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24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movies, Horrible Tweaks, April 15, 2006
THE STAR WARS movies (the original trilogy) are perhaps some of the greatest movies ever made. They had great characters, a fantastic story, brilliant acting (at some parts) and were just all around fun. I grew up, of course, after they came to theaters, but like most people, I had them on VHS. I was also one of the millions of people who said Star Wars deserved a huge DVD release. In 2004 I got it, and much to my dismay, it wasn't exactly what I expected. Some of the changes are not for the better. On the contrary, the majority of them are worse. The DVD set released in 2005 is essentially the same, only you don't have bonus features... which is alright, the bonus features were nothing special anyway. The release in 2004 had four documentaries (the only good one being the A&E Special: Star Wars: Empire of Dreams), an XBOX demo (not a big XBOX fan) Star Episode III Preview (useless now) and commentary. That was about it (at least the bulk), and after such a long wait I wanted more. Like say... the holiday special that I, someone who grew up in the 90's NEVER got to see. Ever (say sorry). I also wanted the indiviual makings of the movies. When this DVD relese came around, I was disappointed that none of that stuff was included.
Star Wars was full of fun, action, loveable characters (well developed too), story and just about everything that could make a good movie. The Empire Strikes Back is often cited as the greatest sequel ever made (especially with the line: "Luke, I am your father"). With how successful and well accepted the films became, why did George Lucas decide to change it? Especially to connect it with the prequels?
The changes aren't just small things either. They're things that have me pretty upset. I'm talking more than just "Who shot first? Han or Greedo?" (but we all know the scene really is messed up and somehow lessens Hans' character). What I'm talking about are the even bigger changes such as Hayden Christensen appearing in Return of the Jedi, the CGI which is supposed to be superior, but looks a lot worse. I'm also tired of Lucas doing things like, replacing real life extras with CGI characters. This might stem from the fact that then Lucas had virtually nothing to work with, and now he has just about everything to work with. He's opting for Computers over raw talent. I'm not against computers, I'm just saying these films were already perfect the way they were, and now that Lucas has come in trying to make them even more perfect, he's destroying them. A trilogy that once stood above everything, is now being reduced. Boba Fett's voice is now the same one who did Jengo Fett in the prequels, Anakin's ghost is Hayden Christensen, even the music score has been altered to some extent. Conversations have been altered with terrible dialogue (most notably is the conversation between Darth Vader and the Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back), things that were already given CGI treatment for the 1997 release were given even more CGI treatment and it looks terrible (most notably, Jabba the Hutt in A New Hope).
Overall, I'm disappointed with the DVD release. And this isn't the last to come. According to IMDB, Lucas has another release of the trilogy scheduled for release in 2007. I probably won't pick that one up.
The 1997 release was much better than this. The 1993 release even better. Movies shouldn't be altered to let them compete with "newer" movies. I think people have enough common sense to say to themselves, "You can't expect a movie made in 1977 to look like a movie made in 2006." There's a reason why the color version of Casablanca caused an uproar, and there's a reason why the original Star Wars trilogy being tweaked is causing an uproar. You're supposed to preserve classics, not ruin them. I doubt Lucas will ever let people nostalgic for the original have it. Honestly, he should have two sets out. One that's completely the original versions, every single mistake every CGI taken out and everything we loved about the original and one with all these "tweaks" for those who actually like them (you can always strap that one with a warning sticker or something). But don't limit our choices to only being able to have a trilogy that's been tarnished.
I'll let it slide with a three. Three stars because they were three great movies. But some of these changes aren't for the better. Digitally restored pictures and sound I can deal with, altered sequences I can't.
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I would have read the reviews, August 16, 2006
Kind of upset :(
I was not expecting any changes, besides maybe special effects. I could have done without the special effects changes, now that I think of it.
I have not seen this movies in a very long time, thought, well I loved them back in the day, this is going to be awesome...
Two things that jumped at me was the han and greedo, is that his name, shooting. When Han shot him, I thought I missed something, I was like that was kind of weird, but okay... Second thing was the conversation with Biggs, I was like huh, I don't remember that.
After these two things, I started to question "what else had changed"... Then I started reading reviews online and was really upset that the movies did change and I was not imaging things.
Atleast, I own the movies now, and I know what was changed, more then what I had thought changed during my first viewing.
I wish I read the reviews and realized that later this year, like in less then a month, the unedited versions are coming out...
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12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stupid Geeks need to stop complaining !!, January 23, 2006
Guys and gals, QUIT THE WHINING !!! This is NOT a money making scam. If you read the info on the DVD release (on amazon, for example) it will tell you that this is a cheaper version of last year's release for those who want to spend less. It also FOREWARNS you that there is no bonus disc. It burns me up that people gripe and whine when they don't even know the facts.
As for the special editions, They are Lucas' movies and HE CAN DO WHATEVER THE HECK HE WANTS TO WITH THEM AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN DON'T BUY IT !!! I myself happen to like the special editions and could care less if I ever see the dated, 70's-80's versions again. As a matter of fact, I would love to see all the movies with updated effects, etc and even more alterations and editions. It Lucas' vision, he put up his cash to make them, and he doesn't have to give a hoot what you think about his vision of the movie. The funny part is that you will gripe, but you just keep on buying behind the scenes. Get a life people. Enjoy the movies in whatever format you have them and leave Lucas alone. Geez
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