Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Persianimmortal]

Originally Posted by octagon

He does have the right to do whatever he wants with the films but not because he created them but because he owns them.... If an artist does hold the rights to his work and then sells them then, again, they don't belong to him...they belong to whoever buys them.

I agree that if a creator willingly signs away his or her rights to something in return for money, then the final rights of altering the work transfer to whoever that work was sold. Whether it's a song, or a film, or a drawing or a book.

But in this case, Lucas as the creator, and Lucasfilm and Fox as owners, seem to be happy with the changes, so it is their right to pursue this path. They don't owe us anything as consumers, and we only have the right to choose to purchase or not purchase. It's not particularly complex, either morally or practically. The only issue as I mentioned is the need to keep one print of each Star Wars movie in original form for historical purposes.

Originally Posted by octagon

As vehemently opposed as I was to colorization I never bought into the whole 'moral rights of artists' argument.

The moral rights of an artist stem from the fact that if we are to encourage creation, we need to recognize that without creators and their vision, certain works would not exist, regardless of how much money is on offer. This is why there is some level of pandering to creators, because you don't want to kill the goose that lays golden eggs. If you stifle creative whims and selectively dismiss their wishes here and there, you risk strangling or skewing all artist vision unless it aligns perfectly with what the public wants. And that is not a good thing.

I actually think Lucas is guilty of paying too much attention to fanboy wishes. For example, because fans loved Boba Fett in ESB and RotJ, he was given a more prominent role in the prequels, which winds up totally ruining the character's mystique. Jar Jar Binks is also an attempt to create a new R2D2-like character, spurred on precisely by R2D2's apparently phenomenal appeal among younger audiences.

As Chuck Jordan, a famous car designer once said "A good designer doesn't need Mr and Mrs Zilch from Kansas telling him what to do." Similarly, if Lucas had a long-term vision for the Star Wars saga as he has repeatedly claimed, then he needs to remain true to it, even if most people don't like it, and not constantly listen to Joe or Jill StarWarsFan's outraged whining.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Beast

I doubt anyone has really forgotten what it looks like. The theatrical cuts were released on DVD not that long ago.

Well, then the world was awfully silent about the issue -- I suppose everyone was still griping about the revised version of Greedo shooting first...But as craptastic as that was, for me, aside from the flopped surround tracks, watching the Death Star explode in black & whiite & surrounded by blue video fuzz was the most egregious thing about the DVD release.

[Spearmint701]

Originally Posted by Beast

I doubt anyone has really forgotten what it looks like. The theatrical cuts were released on DVD not that long ago.

i haven't seen the theatrical cuts since the days of VHS. It would have been nice to see them included in the blu set just to make it an ultra box set.

Having said that, I'm pretty much fine with the special editions.

[aiman04]

So now are we gonna see the next episode in 3D?

[El_Jay]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Yeah. The stories are different. The music is different. The performances are different.

Just one little piece of rat shit ruins the whole chocolate bar.

Let's not pretend to be oblivious here. There are some pretty serious changes, and it's not just the comparative size or impact of the change that makes it bad. Even a small bad change can leave an awful taste in your mouth throughout an entire movie.

I've pretty much gotten over it and just accept that Star Wars is a new animal these days, but to brush off and dismiss the perfectly reasonable opinions of a whole generation of people who grew up with these movies is ludicrous.

[El_Jay]

Originally Posted by Spearmint701

i haven't seen the theatrical cuts since the days of VHS. It would have been nice to see them included in the blu set just to make it an ultra box set.

Having said that, I'm pretty much fine with the special editions.

The DVDs came out so late into the format's life-cycle that I had no interest in it by that point. I just figured I'd wait for Blu-ray. Yay.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by Spearmint701

i haven't seen the theatrical cuts since the days of VHS. It would have been nice to see them included in the blu set just to make it an ultra box set.

Having said that, I'm pretty much fine with the special editions.

if the theatrical cuts hit blu ray or dvd in good print that whould be the end of star wars and Lucas knows it. All Fans want is the theatrical cuts and thats it but instead he milks fans with the SE

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by joliefan

if the theatrical cuts hit blu ray or dvd in good print that whould be the end of star wars and Lucas knows it. All Fans want is the theatrical cuts and thats it but instead he milks fans with the SE

That is not entirely true (and you should know that).

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by joliefan

If the theatrical cuts hit Blu-Ray or DVD in good print, that would be the end of "Star Wars", and Lucas knows it. All fans want is the theatrical cuts and that's it, but instead he milks fans with the S.E.

I disagree. While many diehard "Force addicts" would love to see the original versions restored, I think a lot of the fans don't care too much. Sure, having the option would be nice, but who besides those with an unreasonable "Lucas owes me" chip on their shoulder have cried foul? We all have opinions, but in the end, Lucas owns "Star Wars" outright, and as such, he's free to do what he likes...whether any of us like it or not. No amount of whining and complaining, online or not, will change that; in fact, its precisely because of such cruelty that Lucas has retreated; he's sick of selfish idiots demanding their way. He worked most of his professional life, trying to gain freedom to tell his stories his own way, only to have some repeatedly and hatefully condemn him personally for it.

And, just so we're clear, I'm not some obsessed "Lucas worshiper", either. There's some of his choices I don't agree with, but they're (mostly) minor compared to everything else in the series. I was born the year "Empire" came out, and grew up with the OT on VHS, like many of my generation. However, I didn't have a ton of expectations for what the prequels should've been, and overall, I think he did a great job. How and why anyone expected Anakin to be a cold-blooded killer from the start is beyond me.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I disagree. While many diehard "Force addicts" would love to see the original versions restored, I think a lot of the fans don't care too much. Sure, having the option would be nice, but who besides those with an unreasonable "Lucas owes me" chip on their shoulder have cried foul? We all have opinions, but in the end, Lucas owns "Star Wars" outright, and as such, he's free to do what he likes...whether any of us like it or not. No amount of whining and complaining, online or not, will change that; in fact, its precisely because of such cruelty that Lucas has retreated; he's sick of selfish idiots demanding their way. He worked most of his professional life, trying to gain freedom to tell his stories his own way, only to have some repeatedly and hatefully condemn him personally for it.

And, just so we're clear, I'm not some obsessed "Lucas worshiper", either. There's some of his choices I don't agree with, but they're (mostly) minor compared to everything else in the series. I was born the year "Empire" came out, and grew up with the OT on VHS, like many of my generation. However, I didn't have a ton of expectations for what the prequels should've been, and overall, I think he did a great job. How and why anyone expected Anakin to be a cold-blooded killer from the start is beyond me.

Well said, MF2K4. This sums it up. Although I feel that they *could* have included the untouched originals in such an epic box set it isnt hurting my enjoyment at all. For the zillionth time - some of the changes are WELCOMED by most fans and the effects clean-ups were badly needed. Only a few things here and there kind of stink but it doesnt "ruin anyones childhood" Thats so dumb to say.

[jukteen]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Well, I wouldn't be *upset* if he were to do that, although like Beast and others, I don't really think it's necessary... plus he's pretty much reached retirement age, so I doubt he would really feel like spending another 10 years of his life trying to get that done.

Lol that's true, I guess I have no choice but to watch the older films then.. I hope the acting isn't cheesy/korny.

Is the Complete Saga edition the best set to get if I wanted all 6 films on blu-ray? I care about the picture quality, did they do a good job of transfering the original trilogy onto blu-ray? And is it in widescreen?

If there are better sets out there on blu-ray please let me know, I'm looking for the definitive release for the Star Wars franchise so I can check it off my list for good. Also, if there is a new release coming out soon that is better than anything out now please feel free to let me know too.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by jukteen

Lol that's true, I guess I have no choice but to watch the older films then.. I hope the acting isn't cheesy/korny.

Is the Complete Saga edition the best set to get if I wanted all 6 films on blu-ray? I care about the picture quality, did they do a good job of transfering the original trilogy onto blu-ray? And is it in widescreen?

If there are better sets out there on blu-ray please let me know, I'm looking for the definitive release for the Star Wars franchise so I can check it off my list for good. Also, if there is a new release coming out soon that is better than anything out now please feel free to let me know too.

Definately not a definitive set, but I doubt there will ever be a definitive star wars set

It is the only set on Blu-ray at the moment though. But the films will be hitting BD 3D soon and eventually a Complete 3D saga will probably come out.

And if you want special features then the complete saga is the only way to go. But again, it won't be definitive because it has none of the features from the old DVD releases etc.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

No amount of whining and complaining, online or not, will change that; in fact, its precisely because of such cruelty that Lucas has retreated; he's sick of selfish idiots demanding their way. He worked most of his professional life, trying to gain freedom to tell his stories his own way, only to have some repeatedly and hatefully condemn him personally for it.

I think that's mostly PR nonsense, at the end of the day how much time is he exposed to the fans? Unless he spends every waking moment on the internet or reading the mountains of 'fanmail' he receives I imagine it's very little.

“On the Internet, all those same guys that are complaining I made a change are completely changing the movie,” Lucas says, referring to fans who, like the dreaded studios, have done their own forcible re-edits. “I’m saying: ‘Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.’ ”

Lucas seized control of his movies from the studios only to discover that the fanboys could still give him script notes. “Why would I make any more,” Lucas says of the “Star Wars” movies, “when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”

I have great respect and admiration for George Lucas but the guy has issues. I wish him nothing but happiness but he seems to condemn anyone with a different opinion than his own. I've never thought it was unreasonable of a studio to give their opinions on a film they've paid a director to make (like his early movies). He could be more sympathetic. Other film-makers have gone out of their way to provide versions of films that I'm sure some of them hate!

I think in the next few years Lucasfilm may well go back to the well and create new masters for the original trilogy and they'll be presented with an opportunity to please a lot of people.

Back to the Blu's, these suckers are holding their prices really well. I've been hoping for a big price drop!

[Beast]

Yes, you want the Complete Saga boxset. The OT films look just beautiful in many people's opinions.

Plus that way you also get the 3 bonus discs of extras. Which contain a wealth of deleted scenes and interesting extras.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Well said, MF2K4. This sums it up. Although I feel that they *could* have included the untouched originals in such an epic box set, it isn't hurting my enjoyment at all.

Thanks for the support; I appreciate it.

For the zillionth time - some of the changes are WELCOMED by most fans, and the effects clean-ups were badly needed. Only a few things here and there kind of stink, but it doesn't "ruin anyone's childhood". That's so dumb to say.

Agreed. The only FX shots that still bug me on the Blu-Rays are visible matte boxes, a few sabers, and the rocks added to R2-D2. Taking everything else into account, that's almost nothing by comparison.

[jukteen]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

Definately not a definitive set, but I doubt there will ever be a definitive star wars set

May I ask why you don't think there will ever be a definitive release? And I am not interested in 3D lol.

Originally Posted by Beast

Yes, you want the Complete Saga boxset. The OT films look just beautiful in many people's opinions.

Plus that way you also get the 3 bonus discs of extras. Which contain a wealth of deleted scenes and interesting extras.

So you say there are special features, but the first user says there aren't.. who do I listen to LOL.

In additon, there aren't any news of another box set dropping any time soon right? Thanks

[Beast]

I wouldn't expect another boxset until all of the 3D re-releases happen.

Lucas seems to follow a 7 year schedule for releasing a new versiion. So you're fine.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by jukteen

May I ask why you don't think there will ever be a definitive release? And I am not interested in 3D lol.



So you say there are special features, but the first user says there aren't.. who do I listen to LOL.

In additon, there aren't any news of another box set dropping any time soon right? Thanks

Well. The Complete Saga does have 3 discs of extras, just that it leaves out all the previous extras, so you're not really getting everything that there is to get therefore not definitive

There are a load of deleted scenes from the last DVD releases that arent in this set and a whole bunch of great documentarys.

And the other thing that many would need to consider it definitive is the the UOT. Which I doubt we will ever get a proper release of let alone included in a full set.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by Beast

I wouldn't expect another boxset until all of the 3D re-releases happen.

Lucas seems to follow a 7 year schedule for releasing a new versiion. So you're fine.

Agreed, although individual releases of the 3D films each year is likely and then a big 3D Saga set with a bunch of new extras about the 3D process.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by jukteen

So you say there are special features, but the first user says there aren't.. who do I listen to LOL.

In additon, there aren't any news of another box set dropping any time soon right? Thanks

There are a lot of special features on the Complete Saga set. It is a 9 disc set. 6 discs are for the movies, and the other 3 are all extra features.

There are a lot of extra features "missing" from this set that were on the previous DVD releases. For whatever reason, at least so far to date, rarely do bonus features carry over from one release to another (even when going from one format to another like Laser Disc, DVD, Blu-Ray, etc). But there are still a lot of extras to be had in this set.

I think that's the reason why some people say there will never be an "ultimate set". While each person's definition of "ultimate" may vary, in general things that I think many people want/hope would be included in a theoretical ultimate set would be any and all extras from past releases, as much additional extra and archival features as possible that have never been released before, probably both the original versions and newest editions of each the movies (and maybe in some people eyes, some of the other editions inbetween).

There's no news of another/newer box set dropping anytime soon, and I wouldn't expect it to happen. At most it might be essentially the same discs in a different packaging or configuration or something. That happened a lot with the DVD releases. With the exception of the fact that the original versions of the original trilogy movies were later included in some individual releases of the films, for the most part the various 'releases' of the movies on DVD were just the exact same discs in different packaging.