Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Nicolawicz]

Originally Posted by Alan_Grant

No! dont u c, lucus put himself by yes men b/c he is so greedy!!!!!! he thinks he is director supreme!!!! but ha joke on LUCAS MUH PREQUELS SUCKED!!1 HA!

Seriously. So many negative connotation against Lucas has been disproven time and time again, and people refuse to look at the facts.

There's no "negative connotations" in what I said, fanboy. That's what Spielberg said when they asked him if he'd direct one of the new ones (which sounded like he wasn't going to direct one because Lucas didn't want him to).

[Nicolawicz]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

He could have done Jedi, but he was a litte busy in 1982 in post on E.T. and Poltergeist.

I don't know if it's true, but they say in Empire of Dreams that it was "impossible" to hire Spielberg because Lucas had resigned from the Directors Guild.

[TM2-Megatron]

The originals had a charm that the prequels wholly lack. So while the OT does have its share of cheesy writing, it's much more easily overlooked by many of us. The acting also isn't nearly as wooden, and that isn't a criticism of the prequel cast as there were quite a few good actors involved. The bad dialogue coupled with overuse of green screens and CGI simply sucked all the soul out of any performance they may have been able to give. At least in the OT the actors were working with real sets in real locations and acting opposite real people. The best word to describe the prequels is sterile. They're bereft of anything resembling soul.

But personally, the prequels don't bother me. Nobody forces me to watch them (and I haven't since they came out), and nobody's forcing me to buy them (which I never have).

Even the Special Editions don't bother me, for the same reasons. The only thing that has bothered me over the years is that the original cuts of the OT aren't being made available in the best possible quality. And I disagree with you on that point; I believe that Disney will eventually make them available. To do anything else is an affront to the history of cinema. As much as George Lucas' wish that the SEs be the definitive cuts should be respected, cinematic history should also be respected and the films should be preserved in their original form. All films should be preserved.

[DJR662]

I'm probably in the minority here but I love the prequels despite some obvious flaws and I don't mind every single change Lucas made to the OT from 1997 onwards. Unless we're talking about putting rocks in front of robots or changing who shoots who first...

I watch the complete BD box at least once a year and I still enjoy it very much!

[kwisatzhaderach]

Originally Posted by yarulbcool

Besides, I bet Lucas slipped a clause in at the end of the sale saying the originals can't be touched in that regard, perhaps just as a middle finger to all these online whine parties.

Let's hope so, it's what they deserve. I've been listening to this crap for 19 years now. You think at some point they would stop whining, but no. The final laugh was them slating Lucas for years and then they all fall for mindless TV Movie crap like The Force Awakens. They're idiots.

[TM2-Megatron]

I never said it was unique to SW; overuse of CGI and green screens have resulted in a whole lot of **** up on the silver screen these days. But when it happens to a beloved franchise that was hailed for pioneering quite a few practical effects techniques, people just tend to take it a little more personally than when it happens with some random summer attempt at a blockbuster that bombs and nobody gives a crap about.

And sure, Disney cares about money. But you're high if you think they also don't care about preserving and curating their vast catalog of content. Look at the Disney Treasures DVD line from the mid 2000s. The same is true for all the major studios. Not everyone that works there is a soulless executive, and even they care about preservation as you can't continue to make money from something if you don't keep it in good shape and marketable on future formats. And these studios have entire departments devoted to the storage, preservation and restoration of their content; and many of the people who work in said departments, and even some of the executives and other employees of studios, do care about cinematic history.

And aside from all that, there's lots of money to be made from a release of the unaltered OT. There are a lot of fans waiting for it. I'll admit there are also many who don't care one way or the other and/or would be willing to buy the SEs if that's all that comes out. But there are also people who won't buy the OT unless it's the theatrical versions, so Disney will be missing out on those sales (as well as double dips from completists) if they don't eventually release them.

Disney paid billions for Lucasfilm, and I really doubt they coughed up so much money only to let such a ridiculous clause make it into the contract. They own it, free and clear; they can do what they like and even Fox can't stand in their way. I also apparently give George more credit than you do, though; I don't believe he's as petty nor as much a malcontent as you seem to be. Generally, successful people aren't that negative nor so vindictive.

We'd probably also have heard about such a clause by now, if it existed. Such things always leak in good time, and that would've been a pretty major news item for sites like the Digital Bits, who have inside sources about such things.

[Alan_Grant]

I own the BR set they released from 2015, after I sold the original Saga set (while the packaging image for the 2011 set is better, the actual packaging Disney put out helps preserve the discs), I would happily purchase the UOT if released, and I'm someone who (outside of a few minor quibbles) doesn't mind Lucas' changes and likes 2 out of the 3 PT movies.

[bobbyh64]

I wonder how well a Blu-ray boxset containing the unaltered OT would sell. I would think fans who saw the movies when they were released theatrically and 80s kids who grew up with them on VHS would want the set. And if given a choice I would think most people would want the original versions. Is this not true? Has it come to the point where the people who know about the differences between the original versions and the special editions prefer the special editions?

[JasonHensley]

Originally Posted by kwisatzhaderach

Let's hope so, it's what they deserve. I've been listening to this crap for 19 years now. You think at some point they would stop whining, but no. The final laugh was them slating Lucas for years and then they all fall for mindless TV Movie crap like The Force Awakens. They're idiots.

And you're not? Judging by your response you're an idiot also.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Yes, Vader explicitly states, "Luke -- help me take this titanium-reinforced vacumn-sealed helmet -- which is definitely not a plastic mask -- help me take it off, so that I can see you with my own eyes, which somehow miraculously survived my entire head engulfed in flame."

Well, he does say so in the upcoming USE for the 20th anniversary of the SEs. I have my insider sources, but how come you are in the know as well?

Originally Posted by Mighty Max

Well, he did surround himself with "yes-men"
Whether or not greed had anything to do with it, who is to really say?

I never understood this point.

Who in their right mind would write a script, have a vision of sth., direct the movie, and just for the heck of it surround oneself with people who don't want to do things your way?????

He created them, paid for them, so I guess any reasonable human being would want to be surround by people who actually help you bring your vision to life.
Life is hard enough as it is.

Have you ever played in a band, or worked in a team to bring your vision to life?

Well, I have, and let me tell you that it's more than hard enough to find people that contribute rather than sabotage you, or try to go an entirely different route altogether.

With the first movie, he had to compromise A LOT, and he hated it. Same with THX-1138 and American Graffiti, where Universal cut out scenes. He hated not being in control, so you tell me. When you have finally accomplished that you can do what you please....you go out of your way to find people that know better??? Get real, people!
That's literally the most ludicrous argument ever made.

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

And aside from all that, there's lots of money to be made from a release of the unaltered OT. There are a lot of fans waiting for it. I'll admit there are also many who don't care one way or the other and/or would be willing to buy the SEs if that's all that comes out. But there are also people who won't buy the OT unless it's the theatrical versions, so Disney will be missing out on those sales (as well as double dips from completists) if they don't eventually release them.

Disney paid billions for Lucasfilm, and I really doubt they coughed up so much money only to let such a ridiculous clause make it into the contract. They own it, free and clear; they can do what they like and even Fox can't stand in their way. I also apparently give George more credit than you do, though; I don't believe he's as petty nor as much a malcontent as you seem to be. Generally, successful people aren't that negative nor so vindictive.

We'd probably also have heard about such a clause by now, if it existed. Such things always leak in good time, and that would've been a pretty major news item for sites like the Digital Bits, who have inside sources about such things.

Disney doesn't really need to worry about Star Wars making them money. I'm pretty sure they've already made the money back from their investment after Force Awakens and Rogue One.

I think if Disney does that they release it after George dies.

But honestly, this was a director making his own changes not some corporate executives.

I don't think Disney will release an unaltered trilogy. They may have some ILM guys redo the CGI so it looks 2016 CGI that blends better than the clear 1080p looking effects.


I really do think people overestimate the amount of money Disney would make from releasing the unaltered OT. It's a very small minority of a very small minority that cares about little menial things like that. The only people who've complained about the changes are really a smaller segment of people on this forum. And that can pretty much be said about any forum with Star Wars fanbase in it.

And honestly, if someone that grew up on Star Wars that has refused to buy any of the Star Wars blu's because maybe 2-4 minutes of added/altered footage in each movie, I mean no offense but that's probably one of the most pitiful things I've ever heard. What if they have kids? They'd rather let their kids watch it on TV with edited for time and commercials, than just taking them by the side sitting them on the couch and watching the blu's? Sad if there are people who actually do that. Preventing your child from experiencing such an amazing experience as well as an amazing family movie experience. There's a reason you can see grandparents taking their grandkids to these movies. Star Wars transcends generations. You have little kids leaving the theater in EXCITEMENT after seeing Darth Vader slaughter Rebel soldiers in Rogue 1.

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Even the Special Editions don't bother me, for the same reasons. The only thing that has bothered me over the years is that the original cuts of the OT aren't being made available in the best possible quality.

You really should find the despecialized editions. Star Wars is pretty damn good to me. Silver Screen isn't bad and good enough for me until that day.

I can't imagine ever going back to the non-special editions of the other two. Empire benefits greatly from the special edition.

[Nicolawicz]

Funny how some of these prequeltards are actually against film preservation.

[bobbyh64]

I can't believe there are people who actually hope that the unaltered original trilogy never gets released.

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I can't believe there are people who actually hope that the unaltered original trilogy never gets released.

I have not seen one single post here that says the original unaltered should not be released. NOT ONE.

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Funny how some of these prequeltards are actually against film preservation.

You know what I think a prequeltard equivalent would be. It is a OT fanboy that continues to crap all over the prequels for acting, dialogue problems, inconsistencies...while ignoring the same problems of the OT.

So much so they would call names to any and all that show the tiniest of support for the prequels!

[English Patient]

I think, from a purely practical and business standpoint, they'd have to release an unaltered original trilogy, simply to get people to rebuy the movies again. The original trilogy has been released on disc in so many repackagings since 2004 that Disney has to realize customers need a new incentive to buy them again. It's exactly the splashy marketing hook they'd need to get the customers' attention. At this point, a couple of new extras like a new interview or deleted scenes isn't going to cut it.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Funny how some of these prequeltards are actually against film preservation.

I think it's astounding that's anyone can be against film preservation.

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I think it's astounding that's anyone can be against film preservation.

And yet there sit the OT fanboys who are not only happy that Lucas gave up the rights, but actually want the prequels out of circulation by pushing to disparage them so much to act as if they have no worth.

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by yarulbcool

Revenge of the Sith is one of the top 2 Star Wars films. At what point will it not be cool to moan and groan about the prequels. Seriously, every critique of them (bad acting, dialogue, etc.) can be applied to the originals as well. They're Space Operas, not complex sci-fi films designed to be groundbreaking in any philosophical sense. If you want that, perhaps you should go watch the 2000s Battlestar Galactica, the Matrix, 2001, or Solaris. Oh, let's also spend every page of the thread moaning and groaning about not getting the the theatrical cuts of the originals and speculate whether or not Disney will ever release them (they won't).

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't understand the sentiment of it "being cool" to moan about the prequels. It certainly has never seemed that way.

Star Wars clearly has had a massive cultural impact on several generations now and the revisionism and decisiveness is wholly unique to a work of art this large. Isn't it a fascinating subject matter to debate? Isn't this the perfect platform for such discourse? It is called a 'forum' after all. You don't have to dig too far back to see people trying to bring intelligent discussion to the table and being met with empty criticism.

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by yarulbcool

Lol keep your faith, ladies and gentlemen. It is actually kind of cute how committed some of you are with this unaltered nonsense. It's like you think someone stole Lucas's work and forced him to change it. Keep holding out for those originals that aren't coming. Meanwhile I'll enjoy Lucas's versions of the film.

I've never seen anything that could lead me to believe fans think Lucas made changes under pressure. What specifically do you mean?

I don't think it's unwarranted to want the unaltered films released. Think about it your favorite work of art was changed to the point that it was difficult for you to enjoy it anymore, wouldn't you want to be able to go back to the version that you enjoyed?