Warding off Star Wars

[Matt]

It's not happening, at least not for now. At best you'll be looking at years.

So why cut off your nose to spite your face? They're still very enjoyable movies. I don't think the changes take away [TOO MUCH] from the movies at all, they simply **** with people's nostalgia.

Prequels? I recall liking parts of them, and Ep 3 was actually a very good movie. The opening was astonishing. Was a fine sci-fi action movie in it's own right, even if the Drama was poorly handled in places.

[Dogg Thang]

So why cut off your nose to spite your face?

Ah yes, the self-mutilation metaphor is quite appropriate in this case. There comes a point where you just have to say 'stop' and walk away.

[Matt]

Ah yes, the self-mutilation metaphor is quite appropriate in this case. There comes a point where you just have to say 'stop' and walk away.

lol

I do get tired of people endlessly going on and on and on and on about it. The changes aren't ideal, but they're there, I think we all have to move on. Lump it or leave it. I'd prefer to have them on BR in some shape than to have to stick with the DVD releases. And I prefer the SE DVD releases over the laserdisc dupes of the unaltered versions that look like crap.

[Decider-VT]

You should read this instead. Lucas may be a poor writer (by his own admission) and his meddling may have angered people but after reading that I had a lot of respect for what he managed to achieve with Episode IV and ILM.

Oh, and don't forget to read about Marcia Lucas, either.

[Guts]

Ah yes, the self-mutilation metaphor is quite appropriate in this case. There comes a point where you just have to say 'stop' and walk away.

Hear, hear.

I can only shudder when some people in this thread say they're going to watch Star Wars for the first time - as the sucky, altered Blu-Ray version. As a fan, that makes me sad.

I'd rather watch the original theater cuts from VHS than the (yet once again) butchered BR.

Oh and remember: Han shot first, Greedo didn't even have the time to pull his trigger. Always.

Edit: Alex you should read Timothy Zahn's early 90's novel trilogy Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command which take place right after RotJ and feature all the main characters from the films. It's better and more SW than anything Lucas could dream of in his current senility. In fact, it might be the next best SW thing after the original trilogy.

Also, play Knights of the Old Republic if you already haven't. It's probably 2$ on Steam.

[speedlolita]

They've actually released the first 3 and last 3 films in separate Blu packages. About ?33 each in HMV.

[Matt]

You should read this instead. Lucas may be a poor writer (by his own admission) and his meddling may have angered people but after reading that I had a lot of respect for what he managed to achieve with Episode IV and ILM.

Oh, and don't forget to read about Marcia Lucas, either.

Yeah, I read the book a few years back. It's amazing, inspiring stuff. I keep meaning to pick up the Empire book....

[Matt]

They've actually released the first 3 and last 3 films in separate Blu packages. About ?33 each in HMV.

I think the full set comes with an extra couple of DVDs (not BR, I could be wrong) of stuff??

[Lyris]

I can only shudder when some people in this thread say they're going to watch Star Wars for the first time - as the sucky, altered Blu-Ray version. As a fan, that makes me sad.

This is actually why I've waited so long to see the films. The though process usually goes like this:

"I should finally watch Star Wars... oh, but which version?"
(Googles for Star Wars changes)
"Oh, there are multiple versions and multiple fan attempts to reconstruct the original using Laserdisc sources. From which should I choose?"
(5 minutes later)
"Forget it... I'll watch a film that's available on disc in one piece."

[Matt]

Hear, hear.

I can only shudder when some people in this thread say they're going to watch Star Wars for the first time - as the sucky, altered Blu-Ray version. As a fan, that makes me sad.

I'd rather watch the original theater cuts from VHS than the (yet once again) butchered BR.

Oh and remember: Han shot first, Greedo didn't even have the time to pull his trigger. Always.

Now while I can understand people are frustrated by the change, does that really make it so bad that the rest of the greatness is ruined? Not for me.

Personally I'm amazed there's anyone in the civilised world who hasn't seen Star Wars. I guess there was a generation between the original trilogy, and the latter, that never latched onto it. For people of my age, it's hugely important. Clone Wars seems to be a very big thing with kids these days.

[speedlolita]

I think the full set comes with an extra couple of DVDs (not BR, I could be wrong) of stuff??

Yeah, but if you only want the films it's a decent saving.

I for one have never taken the time to watch extra content on a DVD ever, so extra stuff doesn't really appeal to me personally.

[Matt]

This is actually why I've waited so long to see the films. The though process usually goes like this:

"I should finally watch Star Wars... oh, but which version?"
(Googles for Star Wars changes)
"Oh, there are multiple versions and multiple fan attempts to reconstruct the original using Laserdisc sources. From which should I choose?"
(5 minutes later)
"Forget it... I'll watch a film that's available on disc in one piece."

Honestly man, just watch the BR release. If you've never seen them before, you will not be offended by The Changes. You'll wonder just what all the fuss is about

[Matt]

Yeah, but if you only want the films it's a decent saving.

I for one have never taken the time to watch extra content on a DVD ever, so extra stuff doesn't really appeal to me personally.

Oh yeah, if you just want the original trilogy it's the way to go

I'm hoping to pick up the full boxset for around ?30 over Xmas

[sj33]

This is actually why I've waited so long to see the films. The though process usually goes like this:

"I should finally watch Star Wars... oh, but which version?"
(Googles for Star Wars changes)
"Oh, there are multiple versions and multiple fan attempts to reconstruct the original using Laserdisc sources. From which should I choose?"
(5 minutes later)
"Forget it... I'll watch a film that's available on disc in one piece."

I hate the changes as much as the next fan, but I'm not convinced that they will matter much to the first time viewer. The 'Han shoots first' bit probably does matter, because it would change how people view Han Solo. That aside though, the other changes are significant to fans like us who wish Lucus would leave the damn thing alone, but I can't think of anything that would change the experience for the first time viewer. The key thing would be to watch Episode 4, 5 and 6 first.

My biggest concern is that first time viewers will see the films and wonder what the fuss is all about.

[speedlolita]

The girlfriend loves Star Wars so we'll be getting the full set anyway. It's not like I hate Star Wars, still enjoyable movies but I don't think they're the be all and end all.

I never even finished ep2 and haven't seen ep3 so those will be interesting to watch at least.