Ok let's set the stage...

A New Hope. Aged combatants square off to settle an old score - a former master, and his ex-apprentice. Once again, Vader stalks his prey, but this time it's no naive farmboy. This time it's a practiced Jedi Master, ancient though he may appear. Obi-Wan, returned from his exile on Tatooine, has come back to finish a mission given to him 20 years earlier. Rigidly, the knights circle one another, anachronistic warriors from a more civilized time. As their sabers clash, it becomes clear to us..Escape is not his plan. Obi-Wan mentions unimaginable power to Vader if he should fall to his red blade. Vader presses on, undeterred, savoring only the taste of revenge against his old...

*sigh* ok fine I guess this is when Han, Chewie, Luke, Leia and the droids need to be reunited so that they can board the Falcon...alright...can we..just...get back to the..? ok nevermind.

Empire Strikes Back then. Luke and Vader are locked in straight up Mortal Kombat. The Dark Lord taunts Luke, and in truth Sithly fashion pulls Luke into the fray, into darker and darker recesses of Cloud City. Vader pushes a sweat drenched Luke to his limits, and all the while we know it's too soon for him to take on the Dark Side. His failure at the cave...remember his failure at the cave. Vader beckons Luke to release his anger. The duo, good and evil, edge closer to destiny, in which no good can come of this conflict...somehow we know Luke's very soul is on the ...

And cut to witty 3PO and R2 banter. Ok then. Yep. Ok strange computers - that was kinda funny. And now Chewie is banging 3PO's melon on the doorframe. Ok. Alright then..that's..that's kinda funny but...ok fine.

Alright then let's try the grandaddy of all edits - enter the Throne Room in Return of the Jedi. Now we're alone with the key players in one of the most climactic, and darkly potent scenes in the entire saga. We've never met the Emperor before, not face to face. He oozes malevolent power. He's winding Luke up with his mental gymnastics, pitting father against son for their very survival. Meanwhile, outside the viewport, the metaphysical battle for Luke's soul, and Anakin's, is mirrored in one of the most desperate and awe-inspiring clashes we've ever seen. The odds are clearly insurmountable. Trapped between an inescapable Imperial Fleet and the looming space station, the Rebellion is poised to be chewed to pieces. Dogfights swarm, fiery crashes blossom, suicide runs blaze into final tragic glory, titanic superlasers arc across the inky depths of space to annihilate ...

And cut to an Ewok. Oh no wait, two ewoks. Oh what are they doing? Oh that's cute. Yeah. Wrapping the rope around the leg of the AT-ST..that's...that's cute. ok. Ok. Alright then.

Ok forget that noise - let's get into the Prequels. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stalk a wary spectre, something that shouldn't exist, but does - a Sith named Darth Maul. His twin-sided blade blurs like a whirling dervish, drawing crimson swaths of danger in its wake. The Master and his Padawan press onward, bearing down on the snarling visage of Maul as he backs away, leading them into a place of his choosing. High above them, another battle likewise rages - an impossible assault of a small squadron against the awesome might of the Trade Fed Control Ship. All seems certainly lost. Suddenly Jedi and Apprentice are separated. Qui-Gon relentlessly pursues Maul but as the Duel of Fates crescendos, somehow we know something has gone horribly..

OH fer CRYIN out loud. What is that? Jar-Jar?! Seriously. Jar-Har. You have GOT to be kidding me. :0)

Ever notice how GL can be purposefully frustrating to heighten the tension? He kinda cracks me up sometimes. He's very concerned with pace, and intercutting scenes. He's on record more than a few times saying he's concerned that the pace of a scene will be "exhausting" to the audience, so he tries to throw in different elements.

I think it was quite masterful in Return of the Jedi - the Throne Room confrontation between Luke, Vader and the Emperor is perfectly played off of the events of the space battle.

It's..that third element he throws in. It's always so very very frustrating. Somehow, in the midst of a ptich battle between good and evil, the last thing you want to see is comedy relief. But that layer, let's call it the "cutaway", somehow makes the experience more memorable.

What do you think? Masterful editing or annoying quirk?

DM out