Rating: 
Summary: "Very Special" Editions Only Serve To Portend Jar Jar Binks
Review: A friend of mine clued me into his pet term for the Star wars rerelease films, now reissued on video - the "very special" editions, as in the "very special" episodes of sitcoms or "very special" like Jason Biggs' trumpeteer is perceived to be in "American Pie 2". In short, the original Star Wars films were reduced to treacle when, in their rerelease form, they could have garnered a new generation of fans. Let me qualify something here. You are not a bigger Star Wars fan than I am, nor do I "not get it". I was born in 1975. My earliest Christmas pictures have me standing next to a Death Star toy with assorted characters and playsets strewn about. I got Boba Fett, Yoda, and the Emperor in plain, small cardboard boxes via mail order. I saw Star Wars in rerelease when I was four, saw Empire at the Ziegfield in NY when I was five, and was first in line for both ROTJ and TPM on their opening days. In-between all that, add in the countless video games, comic collecting, book reading, and whatnot, it all adds up to one thing - I have a deep affection for the Star Wars franchise, but that doesn't mean a slavish devotion to George Lucas' decision-making. People say Lucas has a right to do whatever he wants with his original trilogy films. This is incorrect. Technically, as he owns them, he can do whatever he wishes. However, especially fourteen years after the fact (1983-1997), the films have a cultural resonance and are beloved for what is in them. Fundamentally changing them would be like DaVinci adjusting the smile on Mona Lisa's face or Shakespere deciding that Ophelia and Hamlet ride off into the sunset together. There is a cultural point, that all artists usually have the good sense to recognize, when their art takes on a life of its own and is no longer simply theirs. George Lucas doesn't seem to get this. So much of what he does in the Special Editions is strong - the tidying up of effects, the cleaning up of the negative and the sound, and even the addition of some scenes constitute a director's right to go back and try to make his film better. What Lucas does, though, is go beyond this. Whether by making Greedo shoot first, Luke scream after tossing himself into the void, adding Jedi Rocks while removing the original song, or even changing the end music and sequence for ROTJ, Lucas has done more than tweak the mechanics and flow of his film. He has, instead, fundamentally altered our perception of events and of how we process and experence the films. In short, he has taken something familiar and made it into something cold and alien. There is no excuse for this. For a generation of inspired 20 and 30-somethings, along with their parents, Star Wars represented something familiar, something good, and something we wanted to be associated with. The '97 rerelease, represented here in this collection instead left us feeling unwelcome, as if Lucasfilm decided we had lived out our usefulness and was moving onto a new audience, one that had to have Vader's return to his ship at the end of ESB explained and shown step by step. Very special, indeed. While there are aspects of the special editions that are good, the negatives far outweigh the positives and it pains me to say that this Star Wars collection is not worth having over the original versions. You would be better off finding those or getting copies of them than you would owning and watching the special editions.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars is the best Saga of all time infinite
Review: I thought in highschool as I think today, 10 yrs later, The Star Wars Trilogy is the Best Saga of movies ever made in my lifetime. This first movie is certainly five stars but it is the continuity of how it ties with the others that makes it shine. The Star Wars TRILOGY is above all other movies(or boxed sets). I am actually reviewing the three movies here(EXcluding the Phantom Menace which was a joke). Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamil were excellent in these installments. The special FX of the original edition were far ahead of thier time and up to par even today, and this Special Edition is even better!(some people won't agree with that) I hope it is released on DVD soon, it certainly gets my vote 100%
(no butterfly ballets PU-LEEEZ!)
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have...for anyone!
Review: I just bought this new release of the original Star Wars trilogy, and I was very much impressed. The picture and sound quality is excellent for VHS, and, though some are not needed, the additional segments were interesting to watch. I'm guessing that most of you already know the story, and if you do, great, but bear with my brief synopsis' of the videos for those underprivileged souls who have not seen them. IV: A NEW HOPE. Often referred to as the first movie, it is actually the first of the TRILOGY, not the series. It quickly opens with the capture of Princess Leia Organa, Senator of Alderaan and the escape of See Threepio and Artoo Detoo, the two comical droids. Play then switches to the intro of Darth Vadar and the skeletal Governor Tarkin and then to Tatooine, home of "Ben" Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. They go on a mission to bring the plans of the Death Star to Alderaan, assisted by Han Solo and Chewbacca, owners of the Millenium Falcon, respectfully. The first segment of the trilogy culminates with a lightsaber battle, retreat to the Rebel Base, and exciting mission to destroy the Death Star. A five star movie. V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. My favorite of the series, part two begins on the ice world of Hoth, at the new Rebel base. Not long after the opening, the base is discovered and attacked by Imperial troops with Leia, Chewbacca, Han, and See Threepio escaping on the Millenium Falcon and Luke and Artoo heading for training with Jedi master, Yoda. The Falcon takes shelter in an asteroid field to begin repairs, where the blossoming relationship between Han and Leia becomes evident. Luke starts to harness the force to aid him on Degobah. In need of help, Han goes to his friend, Lando for supplies and shelter, only to find a rather unpleasant surprise waiting for them there. The best movie of the trilogy. Five star material. VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI. Beginning where "ESB" left off, our heros are on a mission to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt's palace. After the reunion, Luke heads off to Degobah to keep a promise to his Jedi trainer, Yoda, while the rest ship back to the Rebel base to get the low down on the second Death Star's construction. Han leads a strike team after Luke returns from Yoda (some rather interesting news from him, by the way, folks) to the forest moon of Endor to disable the shield protecting the Death Star. This movie is practically all action, ending with the Battle of the Ewoks, Vadar and Luke's showdown, and some interesting revelations. The creepy Emperor Palpatine makes his appearance. My least favorite of the trilogy, but still a good story. Four stars. There you have it. I urge you to purchase these videos: It is well worth your pocket change. A NEW HOPE also includes a twelve-minute trailer on Episodes I and II and how Lucas plans to tie up all the loose ends. Extremely watchable, without a killing number of spoilers. If you want more info on any of these three movies individually, see my reviews for each on this website. Final Word: A definite worthwhile expenditure of your money. A must-have for any Star Wars fan or movie lover.
Rating: 
Summary: Where is the DVD version???
Review: I don't understand the grudge Lucas has against the DVD format.
Or perhaps he wants to demonstrate his influence over the media
world by steering revenue to his own interests. He may never
agree to have the original trilogy released on DVD because that
would be a huge bruise to his ego: his desire to have his own
audio 'standard' THX in the DVDs did not materialize, when first
talks of putting the trilogy on DVDs took place. Oh give it a rest.. one can't have everything his way. I am not
a fan of the man..only his work.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars Trilogy
Review: The Star Wars Trilogy features some of the most recognizable characters in film history. The story of Star Wars is universally known and celebrated. The films play out like Space Opera Saturday Matinee Serials. Each film is meant to be viewed as part of a whole story, and be seen as one film. The films feature astonishing special effects for the time they were made. Take, for instance, in The Empire Strikes Back the amazing Hoth AT-AT walker attack scene. Or the attacks on the two Death Stars in A New Hope and in Return Of The Jedi. The story of the trilogy is quite original and interesting. The idea of an energy field called The Force surrounding everything is an interesting concept. The trilogy mainly revolves around the journey of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) into becoming a Jedi knight, the former guardians of peace and justice. Luke meets smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford,) Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and rescues Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher.) He must also conquer his fear, and face Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones.) All 3 Star Wars films are astonishing in their own way. The first Star Wars introduced us to our heroes, and also introduced us to Darth Vader and the evil Empire. The first film is the second best in the series. The Empire Strikes Back is the mother of all sequels. Empire is the best in the series. This film is remarkable for being the most notably different Star Wars film created. Everyone is at the top of their game. We also get to meet Yoda, the ancient Jedi master who helps Luke with his Jedi training. Empire is also notable for it's tantalizing cliffhanger. You know what I'm talking about. Return Of The Jedi is the worst in the trilogy, but it's still an excellent film. It's an excellent conclusion. In this one, we get to see our heroes defeat the Empire, and destroy the evil Emporer. Also notable for the ultimate lightsaber duel between Luke and Darth Vader. Overall, the Star Wars Trilogy features some of the best movies ever made. These films are such a treat to watch. Overall Trilogy Grade: A+ (10++++)
Rating:
Summary: Hold out for DVD
Review: What is really disheartening is how many people are waiting for this excellent space opera to be translated to DVD. What a perfect venue for such a visual feast. But sadly, rather than heed the huge demand of fans for this series to be released on DVD, the emphasis appears to be on re-releasing the VHS format... over and over and over again. I own this trilogy on VHS, and enjoy the enhancements that have been made to this set over the original release. I am anxious to obtain this trilogy on DVD. I already own the VHS, do not want to buy another set on VHS, and want it on DVD. But can I get it?
No! Only the refurbished VHS version keeps popping up again and again. I thought there would be hope after Phantom Menace appeared on DVD. But no.... evidently hope misplaced. The folks who steadfastly refuse to release these titles on DVD are doing a massive disservice to their fans, to movie affecinados, and to their own bottom line. It is, as another wanderer of the cosmos might quip, "illogical". The VHS Trilogy has some wonderful enhancements over previous releases. Yet, the evident lack of regard for a huge and growing segment of the viewing and movie buying fandom is alarming and disconcerting. Until it is available on DVD, then maybe this would be a great series to have on VHS. However, if you long to see this on DVD, I would encourage you to hold out until the producers finally accomodate their fans.
Rating:
Summary: It can't get much better than this
Review: For those who don't have the special edition, you're missing a great treat. The added scenes and improved special effects makes these movies well worth watching. Carrie Fisher (Priness Leia) in the bikini is HOT!
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Star Wars
Review: These are the Star Wars films we cheered and hissed at the theaters when we were younger. Sometimes having the original is the best gift of all.
Rating:
Summary: It was great, but what happened?
Review: I'm a fan of the films as they were, not what Lucas intended them to be, or so he says. In my opinion, Lucas added or replaced characters with CGI ... just so he could test pilot 'technology' that would be used in subsequent films. The changes made turn Han from being a dangerous smuggler into someone that has survived because only far-sighted idiots have chased him across the galaxy ( I refer to the Greedo shoots first scene ). The changes make the story inconsistent. In episode 4 Jabba is a laid back, don't worry about it pal, when you get the chance dude, but a I'm going to send bounty hunters after you at the same time. If he is so mad, then shouldn't he had offed Solo when they met in e. 4? They also axed the classic ROTJ songs. Again I feel that it was done as an excuse to show off what would and wouldn't work for episode 1. Now that episode 1 is out, can we get the ORIGINAL trilogy? IF dvds ever come out for this trilogy, I hope they have a 'watch the original movie' option.
Rating:
Summary: Not Wars' finest hour...
Review: This movie isn't that great. I am glad, however, that it spawned more movies, which were good. I mean, it's OK, but the best one is Return of the Jedi!
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