Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Blu-Runner

Man, to the guy who said "they're just movies" and "get over it", let me tell you something.

To me, and many other fans out there, Star Wars wasn't just movies back during our childhood. Star Wars was my LIFE in middle school. Don't get me wrong, I went outside and played sports , but SW went beyond just movies for me and a couple of my friends. I had about 20 novels from the EU (Thrawn Trilogy, Jedi Academy Trilogy, Tales of, etc.), the graphic novels (Dark Empire, Tales of the Jedi), played all the LucasArts games - like Dark Forces, Jedi Knight II, Shadows of the Empire, TIE Fighter, Rebel Assault, etc. And I was big collector of the 1995 POTF action figure line.

What pisses me off is this: the fact that anytime I want to rewatch the beloved trilogy I grew up on in blu-ray high definition, I can't. And I won't be able to introduce them to my son, in their original theatrical cuts, like my Dad did for me with Empire Strikes Back at around age 10.

So you can take your "they're just movies" crap and flip the eff off.

You still have those memories. You still have that history. Last I checked, Lucas hasn't perfected time travel and changed history.

[Jumpman]

nathan,

Exactly.

It's been real, fellas.

I have to go haunt the Green Lantern thread.....

[phansson]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

You don't deserve squat!

I now officially KNOW you are George Lucas.......

[nathan_393]

I think it's a doubled-edged sword. People have to go elsewhere to access something (the UOT) Lucas won't allow them. It's like the narcotics industry.

But they still arrest dealers, so I guess it's a little bit illegal...

As far as these rips go, it's curiosity. I'm sure Lucas isn't losing millions of dollars over one rip. And if people who are canceling their pre-order didn't see the rip and didn't cancel, they'd return the product anyways and say it "wasn't what they thought it would be" or something to that effect. Or that it's defective. Which, in their minds, could very well be true.

[Walter E Kurtz]

Originally Posted by LetoAtreides82

You won't be able to introduce the original trilogy in their theatrical cuts in HD but you can introduce him with the new blu-ray cut, your son wouldn't mind and he wouldn't have nostalgia ruining his experience.

exactly

what, so your son is gona say...'daddy, daddy that green headed ant thing shot first at that nice man, how did he miss?'

[Indyjones]

Star Wars fans / film buffs: How did George Lucas die?

Martin Scorcese: A young editor named Marcia Lucas, who was a pupil of mine until she turned to evil, helped "new hollywood" hunt down and destroy the up and coming talented filmmakers. She betrayed and cheated on George. Now the filmmaker in George is all but extinct. Marcia was seduced by the dark side of the Force.

I can't keep up with this thread!

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Maggot

You are too much the "industry" person. The Lucas fan. Considering how clickish, greedy and childish the entertainment industry is, it's perfectly acceptable for the public to screw them over anytime they want.

Sorry but who are the "Clickish, Greedy, and Childish" ones here?

Cause from a certain point of view it's the ones screaming, yelling, and stamping their feet because they're not getting what they feel they're entitled to. You know, like a kid in a store when a parent says no to something. So yeah, it doesn't justify theft.

[robmlisanti]

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

All right... so, Star Wars. You guys hear any good rumors today?

Kidding. My e-mail box is full this afternoon, trust me.

As I said yesterday, we don't comment on posted screenshots from Blu-rays that we haven't seen yet. Yes, we know they seem to indicate more changes that George Lucas has made to the films. But as we don't yet actually have the discs in hand, and Lucasfilm has been a little slow to respond to inquiries over the last 24 hours or so, we haven't been able to confirm. However... Lucasfilm HAS apparently told the New York Times that at least one of the changes is true, which means they probably all are. To wit, the major reported changes are thus:

1. In Episode I, Yoda is now all-digital.

2. In Star Wars, the sound effect for Ben's eerie "dragon" call that frightens off the Sandpeople has apparently been changed.

3. At the end of Return of the Jedi, Vader now screams "Noooo!" as he throws the Emperor to his death.

There are numerous other changes as well, apparently, but they're all more minor (in Jedi, the Ewoks' eyes now blink, etc, etc). Again, we don't have the discs, so we can't confirm everything. But as Lucasfilm acknowledged at their press event, "new dialogue has been added" and there are indeed "new things to spot" when you watch these films.

Predictably, the online geek community is aflame today. Here's the thing: I'm really having a hard time getting worked up about it. We've just been through this too many times now. Every time these films are released, Lucas tweaks and changes them some more. And the tweaks and changes don't really improve the films, they just make them... different. The fact is, Star Wars stopped being what I loved and remembered a very LONG time ago. The combination of the prequels, repeated digital nips and tucks to the originals (Episode IV now reminds me more of Joan Rivers than a beloved classic film), the obvious BS about the original versions "no longer existing", etc, etc - it's all left me feeling fairly ambivalent about Star Wars.

I'll admit, I've been somewhat optimistic about these Blu-rays after attending the Lucasfilm preview. And I'm still looking forward to the discs. On a positive note, it sounds like the A/V quality of these discs is excellent on the whole (at least according to the guys in Europe and China who have apparently gotten their hands on factory-leaked discs. We wouldn't know - it'll probably be week or more before we get to see them.) As expected, numerous (though not all) picture and sound defects in these films have apparently been corrected. But while it's three steps forward in quality, it may be two and a half back for more changes. As for me, I'm just going to try to enjoy the films for what there are, as opposed to what they aren't at this point. The deleted scene material is the real draw for me in this Blu-ray release anyway.

Regardless, a lot of Bits readers have been e-mailing today me expecting me to react with the same sort of outrage they're experiencing right now. Been there. Done that. I wish I could tell you that I still share your pain, but believe me I certainly understand it. The thing is, this is just the reality of Star Wars in the 21st Century. We go through this like every 5 or 6 years. Despite past experience, fans continue to expect miracles... and every time, the curtain gets pulled back and we see the guy yanking on the levers again. For better or worse. And you know, I don't hate him for it. Hell... when I was ten back in 1977 and my folks were going through an ugly divorce, I saw Star Wars one afternoon and suddenly life was pretty good. So you know, I really can't get tweaked about this stuff anymore. Maybe it's reaching middle age, but I'm just like... whatever. Life goes on. George has been fiddling with these films for 34 years now. It's probably not going to change. Fans really need to come to grips with it at long last. Hell, maybe the 501st Legion can start up a worldwide support group - a 12 Step Star Wars Recovery Plan.

Anyway, to paraphrase a wise old wizard: Maybe these aren't the droids you're looking for anymore...

We'll be sure to post our full - and fair - review of the set as soon as we get the discs. Meanwhile, I find a good walk out in the fresh air helps restore your sense of perspective in times like these. Courage, friends!

By the way, this gave me a big laugh today: Lionsgate just sent over another well-timed press release for their 10/25 DVD release of The People vs. George Lucas documentary. From the text: "With all the recent uproar over the news of further changes to the original films in this new set, fans will feel in good company as the film devotes an entire section to the changes made to the 1997 re-releases, making this the perfect compliment to the Blu-ray Discs. But the film isn't all about the changes – it also features the fans and media expressing their love and admiration of him as well." Well played, Lionsgate. Well played.

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

nathan,

Exactly.

It's been real, fellas.

I have to go haunt the Green Lantern thread.....

Best of luck with your future endeavours; I congratulate you on exiting while it's still good.

[kurtlingle]

Originally Posted by MCT

....

he's a grown ass man by the time he sees his son getting fried by electricity. This is a horrible excuse to justify another stupid ass change by Lucas. Thank god I'm not a mindless fanboy anymore, it's embarrassing seeing you poor souls defend every ridiculous change George makes to these films. Hopefully you all find your way out of the darkness someday. It's better on the other side, believe me.

Thanks for the compliment!
I will enjoy these movies... I just love SW. Adding the word "No" will not ruin it for me (personally, I think people are over reacting). My kids (12+14) think it's funny how so many people are cancelling their orders for one word.

One word.

[LADodgers]

Originally Posted by Beast

You still have those memories. You still have that history. Last I checked, Lucas hasn't perfected time travel and changed history.

Oh but he has changed film history. What he has done with these films is no different than past dictators burning or banning books.

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by The Don

dangit this thread moves too fast....

I bet by the end of tomorrow it will finally overtake the 'Criterion Collection Discussion' thread.



.

[Valaquen]

I can't believe this is the same Lucas who attacked colourised movies for changing the original thing. He said about The Three Stooges colourised version: Maybe just the fact that they're in black and white makes it funny, because their humor is dated. But by putting it in black and white, it puts it in a context where you can appreciate it for what it was. But you try to make it in full living color and try to compare it to a Jim Carrey movie, then it's hard for young people to understand. ... It's not fair to the artist."

He added about colourisation: "There is nothing to stop American films, records, books, and paintings from being sold to a foreign entity or egotistical gangsters and having them change our cultural heritage to suit their personal taste."

I mean ... wow

[Lsalas76]

Sorry if this has been asked already but do you guys think that B&M stores will have a midnight release party for this Star Wars blu-ray set?

I have mine ordered through Amazon already and yes I expect a release day delivery but the UPS guy does not deliver my stuff until between 2-5pm. I would like to have a star wars marathon first thing in the morning. Also if I can get it at best buy I will earn enough reward zone points for a future $$$ certificate.

[kurtlingle]

Originally Posted by madmonk39

Sept 16th.It will be a day long remembered.It has seen an end to the hopes of fans everywhere,it will soon see the end of fandom.

The 16th is a day for fans of Star Wars!
Come on - one word - it's what - a few seconds of the movie - you can mute it if you want.

Star Wars on blu-ray - will totally rock!

[Walter E Kurtz]

Originally Posted by LADodgers

Oh but he has changed film history. What he has done with these films is no different than past dictators burning or banning books.

so now lucas is the new ?

[kurtlingle]

Originally Posted by Beast

Hah. The long dead period after RotJ didn't kill Star Wars fandom. A few simple tweaks and changes won't do it.

Something many here are missing is that there are MANY kids in the 5-14 year old range who are the new fans.... who watch Clone Wars and buy all the toys.

Do you think my 8 year old daughter will care (or even notice). She prefers the PT anyway.

No, SW will sell well and it will continue to please many fans (like me!).

[Inspector Toschi]

I think if some folks just realized that the SE are not and never will be the UOT, than they may be able to enjoy the SE as they are. I will always prefer the UOT and hope for a pristine restoration of it. And I was as dumbfounded as any in 97. But before the DVD was released I realized that hoping for the UOT every time I watch the SE, I will always be disappointed. They're fundamentally the same trilogy, but they're clearly different entities. It's like watching the Directors cut of Blade Runner, and hoping for the theatrical cut with narration. They're different products of different times.

That's why I just can't get mad at these new changes. We knew these would be the SEs, and we knew there would be more changes. It basically comes with the territory now. But because these were never going to be the UOT to begin with, new changes just don't bother me. The SE have always been an overgrowing experiment as far as I'm concerned. And if I choose to (Which I have) I'll go along for the ride yet again.

[Shaft Windu]

If some changed lines in "Hamlet" written by Shakespeare himself would pop up it would be a literary sensation! If someone would find a hidden chapter from the "Lord Of The Rings" under Tolkiens floorboards HIS fans would treasure it! So why is George Lucas who created the most complex and ambitious piece of cinema ever treated like crap by his supposed "fans"? An author, filmmaker, artist owes his fans nothing simply because he doesn't choose his fans - The fans choose the thing they love and are drawn to.

I see it as a kind of cleansing-process right now. The large nerd-herd of conservative fans finds out right now that they actually don't get Star Wars and will abandon it. Simultanously a new generation will discover the movies on Blu-Ray and in theatres next year and fill that void. Star Wars is alive and more glorious than ever and it will prevail despite the endless bickering of painfully unimaginative naysayers! OVER AND OUT!

[Blu Titan]

Everyone needs to quit the "fan edits", rip, ect. discussions. As this has already gone too far.