The content of this post originally appeared in the “JNL” section of the Janesville Gazette daily newspaper in the mid-1990s.

George Lucas’s third movie in the “Star Wars” saga, which is actually the sixth episode, has brilliantly filled in all of the empty spaces left by “The Empire Strikes Back.”

It has some very exciting climactic points, such as the unveiling of Anakin Skywalker, AKA Darth Vader, the downfall of Jabba the Hutt, and a discovery about Princess Leia. “Return of the Jedi” introduces many new characters, including umpteen Ewoks and the evil Emperor. You get to learn more about Luke’s father, as well. At the end of “The Empire Strikes Back,” Han Solo (Harrison Ford) had been frozen in carbonate and delivered to Jabba.

“Return of the Jedi” starts with some heroic rescue efforts by Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke (Mark Hamill). Their ventures get them facing death by digestion, but as you might guess, they aren’t knocked off. Luke then flies to the Dagobah system to finish his Jedi training, but he faces the untimely death of Yoda. Even on his death bed, Yoda is still capable of making witty remarks. But Yoda also reveals that if Luke is struck down, another might have the power to defeat the Empire. This all is topped off with the rebels’ attack on the reconstructed Death Star and the battle of Luke and Vader. Even though the movie holds you on the edge of your seat, there were some bad parts, such as the unlikely way in which Jabba died, and also how easily Luke killed the monster in a cage beneath Jabba. “Return of the Jedi” ties up all of the loose ends and does a fantastic job of keeping up the level of excitement started by “Star Wars.” The “Star Wars-Special Edition” was a success and has shown a whole new generation the magic in the mind of George Lucas.