_Wayy]

Bro that’s crazy

[@collegebro85]

Rest of Hollywood, yes, but none of the sequel trilogy did this. There was hesitation and meaning behind everything...rewatch and you shall see!

[@BLAM5980]

Ryan Cochran nah

[@aloysiuswhiteboat2934]

@@collegebro85 Why don't you explain for us instead?

[@eachasteriod1334]

Aloysius Whiteboat because he is full of shit.

[@Swampboiii]

I think to Sam’s final point Star Wars just in it of itself is badass You don’t always need to make the extra attempt to make it so I mean I just watched an over 3 hours compilation video detailing some of the most significant and brutal battles during the clone wars The sheer notion of lore and amount of detail and beauty in what they can create, in a universe that doesn’t exist is so badass man Umbara, Mygeeto, Atraken, Doro, such badass stories

[@undead_corsair]

I love Sam Witwer, who'd have thought Darth Maul would be the guy for explaining what makes Ewoks great?

[@madmonkee1176]

Ben Zombie the Ewoks represent the innocence of the galaxy that are being threatened by the empire... that’s how I saw it at least

[@brettstalling2269]

Bro I can’t when he mimics George

[@wiibrockster]

Return of The Jedi is by far my favourite Star Wars movie. I love the second attack on The Death Star and Luke VS Darth Vader is still my favourite fight in the franchise that and Yoda confirming Leia was Luke's sister much have been mind blowing.

[@highlanderc]

WOW.. something i hadn't seen before.. now i need to go watch it again! Thanks Neil Perry

[@nslater1388]

RotJ is my personal favorite. Nothing can ever change that.

[@PeanutStrawberry]

7:57 "Look, without the Ewoks, this is a pretty dark film." Me: *having flashbacks of the Ewoks flying into the air as a bomb hits, only for one of them to get back up and shake the lifeless corpse of his comrade...* Me: Yeah... cute little Ewoks D:

[@loganmansiongames]

I never understand why alot of people hate this one I love it I even like the Prequals thank you Sam for seeing the good in Return of the Jedi.

[@Heffsta02]

I love that Sam is a massive fan too. Perfect, perfect break down

[@yesspazsmith9895]

Golf clap for Sam Witwer!

[@jessportersolo]

All true and valid, but also not forgetting... the entire Jabba's palace sequence is probably the best shit in the whole original trilogy. I used to watch that over and over as a kid and still now it incites so much joy and excitement in me. The environment is so dangerous and engrossing, the costumes so sweet and seeing Luke ignite his green sabre for the first time and just take out everyone is never not fun

[@TheLeatheryman]

He makes a great defence of Return of the Jedi, It was actually my favourite for many years, until I saw Revenge of the Sith.

[@javieryanqu5919]

@Malo Inac because its not ep. 7 and 8

[@mendozabrothers]

I really love the music when Darth Vader fight with Luke such emotions in it and with the emperor

[@batman4452]

That's what I always argue, the ewoks balance the film... the opening is extremely dark with Rancor eating people, Sarlak pit, jabba, naked slave Leia.... the ending is dark, and grimm, and sad... the Ewoks balance all that (like balance of the force) with being happy, cute, kid friendly.... but lets not forget... some of the ewok scenes are dark as well, we see a few of them die, with some of them crying... I think the ewoks are their to give the trilogy a happy ending... if they won in a dark world of desert of tatooine, swamp of dagobah, and didn't go to the nice planet of Endor with the funny, cute ewoks I don't think the ending would feel as happy... it gives the world something worth saving, and all the humans, and ewoks happy at the end makes you feel happy... I don't know I was a kid (born89) when I saw it, and loved it... can't understand why people don't. I never even knew people thought ROTJ was anything other than short of a masterpiece... arguably tied for best SW film ever with Empire Strikes Back for me.

[@SSaNNEE100]

I have always loved The Return Of The Jedi! It’s my number 1 SW movie, then 3, 5 etc. And great to hear this point of view I haven’t thought about Ewoks that much, they never bothered me anyway.

[@Hudathan]

Always felt this way.

[@civilwarfare101]

Its amazing how I had an OP characters conversation with Sam years back. Months before TFA would come out as well. He knows his stuff.

[@jaysway9251]

I love that. So Luke is going to embrace his elders. NO! He’s going to reject them and that’s how he proves he’s the one true Jedi

[@danielderrick7383]

This man is a absolute treasure to the star wars community! Disney get this guy in a starkiller movie stat

[@Bournefort]

Return of the Jedi is my favorite Star Wars film. Followed closely by Empire Strikes Back.

[@uberhuber7903]

Hans character development was complete in empire when he got frozen for his friends and valued them above himself for once. He only needed to show up for his role in the final fight. Its preference that people wanted more screen time.

[@Dadmcbeardface]

Why does anyone feel the need to defend it? Never mind that it’s a Star Wars film, it’s a great film in its own right. And it’s second best in the original trilogy behind “Empire” and I think it’s better than “Hope”. Just my opinion.

[@punctuationman334]

Paul Craig eh, fucking around with Ewoks on Endor was a terrible low point in the film, but it had some great high points as well.

Luckily it's just your opinion, you should bound yourself to scientific fact 👇🏾 RETURN OF THE JEDI > empire strikes back

[@1848432]

The originals are amazing,and the prequels were fantastic,but the sequels are a dumpster fire.

[@punctuationman334]

ZAPSTER the prequels were a dumpster fire as well. Terrible dialogue, underdeveloped villains, so many plot holes, and one of the worst on screen romances I’ve ever seen. Bad movies, but it spawned some great clone wars content including republic commando game and books and the clone wars 2D and 3D cartoon.

[@revengeofthesith.]

@@punctuationman334 no

[@thebacons5943]

Return of the Jedi is fucking great. Some of the very best in Star Wars

[@dustinakadustin]

Hollywood would have him go fight and win. Listening to this after episode 9 is very interesting 🤣

[@collegebro85]

Dustin Caldwell nothing from episode 9 did that

[@dustinakadustin]

@@collegebro85 Rey did exactly that...

[@Greggery]

You watch Return of the Jedi and watch the NH and TESB and go wow so many extra layers I never saw before! Then you watch the Last Jedi and go back and watch the previous movies and wonder wtf happened.

[@MMZERO9]

You’d almost think Sam had prophesied what would happen in RoS.

[@Ephisus]

Very good analysis.

[@Jbf-76]

People who don't like "Return of the Jedi" aren't real Star Wars Fans. How can you not like that movie? It's legendary.

[@TJ-fe7rr]

Right. Same as people who hate the last jedi aren't real star wars fans.

[@Jbf-76]

@@TJ-fe7rr lol.. what? That's not what I'm saying at all. The last Jedi..

[@Maxshade7]

I’ve always loved ROTJ! .... Now I love it even more!!!!!! Go Sam!!

[@wazztvproductions]

My favourite Star Wars movie! Empire close second

[@TheClumsyJedi]

YES. Thank you, Sam Witwer! This is why Return of the Jedi is my childhood favorite...and still a GREAT movie. :)

[@dragon-tamer7956]

Return of the Jedi is a great movie, a GREAT movie.

[@TheWretchedMammoth]

Been a fan of Sam Witwer since Being Human (U.S.). ROTJ is my favorite movie in the saga, glad he's here to respect it.

[@gregr3720]

Disney tried to reboot Star Wars in their own image. It failed.

[@theaceking3508]

4:32 statement applies even more after TROS