Warding off Star Wars

[Matt]

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.

Yeah. It's a product of it's time, and it's influence on those of us who saw it at a certain, impressionable age.

As for the "Han not shooting first changes his character", well yes it does, but only from an adult perspective. I doubt when I was 4 I took much more from that scene than he was not a guy to be messed with, and that remains. Remember, there's No Such Thing As Luck. The Force made Greedo miss

[Guts]

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.

Well, to me it kinda does. If I'm watching the new version it ruins the viewing experience for me when I have to think about: "great, here's this another pointless addition, why couldn't he just leave them alone?". Picture sharpness is secondary to me, I'll rather watch the Special Editions on DVD.

[sj33]

I'm certainly not defending the changes, by the way. I'm not bothering with the Blu-Rays until the entire lot can be bought for a tenner because I begrudge Lucus getting money for his antics. I just read what Lyris posted and thought it was a shame - I don't think people shouldn't give the series a try simply because of the changes, I don't think they change the experience to that extent. They are significant enough that they stand out like a sore thumb to the rest of us, and represent Lucus losing his sanity. But the rest is basically the same.

[Guts]

As for the "Han not shooting first changes his character", well yes it does, but only from an adult perspective.

There's two problems with that scene: Firstly, it looks really embarrassing. Secondly, it makes Han Solo look like he's not too fast on the draw.

[Matt]

Do I wish he'd not made the changes? Of course. I'd of liked the "CG enhancements" to have been sorting out the matting, and left there. Do I like the changes? Not really. Some I actually do, but some are awful (Jabba Palace song, the Ewok song - not just the song but the seriously too short final shot) and some I hope are fixed on the BR (the last version pre BR I have, the music is far too quiet in places). But it's done. Moaning about it won't change a thing. At least I can watch them in HD on my screen and enjoy them now

BTW, the Han shooting change, I never saw it making Han look like a slow draw. I saw it as changing him from a colder, calculating killer, shoot first take no chances type of character. But as I said, at 4 years of age that probably didn't register Now they shoot at the same time, give or take a frame or two.

Hey, it is how it is. I will not let it ruin the films for me Positive mental attitude!

[Dogg Thang]

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.

Well there's the end of RotJ which, on first viewing might have people thinking

->Open Spoiler<-

who is that weird creepy stalker ghost beside Yoda and Ben?

Of course simply from just being alive on this planet, people will actually know the answer but, in the context of the films starting with 4, 5 and 6, it's a bit of a messy moment now. Not a problem for those who watch them starting from 1 but if they start there they may never watch another Star Wars film, or indeed any film, again.

[Matt]

I think the best way to go is watching 4, 5, 3, then 6. Skip the other two

[sj33]

Hey hey, lets not go nuts here, 3 was simply watchable

[EvilBoris]

Both Star Wars and Indianna jones never featured as part of my childhood, now when I try to watch them they seem incredibly unmemorable. Although both films are so ingrained in pop culture I can easily pick out any reference or joke relating to them

[Matt]

Hey hey, lets not go nuts here, 3 was simply watchable

I've not seen it since the cinema release, but I do recall thinking it was great. The opening scene was gobsmacking. The whole "They're going against Democracy so I'll turn into a psycho killer" thing was poorly done. The lava fight was stunning. I thought it showed a massive improvement over the previous prequels. But the thing is, are they Star Wars movies? The original trilogy are very tame compared to the spectacle we take for granted these days, and I think they're better films for being so refrained - though obviously back in the day, the Spectacle was the original selling point. So in Ep 3, we have loads of spectacle, but not the heart is lost.

Ah, how time moves on....

Oh, and I REALLY liked General Grievous

[Lyris]

I do look forward to finally seeing these films. I'm not cutting off my nose to spite my face and avoid the films because of the changes - but it does mean that I prioritise the many other films which are out on BD.

[JSR]

Spiting my face by cutting of my nose? No, it's not out of spite (well, primarily not). If I had bought and seen the Star Wars BD's I would've wasted my money. The movies as they are now are unwatchable for me. That's not my principle or the elitist film snob in me talking, I simply can't enjoy them anymore. Having the original in my memory, I will feel a huge disconnect from the changes that caricatures and dumbs down the events in the movies. Even in the scenes not heavily altered, I would either have the upcoming changes in the back of my mind, or I would constantly be questioning myself if the scene I'm watching is like it always was? All the changes makes it hard to know for sure what is new and what isn't, and thinking about these changes really ruins any chances of sitting down and actually enjoying the movies. Those of you able to enjoy them as they are: Good for you. But don't come saying that the rest of us are taking them too seriously or is in any way being too stubborn to enjoy them, because we simply feel stronger for these movies than you do and no amount of reasoning will change that.

Many great recommendations so far, though I've played/seen/heard most of them already.
I will probably see the Plinkett reviews again very soon, they're simply that good. It feels great to the thoughts and feelings I have for the prequels not only so well argued, but done in such an entertaining package too. All of you that are yet to watch them, do so now!

[sj33]

I think Lyris was talking about his own reasons for having not seen Star Wars before, rather than jabbing at people for not buying the Blu-Rays.

[JSR]

I was actually responding to Matt, or that sentiment in general. Could've made that clearer though.

[Dogg Thang]

There's always Star Wars Lego, Alex. Not the game - the actual Lego. Go buy some! Lego rocks even when it's not Star Wars.