Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[rickah88]

[Mr. Thomsen]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

The nearest LFL ever got to a release that seemed *really* special IMO was the Executor VHS set in the UK. I've still got mine, it's awesome. http://swhomevid.site40.net/isc_specs.jpg

IIRC that looks much like the same content that was on the Definitive Collection on laserdisc back in the day. Had a cool hardcover book on Lucas, too.

It's probably still the most expensive homevideo release I have ever bought. Got mine around 1995, I think.

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I dunno about the 2011's but I've got a soft spot for the '97 versions and even the 2004 DVD iterations to some degree (I like the redone CG Jabba, for example), but the extra extra extra alterations to the Blu-rays of Star Wars and Jedi are too much, even for me. It's always struck me how Lucas hasn't really ****ed with Empire a great deal, only adding in some window dressing (literally) and a few beats of pointless exposition here and there. He knew that it wasn't his movie, it was Kersh's, and he had the good sense to leave it more or less intact, whereas the ones he directed (and I include Jedi in that list, unofficially) he just couldn't stop messing with.

Ah but that Jabba scene is so clunky it's hard for me to watch lol. It adds absolutely nothing. I remember reports that the one change that got an amazing response was the close-up of the Millennium Falcon taking off from Mos Eisley. The Han digital effect head move is still ridiculous too.

I think he's ****ed with Empire enough. I hate the inserted shots of Vader approaching the shuttle and then docking at the Death Star 2...oh, I mean the Super Star Destroyer. The inserts stop the momentum of the extraordinary ending and its wonderful editing in the theatrical edition. Infuriating if you ask me...it really was perfect, with some of John Williams' best ever music.

The changes I don't mind are the little tinkering, like refining Luke falling in the Bespin core from a VFX standpoint. I didn't really mind the changed Emperor for continuity's sake, but I know many don't like the dialogue changes. Other dialogue changes aren't good at all ("Alert my star destroyer to prepare for my arrival"...WHY George?) So ideally I'd love a re-release in 4K restoration (best possible PQ) of the original, without new any "cuts." As long as the picture quality is the best. Empire has some of the greatest production design work in film history...everything in Cloud City is masterful.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Mr. Thomsen

IIRC that looks much like the same content that was on the Definitive Collection on laserdisc back in the day. Had a cool hardcover book on Lucas, too.

It's probably still the most expensive homevideo release I have ever bought. Got mine around 1995, I think.

Yes, it's got all the little featurettes from the Definitive laserdiscs (which I've also got ) but with the addition of four old-school 'making of' documentaries, including 'From Star Wars to Jedi' which isn't on the Blu-ray set even though the other three are. Add in some lovely swag like the prints of the John Alvin art and several matte paintings, all packaged in a glossy embossed tin and it's a gorgeous set.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

If they ever release the originals in a respectable manner, will you guys ever bother watching the 2011 versions again? I won't.

I don't even watch them now, that the originals haven't been released in a respectable manner.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Ah but that Jabba scene is so clunky it's hard for me to watch lol. It adds absolutely nothing. I remember reports that the one change that got an amazing response was the close-up of the Millennium Falcon taking off from Mos Eisley. The Han digital effect head move is still ridiculous too.

I think he's ****ed with Empire enough. I hate the inserted shots of Vader approaching the shuttle and then docking at the Death Star 2...oh, I mean the Super Star Destroyer. The inserts stop the momentum of the extraordinary ending and its wonderful editing in the theatrical edition. Infuriating if you ask me...it really was perfect, with some of John Williams' best ever music.

The changes I don't mind are the little tinkering, like refining Luke falling in the Bespin core from a VFX standpoint. I didn't really mind the changed Emperor for continuity's sake, but I know many don't like the dialogue changes. Other dialogue changes aren't good at all ("Alert my star destroyer to prepare for my arrival"...WHY George?) So ideally I'd love a re-release in 4K restoration (best possible PQ) of the original, without new any "cuts." As long as the picture quality is the best. Empire has some of the greatest production design work in film history...everything in Cloud City is masterful.

Sure, I know folks don't like the Empire additions but they're basically just a few extra expository beats and I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't have any love for "bring my shuttle".

As for Jabba, say what you like about the scene but it fixes one of the worst edits in the original Star Wars: that really awkward dissolve of Luke and Ben walking through Mos Eisley which even seems to interrupt a music cue. With the Jabba scene in the middle it flows so much better IMO, and regarding the scene itself I love it. The original 1997 iteration is terrible, it was awful then and looks ****ing tragic now, but they used the Phantom Menace CG model of Jabba for the 2004 edition and it works really well (for me) because he's got some real character. Boba Fett mugging to the camera will always suck, mind you.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

If they ever release the originals in a respectable manner, will you guys ever bother watching the 2011 versions again? I won't.

I still watch my non-anamorphic DVD releases of the OT when I need a Star Wars fix, which is often. Don't bother with the prequels or any versions of the special editions.

[SethRex]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

I know, I'm talking about SW, Empire, and Jedi. They're coming out next year as part of the build-up for Episode VII.

Really?? If so that's very cool.

[DCW]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I still watch my non-anamorphic DVD releases of the OT when I need a Star Wars fix, which is often. Don't bother with the prequels or any versions of the special editions.

So true,

I'm exactly the same. Just watched the non-anamorphic dvd of Empire last night.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Sure, I know folks don't like the Empire additions but they're basically just a few extra expository beats and I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't have any love for "bring my shuttle".

As for Jabba, say what you like about the scene but it fixes one of the worst edits in the original Star Wars: that really awkward dissolve of Luke and Ben walking through Mos Eisley which even seems to interrupt a music cue. With the Jabba scene in the middle it flows so much better IMO, and regarding the scene itself I love it. The original 1997 iteration is terrible, it was awful then and looks ****ing tragic now, but they used the Phantom Menace CG model of Jabba for the 2004 edition and it works really well (for me) because he's got some real character. Boba Fett mugging to the camera will always suck, mind you.

Eh, I still thought Jabba in the '04 edition looks really plasticy and fake. I guess it's better than the '97 version though.

The biggest problem I have with that scene being thrown back in is it reiterates the same exact exposition that was in the Greedo scene. Even some of Han's lines are the same ("Even I get boarded sometimes").

I actually feel like if Lucas wasn't happy with the Han/Greedo shootout, instead of attempting to awkwardly edit it, he should have just removed it entirely and put the Jabba scene in as a replacement for the Special Edition. It would have been a perfectly fine alternate take for the movie and fixed the editing problems with doing the same exposition twice.

[Geoff D]

The repeated dialogue only extends to a couple of lines IIRC, the scenes themselves have very different outcomes which is why I've never minded this addition. In one of them Han's pleading his case to one of Jabba's lackeys, Han realises he can't talk him down so the only thing left to do is kill him. In the other he's talking to Jabba directly and dishing out the same excuse as he did before, only in this case Jabba's willing to listen and Han sweet talks him out of taking any drastic action. And I know that the final line ("Jabba, you're a wonderful human being") was intended to play when Declan Mulholland was standing there, but it now it's even better because the classic Solo sarcasm is doubled up.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I still watch my non-anamorphic DVD releases of the OT when I need a Star Wars fix, which is often. Don't bother with the prequels or any versions of the special editions.

I don't get this, when there are much better ways to watch them in this internet age.

But I feel your sentiment; saw the SEs in 97 and won't ever buy a home version of these. They're a joke to me. I have the copies of the originals I want for now, and spending $250 on the LD set when it came out I have no qualms with that.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

I don't get this, when there are much better ways to watch them in this internet age.

But I feel your sentiment; saw the SEs in 97 and won't ever buy a home version of these. They're a joke to me. I have the copies of the originals I want for now, and spending $250 on the LD set when it came out I have no qualms with that.

No doubt! People why are you watching those Non Anamorphic DVD's still?

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by Elvis

No doubt! People why are you watching those Non Anamorphic DVD's still?

Unfortunately, that's the best home release available of the original theatrical cuts.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

Unfortunately, that's the best home release available of the original theatrical cuts.

We weren't talking about "official" releases...yet we also weren't talking about any "non-official" releases either, cause it's verboten. aufwiedsersehn!

[Geoff D]

Who needs the non-anamorphic DVDs? In Harmy we trust.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by SethRex

Really?? If so that's very cool.

Yeah, Iger all but confirmed it talking to a cable business news host a while back. She asked him if they were going to re-release the films before the premiere of SW7, and he got this big grin on his face. "That sounds like a good idea. A REALLY good idea!" he said. In other words: "(wink!)"

[Panama Jack]

There are some parts of the special editions that I really like, and others I simply don't mind.

Actually, there are really only 2-3 new things in the entire Trilogy that I actually hate.

I know the UOT is coming later next year, presumably in 3D if the films are truly getting a 3D theatrical release.

I just hope that along with the UOT, we also get a one-and-done final Special Edition too that addresses the few things fans have hated the most (Han shoots first, artoo rocks, Hayden Force Ghost, Vader NOOOOO, maybe Jedi Rocks); fixes a few other things (fix ALL sabers, better Jabba in ANH, etc); but leaves some of the other enhancements that were actually pretty great (matte lines, CGI falcon in ANH & ESB, CGI X-wings in ANH, Wampa in ESB, etc.). With George out of the way now, maybe that's possible.

[Spooked]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Who needs the non-anamorphic DVDs? In Harmy we trust.

I'd buy copies if someone made them available on disc*; I'm just not tech-savvy enough to figure out how the heck to get those versions otherwise.

* Technically speaking, I'd trade for them. One really nice thank you note for the discs. Money may or may not be included with said note.

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Eh, I still thought Jabba in the '04 edition looks really plasticy and fake. I guess it's better than the '97 version though.

It *still* doesn't look right, compared to Jabba a few years later in ROTJ.

It was the main issue with the SE's to begin with, aside from the true revisionism (Greedo shooting first, etc.) - tech just wasn't ready to do what he was trying to do. A few years later, with the '04 cuts, tech was better - but then he was constrained by the '97 decisions - basically putting lipstick on a Hutt.

The whole Han stepping on him thing - now, that could be totally eliminated. Put Jabba on a floating dias, take that comic bit out, and animate him like he's ROTJ Jabba, and it could be a neat scene.