Rating: 
Summary: Directors Cut
Review: Well George Lucas edited the movies. I'm sure no director ever edits the movies and make them something other than what we saw at the theater. Come to think of it I can name you a great number of Director's Cuts. So why should this be different? Granted I too wish that they included both the original and modified versions. All I can say is that I'm ecstatic this is finally coming out on DVD. I enjoy the new releases but the magic of the original three movies can't be beat. When I saw the original Star Wars at the theater it was not Chapter IV A New Hope. It was just Star Wars. Am I complaining? No, quite the contrary. Why would I complain about Mr. Lucas making five more movies to carry on the saga? You can bet I have pre-ordered my set.
Rating:
Summary: Stop whining, people
Review: No film, let alone a series of films, has been released on home video as often as "Star Wars." I personally own three versions of the film: the original release, the THX remastering and the special edition. What does not cease to amaze me is, in spite of this, the never-ending complaining about the special editions. *This* is how Lucas wanted the original films to look like and since this is *his* story, not yours, and he's allowed to do whatever he wants.Stop your whining. Buy the DVDs or don't buy the DVDs, I don't think any of us really cares. If you buy them and you still insist you need to watch the original version then dust off your VCR and pop the tapes in. Let the rest of us enjoy what is clearly going to be an amazing experience without your constant belly-aching.
Rating: 
Summary: At least give us a choice!
Review: Original or "improved"--which is better? I for one have always preferred the original theatrical cuts of the three movies. The new effects fit very poorly with the original shots--a problem that is endemic throughout the 'new' trilogy--and essentially add nothing. However, some people like the new version, and I respect that. Therefore, Lucas should have cranked out *two* DVD sets. One with the original cut, one with the expanded cuts. Easy as pie--people do it with fullscreen/widescreen movies all the time. Might even have made *more* money. But, no. Now, if I want to see the originals, I have to fall back on my VHS tapes. Not a bad alternative, but lacking. Lucas has been on a downward slide for awhile; his refusal to allow us to choose is the final insult.
Rating:
Summary: The Original Releases are by far the BEST
Review: I have been a fan of Star Wars since 1980, and the oringals are the best. I was very excited for the special editions when they were released in the 90s, but let us face it, George Lucas has lost his touch. He relies to heavily on ILM, which has very low grade technology, especially when compared to Weta Digital (the special effects creators for Lord of the Rings). Lucasfilm has tanked just like Disney. It is very sad to see two great film production compannies go downhill so quickly.
Rating:
Summary: I have the original edition of the trilogy
Review: I already own the original edition of the trilogy on DVD (and no it isn't just some crappy rip...it's perfect quality with digital surround...and I'm not telling where I got it :) ). Anyways, I'm still going to order the Special Edition since Amazon's price is so good. Not as good as get the original edition for only (...), though ;)
Rating:
Summary: Finally, It¿s About Time
Review: I was begging my dad to let me see the "Star Wars" trilogy. When he said, "Okay, you can buy them if we find them." I was thrilled. It wasn't available anywhere until November 21, 2000, I said, "Dad, I found the trilogy." I was glad and watched Episodes, IV, V, and VI. I loved the original. I even loved "Empire" more. But "Jedi" was the weak link. Excellent performances by everyone, especially Harrison Ford and James Earl Jones. But, I've never seen the original originals. So, please, release both editions, Lucas. Thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: Music at the end of ROTJ
Review: I don't see how anyone can think the music at the end of the SE ROTJ could be cheesier than the music it replaced. Listen to the original with the lyrics - it's hideous! Star Wars was my childhood, but I cringed every time I heard that music! I'm reserving judgement for this release until I see it, so I'm giving it 3 stars for now. I have no problem with revising a work, if the changes are for the better (after all, even Tolkien revised the Hobbit, completely changing Gollum's role). I've heard that Lucas is still tweaking it - let's hope he changes the Greedo thing back to the original version.
Rating:
Summary: Come On People
Review: Everyone needs to get off their soap box and be quite. We have ALL been waiting for Lucas to get off is rear end and release the first three movies on DVD. Let's cut out the crap about one release being better or worse then the other. They are ALL great in their own right. I for one think this DVD release is simply awesome. The interviews are excellent and the picture and sound can't be beat. Now lets all of us put our little opinions down and be thankful that they are finally availbale on DVD. After all it is the world of Star Wars we all love to watch. And these movies are fun to watch as well. This is a GREAT BUY for any collector.
Rating:
Summary: Fairy tales for a new generation
Review: It's nearly impossible to review such an enduringly integral component of pop-culture out of that context, but Star Wars was the new fairy tales for a generation who had outgrown the old ones. A post-Vietnam, post-Watergate, jaded, cynical society was looking for new legends in which to believe, and they found them in the form of the Death Star, Darth Vader, and Luke Skywalker. To this day, Star Wars is big business (just look at merchandise sales and box office grosses) which still has a rabid group of fans, but recent installments have been critically panned and lukewarmly received by viewers. So, not having been able to hold back fan response any longer, Lucas has released the first three movies on DVD, in a move that is sure to give him even more money. This time, though, we know we're getting good stuff: two classic films and a pretty good finale. Star Wars brings back a lot of nostalgia for a lot of people, and for good reason: it taps into the ever-powerful good vs. evil motif, it gives us a hero to root for and a villain to hiss at. There's space battles, jailbreaks, and a powerful emotional payoff at the end. It is the template of what makes a good movie, and happens to be pretty entertaining to this day. Its sequel, though, is my favorite of the group. The Empire Strikes Back adds shades of gray to the Star Wars universe, its much darker look and feel and mythic overtones (and less than happy ending) make this the least favorite of some and the favorite of the rest of us. The Empire Strikes Back also has one of the best plot twists in history, and aside from all the spoofing throughout the years, I still get a tingle down my spine when Vader tells Luke, "I am your father!" We get a gritty melodrama where things don't turn out all right at the end of the day, but it is not a grim tale, there is a balance in the storytelling that really works for the movie. The final installment, Return of the Jedi, is less than the sum of its parts. Good vs. Evil -- good. Father vs. Son, Vader vs. Skywalker -- good. Ewoks -- not so much (they were born to become collectible teddy bears for Star Wars fans). This movie did end the trilogy in a very satisfying manner, though: the emotional payoff made the entire journey worthwhile. There's still a lot to like about these movies: I think the special effects look great (and unlike recent installments are not at all gratuituous), the fairy-tale like narrative style and fantastic locations and images are indellible. Although there is a high probability that everyone in the world has seen these movies, and many own a set, the DVD set promises to be worth the buy (until Lucas releases another one in a year). Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: These aren't the movies I grew up with.
Review: I grew up watching Star Wars, but these aren't the movies I grew up watching. George Lucas has, for some reason completely inexpicable, significantly changed the films for this release. The changes unnecessary and often change the characters and flow of the films significantly. If he releases the movies I grew up with, I'm sure I'll purchase them, but I have no desire to watch these versions of the films.
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