Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – A Q2 Fanedit

What the SE should have been - nice job!

This is simply the best version of ROTJ out there. Everything wrong with the SE is fixed and it feels like the best balance of what was good about both versions. The victory fanfare at the end works well as it makes it feel like it belongs to the greater saga. Removing Jedi rocks is always welcome and while the quality drop is expected with the re adding of the original Jabba palace scene, it is as good as it could ever be. The removal of the Sarlaac beak is incredibly done.

Overall this fanedit is fantastic and Q2 is yet to be topped with this version.

I've always liked Return of the Jedi, but the story always felt a little flat and tensionless. Plus the special editions put some stuff that worked and didn't work. Like changing the band in Jabba's palace and putting Hayden Christensen in the movie is ridiculous, but changing that stupid song "Yub Nub" or "Ewok Celebration" or whatever, with "Victory Celebration" and adding the Galaxy Celebration is great (aside from "Wee'sa free!"). Neither the Theatrical Cut/Harmy's Despecialized Edition nor the Special Edition were perfect for me. Then, I found Q2's hybrid cut.

The M4V quality was great, the audio was great, and it put Lapti Nek and old Anakin to the movie! For lots of hardcore fans of ROTJ, that's amazing.

For now, this is my go-to ROTJ. ADigitalMan has the same concept but this is better, I haven't seen the Dan edit and the Spence makes no sense at times.

1080 MKV looked great. Audio sounded good, glad it was included. Overall this was a good edit, my go-to ROTJ.

A/V Quality - 10
Editing - 10 visual, 8 audio
Narrative - 9
Enjoyment - 9 (OUT 9, SE 7)

Recommended drink: Shift (Pale Lager)

Technically, Q2 has yet again proven his skills with this edit. I couldn't fault any of the visual or audio transitions. Additionally, you'll get no complaints from me with regard to the BD source material.

My only comment is that I wish Q2 had been a bit more liberal with the scissors. Sure, all of the most offensive 'special edition' changes have been removed, from the new dance number, to the 'NOOO', and the Hayden ghost.

However, there a few things in the theatrical cut that I would also loved to have seen the back of. In particular, I am thinking of the awful (and unnecessary) droid slave/torture scene that has been like a thorn in my side for the past 30 years!

Even so, this is firmly in my line-up of 'go to' Star Wars fan edits. Thank you, Q2.