A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

In 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered that the universe is expanding. Before you get sidetracked by what a cool name "Edwin Hubble" is, think about that for a second: The universe isn't just big. It's getting bigger everyday.

Super-Size It

Return of the Jedi uses its massive, outer space setting to illustrate how epic the battle between the Rebels and the Empire truly is. The world isn't at stake; the whole dang galaxy is. The film's action spans the planets Tatooine, Dagobah, Endor, as well as space itself. When the Rebels win, the entire galaxy celebrates, as we see fireworks and victory parties on a host of additional planets like Bespin, Naboo, and Coruscant.

Nobody Vacations on Tatooine

These planets are as diverse as Jabba's menagerie of monsters. Endor, a.k.a., Ewok Central, is lush and earthy, matching the Ewoks' primitive personalities and technology. These tiny warriors are totally in touch with nature, and they use it to their advantage against the Empire's sterile stormtroopers. Tatooine, Luke's home planet and the site of Jabba's freaky palace, is appropriately desolate and eerie. It's not a place where you want to hang out any longer than you have to.

Still, Tatooine has nothing on the deep reaches of outer space where the Death Star resides. It's cold, remote, and just as out-of-touch as the Emperor and his icily flawed plans for galaxy-wide domination. Each locale in Return of the Jedi's vast setting stands in contrast to the others, and each reflects the character and motivation of the people—or creatures—who choose to live there.

Time After Time

Similarly, Return of the Jedi's vaguely ancient time period—"a long time ago"—is the perfect backdrop for the movie's themes. Family, friends, spirituality, redemption, good vs. evil: These are concepts as old as the universe itself. Refusing to name a distinct place in time—like, say, 200 B.C. or 1991—only reinforces their timelessness. Really, who wants to watch a space opera set in 1991? Nobody wants to see Darth Vader wearing a fanny pack.

Okay, so maybe we want to see Darth Vader wearing a fanny pack a little bit.