ROTJ v2.5

I am very thankful to Harmy for all the work he has done. But I must say, I feel he dropped the ball on this version.

He became too dependent on his 35mm workprint version. It is much darker and more contrasty and softer than the official release Blu Ray. There are a lot of places where he could have (or should have) done a custom matte to maintain more of the Blu Ray. But instead he just used the entire frame from the 35mm LPP. Specifically (but not limited to) shots in the Rancor pit, where only the edge of the Rancor is needed for the hard matte line. Also various shots over the Sarlacc where only the Sarlacc pit itself needs to be replaced. And the end shots of the Jedi ghosts where we only need Sebastian Shaw. The rest of the frame with Obi-Wan and Yoda can come from the Blu Ray. Those are the places that immediately come to mind.

People often give ROTJ the short shrift. Harmy seems to be no exception. I think if this film had Wookies instead of Ewoks, it would hold a VERY different place in history. Personally, it is my favorite of ALL the films. I love that we finally meet Jabba. I love that we also finally meet the Emperor. I love that in this film the story finally has an ending. Luke becomes a Jedi. The Emperor is killed. Darth Vader is redeemed. The Empire is destroyed and the Republic restored. Good triumphs over evil.