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
