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Title: Return of the Jedi: The Original Radio Drama by Anthony Daniels, George Lucas, Ed Asner, John Lithgow, Highbridge Audio ISBN: 1-56511-157-5 Publisher: HighBridge Company Pub. Date: November, 1996 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 3 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.35 (31 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: enjoyable but mostly for radio fans or Star Wars completists
Comment: When NPR's audio adaptation of the first Star Wars film hit the airwaves two decades ago, it was as big a landmark in the history of the Star Wars "universe" as any of the subsequent movies. By stripping the story down to the essentials of character, it proved that the appeal of Star Wars is not merely visual flash, but something more enduring, characters you care about, villains you love to hate and (that oldest of rivalries) good against evil. The writing was excellent and the cast equally good, including as it did Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels as Luke and C3P0 respectively. When NPR produced a radio version of The Empire Strikes Back a few years later, Billy Dee Williams came on board to recreate the role of Lando Calrissian and the producers' winning streak continued.
It would be over a decade before the production team got the chance to complete the trilogy with Return of the Jedi. Sadly, just as Return of the Jedi was the weakest of the original movie trilogy, it is also the weakest of the three radio versions. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable, because it is. Rather it can't quite match the exceptional standards set by the previous two series.
Part of the problem is the casting. Although Anthony Daniels returned to play C3PO, Mark Hamill does not reprise the role of Luke Skywalker. Unfortunately the actor who took the role, Joshua Fardon, does not convey the increased maturity of the character in this part of the story. Fardon's performance has a quality of over-eagerness that seems more suited to the naive farmboy that Luke was when we first encountered him rather than the fully trained Jedi-to-be he is here. Good as the other performances are, especially Brock Peters as Darth Vader and Ann Sachs as Leia, this misguided interpretation of Luke leaves a large hole in the story.
Part of that hole can also be attributed to the writing. Like the previous adapatations, Return of the Jedi was scripted by the late Brian Daley. Daley did a good job of translating what was perhaps the most visual of the three original Star Wars films into the audio medium, but he doesn't open up the story the way the previous two series did. Whereas the radio versions of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back took the time to show us more about the characters, Return of the Jedi is, for the most part, just what we saw on the movie screen with a handful of extra scenes thrown into the mix.
Those criticisms aside, anyone who is a fan of radio drama in general or Star Wars specifically will enjoy these programs. In the final analysis the producers understood the ways in which sound alone can fire the imagination. Using that knowledge, they have crafted yet another fine way to enjoy the magical world that George Lucas has given us.
Rating: 5
Summary: This is what Star Wars is all about
Comment: You'll never see me cite one Star Wars movie being better than all the others (at least until Episode III comes out, which I'm convinced has the potential to be the best movie of all time), but as far as the novelizations go, Return of the Jedi is by far my favorite.
If you didn't already know it, there are a handful of important details included within this book that didn't make it into the movie. These details alone are reason enough for all Star Wars fans to read this book. When Episode III finally comes around, you will be able to appreciate it much more having read this book.
However, the true strength of this book is the wonderful portrayal of the characters. So much depth was given to them that it just strengthened all of the reasons why I love Star Wars. And the reason I do love Star Wars is because of the characters. While all the sci-fi stuff is really great, it is the story of these characters that has drawn me into this universe. Reading about Luke flaunting with the Dark Side as he faces against Vader and the Emperor is gut wrenchingly incredible.
This is the third part of a three part story. I recommend reading the first two parts first respectively - the third part is a treat you won't regret.
Rating: 4
Summary: Exciting food for the ears and imagination.
Comment: Even though I'm in my 30's, I like to think of myself as somewhat of a veteran of listening to radio drama. I discovered this wonderful art of theatrical broadcasting in the early 80's. The local public radio station would broadcast several of the old radio shows throughout the week. I listened to the Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet, Suspense, Abbott and Costello, etc. (Call me a geek for doing it, but I loved every minute of it).
I miss those days because this art form gives you the greatest freedom of the imagination. I wish we could bring it back more often. Anyway, I remember hearing that Star Wars was coming to the radio and I listened to the episodes when I could. What a great experience.
However, I bought the cd edition of Return of the Jedi, which I didn't hear in broadcast. I could not have been more pleased. The performances of the actors and the sound technicians gave me the best listening thrill I've had in a long time. I've had the cds for only 5 days and have listened to them each day. I'm going to get the first two dramas soon so I can to enjoy them too.
Why do I feel this way? I don't know, except that I have always enjoyed listening and letting my imagination go. It allows one to be active in the story, rather than passive as with a film. It's even better than reading in one way. You don't get the writer's vivid details of the appearance of things. You get to produce it all yourself. And when you listen again, you can "see" it differently in your mind.
As for why I give it four stars, I want to hear the other two in comparison before I give it the highest mark. All things said, if you have a good imagination when a story is told, then get this drama. You'll enjoy it again and again.
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Title: Star Wars: Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut ISBN: 0345320220 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 June, 1985 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: The Empire Strikes Back: Star Wars/Compact Discs (The Original Radio Drama) by George Lucas, Highbridge Audio, Brian Daley ISBN: 1565110072 Publisher: HighBridge Company Pub. Date: November, 1993 List Price(USD): $59.95 |
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Title: Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope by George Lucas ISBN: 0345341465 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 September, 1986 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks ISBN: 0345434110 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 29 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama by Highbridge, George Lucas, Anthony Daniels ISBN: 0942110994 Publisher: HighBridge Company Pub. Date: May, 1993 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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