Before you head to the comments to ask, yes, Greedo still shoots first in this version (although you may still see an original version of that scene in the set – hint, hint). If you're hoping for a release of the original trilogy as you saw it in theaters back in the day, brace yourself for disappointment. Lucas has altered the film to be what he originally intended, so he's not about to go back to the previous version (even if some fans remember it more fondly). We've heard that he even made some minor changes in this new Blu-ray version (though we don't have any specifics, or even know the extent of the changes). You can go ahead and argue about it if you want, but that would be missing the bigger picture here (literally). The technical quality of this new release is beyond any version you've ever seen or heard before. If you can get past the nostalgia factor and enjoy the films for what they are now, there's a lot to be excited about.
The artists even fixed some of the minor production glitches, like the visible puppeteer pole in the Wampa scene. Below you can see the difference between the original version and the repaired one.
Even the prequel trilogy benefitted from the remastering process. When the DVD versions were created back in 1999, the film image was magnified and some of the picture was lost, about eight percent to be exact. For the Blu-ray, they went back to the original digital files, so every frame appears as it did in the film version. Maybe better, since they went through frame by frame to ensure a cleaner, crisper picture.
Those who were disappointed by some of the technical flaws in the latest remastering, back in 2004, should be pleased to note that more extensive work has been done, and undone, for this edition. Several issues from the original trilogy have been fixed, including correction of blemishes, warping on some images, dirt removal and elimination of more matte lines. One big complaint about the 2004 restoration was the uneven color timing, especially noticeable in the lightsabers, which lost some of their former white-hot core and appeared dimmer. Now they've been brightened up and are more true to the original.
There's also been much talk of the CG Yoda that will replace the practical puppet version in
Phantom Menace. There are arguments to be made on both sides. The digital version is more expressive and more detailed than the puppet, but lacks a certain warm quality the original had.
Whatever your feelings on the tweaks Lucas has made to his films throughout the years, there's not much to complain about when it comes to the look and sound of the latest HD edition. It's safe to say that this will be the best looking and best sounding version of the films ever released.
We'll have more on our visit to Lucasfilm soon, including an in-depth look at the special features, our visit with Muren and a truly impressive sound demonstration from audio engineer Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound. So stay tuned!
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