Rating: 
Summary: Bring Back Biggs!!!
Review: Hello! Before I even say anything about this DVD set, I will inform all who are reading this review that I am CEO of The International Alliance For Biggs. You see, what none of you can realise or comprehend is that Biggs is still alive! You see, as the laser blast from Darth Vader's Tie Fighter hit Biggs' X-Wing, Biggs accidently hit the hyper drive. This sent him roaring through space and perhaps even time... itself! (Thank you Dr. Scott!) Now, Biggs is now a cool Private I. who lives in NYC's East Village. He and I have become great friends and we often sit around watching that wacky Britcom "The Young Ones" whilst drinking Jolt Soda and making prank phone calls to Dirk Benedict (you've gotta love Starbuck!). Biggs himslf has informed me that he wants the scenes with him and Luke early on in Episode IV to be put back in. He also informed me that if they were NOT put back in SOME "Special Edition" of Star Wars soon, that he would hire Kuzak, formerly of the Law Firm Of Leland, MacKenzie and Brackman to sue everyone on the staff of Lucasfilm Ltd. for breach of contract and hurt of feelings. Just thought you all should know. Now, in the immortal words of Eddie Izzard... "Ciaaaaaaaao`!!!"(...). Thank you.
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Summary: Darth Lucas & The Problem With The "Star Wars" Saga
Review: On 9/21/04 the most requested DVD title in its history will be released, "The Star Wars Trilogy". For die-hard "Star Wars" purists, all middle fingers will be waving westward to Skywalker Ranch and to George Lucas on the release date. With the "Special Editions" being Lucas' choice for this release (he has said, in the past, that film is an ever changing art form, and adding insult to injury, also said that the original releases no longer exist) a lot of fans are disgruntled to say the least.The problem for me isn't the release of the special edition DVD's, but the lack of special features. I've read a lot of press releases on the box set and have yet to see the special features that fans are clamoring for. There is a lot of talk about the feature length documentary that is directed by award winning documentaerian Ken Burns (it better be as good as it sounds. Of course thats what Lucasfilm said about "Episode I" before its release in 1999)
The rest of the features are a mixed bag, that takes the focus off the original trilogy. A ten minute look at "Episode III" (which will be released in 2005) with a video game preview, timed for the release of the film, are included. Also there is a playable demo to "Star Wars: Battleground". As for deleted scenes and trailers don't hold your breath. Bascially, Lucas is using the original trilogy as a mareketing tool to ensure a*ses in the seats for "Episode III" (he also did this 2001 with the re-release of the trilogy on VHS for "Episode II". The preview for that sucked). What a cop out.
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Summary: And, now the VCR can be retired.
Review: I haven't seen them and don't care which "edition" they are. The fact that they will be on DVD is enough. Our ESB is particularly degraded after being watched approximatly 1000 times by my nine year old in the past 8 years. Do I love the originals? Yes. Did I find the SEs really special? Not particularly. Should Anakin be old in the "spirit" scene in RoTJ? You bet. But do I value getting rid of a fragile, cantankerous, and out dated piece of equipment more? Absolutely. I have at least 12 more years to go with the mini-Jedis who live here, and I want a format that will last. Thanks, George. It's about time.
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Summary: The birth of Modern Movie Mythology
Review: The Star Wars movies rule, period. I love the original trilogy and the prequels as well, and I've been a fan of the series since I was very young, and the movies are still great. They really defined what people get excited about movies over, and few other film series have the kind of story and characters that draw you in as George Lucas's space epic masterpieces. Never mind that this DVD contains the special editions of the movies rather than the original versions. The films are still great, and if it's any consolidation, Lucas did listen to complaints and change Han's cantina shootout with Greedo back to it's original form. We probably still have the cheesy musical number in Return of the Jedi, but I think I can live with that. I will definately be pre-ordering this set, because I've been waiting for it ever since I bought my DVD player. Definately the must-have for all REAL Star Wars fans.
Rating: 
Summary: These are different movies
Review: How many changes can you put into a movie before you must declare it a different movie altogether? And if all the changes make the movie worse off than before, and alienate the entire fan-base, why bother? These are not, unfortunately, hypothetical questions, thanks to Mr. Lucas. The original Star Wars movies were cinema history, changing them is like adding lipstick to the Mona Lisa because it's the style nowadays. You'd be changing an integral part of something that people liked very much in its original form...
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Summary: Love or hate it...
Review: Gripe, gripe, gripe...which is something we could do all day long. I realize that many people (including myself) are passionate about these films, but hey, that's it fellas THEY ARE ONLY MOVIES, great movies nonetheless, but still just movies. I've had it about up to here with "Han shooting first", or "TPM sucked", or "Jar-Jar this & that". Guess what? Lucas created them, Lucas made them, and he can damn well do whatever he pleases with HIS movies. And if we don't like it, we can STOP buying his, tapes, toys, DVD's, collectables, OR make our own movies. Let's put it this way, the expanded universe: comics, graphic novels, short films, books, etc certainly can fill whatever gap is left by any shortcomings you preceive in the films. So enjoy for the sake of what they are, and LIVE WITH IT.
Rating:
Summary: NONE BETTER!
Review: OK, first off, the original trilogy needed to be brought to DVD, period! Next off, as far as the special effects in the special edition go, good try, maybe they were shotty at times, but it's infinitely better than watching The Lord of the Rings (any of them) on a Saturday night. As far as which movie is the best, I can't even say that. Without one you wouldn't have the other. After all this, I think it goes without saying, this trilogy is awesome, none better, end of story.
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Summary: Not the Originals
Review: A complete waste of money, if you ask me. These are not the original films. They are the "special editions". In the special editions you'll get to see great scenes like: in Empire Strikes Back, Vader gets off his shuttle at the end and is greeted by an actor from Jedi (and on the set of the Death Star from Jedi no less) who's lips are moving, but no words are audible. In Jedi, you'll see, hands down, the worst musical number ever heard and seen in cinema (Lucas's child like humor is NOT funny). The scene between Greedo and Solo from Star Wars, which now looks "hokey" to say the least.
The best digital release of these films was the expensive widescreen edition on laserdisc...that did the right thing, and kept the extra scenes (like the original Jabba scene from IV) on a bonus disc.
I HATE how film makers like Lucas and Spielberg have remade their classic films to turn a buck, how much money do these guys need? Don't mess with the classics guys.
This wont do any good, but fans should NOT purchase this DVD set to send Lucas a message. We want the originals, not this tripe.
Rating:
Summary: Greedo shoots first
Review: That was my favorite scene in the original STAR WARS movies and George Lucas had to go and mess it up. Another problem I have is the silly looking creature in TESB. These may seem minor points but they are enough for me not to want to buy this set of what were great movies from my youth!
Rating:
Summary: Somewhere in the middle
Review: Well, it seems like war out there! Everyone is taking sides, either by claiming Lucas has raped their childhood or by making fun of this statement. I'll try to stay somewhere in the middle because I feel it's time to go past this useless confrontation. First, I love Star Wars, OT and Prequels too. I liked a lot of the SE tweaks (mostly in ESB and some in JEDI), and disliked some of them (the Jabba scene in ANH and Greedo and some of the Mos Eisley sound effects). It's like Phantom Menace. I didn't like Jar Jar or some of the kiddy stuff. But I love the movie in spite of that. I guess G. Lucas has the right to claim these are the movies he wants. I guess people have the right to ask for the editions they like the most. My personal choice would be a mixed release: the SE with a few changes, like the ones I mentioned. That would be MY choice. Since they aren't going for it, I accept these movies for what they are. I saw the originals like 20+ times each before the SE. I loved them and they were a constitutive part of my childhood. And that feeling will be with me forever, with or without Greedo shooting first. Again, I would have preferred Han doing it the old way. But I feel my love for these movies and the great imagination where they came from will be intact with or without this. So I understand and respect Lucas for his bold statement. I don't think it is a spit on the fans. I think it is a personal choice. The one he changed the most is the one he directed. If two years from now he releases the originals on dvd then I will think it was all about money. If he stays true to that statement, then I will respect his choice, like it or not. After all, I can think of a thousand ways to make money with the franchise if he wanted to (sequels, anyone?). My point is, it is alright. Everyone here can see both sides. In like 600 reviews, it has been made clear. So let's start talking about what WILL BE released and not so much about what SHOULD BE. I, for one, don't really like that much the extras. I expected rough footage and deleted scenes. The fourth disc maybe turn out to be great, but it doesn't really impress me that much. On the other hand, the Lowry transfer they are doing for the films means we are going to experience the movies in a way we never even dreamed we could (at home, anyway). Anyway, I will be buying this dvd set. I still have the originals in VHS, which is not that good I reckon. I love the new films too, and think they really add to the whole star wars experience. I am grateful that in my late twenties, I am about to see one final SW movie. I am grateful it isn't over, and when it is, I'll be grateful for the ride. These movies mean that much for me as they mean to you. That's why we are reading all these reviews. Now let's go past these words and watch the films. And be amazed, one more time.
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