Star Wars Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

After you've seen the Star Wars movies enough times, certain unmistakable sounds get hardwired into your brain: the warbly snicker-snack of dueling lightsabers; the signature fwoosh of hatches opening and closing (which Star Trek never did as well); the sharp, metallic bangs of blaster fire; even Han's trademark "yee-haw!" as he and Chewie lay into Imperial ships with the Falcon. If any advantage sets audio CDs apart as the format for telling dramatized Star Wars stories, this is it. In the Star Wars: Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy, all these audio tropes get employed to their full effect--along with John Williams's stirring score, of course--to convincingly transport you to that galaxy far, far away.

A CD drama based on a graphic novel series, based on a video game, and based on ... well, Star Wars, may sound a little suspect, but even derivative work can excel when the original source is strong (Lucas), the writing skills proficient (long-time sci-fi author William Dietz), and the voice talent able (dozens of workman actors, with credits ranging from The Fugitive to Shine to Fargo).

The story arc of the set's three Dark Forces stories (Soldier for the Empire, Rebel Agent, Jedi Knight) spans roughly the same time period as New Hope-Empire-Jedi, following Kyle Katarn, a young Imperial officer turned Rebel operative turned (nearly) Jedi Knight. Old favorites like Han, Lando, Luke, and even Chewie pass in and out of the story, a classic Star Wars tale of honor, love, loyalty, and revenge, which sets Kyle against the evil Imperial pretender Lord Jerec. Good fun, well done. (Running time: six hours over six discs; two discs per title.) --Paul Hughes

After you've seen the Star Wars movies enough times, certain unmistakable sounds get hardwired into your brain: the warbly snicker-snack of dueling lightsabers; the signature fwoosh of hatches opening and closing (which Star Trek never did as well); the sharp, metallic bangs of blaster fire; even Han's trademark "yee-haw!" as he and Chewie lay into Imperial ships with the Falcon. If any advantage sets audio CDs apart as the format for telling dramatized Star Wars stories, this is it. In the Star Wars: Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy, all these audio tropes get employed to their full effect--along with John Williams's stirring score, of course--to convincingly transport you to that galaxy far, far away.

A CD drama based on a graphic novel series, based on a video game, and based on ... well, Star Wars, may sound a little suspect, but even derivative work can excel when the original source is strong (Lucas), the writing skills proficient (long-time sci-fi author William Dietz), and the voice talent able (dozens of workman actors, with credits ranging from The Fugitive to Shine to Fargo).

The story arc of the set's three Dark Forces stories (Soldier for the Empire, Rebel Agent, Jedi Knight) spans roughly the same time period as New Hope-Empire-Jedi, following Kyle Katarn, a young Imperial officer turned Rebel operative turned (nearly) Jedi Knight. Old favorites like Han, Lando, Luke, and even Chewie pass in and out of the story, a classic Star Wars tale of honor, love, loyalty, and revenge, which sets Kyle against the evil Imperial pretender Lord Jerec. Good fun, well done. (Running time: six hours over six discs; two discs per title.)

(Amazon.com Review -Pat Hughes )

Fully dramatized. Kyle Katarn has joined the ranks of legendary Star Wars heroes such as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. A timeless adventure of revenge and honor, the trilogy is set in a shimmering universe of sound that only CD technology can fully capture. In Soldier for the Empire, Kyle Katarn, having just graduated from the Imperial Military Academy, learns of his father's murder. On his way home, he meets a Rebel agent, learns the ugly truth about the way in which his father died, and swears revenge. In Rebel Agent, Kyle learns more about what his father found in the Valley of the Jedi that ultimately led to his death. Kyle finally earns his Knighthood as a Jedi, and the stage is set for him to avenge his father's death and stop the Dark Jedi from taking control of the source of energy that lies underneath the Valley. Jedi Knight, the exciting conclusion to the series. In Jedi Knight Jerec, the Dark Jedi, brings his forces to Ruusan in the final part of his search for the Valley of the Jedi. Destroying anything that gets in his way, Jerec reaches the Valley just ahead of Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors. With the help of the indigenous inhabitants of the planet, Kyle and Jan confront Jerec's Jedi and prepare for a final showdown with Jerec. If Jerec defeats Kyle, the unlimited power contained in the Valley will enable him to rule the galaxy. Are Kyle's untrained Jedi powers enough to defeat Jerec?

William C. Dietz is the bestselling author of HALO: The Flood and Hitman: Enemy Within, plus thirty other science fiction novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the navy and the Marine Corps, and graduated from the University of Washington. Dietz worked as a surgical technician, news writer, college instructor, television producer, and director of public relations for an international telephone company prior to embarking on a full-time writing career. 

Based on the popular computer games and the illustrated novels by William Dietz, this is an enjoyable trilogy spun from the fabric of the LucasArts machine. The story concerns Kyle Katarn, an Imperial officer who defects to the Rebel Alliance to fulfill his Jedi destiny. Sound quality is superb, even if the music and sound effects are borrowed from the original films and the acting is at times trite. Randal Berger, who plays Katarn, has a somewhat annoying voice more suited to a teenage beach movie than to intergalactic conflict. Nevertheless, Star Wars fans will enjoy this program and appreciate guest appearances by familiar characters like Luke, Leia and Han Solo. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine