Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

You mean that 5 second shot at the end of the movie? Really? Not trying to dog on ya, but such a quick scene with a gungan saying "Weesa free!" affects your level of enjoyment?

Yes. I don't consider the prequels part of my own personal canon, and so when I see a planet and a race of creatures that are never seen or even referenced in the 3 films that make up my canon, it's very very jarring. It doesn't make any sense. I'm so into the prequels not existing when I watch the originals that it completely takes me out of the film and makes me go "what?". Then moments later I'm hit with Hayden ****ing Christensen looking like he's about to cut down Ben and Yoda, and I can no longer keep up the fabrication.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by NYorker

Another way of looking at this release is comparing it to software updates - in this case, I would compare it to Windows Vista

In nearly 42, 000 posts I've never read such a awful thing about the Star Wars Blu-ray release .

Many Bothan's died reading that information....

[Monkey_Boy]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Yes. I don't consider the prequels part of my own personal canon, and so when I see a planet and a race of creatures that are never seen or even referenced in the 3 films that make up my canon, it's very very jarring. It doesn't make any sense. I'm so into the prequels not existing when I watch the originals that it completely takes me out of the film and makes me go "what?". Then moments later I'm hit with Hayden ****ing Christensen looking like he's about to cut down Ben and Yoda, and I can no longer keep up the fabrication.

I see. No prequels in your mind. You could think of Naboo as just another planet that was under the Empire's heel and not think about it being something from the prequels.

I definetly agree with the bolded part, though. That was the only thing I wanted changed. Didn't care about lightsaber colors, or boxes around the ships, or anything else really. I was only hoping he'd take Hayden and actually film him standing there like he belonged, instead of that lousy head replacement. Oh, well. I still enjoy the story, and that's all that matters to me. The story is epic awesomeness to me!

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by chip75

In nearly 42, 000 posts I've never read such a awful thing about the Star Wars Blu-ray release .

Many Bothan's died reading that information....

I see a couple people commenting on Vista who never actually used it.

Otherwise you'd know Windows 7 is just Vista v1.5

[svenge]

Originally Posted by NYorker

Another way of looking at this release is comparing it to software updates - in this case, I would compare it to Windows Vista

I'd say the SEs are closer to Microsoft Bob, as it took something that was perfectly fine (in this case Windows 95) and then slapped some clunky, bone-headed additions on top of it that only made things worse.

The ironic thing is that even Microsoft, which is not exactly known as the most nimble and consumer-centric company around, realized their mistake and cancelled further development less than a year after its initial release. This is in stark contrast to George Lucas, who is "celebrating" 15 years of making the OT progressively worse with each new version.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by svenge

I'd say the SEs are closer to Microsoft Bob

LOL.

The funny thing about the SEs is that George has changed his mind on things like Greedo/Han shooting (Greedo first, then roughly at same time) and Luke's scream in ESB (adding, then removing).

How can anybody view these things as some organic progression to "original vision" or natural development in "improving" the OT? Did George's original vision change multiple times? It's utterly illogical, almost like a child tinkering with a piece of technology he doesn't understand, pressing random buttons and forming different configurations in an attempt to understand it.

We can only speculate on the root reasons for George making these changes (a psychologist's field day - see secrethistoryofstarwars.com), but the bottom line is that he does it because he can, and because many people will buy the updated versions of the movies on the newest format.

You build up a certain degree of consumer loyalty then reap the benefits of that. Look at gaming's Blizzard or Steam. Extremely loyal fan bases. Despite many people not liking Diablo 3 for a variety of reasons (online DRM, game mechanics changes, etc.), people bought it and play it in droves. Steam also has a very loyal fanbase with many members who don't buy games unless they are on Steam. I digress, but the point is Lucas has built such an empire that all he has to do is put "Star Wars" on something and it will sell, even if that product is garbage.

If there is a widely commercialized physical format after blu-ray, I bet there will be another iteration of the SEs. Otherwise, when the industry moves primarily to digital delivery or cloud storage, there will still be a new version of the SEs. And that doesn't include the inevitable 3D double dip home release.

[NYorker]

Originally Posted by georgec

LOL.

The funny thing about the SEs is that George has changed his mind on things like Greedo/Han shooting (Greedo first, then roughly at same time) and Luke's scream in ESB (adding, then removing).

How can anybody view these things as some organic progression to "original vision" or natural development in "improving" the OT? Did George's original vision change multiple times? It's utterly illogical, almost like a child tinkering with a piece of technology he doesn't understand, pressing random buttons and forming different configurations in an attempt to understand it.

We can only speculate on the root reasons for George making these changes (a psychologist's field day - see secrethistoryofstarwars.com), but the bottom line is that he does it because he can, and because many people will buy the updated versions of the movies on the newest format.

You build up a certain degree of consumer loyalty then reap the benefits of that. Look at gaming's Blizzard or Steam. Extremely loyal fan bases. Despite many people not liking Diablo 3 for a variety of reasons (online DRM, game mechanics changes, etc.), people bought it and play it in droves. Steam also has a very loyal fanbase with many members who don't buy games unless they are on Steam. I digress, but the point is Lucas has built such an empire that all he has to do is put "Star Wars" on something and it will sell, even if that product is garbage.

If there is a widely commercialized physical format after blu-ray, I bet there will be another iteration of the SEs. Otherwise, when the industry moves primarily to digital delivery or cloud storage, there will still be a new version of the SEs. And that doesn't include the inevitable 3D double dip home release.

You hit the sarlaac right on the head...

[Aquel]

Originally Posted by NYorker

You hit the sarlaac right on the head...

I doubt it, a tentacle would have grabbed him and made him suffer for an eternity.. although the OUT vs PT/SE debate could also be described as an eternal suffering at times.. maybe Georgec is typing this from within the belly of the beast?

[Falaskan]

Originally Posted by octagon

I can live with Hayden (though his child molester expression really is pretty creepy) and actually very much like the closing montage and really, really, really like that they scrapped Yub Nub. God, that was awful.

I'm pretty sure they cropped his head from some scene where he was checking out Portman, because that is what it looks like he's doing.

[benricci]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

You mean that 5 second shot at the end of the movie? Really? Not trying to dog on ya, but such a quick scene with a gungan saying "Weesa free!" affects your level of enjoyment?

Can't speak for the original poster, and it may only be 5 seconds, but that 5 second shot sucks. And when something sucks, it certainly affects my enjoyment.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Yes. I don't consider the prequels part of my own personal canon, and so when I see a planet and a race of creatures that are never seen or even referenced in the 3 films that make up my canon, it's very very jarring. It doesn't make any sense. I'm so into the prequels not existing when I watch the originals that it completely takes me out of the film and makes me go "what?". Then moments later I'm hit with Hayden ****ing Christensen looking like he's about to cut down Ben and Yoda, and I can no longer keep up the fabrication.

One of the things I've noticed is that beginning with the '04 DVD editions (or Star Wars trilogy version 3.0 you could call it) is that the alterations he made turn the original trilogy into sequels of Episodes I-III. Meaning, the DVD versions are meant to be watched chronologically beginning with Episode I. There are certain thematic elements that don't work in the latest alterations if you are viewing the trilogy by itself-- mainly, as you mentioned, the appearance of Hayden Christensen as the ghost at the end.

If you're watching the original trilogy by itself, or even just first, the ending doesn't work anymore. The father/son dynamic of Vader and Luke is destroyed, and instead we have an awkward looking young guy with long hair that has no place in the context of the story.

Showing Hayden at the end of RotJ only works when you watch the films chronologically-- then the story appears to come full circle with the "earlier" chapters, and makes sense. This is one of the biggest reasons I think the original unaltered films are so important-- Lucas didn't so much as make prequels to his trilogy, he retroactively turned his originals into sequels. And superficial changes with cgi aside, this is what really makes the altered originals so different from what they were originally.

[Villiam Hayes]

I only bought the 'original' trilogy,the latter 3 prequels don't interest me in the slightest.
I wish the first few films hadn't been tampered with but anyway,they are the only one's I wanted to own.
I don't need the other movies to feel my collection is complete,they are rubbish and always will be.(imo)

[HylianBowcaster]

I always felt Sebastian Shaw was way to old to be Luke's dad. Luke, being in his mid twenties at the time of his father's death, shouldn't have a dad who looks 78, Sebastian Shaw's age in 1983.

[roguescribner]

Originally Posted by kenkraly2004

I understand that there are some fans that are upset with the changes GL has made to the films I get that and people have a right to their opinion but you can't use the changes made to the films as a reason not to get the blu-ray's or to not watch them ok. Do I wish the original cuts of the OT where on blu-ray yes but I'm not going to be upset over it like some are on here and other A/V forums. And if you don't like my comments about the blu-ray's that fine too but don't make fun of my comments. Just enjoy the blu-rays of the star wars saga and stop arguing about them and about there flaws all films have flaws not just the star wars films.

Um, why not? That's like telling people when New Coke was released that if they didn't like the changes made to the flavor that's no reason to not by New Coke. It's still basically Coke, right? Oh wait a minute, people pitched a fit, sales plummeted and Coca-Cola brought the classic formula back.

I can't force George Lucas to do anything. He owns Star Wars and it's his right to do with it as he pleases. That doesn't mean I have to buy everything he puts out. The only voice I have in the matter is with my wallet. In the end it may not make a difference, but at least I had my say in some small way.

[Starpower67]

Originally Posted by roguescribner

Um, why not? That's like telling people when New Coke was released that if they didn't like the changes made to the flavor that's no reason to not by New Coke. It's still basically Coke, right? Oh wait a minute, people pitched a fit, sales plummeted and Coca-Cola brought the classic formula back.

I can't force George Lucas to do anything. He owns Star Wars and it's his right to do with it as he pleases. That doesn't mean I have to buy everything he puts out. The only voice I have in the matter is with my wallet. In the end it may not make a difference, but at least I had my say in some small way.

Exactally! The SE's obviously affect some people a lot more than others. I don't understand why some people can't understand that, even if they don't agree with it.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by Starpower67

Exactally! The SE's obviously affect some people a lot more than others. I don't understand why some people can't understand that, even if they don't agree with it.

It's a loose form of Stockholm Syndrome.

but you can't use the changes made to the films as a reason not to get the blu-ray's or to not watch them ok.

"You have no right to not buy the product you don't want!"

Wow.

[al cos.]

It's been surprisingly easy to just not buy this thing. I thought it would feel weird not owning Star Wars on the newest format, but I was wrong.

[phansson]

I am all for *****ing about this release, it is a horrible representation of what COULD have been. This set should have had the original releases, the tweaked releases and they should have ALL had new transfers. These are not catalog titles that didn't make money, they are Star Wars. One of the most successful franchises of all time.

But I don't know how you can be a fan and not own the Blu-Rays. Even with all the mistakes, stupid changes and mediocre/over rated transfers they are still worth watching.

[The Apocalypse]

Although I remain satisfied with this release, more and more I'm starting to ask: why wasn't there more? Firstly, as I've already mentioned, some sort of Limited or Collector's Edition packaging. Secondly, the Original Original Trilogy. Thirdly, the DVD extras. Having said that, I'm happy with the PQ of the OT in spite of the changes and with the prequels (TPM's transfer notwithstanding), and the new bonus features, including an alternate take on the Duel in the Senate.

[Troy73]

Originally Posted by roguescribner

That's like telling people when New Coke was released that if they didn't like the changes made to the flavor that's no reason to not by New Coke. It's still basically Coke, right? Oh wait a minute, people pitched a fit, sales plummeted and Coca-Cola brought the classic formula back.

I can't force George Lucas to do anything. He owns Star Wars and it's his right to do with it as he pleases. That doesn't mean I have to buy everything he puts out. The only voice I have in the matter is with my wallet. In the end it may not make a difference, but at least I had my say in some small way.

I like the way you present your stance. It's refreshing to see a point behind how people feel instead of the usual endless debate.

I have no problem with this release and I love Star Wars changes and all. However, over the months as I've read this forum I'm starting to see the point of having the OT unaltered on Blu-ray. As a fan I would buy that version just to be a completest and all the fence sitters would finally have the SW as they want it. It would be a huge profit maker. As I see GL 3-D'ing the saga his motivation for profit becomes clear. So....why not just release it and rake it in?