Category: Movies & Television (Videos)

Written by Ryder Windham /Based on the Story by George Lucas and Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 188-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the mostly recently remastered edition of Return of the Jedi (i.e. the cameo presence of a younger Anakin Skywalker).  Bolstered by sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates the wording of the film’s original 1983 novelizationfor a contemporary pre-teen audience. Returning to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker leads a rescue effort to free a carbonite-frozen Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt’s stronghold.  Then, the Rebel Alliance faces its ultimate test: a two-prong assault to destroy the Galactic Empire’s nearly-built second Death Star.  Growing into his legacy as the last Jedi Knight, Luke learns another startling secret that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda have kept from him.  While his friends fiercely battle the Empire in a last-ditch effort to save the galaxy, Luke confronts Darth Vader and the ominous Emperor in a Jedi Knight’s last stand.

REVIEW:

As with his adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, author Ryder Windham’s rehash is just as good (if not better) than the original novelization by James Kahn.  Considering the movie’s recycled plot elements, Windham succeeds in bolstering the film’s poignant depth at the right moments.  For pre-teen fans and adults, this version of Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi proves a treat to read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos are a major plus!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              8 Stars

Written by Ryder Windham /Based on the Story by George Lucas and Screenplay by Leigh Brackett & Lawrence Kasdan

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 235-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the 1997 remastered edition of George Lucas’ second Star Wars epic.  Sporting sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates the wording of The Empire Strikes Back’s original novelization for a contemporary pre-teen audience.  Three years have passed since the destruction of the Galactic Empire’s Death Star.  Forcing a showdown on the arctic planet, Hoth, Darth Vader’s evil forces scatter the outmatched Rebel Alliance.  While Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 pursue a mysterious quest to resume his Jedi training, Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon desperately eludes a relentless Imperial pursuit.  Seeking refuge at Lando Calrissian’s opulent Cloud City, Luke’s friends become expendable bait for Darth Vader’s sinister trap.  Can Luke save them in time?  Or will an even darker secret haunt him by challenging Vader alone?     

REVIEW:

Impressively, author Ryder Windham’s update equals that of Donald F. Glut’s original 1980 film novelization, and, in all fairness, it improves upon Glut’s work.  For instance, the lingering questions Luke is left with will keep readers turned in for Windham’s take on Return of the Jedi.  Considering the creative advantages of Empire’s impeccable screenplay and its timeless wealth of character depth, it would have been a significant letdown if Windham hadn’t capitalized.  For pre-teen fans and adults, too, this poignant version of Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a near-perfect time machine to experience the movie’s storyline once more.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A prologue solidly sets up Darth Vader’s vengeful search for Luke and his friends.  With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos offer another worthwhile asset.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           9 Stars

Written by Ryder Windham / Based on the Story & Screenplay by George Lucas

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Books in 2004, this 205-page paperback adaptation is a junior film novelization of the 1997 remastered edition of George Lucas’ first Star Wars epic (including Han Solo’s encounter with Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett).  Sporting sixteen pages of film stills, author Ryder Windham updates A New Hope’s original novelizationfor a contemporary pre-teen audience.  From the faraway desert world of Tatooine, young Luke Skywalker inadvertently becomes involved in a desperate rescue mission to save Princess Leia from captivity aboard the Galactic Empire’s new super-weapon: the Death Star.  Along with his new friends Han Solo, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2-D2, and the legendary Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke may be the overmatched Rebel Alliance’s unlikely savior of escaping imminent destruction by Darth Vader’s evil forces.   

REVIEW:

Aside from author Ryder Windham’s middling style (i.e. an infrequent use of adverbs that could better describe a character’s manner of speaking), this adaptation still makes a good read.  To his credit, Windham’s narrative flows better than the 1977 novelization ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster for George Lucas.  Still, it’s a fair guess that Windham wrote his text presuming that readers have already seen the movie multiple times.  Hence, his reference to the dubious scent of “fried Rodian” (after Greedo’s cantina shoot-out with Han Solo) as appetizing to some fellow aliens doesn’t seem as out-of-place for this book’s intended kiddie audience.

Windham’s fast-paced effort spells out scenes effectively, though bolstering tidbits of character depth isn’t a priority.  As such, his subsequent retreads of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are better reads, in part because their more complex storylines require the primary characters to evolve.  Even if Windham doesn’t incorporate much zip describing Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, this undemanding version of Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope should still make a welcome treat for pre-teens.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

With brief one-line descriptions, the sixteen pages of photos are a major plus!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                       7 Stars

Written by (Uncredited) & Illustrated by Mark Corcoran

SUMMARY:

Published in 1979 by Random House, this officially-licensed 32-page Star Wars paperback adventure evidently occurs shortly after Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.  On Tatooine, Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance are anxiously awaiting a supply run by Han Solo & Chewbacca’s Millennium Falcon.  Luke is aiding the Rebellion’s science corps in building a ‘super-evaporator’ to produce the planet’s badly-needed water source.  Yet, the Falcon is unexpectedly sabotaged by R2-D2.  Saved by Luke’s heroics, Han and Chewbacca find out that mechanical operations for the Rebels’ Tatooine base also have been similarly sabotaged. 

Upon receiving necessary repairs, C-3PO and R2-D2 stumble upon the saboteurs.  Chewbacca’s intervention ensures that he finally receives his own medal for heroism from Princess Leia.              

REVIEW:

Meant for toddlers, this obscure storybook is a nostalgic treat.  Although Princess Leia appears in a non-speaking cameo, the other characters (particularly Chewbacca & R2-D2) come alive in a decent mini-mystery.  It’s a shame that Random House doesn’t identify the story’s author, but illustrator Mark Corcoran does a remarkably good job replicating the film’s characters (not to mention, the cover’s Millennium Falcon).  For the space epic’s youngest fans, Star Wars: The Mystery of the Rebellious Robot makes an ideal bedtime story.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              8 Stars

Written by Lindsay Kent

SUMMARY:

Published in 2011, this 32-page, Level 2 paperback book is intended for novice readers.  The chapters are as follows:

• Han Solo (page 4)                                                       
• Brave Warrior (page 6)
• Chewbacca (page 8)
• Millennium Falcon (page 10)
• Smuggling (page 12)
• Jabba the Hutt (page 14)
• Mission to Alderaan (page 16)
• Luke Skywalker (page 18)
• Princess Leia (page 20)
• Lando Calrissian (page 22)
• Great Escapes (page 24)
• Captured! (page 26)
• The Sarlaac (page 28)
• Battle of Endor (page 30)
• Glossary (page 32).

REVIEW:

For early readers, the Star Wars imagery should at least jump-start them into exploring this book.  A remarkable asset of this basic Solo biography is the inclusion of some rare images of Solo and other Star Wars characters.    For instance, page 10 has an amusingly rare outtake from The Empire Strikes Back, featuring a goggles-clad Han Solo & Chewbacca repairing the Millennium Falcon. Of note is that Chewbacca is casually using Solo’s head as an armrest.  Overall, the combination of author Lindsay Kext’s appealingly simplistic text and vintage Star Wars photos supply a terrific motivation for children to get started on some ‘solo’ reading.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

At least thirty storybook photos from the Star Wars films accompany the author’s text. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             8½ Stars

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