Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Uxi

I'm amused that he thinks he's moved beyond Han Solo but that Indiana Jones is any different. Same friggin character.

I know, not much of a change. Just showing that Star Wars is not that amazing, even the actors knew it. It's a movie that is a tribute to B movies and serials from the 40's & 50's. Great Action? Yes! Amazing effects? Heck yes! Great acting & script? Not even close! So why do people are so convince these first movies are such masterpieces? No one love's them like I do, I have seen the first Star Wars now and I am not joking on this probably close to 500+ (roughly about 20 times a year since 1985). Even I know how cheesie they are so if me, who just love them so much can't be blinded by the cheese, terrible dialogue and acting...what movie are these guys actually watching then?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Biggest problem is that his other body of work isn't substantially better. Kwai, for example, is a decent movie but horrible history

I think he got mad that everything else got ignored except his role as Obi-wan. But he was a bit dillusional, how can you expect a 8 years old kid to have seen Bridge On A River Kwai or Lawrence Of Arabia? Instead of being a bitter old man, he should have talk with them and tell them that yes he was Obi-wan but he also done other things and encourage them to see those movies as well. He had such a great chance to be a good influence on these kids and instead decided to be bitter about it.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I know, not much of a change. Just showing that Star Wars is not that amazing, even the actors knew it. It's a movie that is a tribute to B movies and serials from the 40's & 50's. Great Action? Yes! Amazing effects? Heck yes! Great acting & script? Not even close! So why do people are so convince these first movies are such masterpieces? No one love's them like I do, I have seen the first Star Wars now and I am not joking on this probably close to 500+ (roughly about 20 times a year since 1985). Even I know how cheesie they are so if me, who just love them so much can't be blinded by the cheese, terrible dialogue and acting...what movie are these guys actually watching then?

I know, going by some people you'd think these movies didn't have any flaws at all. I agree, I love SW more than anyone I know and always will but even I will admit they're not masterpieces, V aside. They're all popcorn movies and always have been.

[RedZeppelin]

I'm late to the party but I voted anyway. I voted "Original trilogy unaltered." Lucas will not be getting my money for the six-disc set, not only because I despise the prequels but because the "Special" editions of the original trilogy are simply inferior movies.

I'm not talking about the updated special effects (which I can live with) or even the usual "Han shoots first" complaint (although it does fundamentally change Han's character -- for the worse). I'm talking about the quality of the storyline and pacing overall.

The most egregious example is the Mos Eisley scene from Ep IV. In the original, Ben warns Luke that they're about to enter a "wretched hive of scum and villany," and that they must be cautious. This is also a warning to the viewer that our heroes are about to enter a dangerous place. It builds tension. The danger is confirmed in the very next scene when the heroes are stopped by the stormtroopers as they enter the spaceport.

Compare that to the "special" edition. We get Ben's warning and feel the sense of danger, tension is built, then there is a FREAKING SLAPSTICK SCENE involving jawas riding rontons. Double-you tee eff? The tension and sense of danger are totally destroyed. The effect of Ben's warning is thrown out the window.

That's not raping childhood -- it's simply bad film making. All in the name of making the movie more appealing to kiddies who buy action figures.

[Jumpman]

No, all in the name of making Mos Eisley more like he envisioned than the compromised version of 1977.

The slapstick bit was pure fun but the overall look of Eisley is something Lucas has always wanted to fix...

[Beast]

No, it's about making Mos Eisley which was supposed to be one of the major spaceports on Tatooine actually look like it had some life and activity. Before that, it looked like exactly what it was... a cheap underpopulated set.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

No, all in the name of making Mos Eisley more like he envisioned than the compromised version of 1977.

The slapstick bit was pure fun but the overall look of Eisley is something Lucas has always wanted to fix...

Indeed. Don't see the issue with the Jawas and Ronto at all.

It's no more slapsticky than Han Solo running after Stormtroopers and coming face to face with an entire squad. Which also got made a lot more amusing in the S.E. by making it a Stormtrooper troop assembly.

I guess original corny and slapsticky must be fine, but new corny and slapsticky are ebil.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Yeah, Yoda did tell Luke that the force "runs in the family". Since you don't inherit acquired characteristics, midichlorions make perfect sense.

EXACTLY. The biggest problem most critics of midichlorian concept have is that they can't distinguish correlation from causation. In no way was causation ever established, especially by Qui-Gon.

Mace and Yoda's reaction to the kid was not "ah, he's a super Jedi" but skepticism, at best. Qui-Gon's opinion was conjecture and noone else bought it until the freak kid manages to blow up the Droid Control ship.

[bandit29]

Originally Posted by RedZeppelin

I'm talking about the quality of the storyline and pacing overall.

Yeah one addition that really bothers me is the added shuttle scene in the Empire Strikes Back. It really messes up the pacing of the rescue of Skywalker. The added footage is unnecessary.



I'm still buying this box set though. Most of the changes I can live with. Others still irk me but it's Star Wars and I love it. It defined my childhood.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by bandit29

Yeah one addition that really bothers me is the added shuttle scene in the Empire Strikes Back. It really messes up the pacing of the rescue of Skywalker. The added footage is unnecessary.

I don't think it does. And the altered line of dialogue from Vader makes a lot more sense.

"Bring my shuttle" vs. "Alert my Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival" - Seriously? Vader has to wait for a taxi from his ship? On Cloud City that is littered with landing platforms. Why wasn't his shuttle already waiting on a landing platform to ferry him to his ship. Given the Imperials were clearly escorting Leia, Chewie, and C-3PO to a shuttle to be taken to Vader's ship when Lando triggers his plan. And I don't mind the added footage of Vader's arrival and journey to the bridge of his SSD either. Given he just suddenly shows up on Flagship far too quickly in the original cut. Especially if you consider the dialogue suggests that he's waiting for someone to pick him up.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by NYorker

About Alec Guinness, he enjoyed doing it, but when he saw how obsessive the fans became...he did not want to have more to do with it, so his role was reduced to mainly "force ghost" appearances.

It's odd how fate works. In this case, a role that Guinness is not especially proud of becomes the one in which he has the greatest public exposure.

[Jumpman]

Beast,

In defense of the theatrical version fans, "Alert my stardestroyer to prepare for my arrival" isn't even in the same universe as "BRING MY SHUTTLE"

Pretty much love 98% of the additions in the special edition, but I do miss that damn line. It's pure Vader.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Beast,

In defense of the theatrical version fans, "Alert my stardestroyer to prepare for my arrival" isn't even in the same universe as "BRING MY SHUTTLE"

Pretty much love 98% of the additions in the special edition, but I do miss that damn line. It's pure Vader.

Only dialogue change I don't like is the one regarding R2-D2 and the Swamp Monster.

Always felt that "You're lucky you don't taste very good" was better than the changed line.

But the Vader line, especially after they processed it better for the 2004 DVD was much better.

[Jumpman]

Beast,

Love ya, but can't agree. "Bring my shuttle" just owns. It just does.

Again, this is my only issue with the special editions. I've liked, loved, or have learned to like everything else.

But, I sure miss that one.

[RedZeppelin]

Originally Posted by Beast

Indeed. Don't see the issue with the Jawas and Ronto at all.

It's no more slapsticky than Han Solo running after Stormtroopers and coming face to face with an entire squad. Which also got made a lot more amusing in the S.E. by making it a Stormtrooper troop assembly.

I guess original corny and slapsticky must be fine, but new corny and slapsticky are ebil.

No. I never said all slapstick is bad. It's just the timing. A warning of danger shouldn't be followed by wacky comedy. Yes there is humor in original version and it works well. There is salt in a cake recipe but too much ruins it.

And I don't mind the CGI flyover of Mos Eisley. I can understand making it want to look bigger and bustling. But the slapstick was sorely misplaced.

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. And zany antics!!"

[Uxi]

SW is replete with Zany antics, though. Maybe he was giving too much credit for some people's attention spans.

[Tony K.]

Cool news.

[Musashi]

I gotta wonder: will these be BD50, or will we have BD66 ready to go by late next year?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Musashi

I gotta wonder: will these be BD50, or will we have BD66 ready to go by late next year?

I don't see BD66 hitting the markets, really. Not for most releases, they may be used for stuff like 3D releases, though.

[Jumpman]

What I really wonder is if Lucas will use the existing masters from the '04 boxset or entirely new ones?

I know some had issues with the color timing with that set. I see the issues, but it didn't bother me.

Still, I wonder if he'll go back and strike new masters for the original trilogy?