A question arose in my mind after writing my sarcastic little tribute to George Lucas’ magnum-opus Return of the Jedi: Was this film the beginning of the decline of moviemaking? Very often, critics point to Star Wars as the beginning of the end, citing the overemphasis on merchandising and special effects. However, Star Wars still had a tremendous amount of creativity and originality powering it. In my mind, Return of the Jedi is the actual culprit.
It’s interesting how this debate was raging even at the time of release for Jedi. The following is an argument on Nightline back in 1983 between film critics Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert, and John Simon about this very question.
How prophetic some of their responses have proven to be!
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=rB3V3qyZiFM[/youtube]
What do you think?
This movie may very well have been the beginning of the end. It was the first movie that I can think of that was made, in my mind, with the sole purpose of selling toys.
This is when movies started losing good story in exchange for cool effects and cuddly characters. Walt Disney always had the right idea, story first and cute characters second.
What was John Simon’s deal? Did somebody steal all of his toys as a kid a replace them with sticks. Sticks that he eventually used to stick up his ass. What a bitter old bastard.
John Simon seemed pretty stodgy – I don’t think he’d be the first person you’d invite over to watch the ballgame – but he’s RIGHT.
You gotta look under the covers for some of the true meanings of the films i thought they were brilliant
No kidding Eric, someone needed to get that guy a lollipop. My problem is, you can tell he doesn’t just dislike “Return of the Jedi” but all sci-fi movies including the first 2 of the trilogy.
Anytime somebody presents the sci-fi or fantasy genres as distasteful, or below them, it just pisses people off.
I agree with both of YOUR articles Sam, but this guy was just stubborn and stupid when it came to this subject.
Please, RE, other than the lie that ‘good triumphs over evil’ and the fortune cookie wisdoms that we ought to be careful what we do with power and must not make the same mistakes as our parents, what other “true meanings” lie “under the covers”?
The only hidden answer “under the covers” of REturn of the Jedi was what exactly Carrie Fisher was snorting while making it.
Jedu may have been the beginning of the end but is it fair to blame that one film? I respect the financial genious of Lucas. Yes, the film was sacrificed in a way, but it didn’t have to be. Just look at Empire and you can see what it could have been. Poor production choices in one film should not damn the rest.
Simon is a stuffy old coot with no imagination. I agree with the fat guy and the skinny guy that it is still a fun experience. It may be dumbed down but I’m not talking my kid to see Citzen Kane, because they will not be able to appreciate it.
Movies were first made for entertainment and profit, art was a secondary result. I love a good art film but if it fails to enetertain who gives a shit?