As a first generation fan, I have witnessed the changing attitudes in the original fans over the years towards Return Of The Jedi has been in perfect tandem with the critical re-evaluation of the films. I think I was first aware of this circa 1997 where all of a sudden, all these articles were being written about Return Of The Jedi having an opening sequence akin to The Muppet Show and that the Ewoks were a travesty. Next thing I know, all those twenty-something fans were saying the same thing.
Now, back in 1983, everyone I knew (myself included) positively raved about Return Of The Jedi. The sequence in Jabba's palace was like the Canina scene in A New Hope writ large; the space battle at the end was breathtaking; the scenes between Vader, Luke and The Emperor were dramatic and nail-biting; all the loose ends were tied up and - get this - not one single person complained about the Ewoks.
Now, this was in Britain, where we are notoriously cynical. So, if we Brits bought into Return Of The Jedi, I fail to see how this was any different across the pond.
So, I ask, who amongst the original fans (don't even bother posting a reply if you didn't see the films first time round - this is for the grown ups only!) genuinely thought Return Of The Jedi to be a let-down when first released? And, if so, why? Be honest now.