Rating: 
Summary: Choice george please!!!
Review: look i'm excited for the trilogy to come out on dvd, but i want to have choice which version i watch. how hard can it be to put out two versions of film? sources say that you plan on using the special edition version of your films , but please for those of us that grew up with these films, put out the original versions that weren't tampered with.! i've got the stargate ultimate edition so i know it can be done . so do it for the fans that grew up with these films instead of the ones that came after.A fan ! oh well i'm thankful i still have thx mastered vhs copies of the original films , because i'll probably be watching those. i never was a very big fan of special edition expect for adding the jabba the hutt scene in the first film, besides that tweaking these classic films was a sin my book . but like i said include both versions in the same case! it's a just an idea.
Rating: 
Summary: Clarification and theory of SE changes.
Review: 5 Stars for the 1989 VHS remastered sound original version. 0 for the upcoming DVD's. I was going to give the upcoming DVD's at least a half star, but considering the history of the "editions" in the 90's where the TV commericial for the updated efx edition(the editions >before< the Special Editions where the TV commericials said verbatim: "Buy the trilogy one last time!"), and all the travesty Lucas continues to heap on the memories of the originals etc. I'm joining the boycott. Some things on the SE changes. In ANH SE, Jabba was superimposed over a pudgy irish type Jabba(proto for Watto?). Besides the confusing Biggs scene in the later part of the movie, there was another scene near the beginning where Biggs talks to Luke about joining the rebellion presumably in Anchorage or near Luke's home. The scene is in Lucas' original movie-tie-in novelization and also in the kids' picture books. Sorry, I still don't see the "improvements" in the Death-star battle. The "ring" explosion of the Death Star is vintage ST:TNG CGI type of explosion. A soldier reports to Moff Tarkin that they count 20 or so fighters so it's not exactly a "bigger" looking battle, unless that line was cut from the movie as well.
As to why Lucas sticks by these SE versions? My theory based on reading biographical details on the making of SW(some could turn out to be just rumor so I could be wrong just like there are so many autobiographical books on Star Trek by many different cast members and assorted writers) , is that Lucas really didn't have the final say on a lot of ANH and ESB. Marcia Lucas and others had a say on how the editing and scriptwriting was done for ANH. For example, the scene where stormtrooper says "Looks sir, Droids!" and holds up that metal ring was supposedly decided to be done that way by Marcia Lucas to cut things short when Lucas wanted to do a full efx shot with dewbacks moving around instead of the still in the original. And guess what? The SE has the CGI dewbacks wandering about after all. Looks like Lucas got the final say after all after 18+ years. This and many other changes to the whole trilogy SE style could be Lucas' taking back from many others who contributed to the original and stamping his new version as totally his. Even to the point of discrediting the efx folks who did great memorable efx shots like the original explosion of the Death Star. Maybe Lucas had to compromise and now 20 years later he's doing everything he wanted, or just changing it enough to make every production decision his own. My 2nd theory is that Lucas knew LOTR was being made and he wanted to "upgrade" the efx to make the SW OT as a efx competitor for LOTR movie generation. Of course he probably didn't realize LOTR would be *that* good and now he's forced to release the DVD's just to do some "business" as his usual before it's too late and LOTR becomes the overwhelming choice of fantasy.
It should also be clarified that Lucas in the months writing the script for ANH researched Tolkien to write his "space fantasy" with Gary Kurtz. Thanks to the decades long commercialization of SW and efx movies in general, people have forgotten that SW stems and borrows very heavily from LOTR the book. Take a very close look at the sets and situations in ANH and you can just find about anything LOTR inspired. Luke's farm home looks like a hobbit mound. Many characters are similar to LOTR characters. The "superstructure" of the Death Star and Destroyers look like small cities themselves when in fact Minas Tirith was described as a city built from the stone mountain. The Cantina scenes where more characters meet echo Bree. Darth Vader is described much like Sauron. Dark *LORD* of the sith indeed. Early scripts for ANH feature three "rings" of force power. The exhaust shaft to the "reactor" core is akin to the Cracks of MT. Doom where the ring has to be tossed. The "throne room" scene at the end is remniscent of Aragorn's crowning, otherwise why did John Williams call that track the "Throne Room and End Credits"? Interesting that some have said ROTK should have ended right after Aragorn's ceremony and ANH happens to do just that kind of an end. The Oliphaunts were described in much the same way as AT-AT walkers also serving as troop transports. And of course hobbity Ewoks which Lucas called "strength of heart of the 'small' folk" in ROTJ documentaries back in the early 80's. SW borrowed from LOTR, not the other way around due to 20 years indoctrination of Lucas efx movie driven legacy where we got jaded to all kinds of efx heavy yet script deficient movies i.e. ID4.
Rating:
Summary: Still Star Wars
Review: A lot of people complain about the special editions, some as if
they where completely different films from the originals. I for one like the changes and additions for the most part, most of all, the Jabba The Hutt scene with Han Solo in the first film.
After all, it is the way George Lucas intended it to be, and they
are his films. And I can't wait for the DVDs in September.
Rating:
Summary: An accurate review of The Star Wars Trilogy.
Review: The first principle of 'star wars' is to see man out in space..this movie(successfully) starts this way; and then attempts to focus on the wit and sarcasm, of the players as heroical archetypes of the the present era. As I understand this effort-it is to present the 'so-called reality' of people, as they play themselves:in those real life situations that have somehow become their fate. As they attempt to grow wiser and more serious..while at the same time, the grade is such that they must also accept their responsibilites.('..by joining the academy next year.')We already know them, but this is what they are like, what they are 'made of' and what they do as they assist mankind in it's quest for greater-glory.
The whole idea behind capsualising any concept as great as Stars Wars into a moment that can be used as a relief, appeals to me enough to write this short essay. These annecdotal characters, their fights,altruism,egos,and goals culminate in such a way:in order to act as a guideline for this transcendental and natural quintessence of thinking-which is altogether apparent in the media today.I think that is GOOD.
By asking for -Stars Wars you will get, everything that Luke Skywalker, along with his self-evident companions and friends have to give. You will.. 'key in with the force.' You will have the 'advantage of their insight.' It is valuable knowledge and it is rewarding. The teleplay for this series is always changing for me. The various situations are like trial and error. I stayed with star wars, Where is the DVD?..and 'who would head into a meteor shower'..I am asking you. Put a quarter into the machine and rock on.If they say no to star wars..say yes-in order to say Yes.mfd Please Say Yes.DVD for the Star Wars Trilogy by Mark Hamill.
Rating:
Summary: George Lucas Has No Soul
Review: I've written a review for this several times. Maybe Amazon has filled the quota allowed for negative reviews regarding the Star Wars films already. Or maybe this one will make the cut. I am 33 years old and grew up thinking that the Star Wars films were the best movies ever made. They inspired me and fascinated me. I spent oodles of money on the merchandise, as did my friends and family and bought the first several incarnations of the films on video as well. Even as an adult, when you actually took a minute to realize the message that was there, that even George Lucas himself said years ago, was that the emphasis was on the human story and the effects were there simply to help tell the story. All that changed years later. George Lucas has made it his life's work to tamper with the cherished memories that were once associated with these films. The special editions do not sit very well with the fans of the series (nor do the newer prequels). The over-emphasis on the badly incorporated CGI effects, the cutting of scenes and the deleting / adding of music scores is not only distracting, but very upsetting to most fans as well. Imagine watching The Wizard of Oz with new CGI effects, completely in color and with additional footage added some 60-odd years after the film was made. It's the same thing. These films have been ruined forever for me and for many others because of the relentless tinkering Lucas has continued to do. The DVD set that is coming out in September of this year is NOT the same Special Editions that were released theatrically in 1997 either. They have been "tweaked" more as well...and it isn't over yet. In 2007, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the first film's release, an "Archive Edition" of all the films will be released again on DVD. So in regular George Lucas fashion, you will be expected to shell out even more big bucks to re-buy the same films...AGAIN. The original theatrical versions will not appear in this set either. The first three films at that point will be barely recognizable to anyone who saw the original theatrical versions when they were released as they are still in the process of "tweaking" the original trilogy to his Lucas-ness' specs. He was never happy with the original trilogy-and apparently still isn't. He wants the original three films to resemble as closely as possible the look and feel of the newer prequels...and that's not a good thing. Mr. Lucas has promised over and over again that the original theatrical versions will NEVER be released again in ANY format. To him, they no longer exist. He doesn't care about the zillions of fans around the world--fans that made him the very rich man that he is today. He's probably tired of all the hoopla and angered the new prequels were not universally loved by everyone, except perhaps small children. At any rate, he's shown an unforgivable indifference to the fans of his films. I for one will miss the first three films that were once Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi when my VHS copies eventually degrade into nothing, as I will not be purchasing any of those DVDs. But I guess I said goodbye to those classic wonderful films a long, long time ago. Thank you Mr. Lucas.
Rating:
Summary: Where have you people been?
Review: Since 1977, the original "Star Wars" film was a sci-fi classic hit! Then came the sequel "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) which far surpassed the first. (Considering many find it to be the best one!) Finally, there was the long awaited release, "Return of the Jedi" (1983). It ended the series with a bang! A generation later, George Lucas decided to continue with the SW saga in 1999 with the prequel trilogy starting with Episode I "The Phantom Menace". (unfortunately many were diappointed because of the annoying Jar-Jar character) Episode II "Attack of the Clones". The third installment's title is still undecided and won't be out till next May, 2005. However, there is something that I suppose most of you guys don't even know about yet! According to many sources I've seen, Lucas and crew will be releasing the original SW trilogy on September 21, 2004! It will be a four disk collection which includes all three original films. The fourth disk will be BONUS features such as a behind-the-scenes look and cast interviews. (Similar to "The Adventures of Indiana Jones Collection" released on DVD this past Fall) We will finally get the chance to experience the films in a more digitally enhanced clearer picture and sound quality that will be even better than the VHS Special Editions released back in '97, due to DVD standards. I'm only hoping though that we WON'T just get the Original versions of the films because the Special Edition versions helped improve them. Instead, there can hopefully be an option where we can choose to watch them in either 'Original' or 'Special' editions. (kind of like the "E.T." DVD, only on one disk per film!) I'm sure this will help keep us all busy while we're still waiting anxiously for the upcoming Episode III to hit the big screen! Get ready Star Wars fans, it's COMING SOON!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars Trilogy
Review: It's about time I got word from a star wars insider at lucas arts , that the trilogy will be released in a 4 dvd boxed set on September 21 2004. This is the movie series that started the new age of special effects and sci-fi movies. The trilogy is a part of history in the movie biz and I highly recommend it to all. So if you want a piece of movie history get it, sit back and enjoy the ride of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Finally coming on DVD
Review: I just read in the Febuary 20th issue of Entertainment Weekly that Lucas and Fox have set the release date for the trilogy on DVD to be September 21st, 2004. They said it will a four disc set, probably like Indiana Jones. Just thought you may like to know. I do not know if this is for sure but Entertainment Weekly is usually reliable.
Rating:
Summary: What is all the fuss about???!!!!!
Review: I can't believe some of these reviews involving the upcoming DVD release of the "Star Wars" Special Edition Trilogy, what is exactly wrong with the SE versions???!!, this one (A New Hope) had most of the changes, but they were in my view needed, we see more of Mos Eisley which now looks like a Metropolis, which is cool, why is this a bad thing??, the bloch under the Landspeeder is now gone, why is this a crime, Greedo shooting first??, so what, the scene was designed to show what a good marksman Han really is, yes, I agree, the Jabba scene could have been better, but a neat scene nonetheless, & Boba Fett thrown in for good measure was nice, Han facing down a legion of Stormtroopers on the Death Star was a nice change, I say again, what is the problem here???, & the end battle is now soooooo much better, are you people telling me that the X-Wings & Tie Fighters on sticks are better than the digital ones???, the new sequences are more realistic looking than the older version, Lucas took nothing away from the film, he just made it better, & "Empire" with more shots of Bespin were cool, again, nothing was taken away from the Original film, & "Jedi", the Jabba dance number is better with more interesting characters, & the end sequence is sooooo much better, I am glad Lucas & Co. got rid of that ridiculous Ewok song, I hated that song, the new ending is much more surreal with celebrations everywhere, again, why is this a bad thing??, It seems to me that the ones complaining about the SE films are the same ones who complain about the Prequels, & don't appreciate the art of filmaking, like Lucas does, as far as Speilberg's E.T., its new version made little or no money, which is why he probably released both versions, not so with "Star Wars", before 1997, I too felt that the films needed improvemnets, & my interest was renewed that year, I will take the SE over the originals any day!!
Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars Trilogy to be released September 21, 2004
Review: "The most requested films for the DVD format will finally become a reality this September as Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox present the eagerly-awaited Star Wars Trilogy for the ultimate home entertainment format. The four-disc collection will be released on September 21 in the U.S. and Canada, with international release dates following closely." -(from starwars.com) http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/news/2004/02/news20040210.html
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