Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I'm surprised I've been a Star Wars fan for so long and had never bothered to listen to this. It's actually a great way to relive the movie. It's quite different from the actual film script and includes expanded and deleted scenes. For me, the best part was the beginning, with Luke's friends at Tosche Station. It has such a 1970s flavor and would have started the movie off really differently (although nothing beats the actual opening space battle).
Overall, the case works well. Mark Hamil actually plays Luke Skywalker and does a great job of it. Likewise, Anthony Daniels plays C-3P0. Most of the other characters come off at least similar to their on-screen counterparts. Han is appropriately cocky, although he's also more selfish than portrayed in the films. Leia has a good amount of spunk. Unfortunately, the series didn't quite get Darth Vader right. The torture scene with Leia - not in the movie for good reason - was particularly onerous and Vader sounds more like a shrink than a Sith Lord.
One other thing tat bugged me is the episode breaks. Originally, when this aired as a radio show, it was broadcast as 13 episodes, and each time there was an introductory narration and credits. Unfortunately, these remain on the audiobook version. Thus, every 15 minutes or so you hear another listing of credits, then another introduction. I hope future versions eliminate this and allow listeners to hear just one uninterrupted book.
The ESB episode wasn't quite as strong. Luke, Han, and Leia are all well done. However, Vader comes off as corny and Yoda just doesn't have the majesty he demands. Also, it doesn't have many deleted scenes, aside from the Battle of Derra at the beginning. It's about an hour shorter than the ANH radio show.
The ROTJ broadcast is pretty much like the movie - of course, without the space battles and with audio depictions of the land battles. It's actually fairly short - about 2 hours shorter than the ANH radio show. There aren't really any important deleted scenes, except the beginning when Luke is building his lightsaber. Still, it's well done and faithful to the movie. The Ewoks do get a bit more respect than they usually do.
One other thing that bugged me is the episode breaks. Originally, when this aired as a radio show, it was broadcast as 10 episodes, and each time there was an introductory narration and credits. Unfortunately, these remain on the audiobook version. Thus, every 15 minutes or so you hear another listing of credits, then another introduction. I hope future versions eliminate this and allow listeners to hear just one uninterrupted book.
Overall, this is a great set to listen to during commutes, even if you've watch the movie dozens of times already. Fans will appreciate deleted scenes.
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