Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (1977-1983)

[chip75]

I was surprised slug-like Jabba never left a trail of slime, although maybe it was for the best, we'd have a CGI Han sliding around in it ...

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by JimSmith

The CGI from the 1997 Star Wars special edition is a complete slimy unadulterated turd, you know, a complete abomination. Get some glasses buddy.

It looks worse now, I'll grant you that...but the Jabba scene was likely a rushed effort to begin with. By comparison, I like the shots of Cloud City through all the windows on Bespin, the new battle shots with the first Death Star, and even Hayden as Anakin's ghost. I'm still hoping he shows up in The Last Jedi or Episode IX, giving advice or even haunting Kylo Ren.

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

As for RotJ, I can't stand even the thought of what was done to the music in Jabba's palace.

That's the one change in the original trilogy, which bugs me like crazy...yes, even more than Greedo shooting first. There is absolutely no point to the musical number; it stops the whole film completely in its tracks. I understand why Lucas deemed it funny, but the last thing that entire first act needed was out-of-place humor. There was plenty with the droids still bickering, and Han accidentally sending Boba Fett into the Sarlaac. Later, we had the Ewoks and Threepio's bedtime story...all of which meshed with the existing narrative. But the new song in Jabba's palace just shuts everything around it down completely; you could remove all of it and not affect the sequence one bit.

[L-Rouge]

something for Star Wars fans, or fans of John Williams in general

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300403973.html

[Gaius Marius]

The Special Editions have good and bad aspects. I like the enhances to the Battle of Yavin, the extra Biggs scene in ANH, the Wampa in ESB, and the windows in Cloud City. I don't like the redundant Jabba scene, Greedo shooting first, Jedi Rocks , or Vader's "NOOOOO". Everything else is okay. Not offensive, but not memorable either. I wish Disney would do a 'Final Cut' of the OT and include the good stuff and omit the bad stuff for the ultimate OT experience

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

That's my biggest beef with the Jabba scene. The CGI is... whatever, it's a product of its time. But the scene itself is fundamentally unnecessary and just slows the movie down.

Considering Lucas wasn't happy with the Han/Greedo shootout, I wonder if he ever considered just cutting the Greedo bit out of the Special Edition since he was restoring the Jabba scene with the same exposition. Maybe he thought the scene had become so popular and well-known he didn't want to remove it, but honestly, if the Jabba scene has to be there I would rather he'd remove the Greedo scene entirely instead of awkwardly editing it and ruining the moment anyway.
That would at least solve the editing and pacing issue with the scene.

[garywhite]

Why doesn't Lucas have them release the original versions of IV/V/VI, instead of the Special Edition? If I were someone at Disney or at 20th Century Fox, that's what I would do

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by garywhite

Why doesn't Lucas have them release the original versions of IV/V/VI, instead of the Special Edition? If I were someone at Disney or at 20th Century Fox, that's what I would do

Strictly speaking, Lucas no longer has the authority regarding the films' distribution...unless a clause was placed in the sale contract to that regard. Obviously, we don't know for sure...but I wouldn't be surprised if Lucas banned all future releases of the unaltered trilogy as part of his deal with Disney.

[warrian]

I pretty much reject the Special Editions whenever I watch the OT, but I even I like some things about them.

I don't need a version without "Episode IV: A New Hope" at the top for example.

I love the Biggs reunion bit despite the fact that his early scene was cut. I think that works great.

The stuff they re-did in camera looks pretty good too (more Wampa, more Oola).

Most of the re-done space opticals are cool (particularly during the assault on the first Death Star) and I can live with most of the cloud city changes changes too.

But that's about it. Absent a larger more specific discussion I won't re-hash all the stuff that's just awful about the special editions, other than to say that in general, the emphasis on broad physical humor and the way the "newer" effects don't often fit together with the existing elements are my biggest gripes.

Like many have said, I liked all the extra stuff in 97. It was a thrill to see the films on the big screen again and the additions were surprising and fun for someone who had grown to know just about every frame of the originals.

I am most sad about how much the discourse about these films has been effected by the original versions being withheld. It has become a battleground perfectly suited to bringing out the worst in each side on the anonymous internet.

I also think it's time to stop piling on Lucas for the way it was handled. I see his point of view even if I disagree with it. And in any case, he's out. You want the UOT in HD, go after Disney. They're your last and only hope. There is no other.

[JimSmith]

Originally Posted by warrian

I pretty much reject the Special Editions whenever I watch the OT, but I even I like some things about them.

I don't need a version without "Episode IV: A New Hope" at the top for example.

I love the Biggs reunion bit despite the fact that his early scene was cut. I think that works great.

The stuff they re-did in camera looks pretty good too (more Wampa, more Oola).

Most of the re-done space opticals are cool (particularly during the assault on the first Death Star) and I can live with most of the cloud city changes changes too.

But that's about it. Absent a larger more specific discussion I won't re-hash all the stuff that's just awful about the special editions, other than to say that in general, the emphasis on broad physical humor and the way the "newer" effects don't often fit together with the existing elements are my biggest gripes.

Like many have said, I liked all the extra stuff in 97. It was a thrill to see the films on the big screen again and the additions were surprising and fun for someone who had grown to know just about every frame of the originals.

I am most sad about how much the discourse about these films has been effected by the original versions being withheld. It has become a battleground perfectly suited to bringing out the worst in each side on the anonymous internet.

I also think it's time to stop piling on Lucas for the way it was handled. I see his point of view even if I disagree with it. And in any case, he's out. You want the UOT in HD, go after Disney. They're your last and only hope. There is no other.

The best special edition changes in the original Star Wars trilogy is by FAR the changes in The Empire Strikes Back. I also think that the CGI for the original trilogy special editions and even the prequel trilogy desperately needs to be updated.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Strictly speaking, Lucas no longer has the authority regarding the films' distribution...unless a clause was placed in the sale contract to that regard. Obviously, we don't know for sure...but I wouldn't be surprised if Lucas banned all future releases of the unaltered trilogy as part of his deal with Disney.

Naah -- Lucas himself said the reason he didn't want to release the original versions was because it would cost millions to put everything back together again (this was in the 90's). With today's digital tools, it would be a fraction of the cost and effort. He also said if he had known how much blowback he would receive, he never would have changed the Greedo scene.

[LokiMok]

This is from the original Marvel comic adaptation. Was this guy just arbitrarily selected by the artist?

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Considering Lucas wasn't happy with the Han/Greedo shootout, I wonder if he ever considered just cutting the Greedo bit out of the Special Edition since he was restoring the Jabba scene with the same exposition. Maybe he thought the scene had become so popular and well-known he didn't want to remove it, but honestly, if the Jabba scene has to be there I would rather he'd remove the Greedo scene entirely instead of awkwardly editing it and ruining the moment anyway.
That would at least solve the editing and pacing issue with the scene.

Never occurred to me, but it's a good idea. Have one or the other, not both. But I think the Greedo scene is better; even with the SE alteration, I'd rather have the Mexican standoff-type encounter with Greedo than the semi-comical Jabba conversation. Plus it preserves the reveal of the Falcon for later (gotta love our first look of it followed by "what a piece of junk!").

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by JimSmith

The best special edition changes in the original Star Wars trilogy is by FAR the changes in The Empire Strikes Back. I also think that the CGI for the original trilogy special editions and even the prequel trilogy desperately needs to be updated.

Contrary to popular belief, the prequels don't have as much CGI as people often claim. A lot of the alien backdrops (Coruscant, Kamino, Mustafar, Geonosis) are done via computer, but there was tons of miniature work, too. Most exteriors of Theed were done with so-called "bigatures" and real shots from Italy; only the compositing was computerized. The same for shots in Tunisia, again being used for Tatooine. I think the most extensive CGI in all the prequels was done with things like the Boonta Eve podrace, Obi-Wan's flight through Coruscant, and the "squid lake" opera scene. Mustafar was maybe half digital, with the rest a mix of real volcanic footage and miniatures.

[Arawn]

[JimSmith]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Contrary to popular belief, the prequels don't have as much CGI as people often claim. A lot of the alien backdrops (Coruscant, Kamino, Mustafar, Geonosis) are done via computer, but there was tons of miniature work, too. Most exteriors of Theed were done with so-called "bigatures" and real shots from Italy; only the compositing was computerized. The same for shots in Tunisia, again being used for Tatooine. I think the most extensive CGI in all the prequels was done with things like the Boonta Eve podrace, Obi-Wan's flight through Coruscant, and the "squid lake" opera scene. Mustafar was maybe half digital, with the rest a mix of real volcanic footage and miniatures.

I appreciate the fact that the prequels aren't all CGI and the costuming in them is quite complex and beautiful looking but that doesn't change the fact that CGI from the 90's and early to mid 2000's needs to be updated for today. For one thing it'll match the stunning CGI from Rogue One.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by JimSmith

...needs to be updated for today.

It's official: that phrase can make my blood run cold no matter the context.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Gaius Marius

The Special Editions have good and bad aspects. I like the enhances to the Battle of Yavin, the extra Biggs scene in ANH, the Wampa in ESB, and the windows in Cloud City. I don't like the redundant Jabba scene, Greedo shooting first, Jedi Rocks , or Vader's "NOOOOO". Everything else is okay. Not offensive, but not memorable either. I wish Disney would do a 'Final Cut' of the OT and include the good stuff and omit the bad stuff for the ultimate OT experience

You forgot Obi Wan's new Ric Flair "WOOOOO" call on Tatooine when scares off the sand people.

[Hardback247]

Originally Posted by JimSmith

I appreciate the fact that the prequels aren't all CGI and the costuming in them is quite complex and beautiful looking but that doesn't change the fact that CGI from the 90's and early to mid 2000's needs to be updated for today. For one thing it'll match the stunning CGI from Rogue One.

What about Terminator 2? I don't think the CGI in that movie needs updating.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by JimSmith

I appreciate the fact that the prequels aren't all CGI and the costuming in them is quite complex and beautiful looking but that doesn't change the fact that CGI from the 90's and early to mid 2000's needs to be updated for today. For one thing it'll match the stunning CGI from Rogue One.

With the exception of Leia's cameo, the effects were very good in Rogue One. Seeing the pre-redeemed Vader again gave me chills, too...but overall, I wasn't very impressed. Its not quite as bad as the Jedi Rocks sequence from Return of the Jedi, but the story just felt pointless. The only new characters I felt anything for were Jyn and her father, but since

[Show spoiler]they all died anyway

, it didn't add anything to the series. I'd have preferred a movie centered around Obi-Wan's time on Tatooine, or maybe something during the 30 years before The Force Awakens.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

You forgot Obi Wan's new Ric Flair "WOOOOO" call on Tatooine when scares off the sand people.

That's a little annoying, but its still better than that awful groaning noise from '97. You'd think the Blu-Rays would've just sampled the Krayt dragon from Revenge of the Sith.