The Special Edition of "Jedi" took some heat when it first came out for the ridiculous song-and-dance number at Jabba's Palace with the mugging-at-the-camera CGI creatures. There was also a beak added to the Sarlacc Pit monster, new footage with the green slave girl and Boba Fett, and an extended celebration ending with new music. Otherwise, there weren't really any other major changes. But the controversial changes done for this version were a prelude to subsequent controversial changes George Lucas made to the DVD/Blu-ray versions, which took even more criticism than the Special Edition.
Leonard Maltin Movie Guide Review:
Return of the Jedi (1983) - 3.5 out of 4 stars
"Third installment in the STAR WARS saga is a sheer delight, following the destiny of Luke Skywalker as his comrades reunite to combat a powerful Death Star. Some routine performances are compensated for by ingenious new characters and Oscar-winning special effects. More sentimental and episodic than its predecessors, but carried out in the best tradition of Saturday matinee serials, from which it draws its inspiration. Full title on-screen is: STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI. Special edition released in 1997 features enhanced effects and 4m. of additional footage. Followed by two Ewok adventures for TV and the prequel STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE. J-D-C Scope."