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Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)

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NOTE: A different commentary track was available on the "Definitive Edition" laserdisc box set.

Commentaries on this disc:

Commentary 1: Writer George Lucas, sound designer Ben Burtt, visual effects artist Dennis Muren, and actor Carrie Fisher Rating:7.7/10 (18 votes) [graph]Login to vote or review
Reviewed by directorscut on September 28th, 2004:Find all reviews by directorscut
Unsurprisingly this commentary retains the style and quality of the previous two. Apart from saying that this is more technical minded and Ben Burtt dominates the track, I would be repeating myself. However, the overall impression is that the film was far smoother going than the first two, so there is a lack of stories of on-set and production troubles. Overall I enjoyed listening to these commentaries very much and they are a consummate example that one track filled with relevant information will always be more satisfying than ten filled with vapid junk.
Reviewed by Agressor on August 5th, 2012:Find all reviews by Agressor
Ben Burtt gets an expanded role in this one, meaning a more technically oriented commentary, I think Dennis Muren gets slightly more time in this one as well. Unfortunately Richard Marquand is long gone and that bereaves us of a vital voice from the production that could've elevated the commentary track greatly (As Kershner did for the Empire Strikes Back commentary).

Not to say that this is a bad "yack-track" though, even if not all of Burtts sound anecdotes glues me to my seat plenty of them are interesting enough to warrant a listen, the same goes for Muren, though personally I'd like to see their roles reversed.

Also I could've lived without Carrie Fishers quite useless interruptions and give more room to Muren or Lucas who continue to offer insight into the mythological underpinnings of the saga as well as providing anecdotes about the whole production to which he possesses unique knowledge.

I'm actually surprised by Lucas's candor in this one. Hearing him state that he's somewhat disappointed with the sail barge fight and admitting that it's not as good as it could've been was an unexpected but appreciated surprise.
Reviewed by Pineapples101 on August 28th, 2012:Find all reviews by Pineapples101
Like the commentaries for ANH and ESB this is another excellent commentary. However it could have done with a bit more on set anecdotes as it's pretty much dominated by Burt and Muren. Still, it's a fascinating commentary, highly recommended.