Jackskeleton

The thing is guys, we are a very very small % of the market. Your average parent or consumer doesn't give a shit if han shot first, jabba never was in ANH or the dance scene in ROTJ didn't suck nuts. They see the dvd on the shelves and they will buy it. the OT (unaltered) looked bad in the prints. they saved it but I'm sure the quality they couldget it in that original print wasn't all that well without proper mastering. The public would go ape shit if they did see that as the final product. either way the Original Trilogy is on LD and VHS. is it so hard to realize that not everything needs to be on every media format out there?

El-Kabong

Wow, threadcrap *AND* a personal attack all in the same post. I'll say goodbye now n00b, because I'm bettering you get the [BANNED] real soon. . . .

jough

So when do we stop bitching about the OT DVD release and go back to complaining about the prequels?

sn9ke_eyes

lucas bashing...I feel my life force draining. Please give it a rest and move on with your lives.

Gatsby

Why not?

Gatsby

I'm ready!! AOTC is the worst Star Wars movie ever! Menace owns it!! Just kidding everyone :-)

spudseq

whewww, what a long read.
Anyway just wanna say that I love SW, but not the stupid prequels.
I saw #1 but will not bother to watch 2 & 3 ( not gonna waste my time )

As far as Buying the SW SE set - I will prolly get it when I can get it used at a pawn shop or yard sale.
I do love my DVD's

foodini

The number of DVDs that I've bought that have been followed by the mega-release later on (LoTR: FoTR, Dark Chrystal, Tron, you know the list) has me in "fool me once" mode. I'll likely rent these through netflix, maybe even make copies for temporary use until Lucas gets his head out of his ass and realizes that the purist (note: not "pureist") form is what most fans are going to want. At the very least, the option needs to be there.

Special Ed? NIMBY.

Michael Corvin

Obviously it is impossible on this forum to have a decent discussion about Star Wars without bashing Lucas, the prequels or the special editions. Get a life. They are just movies. ENTERTAINMENT. If you want Han shooting first, pop in one of the 12 copies of the VHS you own and watch that. Plain and simple. Enough with the threadcraps already. Some of us are looking forward to this no matter which release it is. So what if Greedo shooting first sucks, or Jabba looks lame, it takes up a whole, what, 2 minutes of screen time. Use the fast forward button, that is what it is there for.

Terrell

Actually, you are the one that's an idiot. Nobody cares what your opinion is.

As for Lucas being in charge of these films, he created them you idiot. Without him, there wouldn't even be a Star Wars. So take a frickin' hike.

As for your first comment, you ought to be banned for good, telling someone to kill themself. Take a hike.

No, I don't think it's that. I think when he sees the originals, he sees some effects that look bad by today's comparison. He sees matte lines and some poorly composited shots. I think he sees even more flaws than we do. What I would like to see him do is just use subtle CG to clean up the effects that need it. I'd also like to see him redo all of the lightsabers and all of the shadow effects. Also, digitally recomposite poorly composited shots. Also, there are a couple of unconvcing explosions, such as the big asteroid slamming into the Star Destroyer, that could be slightly tweaked to make them look much better. But I realize this is wishful thinking.

chanster

Go ahead and steal. Its really OK.

Gatsby

I thought discussion forums were for talking about things regardless of which side you fall on...there are people here that were hoping Lucasfilm would release both version as the demand suggest they should. I also don't think this original trilogy thing is as small as people make out. I have heard many publications, radio broadcast and TV programming discuss this Original vs. Special Edition issue.

I think it's healthy to talk about this issue, it is only when the two side become nasty and turn the thread into a war, which always seem to happen. I think the best bias place to discuss this release with happy SUPER PRO Star Wars fans is theforce.net. But stay out of the bashers sanctuary! ;-)

jiggawhat

Initially I thought as many people here that Lucas should release the original trilogy. However, I realized that I might really like these new editions. WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM. How do we know what the final product will eventually be? He might have changed them a little bit to make the CG look a little better who knows. The majority of the movie is the same. No plotlines have changed. I also believe that maybe 2 million people feel that he should keep the originals as they are, but there are 20 or 30 million more people that could give a shit. I have become one of those people who no longer give a shit what he does. He isn't going to change his movies back they way they were for such a small vocal minority. They are his movies and he can do whatever he wants. If I were him and I made these movies I wouldn't have added the new scenes or changed anything, but then again I am not him so I don't know what was on his mind at the time. This argument will never end.

I have an idea: Why don't the people who want the original trilogy go ahead and re-cut it once you get your copy of the SEs. Then you can burn it onto dvd and you will never have to worry again.


I for one don't remember who shot first.


Does it really matter that much?



I certainly can't wait to get this set in my home.

Gatsby

I agree with most of what you've written here, but I also believe that people should continue to fight for what they want until it's achieved... not just for silly space movies, but for anything in life period.

I would be very surprised if these DVDs are anything more than the SE we've already seen.

Regarding the Greedo issue...you have understand that the people who are passionate about these films know every aspect of them, including who shot first.

Jackskeleton

there is still films that havent even been released on VHS. to say that a certain movie and all it's different versions need to be on all formats is silly when if you have it on the most recent, about equal quality format (LD) as an option, I'll simply leave it as a "Take what you can get and stop crying about it" stance.

Wannabe

There are nice improvements in the special editions. But softening the Han character was really unneccessary. Sometimes I get the sense that the movies are just there to sell more licensed merchandise.

Back in 1996, I temped in the licensing department for Lucasfilm; they treat that as very serious business.

Whatever. They're just movies. I'll probably buy them and add another $50 to Lucas' enormous wealth.

Toad

This was posted at another site. FUNNY stuff!

Star Wars Trilogy—The Ultra, Deluxe, Expanded, Soulless Edition
To Be Released On DVD

LUCASLAND, CA—FEBRUARY 11, 2004—Lucasfilm announced today that the Star Wars Trilogy—Special Edition, will be released on DVD later this year. However, much to the dismay of the fans responsible for making Lucas his millions, the original theatrical releases of the Star Wars Trilogy—the classic versions of the films that were actually respected in the film community and got Lord Lucas to the position he’s in today—will never appear on DVD. No, Lucas has completely forgotten where he came from, ignoring not only his fan base but also the hard work of the groundbreaking effects crew that worked on the original films. All their blood, sweat and tears have been forgotten, passed over in favor of computer generated shots that not only look out of place and interrupt the flow of the films, but also quite often make absolutely no sense. And because Lucas places such a high value his “artistic rights,” he’s also decided to add more new footage to the existing Special Editions! The result will be The Star Wars Trilogy—The Ultra, Deluxe, Expanded, Soulless Edition. The following is an exclusive synopsis of the scenes that have either been added or enhanced:

A New Hope:

The Death Star Shoots First
Lucas has said many times over the years he’s grown concerned that destroying the Death Star unprovoked makes Luke look like a cold-blooded killer. In the new edition, the Death Star will fire at the Rebel Base first. Only after the shot—which was fired at pointblank range—inexplicably misses, does Luke fire his own torpedoes to destroy the battle station. The Death Star will be CGI.

The Award Ceremony
Not only will Chewbacca receive a medal for his assistance in the Battle of Yavin, but so will anyone else who helped Luke throughout the course of the film. We will see Leia first give herself a medal, then Han, Luke and Chewie, followed by the droids, Wedge, the charred corpses of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, and the guy that helped fit R2-D2 into the droid socket of Luke’s X-Wing Fighter. Again, all characters will be CGI.

Tusken Raider Attack
Because there are now only 16 people in the Star Wars Universe, a scene will be added explaining that the (CGI!) Tusken Raider who attacked Luke did so because his father was killed during Anakin’s rampage on the Tusken Camp in Attack of the Clones. C-3PO will translate his dialogue: “Hello, my name is Sav’ge Killr. Your father killed my father. Prepare to die!”

Han Solo in the Death Star Corridor
When Han chases the Stormtroopers down the Death Star corridor, he not only runs into a full platoon of them, but also Darth Vader, the Emperor, a squadron of AT-ATs, Genghis Khan, and a group of disgruntled postal workers. Not one of them manages to shoot him as he turns to run the other way.

The Empire Strikes Back:

R2-D2 & The Dagobah Swamp
Instead of falling into the bog on Dagobah and getting swallowed by an unseen swamp creature, Lucas will avoid any possible sexual overtones by having R2 use his super-cool rocket thrusters to fly safely to shore.

Luke’s Fall
A change will be made to the Special Edition scene where Luke chooses certain death over joining Darth Vader…and then proceeds to scream like a girl. Since Lucas already used the Emperor’s scream from Return of the Jedi for the change in the Special Edition, he’s decided to go all the way and actually replace Luke’s fall with the shot of the Emperor falling down the Death Star shaft. While this change will make absolutely no sense to the audience, Mr. Lucas claims he has an “artist’s right” to do so.

Vader’s Shuttle
Even more urgency will be sucked out of the scene where Vader returns to his ship to retrieve Luke from underneath Cloud City. In addition to the all important “Inform my Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival” line that was so key to improving the scene in the Special Edition, the new scene will have Vader add “I’d also like my slippers, a beer, the March edition of Playboy, and some ointment because Luke really hurt my shoulder when he nicked me with his lightsaber.” Accompanying CGI footage will follow.

Return of the Jedi:

The Dance Number:
The fabulous dance number in Jabba’s Palace will be enhanced by the addition of Justin Timberlake, who will end the routine by ripping off Yarna’s top and exposing her six boobs.

Obi-Wan Discusses Anakin
Obi-Wan’s conversation on Dagobah with Luke about Anakin Skywalker has been re-recorded to better recount the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The new scene will sound something like this: “Anakin, was never really a good friend, more like someone I put up with because I promised my hippie mentor I would. When I first knew him, your father was already a great pilot, one who could destroy entire space stations by accident! I was never so much amazed at how strongly the Force was with him as I was frightened that this little brat was friggin’ dangerous. But a promise is a promise, so I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought that I could instruct him just as well as Yoda, who warned me from day one that he shouldn’t be trained. So when you think about it this whole thing is really all his fault because he gave me permission even though he knew the kid was on the edge. Oh, and Leia’s your sister.”

Lara Means

Okay, who made Lucas the billionaire that he is today? Who made Star Wars the giant phenomenon that it is today? I keep hearing idiotic things like "Well, they are his movies and he can do whatever he wants to them" Uh, just who the hell did Lucas make these movies for? Himself? You honestly believe that? Yeah, Lucas made Star Wars for himself so he can watch it anytime he wants, alone in his basement. Bullshit. George Lucas would be unknown if it weren't for the Star Wars fans. He owes everything to us for wasting massive amounts of money on movies, toys, etc etc. Why the hell can't George understand that it wasn't the horrible 'Special Editions' that everyone fell in love with? The old special effects are part of the charm to these movies. We know these movies weren't made with todays technology and thats why nobody gives a shit. They are old movies so they are supposed to look old!

Gatsby

I don't agree... (especially regarding films like Star Wars). The greatest thing about DVD is that we've scene so many of our favorite films like E.T., Halloween, LOTR, Alien and Aliens in different versions... but I'll respect your opinion.

Also, LD is no where near DVD in picture and sound quality IMO...

Jackskeleton

Film Makers usually do make the film for themselves. Especially independent film makers such as Lucas. INDIE I SAY?!?! yes.. he might have done the first one for fox, but with that profit he put up his own $$ to make the rest and has followed that model since. So yes, you can honestly hear that lucas made these movies for himself because he is a story teller. If you want to hear/See the story then you have the option to hear it.. at a cost. and of course you need to hear it told HIS way on his grounds. You tell a painter to paint you an image of something you once saw him paint years ago and if it's not the same thing exactly, do you get pissed and storm off calling him a hack?

I always hear this bullshit that he owes the fans something. I'm sorry, but as a star wars fan he owes me shit. You build the hype and praise around something enough that you can make a religion off it and then you complain when the God you created doesn't produce the way YOU want him to? Get off your high horse and realize that you are making you own bed and sleeping in it. If you don't like it then stop being a star wars fan for hells sake. No one is forcing you to buy them. You do have a choice on the matter. You are getting it wrong.. Kids don't realize that it wasn't made with today's technology and that's why THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT if han shoots first.

As for the "they are old movies and so they are suppose to look old". I'm sorry, but if you can remaster, color correct and perserve a film through digital means. By all rights DO IT! The prints were nearly destroyed because they were sitting in a vault for a long while. So just cause they look old, then hell, give it to us "as is.." ?

Lucas owes you nothing, You do have a choice in the matter. The energy you waste trying to get some petition and all that other crap could be better spent hunting down a laser disc player and the LD's. This will fit your need for the version you want so stop crying for gods sakes.

"Ooooh, Jesus isn't giving me tastier holy bread and sweeter wine.. He owes us for all the worshipping that we do for him. "

Listen to yourself man. You sound crazy. You build the hype about the man for decades and then you demand things without knowning his future plans or anything of the such. The man is an editor at heart. It's the trade he does so well and one thing I have learned about editors is they love to work and keep working on the same project. They then stand back and look at it again and think of something new to add or remove to make it better for his taste.

The "he wouldn't be nothing without me" is a cop out simply because YOU HAVE A CHOICE! Just because you supported him doesn't mean he has to give you a hand job when ever you need it since you paid him for the goods he did back then and you did get what you paid for. Or do you need some compensation for the mental damage caused when he raped your childhood by going back in time and destroying your memories?

The greater public doesn't even know or care about han shooting first. Do they care enough not to buy it when it's on dvd? NO, Not to mention that I have said it before and will say it again.. All you who state you will not buy this if it's SE are just talking out of your rear. You most likely have your pre-orders waiting to be placed.

Jackskeleton

We aren't talking about a film that was released in this day and age onlong the terms of quality of filming. I'll agree that LD is no where near DVD in picture and sound quality, but it's better then VHS and we are talking about a film that when the prints were brought back for the S.E. they were in need of major restoration. I doubt we can really get something that would look all that great on dvd without any sort of digital magic applied.

You know, It would be great if lucas did release the Originals and I'll be happy to pay for it.. but then again, I'll be happy to pay for the S.E's as well. But I'm not going to demand of it just yet considering the man is busy working on the third film.

I would much rather have him focus his attention on making the lost star wars film as great as it can be before I start worrying about getting the Original trilogy on dvd. You know Lucas' marketing plan. There has to be atleast 3 different versions already invisioned in his head.

If anything the S.E's that are released this winter will also include a bonus "behind the scenes look at Episode III". Then after episode III is out on dvd you will see a re-release of all six films together with new bonus features and you know, I'm a betting man so I'll put my money where my mouth is and say that the Originals will eventually be on dvd...

YOU PEOPLE JUST HAVE TO FREAK'N WAIT!!!

(there, I got that monkey off my back)

Kal-El

So basically he put a gun to your head and told you to watch it as many times as you did and to buy as much of the merchandise as you did?

Jackskeleton

Wasn't that how he got you to use Jedi in your name Kal?

I mean, he personally Owes you the OT on DVD simply because of that... .right?

William Fuld

Satan?

Gatsby

You know Jackskeleton, I'm in agreement with most of what you've written. I really like the digital magic applied, especially the improvements on Hoth, the spaceships & Cloud City... I just feel the added footage like Jabba/ Greedo and alterations to things like the sarlaac Pit & Luke screaming are unnecessary...You've got to wonder why these things were added..

I also want the final film to be great, I think we all have that great feeling when the hype begins for any Star Wars films...regardless of the end results, it's like nothing else!