RETURN of the JEDI: THE ORIGINAL RADIO DRAMA (audiobook) by Brian Daley











Published by HighBridge Audio.
Originally broadcast in 1996.
Multicast performance.
Duration: approximately 3 hours, 15 minutes.

 The third installment of NPR's STAR WARS-based radio dramas was also written by sci-fi author Brian Daley (Sadly, he died of cancer very soon after it was recorded). The budget for RETURN of the JEDI was much, much smaller than the original so the recording was about half the length of the first. It still features the wonderful original music soundtrack by John Williams and the original sound effects that make the listener feel like they are part of the action. 
Anthony Daniels returned as See-Threepio. Mark Hamill, however, decided to opt out of this one. Ed Asner stepped in as Jabba the Hutt (he sounded like he was choking as he spoke, though) and John Lithgow took over as Yoda (sadly, he sounded like John Lithgow pretending to be Yoda rather than creating a real voice).

 The shorter run time hurts RETURN of the JEDI when compared to the other installments (6 episodes versus 10 and 12 episodes respectively). There are no big expansions to the story - there is basically just enough time to describe the action that moviegoers saw in the movie.

 That being said, if you are a fan this is almost a must listen, if just to finish the series up. 

 I rate this audiobook 3 stars out of 5.

 This audiobook can be found on Amazon.com here: Return of the Jedi (Star Wars)

 Reviewed on October 3, 2013. 

Link to my review of STAR WARS (Episode IV).
Link to my review of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. 

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