Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[monkeyjb1988]

It was sad to hear that Irvin Kershner passed away. He did an excellent job on Empire. I hope his family is getting by now.

[jcm3]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

Despite the high cost of restoring the originals, I think it would actually be a good business decision. Once restored properly, it won't be too hard releasing them on the next format as they come along. The smart move would be to release each version separately every few years, maybe the unaltered version for limited times.

"what won't make it to Blu-ray are the original versions of the movies; Lucas told the New York Times that only the special editions will be included, since restoring the original versions in high enough quality would cost too much"

He would have already digitally cleaned up the originals in order to use them as a starting point for adding SFX for the Special Editions. There's no way around that unless we are to believe the CGI Jabba was magically added to the actual filmstrip itself. So it's just a matter of his ego or ocd or whatever it really is that prevents him from releasing it. Yeah, it's his movie. I'm just saying the excuses are not at all logical.

[s2mikey]

Im a huge Star Wars fan and cant wait for these to finally come out. Unlike many fans though Im not as turned off by the special editions as some are. Sure, Han shot first - that scene drove me nuts. The Jabba/Han meeting at Mos Eisley also felt horribly out of place and I like waiting to meet Jabba until ROTJ. And, yes, the new music for Jabbas palace sucks too.

However, other than those scenes, some of the changes are welcome, IMO. The Mos Eisley "spruce up" looks good to me and helps make the originals look more like the prequels which is a good thing. The extra scenes at the and of ROTJ showing Bespin and Coruscant are good and also blend in nicely with the look of the prequels. The cleaning up and additions to the dogfights in the final battle in A New Hope are great and make this battle a better watch. Some of the other quick shots and clean-ups are also well worth it. I even like showing Anakin as a young "ghost" at the end of ROTJ - that was the age range he was when he was still "good" so this shot makes sense to me.

Look, Im with you guys on some of this stuff being unneccessary or outright awful, like Greedo shoting first. But, many of the additions and clean-ups are welcomed and work great, IMO. Some of the effects arent holding up as well now as they did 30 years ago so a litttle CGI clean-up is NOT a bad thing. If alls I ever get on blu-ray are the special editions of the original trilogy, I can certainly live with that.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Im a huge Star Wars fan and cant wait for these to finally come out. Unlike many fans though Im not as turned off by the special editions as some are. Sure, Han shot first - that scene drove me nuts. The Jabba/Han meeting at Mos Eisley also felt horribly out of place and I like waiting to meet Jabba until ROTJ. And, yes, the new music for Jabbas palace sucks too.

However, other than those scenes, some of the changes are welcome, IMO. The Mos Eisley "spruce up" looks good to me and helps make the originals look more like the prequels which is a good thing. The extra scenes at the and of ROTJ showing Bespin and Coruscant are good and also blend in nicely with the look of the prequels. The cleaning up and additions to the dogfights in the final battle in A New Hope are great and make this battle a better watch. Some of the other quick shots and clean-ups are also well worth it. I even like showing Anakin as a young "ghost" at the end of ROTJ - that was the age range he was when he was still "good" so this shot makes sense to me.

Look, Im with you guys on some of this stuff being unneccessary or outright awful, like Greedo shoting first. But, many of the additions and clean-ups are welcomed and work great, IMO. Some of the effects arent holding up as well now as they did 30 years ago so a litttle CGI clean-up is NOT a bad thing. If alls I ever get on blu-ray are the special editions of the original trilogy, I can certainly live with that.

Well said!

[monkeyjb1988]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Im a huge Star Wars fan and cant wait for these to finally come out. Unlike many fans though Im not as turned off by the special editions as some are. Sure, Han shot first - that scene drove me nuts. The Jabba/Han meeting at Mos Eisley also felt horribly out of place and I like waiting to meet Jabba until ROTJ. And, yes, the new music for Jabbas palace sucks too.

However, other than those scenes, some of the changes are welcome, IMO. The Mos Eisley "spruce up" looks good to me and helps make the originals look more like the prequels which is a good thing. The extra scenes at the and of ROTJ showing Bespin and Coruscant are good and also blend in nicely with the look of the prequels. The cleaning up and additions to the dogfights in the final battle in A New Hope are great and make this battle a better watch. Some of the other quick shots and clean-ups are also well worth it. I even like showing Anakin as a young "ghost" at the end of ROTJ - that was the age range he was when he was still "good" so this shot makes sense to me.

Look, Im with you guys on some of this stuff being unneccessary or outright awful, like Greedo shoting first. But, many of the additions and clean-ups are welcomed and work great, IMO. Some of the effects arent holding up as well now as they did 30 years ago so a litttle CGI clean-up is NOT a bad thing. If alls I ever get on blu-ray are the special editions of the original trilogy, I can certainly live with that.

I'm with you. I would like the originals with the special editions, but I enjoy watching the special editions. They're still Star Wars to me and, with maybe the exception of Greedo shooting and Anakin's ghost (they don't bother me, I just realize the argument that they're significant), the changes aren't that big. I'll admit, I was introduced to Star Wars by the 97 re-releases and was in fact surprised by the lack of Jabba in A New Hope when I watched my uncle's pre-97 tape, so that may color my feelings. However, I have only seen the original on video between then and getting the DVDs with both versions. So I feel comfortable saying I like both versions.

In fact, I still say that Greedo shooting first makes Han more of a bad***. He was cocky enough to let Greedo shoot first, I think. Would it be out of character for Han to be that confidant and for Greedo being so excited he fumbled the shot? I don't know, that's just what I think about the scene. Greedo was a punk, Han was a bad*** who made it through a scrapes at that point, and the change just reinforced that.

On topic: Still can't wait for the Blu releases. I just watched a little SW on Spike HD and they look pretty darn cool.

[Agent Bond]

I'm all for Lucas sprucing up things since the technology has gotten better over the years. I enjoyed his update of Mos Eisley and Cloud City. However, I hate him changing the important stuff because it affects the story (Han/Greedo shooting, Anakin's spirit).

The only other changes I didn't like were the Jabba's Palace performance and getting rid of the Ewoks song, but that's just me being nitpicky.

In fact, I still say that Greedo shooting first makes Han more of a bad***. He was cocky enough to let Greedo shoot first, I think. Would it be out of character for Han to be that confidant and for Greedo being so excited he fumbled the shot? I don't know, that's just what I think about the scene. Greedo was a punk, Han was a bad*** who made it through a scrapes at that point, and the change just reinforced that.

If that was case, Lucas should've filmed alternate takes of Ford actually moving his head/body to avoid the shot instead of changing his mind later and having an obvious footage editing job done with his poor excuse of saying the bounty hunter Greedo was THAT bad of a shooter for being upclose.

I prefer the original version because Han Solo was a space pirate. Its killed or be killed in that line of work. Perfect example of don't fix what's not broken.

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

If that was case, Lucas should've filmed alternate takes of Ford actually moving his head/body to avoid the shot instead of changing his mind later and having an obvious footage editing job done with his poor excuse of saying the bounty hunter Greedo was THAT bad of a shooter for being upclose.

I still believe that for the upcoming set, they need to insert a waitress bumping into poor Greedo thus causing him to accidentally shoot first.


Now would that not be a riot?

[The Dark Uniter]

I really hoped they'll include the original theatrical cuts that way I could get both cuts plus the extras. Knowing Lucas, he'll probably release the original cuts in a limited edition set or something....

[Milambian]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

I still believe that for the upcoming set, they need to insert a waitress bumping into poor Greedo thus causing him to accidentally shoot first.


Now would that not be a riot?

LOL oh my. The shit-storm on the internet over that would be a true sight to behold!

[philzilla]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

I still believe that for the upcoming set, they need to insert a waitress bumping into poor Greedo thus causing him to accidentally shoot first.


Now would that not be a riot?

At least it would make sense

[AintNoSin]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

I still believe that for the upcoming set, they need to insert a waitress bumping into poor Greedo thus causing him to accidentally shoot first.


Now would that not be a riot?

Either that, or put the gun in his hand backward so he shoots himself. That would

[gregmasciola]

That's one effect I feel that they should just change back to how it was originally. I don't agree with the people who say that Greedo shooting first "changes the story", or "changes Han's character", but I just think it looks fake. And it's kind of hard to believe that someone could actually miss from across a table.

[danman227460]

I would only get the original 3 because to me, those are the best Star Wars had to offer and is the franchise. I don't mind the first three but they will not get the same replay value for me. So I rather skip out buying the first three and get the last three.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by danman227460

I would only get the original 3 because to me, those are the best Star Wars had to offer and is the franchise. I don't mind the first three but they will not get the same replay value for me. So I rather skip out buying the first three and get the last three.

But it does change Han. Hes a scoundrel, a gambler, hustler. Only in it for himself. Of course he falls in love and that changes him. His heart gets bigger and his care for other grows in the series. It might not seem like much but that scene doesnt start things off right for a character thats supposed to be very self-centered. He shot first and knowing Han he WOULD have shot first.

Just saying.

[gregmasciola]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

But it does change Han. Hes a scoundrel, a gambler, hustler. Only in it for himself. Of course he falls in love and that changes him. His heart gets bigger and his care for other grows in the series. It might not seem like much but that scene doesnt start things off right for a character thats supposed to be very self-centered. He shot first and knowing Han he WOULD have shot first.

Just saying.

I do know what you're saying, but until Han shows up during the final battle and saves Luke, it's still totally clear that he's a smart-ass, self centered guy, only in it for himself and for the money.

"No reward is worth this"
"I ain't in this for your revolution and I'm not in it for you, princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in it for the money!"

[Duffy12]

Luke- "Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?"


And shooting first is taking care of oneself.



I have a real strong feeling that Lucas will reinstate this scene in it's original form for the upcoming Blu-ray box set.


.

[Senladar]

Can't wait for this!!!

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by Senladar

Can't wait for this!!!

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by gregmasciola

I do know what you're saying, but until Han shows up during the final battle and saves Luke, it's still totally clear that he's a smart-ass, self centered guy, only in it for himself and for the money.

"No reward is worth this"
"I ain't in this for your revolution and I'm not in it for you, princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in it for the money!"

Agreed. I guess the more "scoundrel-ish" he is up front, the better his character arc feels throughout the films. All good.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

Luke- "Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?"


And shooting first is taking care of oneself.



I have a real strong feeling that Lucas will reinstate this scene in it's original form for the upcoming Blu-ray box set.


.

I kind of get that feeling too. The reason he changed it to begin with was because he felt that Han shouldn't be seen as a "bad guy" type of character. I don't think he ever was, regardless on if he shot first (which he needs to). However, some of you are right in that when he did change it, it looked completely awful and there is no way a bounty hunter like Greedo would miss from 5 ft. away.