As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, I can’t help but voice my disdain for the “Jedi Rocks” musical number in Return of the Jedi, a change that fans on Reddit widely agree was the most unwelcome addition to George Lucas’s Special Editions. In a discussion asking fellow fans to share their favorite and least favorite CGI additions, it was this extended musical sequence in Jabba’s Palace that stood out as the undisputed low point. Many of us felt that this scene disrupted the film’s flow and tone, ruining the immersive experience we’d grown accustomed to over decades. Released in 1997 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original movie, the Special Editions of the Original Trilogy introduced numerous digital enhancements, additional scenes, and altered effects that significantly differed from the cinematic versions we knew so well. This online conversation on the r/StarWars subreddit also brought attention to several other contentious alterations.
The “Jedi Rocks” musical performance, substituted for the original “Lapti Nek” song by the Max Rebo Band, is widely criticized by fans. Reddit user u/Abbithedog expressed that the music video in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” was so off-putting that they ended up buying the original version on DVD, stating, “The strange musical video in Jedi made me buy the original version on DVD.” User u/DerivitivFilms found it embarrassing to watch, while u/praise_mudkipz labeled it as “the worst scene in Star Wars and NOBODY can change my mind about that.” User u/Whompa02 described it as an annoying tech demo at best, suggesting it shouldn’t have been included in the final cut. The extended sequence includes computer-generated singers and dancers performing a lengthy, discordant musical number that many fans believe disrupts the continuity of the Jabba’s Palace scene in the film.
Critics frequently express disapproval towards the inclusion of the scene featuring Jabba the Hutt in Star Wars: A New Hope. Many viewers, like u/NerdHistorian, find it their least preferred alteration because it essentially reiterates information from the Greedo scene without offering any unique contributions and merely slows down the film’s pace. Additionally, u/Lee_Troyer argues that this scene contradicts Jabba’s intimidating introduction in Return of the Jedi by permitting Han to disrespect him without facing any consequences. Fans have also pointed out that the CGI representation of Jabba in this scene doesn’t align with his puppet portrayal in later films, such as u/EuterpeZonker noting that “Jabba appears significantly smaller than he does in Return of the Jedi or Phantom Menace.” The scene where Han walks behind Jabba and steps on his tail is often criticized for being awkward and unappealing, with u/mitchbrenner describing it as “deeply cringey” and mentioning that no version of this moment has ever looked satisfactory.
How the Special Editions Continue to Divide the Star Wars Fandom
Regardless of Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm and subsequent creation of new Star Wars content, George Lucas’ Special Edition alterations in the films remain a topic of ongoing discussion. This debate underscores the delicate balance between an artist’s prerogative to modify their work and fans’ emotional bond with their initial viewings. Some adjustments, like the improved Battle of Yavin in A New Hope and the inclusion of Cloud City windows in The Empire Strikes Back, have been largely appreciated for enhancing Ralph McQuarrie’s iconic designs. However, certain decisions still irk fans more than two decades after their implementation, as evidenced by discussions on Reddit.
Fans have highlighted several subtly disruptive modifications, such as altered dialogue and extended scenes that affect the emotional intensity of crucial moments. For instance, replacing Darth Vader’s terse “Bring my shuttle” line in The Empire Strikes Back with a more elaborate phrase has been criticized. Reddit user u/RightHandWolf argued that this alteration diminishes the intimidating urgency of the original line, comparing it to a customer asking for extra milk in their coffee while deciding between pastries. User u/Isnotanumber added that Vader sounded angry when he said “Bring my shuttle,” and it’s understandable given his disappointment after revealing his identity to Luke, who then chose near-death over joining him.
In a similar vein, the inclusion of Vader’s exclamation “No!” before pushing Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi drew criticism as it weakened what many perceived to be a profoundly impactful moment of silent resolution. As user u/East-Cat1532 put it, “I’ve always admired the silence as Vader looks back and forth, from Luke to Palpatine, making his decision silently. You could almost see the internal struggle behind his mask! The ‘nooooo!’ detracts from it.” User u/Brendanlendan echoed this sentiment, stating, “At 8 years old, I was able to comprehend the conflict without the ‘Noooo’.
It’s quite challenging to find a legal way to watch the original Star Wars trilogy in its theatrical version, as only “A New Hope” is currently streaming and it’s uncertain for how long. On the other hand, the Special Edition versions can be found on Disney+.
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2025-03-10 13:10