NOTE: The top screenshots are from the 'special edition' on disc one and the screenshots on the bottom are from the 'theatrical cut' on disc two. They might not match up perfectly but they serve the purpose of showing the difference in quality between the two discs contained in this set.

Three years of waiting. Thirty-six months of anticipation. One thousand and ninety five days of wondering how it was all going to end. Fans thought that the wait between the two installments of Kill Bill was bad – has it really been that long since so many of us were held in suspense as to how the Star Wars trilogy would come to a close? The Empire Strikes Back ended with so many unanswered questions, how could an eight year old boy not be freaking out by the time that this movie hit theaters and drive-in's around the world?

Unfortunately, for all the build up and waiting and anticipation that lead to the premiere of Return Of The Jedi, it would prove to be the weakest of the three films in the original trilogy (we won't bother thinking about the trio of prequels right now). With The Empire Strikes Back fans were given a tight, suspenseful and at times even frightening movie that held us in its grip from start to finish. How disappointing then to find out that Return Of The Jedi was playnig it safe and gearing itself more towards the kid's market than anything else. That's not to say that the movie doesn't have its moments – it's got plenty of them – but there are some seriously groan inducing scenes that don't hold up as well today as they did for this reviewer when he was that spellbound eight year old sucking back a Coke and gorging himself on popcorn after having waited two hours outside to get in and see the damn thing.

Richard Marquand directed this third film, the only director from outside of the United States to helm a Star Wars movie. He starts the film off really well with a fantastic scene out in the desert with the ultra cool Boba Fett doing his thing. From there the action comes at us fast and furiously but as far too soon after it ends we're whisked off to Ewok land and it all seems for naught. Granted, this does provide for the opportunity to mount a fantastic forest battle sequence and every kid who has ever seen the film has to have wanted one of those speeder bikes more than anything else in the world, but looking back on it some of the magic from the first two films is missing and as hot as Princess Leia in a metal bikini is, it doesn't compensate quite enough.

In the film's defense, in terms of the story telling, it does do a really good job of bringing the plot to a close and it wraps things up nicely. We learn more about Luke and Leia's background and we see further developments in Han and Leia's relationship. The mystery of the Emperor is revealed and Darth Vader's saga is brought to a truly emotional end. But unfortunately the cutesy factor of the Ewoks feels out of place and at times it seems like they were only there for franchise/spin-off fodder and not to really further the story. Regardless, Lando proves he's not such a bad guy and Chewbacca is still king. Yoda is great here, and before he became a completely computer generated being he really was quite interesting to watch.

In the end, the Ewoks aren't enough to ruin the film. Return Of The Jedi is still a good movie despite their presence and a few other odd moments. Looking back on the film as an adult it is easy to pick at it but the nostalgia it provides isn't diminished and it is still a very entertaining movie.

Thankfully, despite quality issues, we finally have a legitimate DVD of the original theatrical cut. We can now see the ending with Sebastian Shaw in place of Hayden Christensen and we don't have to listen to the horrible Muppet musical piece at Jaba's palace. This is Return Of The Jedi as it played during its original run in theaters around the world before Lucas decided to 'improve' them. If you're one of the few who prefer the 'special edition' release then you've got your choice but for those of us who do prefer the original version it is nice to finally have it, even if it's probably going to be thrust upon us in a better version in the not too distant future…

NOTE: For the record, the 'star ratings' to the right of this review reflect the second disc which contains the original theatrical cut of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, the reasoning behind this being that the inclusion of this version is really the only reason anyone is interested in it in the first place, which is why that version of the movie is not being included in the Extras section of this review.