Star Wars DVD Box set

[stevew]

Who has it already? Mine should be here this afternoon or tomorrow. Definately will be time for a 7 hour original trilogy marathon. I wonder if hes cleared up the whole Greedo shoots first debacle yet.

[Qwikshot]

FREAK!

[Franklinnoble]

No, I'm pretty sure Greedo still shoots first.

If Lucas had half a brain, he'd take the original trilogy video discs, burn them to DVD, and just sell them as-is. He could sell them on e-bay in brown paper wrappers, and he'd still make a killing.

[stevew]

Han blasting him under the table was always one of my favorite parts of the movie. I believe it has been changed yet again. Greedo was only trying to capture Solo, i believe, so him shooting didnt make any sense.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Han blasting him under the table was always one of my favorite parts of the movie. I believe it has been changed yet again. Greedo was only trying to capture Solo, i believe, so him shooting didnt make any sense.

Also, doesn't it take a lot away from the meaning of Han's line when he says "Yeah, I bet you have." And then blasts him away?

[Crapshoot]

No, I'm pretty sure Greedo still shoots first.

If Lucas had half a brain, he'd take the original trilogy video discs, burn them to DVD, and just sell them as-is. He could sell them on e-bay in brown paper wrappers, and he'd still make a killing.

aye- Im keeping the VHS' for that reason. Hell, Ill just burn my own to DVD to preserve them- even if the quality is shiite.

[NoMyths]

Greedo shoots first. Luke no longer screams when falling in Ep. 5. And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.

[Franklinnoble]

... And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.
Gay.

[NoMyths]

Gay.Nah, more paternal-like.

[SunDevil]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/20/star.changes/index.html

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- George Lucas made several changes in "Star Wars" when the film was re-released in 1997. With the "Star Wars" trilogy on DVD, he's tinkered a little more. Here are five changes Lucas made:

5. Jedis don't scream

The 1997 special edition version of "The Empire Strikes Back" was changed so Luke wails as he jumps off the platform in Cloud City. In the only instance of Lucas undoing a later alteration (sadly, Greedo still shoots first on the DVD of "A New Hope"), he's taken it off the DVD edition. Maybe he realized Jedis (even ones in training) don't scream.

4. Boba Fett has a new voice

Since Boba Fett is a clone of Jango Fett, and Jango Fett is played by Temura Morrison, doesn't it make sense that he should sound like him, too? That's exactly what George Lucas thought, so Morrison was brought in to revoice the four lines of dialogue (yes, believe it or not there are only four!) Boba spoke in the original trilogy.

3. A new and improved Jabba

Remember that dodgy-looking computer-generated Jabba they inserted into the 1997 re-release of "A New Hope"? Well, he looks a little less dodgy this time around thanks to some improved CGI.

2. The emperor's new clothes

In the original version of "The Empire Strikes Back," the emperor Darth Vader speaks to via hologram was played by a woman in a mask (!) and voiced by Clive Revill. Again, in the interests of consistency, Ian McDiarmid -- who portrays the emperor in "Return of the Jedi" and the prequel trilogy -- now appears in that scene with an added line or two of dialogue.

1. The big finale

The 1997 special edition of "Return of the Jedi" added a few "Star Wars" worlds joining the celebration of the Empire's demise at the end of the film. For the DVD, they've added Naboo, a planet that figures prominently in the prequel trilogy. Also, Anakin Skywalker is noticeably different this time around. When he removes his Darth Vader helmet, he now has no eyebrows! It's probably safe to assume he singes them off in his battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi in next summer's "Revenge of the Sith" and a change had to be made.

But the most noticeable change -- and perhaps one some "Star Wars" diehards will have a tough time stomaching -- is Hayden Christensen (who plays young Anakin in the prequel trilogy) now appearing in the scene where the "force ghosts" of Anakin, Obi Wan, and Yoda smile at Luke. One thing's for sure, there's plenty for fans to debate -- that is, until the trilogy comes out yet again on another format in the future and Mr. Lucas makes his inevitable changes ...

[Raven Hawk]

Gay.

Gay.

Gay.

Quit f***ing with the damn movie and let it rest.

[Hammer755]

Greedo shoots first. Luke no longer screams when falling in Ep. 5. And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.

Not just a rumor.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Hammer755/OOTP/6-03-2004.jpg

Here's the new emperor scene from Empire.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Hammer755/OOTP/5-02-2004.jpg

vs. the old one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Hammer755/OOTP/5-02-1997.jpg

[Bearcat729]

Who has it already? Mine should be here this afternoon or tomorrow. Definately will be time for a 7 hour original trilogy marathon. I wonder if hes cleared up the whole Greedo shoots first debacle yet.



I got mine at 10 when Best Buy opened

[Desnudo]

Gay.

Gay.

Gay.

Quit f***ing with the damn movie and let it rest.

Amen. If he dislikes them so much, just reshoot them instead of keeping them off DVD for so long. Just give Steven Spielberg complete creative control.

[Ksyrup]

No, I'm pretty sure Greedo still shoots first.

If Lucas had half a brain, he'd take the original trilogy video discs, burn them to DVD, and just sell them as-is. He could sell them on e-bay in brown paper wrappers, and he'd still make a killing.
I'm not really much of a fan of Star Wars, but I did read the recent interview up on CNN.com, and here's what he said about why he changed the movies and won't sell the old ones:

Q: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?

LUCAS: The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ...

I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be.

<!--startclickprintexclude--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=230 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>http://i.cnn.net/cnn/images/1.gif</TD><TD><!-- REAP --><!-- PURGE: /2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/20/film.qa.george.lucas.ap/story.lucas.ap.jpg --><!-- KEEP --><!--===========IMAGE============-->http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/20/film.qa.george.lucas.ap/story.lucas.ap.jpg<!--===========/IMAGE===========--> <!--===========CAPTION==========-->Lucas has often said he was unhappy with the original trilogy as it was released.<!--===========/CAPTION=========-->

<!-- /PURGE: /2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/20/film.qa.george.lucas.ap/story.lucas.ap.jpg --><!-- /REAP --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--endclickprintexclude-->

I'm the one who has to take responsibility for it. I'm the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they're going to throw rocks at me, they're going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.

[Ksyrup]

Also, this Q &A:


Q: Why did you rework the original trilogy into the special-edition versions in the late 1990s?

LUCAS: To me, the special edition ones are the films I wanted to make. Anybody that makes films knows the film is never finished. It's abandoned or it's ripped out of your hands, and it's thrown into the marketplace, never finished. It's a very rare experience where you find a filmmaker who says, "That's exactly what I wanted. I got everything I needed. I made it just perfect. I'm going to put it out there." And even most artists, most painters, even composers would want to come back and redo their work now. They've got a new perspective on it, they've got more resources, they have better technology, and they can fix or finish the things that were never done. ...

I wanted to actually finish the film the way it was meant to be when I was originally doing it. At the beginning, people went, "Don't you like it?" I said, "Well, the film only came out to be 25 or 30 percent of what I wanted it to be." They said, "What are you talking about?" So finally, I stopped saying that, but if you read any interviews for about an eight- or nine-year period there, it was all about how disappointed I was and how unhappy I was and what a dismal experience it was. You know, it's too bad you need to get kind of half a job done and never get to finish it. So this was my chance to finish it.

[cthomer5000]

I have the original video releases (well, I lost Jedi actually... but who cares), and I'm sticking to those. I can't stand that he keeps fucking with the movies decades after the fact.

I've of the opinion that once you release it, it is what it is. It is not what you 'wanted it to be if you had the money, time, support, etc.'

[Draft Dodger]

Greedo shoots first. Luke no longer screams when falling in Ep. 5. And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.

actually, the Greedo / Han thing is supposed to be a tie, now.
as I said in another thread, my wife is picking them up today - the projector is ready to go. we are having people over on Saturday to watch Episode IV.

the documentary, by the way, is amazing - I saw the A&E broadcast of it (or an edited version of it) and it was incredible.

[Hammer755]

Pictures of the rest of the changes can be found here (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/starwarschanges.html).

[Franklinnoble]

He's full of shit.

He doesn't have to spend millions to re-furbish shit. The originals are already digital on laserdisc. Just release those as DVDs. Make your fans happy. Ass.

[cthomer5000]

Pictures of the rest of the changes can be found here (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/starwarschanges.html).
thanks for the link. those are the changes compared to the last set of changes. I'm sure there are even more brand new changes.

I'm sticking to my pre-special edition versions.

[Draft Dodger]

Pictures of the rest of the changes can be found here (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/starwarschanges.html).

aren't you supposed to be in a car or something?

[Hammer755]

aren't you supposed to be in a car or something?
The journey begins in about 30 minutes.

[Danny]

My dad did the telecine transer for all 3 of the movies for this DVD release, so the color should be spot on :)

[jbmagic]

who selling it the cheapest?


how much at best buy?

[SnowMan]

As much as I tried to tell myself I'd wait for the "collector's edition (no really this time)" set of all 6, I broke down and pre-ordered it from Amazon, should be here today.

[Danny]

As much as I tried to tell myself I'd wait for the "collector's edition (no really this time)" set of all 6, I broke down and pre-ordered it from Amazon, should be here today.

The power of the darkside grows stronger

[Desnudo]

Greedo shoots first. Luke no longer screams when falling in Ep. 5. And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.

I heard the director's cut has Jar Jar Binks holding a Pepsi next to Obi Wan.

[rkmsuf]

Greedo shoots first. Luke no longer screams when falling in Ep. 5. And rumor has it that Hayden Christenson shows up at the end of Jedi.

Yeah, that's worth 40 bucks.

[cthomer5000]

I heard the director's cut has Jar Jar Binks holding a Pepsi next to Obi Wan.
"This is how I wanted the movie to be at the time, I just didn't have the technology to do it."

[rkmsuf]

Pepsi must be awesome by then

[Desnudo]

48.2% of the universe can't be wrong.

[cthomer5000]

Pepsi must be awesome by then
you mean back then. a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

[rkmsuf]

you mean back then. a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

you just totally blew my mind. you mean we used to have spaceships and stuff

[Desnudo]

you just totally blew my mind. you mean we used to have spaceships and stuff

"...in a galaxy far, far away"

[rkmsuf]

"...in a galaxy far, far away"

whoah...I'm standing here beside myself.

[stevew]

New emperor scene appears, at least, to be a major improvement. I thought that they were inserted a bunch more stuff into these movies, such as scenes on alderran and extra stuff. Maybe thats being saved for the six disc "elite version" that undoubtedly comes out in like 5 years. I'm tired of rebuying these films.

[Raven Hawk]

New emperor scene appears, at least, to be a major improvement. I thought that they were inserted a bunch more stuff into these movies, such as scenes on alderran and extra stuff. Maybe thats being saved for the six disc "elite version" that undoubtedly comes out in like 5 years. I'm tired of rebuying these films.
I'm waiting for the supercalifragilisticexpialidcious edition, complete with Juli Andrews commentary. Now THAT is worth 40 bucks. :rolleyes:

[Antmeister]

Woohoo! Got mine from Fry's Electronics for just $36.99. I tried to used a Jedi mind trick by sweeping my hand across the counter and telling the cashier that the DVD would only cost me a dollar. I still need pracice.

[Franklinnoble]

Best Buy had it for $42.

I feel cheap and used for having bought it, but I'm comforting myself with the excuse that it's "for the kids."

[sterlingice]

You know, i kindof like the clean up of the emperor pic. Christensen looks retarded. Then again, I'm not losing any sleep over it just like I never went ballistic over Greedo shooting first or even noticed it until someone pointed it out.

who selling it the cheapest?


how much at best buy?
hxxp://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/365074/

This fat wallet thread covers where the cheapest are. Looks like Fry's if you have one nearby. Otherwise, CompUSA is $39.99 even with other major retailers within $5 of that. For instance, Best Buy is $42.99.

SI

[ISiddiqui]

Wooooo! Star Wars on DVD! I really, really, really enjoy watching the movies on a DVD transfer rather than the much more grainy version that comes up on basic cable from time to time.

And about all the changes, if they really bother you THAT much (and if they do, I think you sad... there I said it :p) then don't buy it! Like Lucas said, the VHS ones are out there. No one is forcing you to buy them. It's Lucas' creation and he can do whatever he damned well pleases with them. If you hate what he's done then don't buy it. Is that so hard to accept?

Frankly I don't mind most of his changes and think some of them (the new emperor stuff, the removing of the eyebrows from good dying Vader at the end) are better. I'm happy to spend my money to get this.

[Draft Dodger]

the Boba Fett voice thing pisses me off tremendously, but yeah, I consider this to be $47 well spent.

[cthomer5000]

I will not be buying this set, specifically because of my issues with the changes. I'll stick with my remastered original versions on VHS.

[ISiddiqui]

Btw, why does the new Boba voice piss you off tremendously? Do you not like the actor's accent?

[stevew]

I will not be buying this set, specifically because of my issues with the changes. I'll stick with my remastered original versions on VHS.

You sound like the guys who had to stick with win 3.11 and dos after '95 was released. Give into the dark side, and indulge.

[cthomer5000]

You sound like the guys who had to stick with win 3.11 and dos after '95 was released. Give into the dark side, and indulge.
Do I need to upgrade for the sake of upgrading? Especially when I view the 'upgrade' as a downgrade?

Fuck that, I'll save my money and stick with the superior version of the movie.

[Draft Dodger]

btw, one more perspective on the Greedo thing:

In the latest Entertainment Weekly interview, Lucas says that it was originally his intention to have Greedo shoot first in that scene, but when they went to edit it, they didn't have the right shots, and so that's how the scene ended up.

given the rough, rough state Star Wars was in after principle shooting was over, I think this is certainly plausible, but, personally, I think he's full of poodoo

[sabotai]

I think the Boba Fett voice change is good and makes a lot of sense. I wonder how many things Lucas was able to put into the originals but would make the moveis better if they had taken it out...

But the ending to Jedi makes no sense. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan appear as they do when they died. Shouldn't Anikin still look like the guy in the Vader suit?

[cthomer5000]

given the rough, rough state Star Wars was in after principle shooting was over, I think this is certainly plausible, but, personally, I think he's full of poodoo
I think so too, because he's clearly made stuff up after the fact and then claimed 'that was how I always intended it.' For example, pretty much all of Episode 1. I believe he had an incredibly rough back story written, but he clearly had to create most of it when it was time to actually write episodes 1-3.

[cthomer5000]

I think the Boba Fett voice change is good and makes a lot of sense. I wonder how many things Lucas was able to put into the originals but would make the moveis better if they had taken it out...

But the ending to Jedi makes no sense. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan appear as they do when they died. Shouldn't Anikin still look like the guy in the Vader suit?
well you see, if your midichlorian level is X high, you can appear however you want. :rolleyes:

[Draft Dodger]

Btw, why does the new Boba voice piss you off tremendously? Do you not like the actor's accent?

no prob with the accent, or the actor.

I REALLY dislike the retroactive increase in importance Boba Fett has been given to the series. Originally, Fett was a badass bounty hunter appearing in Empire and ROTJ. He wasn't a main player, just a bit player who provided a ton of intrigue and flavor into the series.

then, Lucas decided he really needed to be in Episode IV as well. then, he decided that Fett needed to be entertwined even more with the series, essentially by making his dad the father of the entire Clone army, as well as giving him a hatred for the Jedi (for killing his dad in AOTC). Instead of him being this interesting, mysterious, neutral character, he's key to the storyline.
it's this kind of silliness (needing all characters in the 2nd trilogy to somehow trace back to characters in the 1st trilogy) that helps kill the newer movies.

[sabotai]

I agree with DD on the Boba Fett character. When I watch the original trilogy, I get the impression that Boba Fett is a merciless, unemotional badass bounty hunter. Now he's emotional and not nearly as merciless because of the emotional attachment.

Although, the fight between Obi-Wan and Jango was pretty good. :D

[cthomer5000]

http://users3.ev1.net/~rfet/swchpics/aurasing.jpg

so whatever became of that chick bounty hunter they had in Episode 1 (aura sing)?

I remember hearing she would definitley have parts in the upcoming episodes, then.... nothing. I use this to fuel my belief that Lucas has been making this up as he goes along (even between these new movies).

[Danny]

But the ending to Jedi makes no sense. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan appear as they do when they died. Shouldn't Anikin still look like the guy in the Vader suit?

It makes perfect sense. The guy in the Vader suit is not Anakin Skywalker. Anakin died a long time before and that is why Anakin, the Jedi, is seen at the end, not Darth Vader.

[Kodos]

Ah yes. I have never purchased any version of any Star Wars movie up to this point. Now that the original trilogy is out on DVD, I will purchase just this version, do my best to forget the more recent releases that have so wasted my precious Natalie and marred the series, and move on happily with my life. :)

Oh, and DEATH TO JAR JAR!

[ISiddiqui]

I REALLY dislike the retroactive increase in importance Boba Fett has been given to the series. Originally, Fett was a badass bounty hunter appearing in Empire and ROTJ. He wasn't a main player, just a bit player who provided a ton of intrigue and flavor into the series.

Ok, I do agree with this. I think Lucas, unfortunetly, wanted to please the fans who had this amazing attachment to Boba Fett (which I never understood, personally).

But the ending to Jedi makes no sense. Both Yoda and Obi-Wan appear as they do when they died. Shouldn't Anikin still look like the guy in the Vader suit?

As said before, the justification is that Anakin died as Anakin when he fell in the lava pit and the man at the end of ROTJ is the light side version of Darth Vader. It also kind of fits in with the Darth Vader killed the Anakin that Obi-Won knew (which is what Kenobi said to Luke after the big finale to ESB).

[Samdari]

I will not be buying this set, specifically because of my issues with the changes. I'll stick with my remastered original versions on VHS.

But, VHS looks like crap.

I'll live with the few changes to be able to have them look good as I watch.

[Ksyrup]

Ok, I do agree with this. I think Lucas, unfortunetly, wanted to please the fans who had this amazing attachment to Boba Fett (which I never understood, personally).
I believe it's called a Boba Fett-ish.

[Honolulu_Blue]

http://users3.ev1.net/~rfet/swchpics/aurasing.jpg

so whatever became of that chick bounty hunter they had in Episode 1 (aura sing)?

I remember hearing she would definitley have parts in the upcoming episodes, then.... nothing. I use this to fuel my belief that Lucas has been making this up as he goes along (even between these new movies).

Dunno. The chick who plays her has been at the last 3 or 4 GenCon's though. rumors have it She's an attractive woman outside the make-up. Not really sure what's going on with her though. Not that I care.

[akw4572]

Anyone have the "full screen" version? I watched star wars last night, and no words were on the bottom of the screen when Han was walking out to the Falcon and Jabba was there? Do you have to turn the subtitles on before you start the movie? I hope they don't only show up in the widescreen edition.

[CentralMassHokie]

Anyone have the "full screen" version? I watched star wars last night, and no words were on the bottom of the screen when Han was walking out to the Falcon and Jabba was there? Do you have to turn the subtitles on before you start the movie? I hope they don't only show up in the widescreen edition.

Why would you buy the full screen version?

Even if you don't have a widescreen tv, if ever a group of movies required to be viewed in widescreen, it is the Star Wars Trilogy.

Go return the full screen version as defective and pick up the widescreen version. You'll thank me later.

[akw4572]

Why would you buy the full screen version?

Even if you don't have a widescreen tv, if ever a group of movies required to be viewed in widescreen, it is the Star Wars Trilogy.

Go return the full screen version as defective and pick up the widescreen version. You'll thank me later.

Ummmmmm because i like full screen? Personally I hate wide screen. :cool: Anyone know the answer to the question?

[ISiddiqui]

Well I don't know the answer, but I echo CentralMassHokie. Why in the Hell would anyone get a Full Screen Version? If it ain't Widescreen, I can wait.

[HornedFrog Purple]

so how is the bonus disc? any new stuff you haven't seen before?

[stevew]

Anyone have the "full screen" version? I watched star wars last night, and no words were on the bottom of the screen when Han was walking out to the Falcon and Jabba was there? Do you have to turn the subtitles on before you start the movie? I hope they don't only show up in the widescreen edition.

I cannot for the life of me see why you'd buy the full screen version of anything, let alone star wars. Get the widescreen version and hit "zoom" a couple times if you cannot stand the "black bars." You just wasted your money.

[stevew]

Do I need to upgrade for the sake of upgrading? Especially when I view the 'upgrade' as a downgrade?

Fuck that, I'll save my money and stick with the superior version of the movie.

Please tell me you at least have the widescreen versions of the vhs.

[rkmsuf]

I cannot for the life of me see why you'd buy the full screen version of anything, let alone star wars. Get the widescreen version and hit "zoom" a couple times if you cannot stand the "black bars." You just wasted your money.

It's funny when Star Wars people get fired up.

[ISiddiqui]

so how is the bonus disc? any new stuff you haven't seen before?

The Star Wars documentary is really good. The little Episode III movie is also good (and has wetted my appitite.. the Anakin - Kenobi fight looks like it will be fun). I haven't seen the other stuff however.

[stevew]

It's funny when Star Wars people get fired up.

I get more fired up about people buying chopped movies in fullscreen form.

[akw4572]

Well then fuck it, thanks for the help.

[mattwakeman]

Another satisfied customer...

[ISiddiqui]

Well akw, you aren't going to find answers in the midst of 99% of the purchasers on this thread, who ended buying the widescreen version ;).

[akw4572]

I get more fired up about people buying chopped movies in fullscreen form.


I get fired up when i am watching a movie on my tv, and only 3/4 of the screen is used, that's why I like full screen.

[akw4572]

Well akw, you aren't going to find answers in the midst of 99% of the purchasers on this thread, who ended buying the widescreen version ;).

Oh well.

[ISiddiqui]

I get fired up when i am watching a movie on my tv, and only 3/4 of the screen is used

So it doesnt bother that you miss out on 20% of the movie (or more) because your TV isn't as wide as a movie screen?

[akw4572]

I get fired up when i am watching a movie on my tv, and only 3/4 of the screen is used

So it doesnt bother that you miss out on 20% of the movie (or more) because your TV isn't as wide as a movie screen?

Nope, not at all. Just a preference.

[cthomer5000]

Please tell me you at least have the widescreen versions of the vhs.
of course.

[ISiddiqui]

Nope, not at all. Just a preference.

Hmm, interesting. I say that because you are one of very few people I know that perfers Pan n' Scan

[rkmsuf]

of course.

My Beta versions are fantastic.

[Raiders Army]

How big is your TV? When my wife and I first got married we had a 19 inch TV. I rented the director's cut to Blade Runner on VHS and absolutely couldn't watch the movie. I couldn't see anything!

Fast forward to three years ago. I bought a 55 inch Widescreen TV. Even with the Criterion Edition of Armageddon (which is the worst movie I have in terms of black bars...no jokes please about the movie itself), I lose half of the screen. This is still very watchable. I recommend getting a bigger TV if the black bars annoy you. I bought my TV for $3000, and it's available now for $1500. Even if you don't want to go that route, the cost of 27-32 inch TVs is relatively cheap.

[ISiddiqui]

Um, shouldn't there be hardly any black bars on a Widescreen TV with a Widescreen DVD? I thought that's usually how it works.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Hmm, interesting. I say that because you are one of very few people I know that perfers Pan n' Scan

The world is a strange place, my man. There are even people who actually think these Star Wars prequels are as good as the original trilogy. Strange, strange indeed... :D

[stevew]

Um, shouldn't there be hardly any black bars on a Widescreen TV with a Widescreen DVD? I thought that's usually how it works.

Isnt that only if the dvd is anamorphic? I'm out of my element here.

[akw4572]

I have a 36" flat screen Sony HD Trinitron.

[John Galt]

Um, shouldn't there be hardly any black bars on a Widescreen TV with a Widescreen DVD? I thought that's usually how it works.

The most common ratio for movies is a 2.35:1 ratio (and some are even "skinnier") - even on widescreen (16:9) TV's, there are usually black bars (albeit smaller than they would be on a traditional 4:3 set).

[ISiddiqui]

There are even people who actually think these Star Wars prequels are as good as the original trilogy.

Yes, we call those people the intelligent ones. I guess to some people that can be strange ;).

[ISiddiqui]

The most common ratio for movies is a 2.35:1 ratio (and some are even "skinnier") - even on widescreen (16:9) TV's, there are usually black bars (albeit smaller than they would be on a traditional 4:3 set).

It's why I said 'hardly' any black bars :D. I mean it shouldn't lop off a good portion of the screen as the original quote seemed to say.

[Raiders Army]

About 75% of the movies I buy or rent I get the black bars. They take up maybe 10% of the screen. In most cases, it's the "primo" movies like Lord of the Rings, etc. that give you the bigger black bars. The biggest thing is ensuring that your DVD player knows you have a WS TV.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yes, we call those people the intelligent ones. I guess to some people that can be strange ;).

Intelligent isn't one of the adjectives I've often heard described when I tell people that I actually "know" people who think that these new movies are as good as the original three. ;) In fact, it's typically quite the opposite.

[Tigercat]

Count me as someone who buys both Widescreen and Fullscreen DVDs. (I bought the Star Wars trilogy in Widescreen.)

I have a small TV, I am sorry but I don't want a DVD library full of DVDs where I can barely see whats going on. In fact, because of how small the viewing area is on some DVDs, Blade Runner director's cut is a great example, for now I actually prefer Fullscreen. The reason why I buy Widescreens is in the hope that I will have a larger TV sooner or later.

On a big enough TV where the viewing area is large enough, is widescreen preferable? Absolutely. But lots of people don't have big enough TVs.

As far as Anakin, hes a ghost. Hes the ghost of Anakin, not Darth Vader. As Obiwon's dialogue throughout the movies tell us, they are NOT one in the same. Why would Anakin look like the man he never was? If I was Obiwon and Yoda, why not still be old as ghosts? They had more wisdom as ever as older jedi. As ghosts they were the best of the spirits. As an older man Anakin was not only someone else, but an evil someone else, with only one moment of redemption. Why would his spirit choose to manifest in that form?

[Desnudo]

Count me as someone who buys both Widescreen and Fullscreen DVDs. (I bought the Star Wars trilogy in Widescreen.)

I have a small TV, I am sorry but I don't want a DVD library full of DVDs where I can barely see whats going on. In fact, because of how small the viewing area is on some DVDs, Blade Runner director's cut is a great example, for now I actually prefer Fullscreen. The reason why I buy Widescreens is in the hope that I will have a larger TV sooner or later.

On a big enough TV where the viewing area is large enough, is widescreen preferable? Absolutely. But lots of people don't have big enough TVs.

As far as Anakin, hes a ghost. Hes the ghost of Anakin, not Darth Vader. As Obiwon's dialogue throughout the movies tell us, they are NOT one in the same. Why would Anakin look like the man he never was? If I was Obiwon and Yoda, why not still be old as ghosts? They had more wisdom as ever as older jedi. As ghosts they were the best of the spirits. As an older man Anakin was not only someone else, but an evil someone else, with only one moment of redemption. Why would his spirit choose to manifest in that form?

If I were Lucas I would have put an image of James Earl Jones wearing his costume in Conan in there.

[CentralMassHokie]

I have a small TV, I am sorry but I don't want a DVD library full of DVDs where I can barely see whats going on. In fact, because of how small the viewing area is on some DVDs, Blade Runner director's cut is a great example, for now I actually prefer Fullscreen. The reason why I buy Widescreens is in the hope that I will have a larger TV sooner or later.

On a big enough TV where the viewing area is large enough, is widescreen preferable? Absolutely. But lots of people don't have big enough TVs.


The only flaw in that logic is that sooner or later (probably sooner) you're going to have a 16x9 format TV. So you're going to have to deal with misformatted movies on your better TV.

Most DVD players have a zoom feature. Buy widescreen and zoom in if you don't like the black bars. That'll give you the best of both worlds - full screen today, widescreen tomorrow.

Or just don't eat dinner for a few months and buy a widescreen TV so you can watch the Red Sox in HD. It's worth it :)

[akw4572]

Ok, because of you assholes, I tooke the full screen back, and got the widescreen version. Happy? Oh, and I do like it better. :p

[Neuqua]

Beware the peer pressure of FOFC!

[ISiddiqui]

Intelligent isn't one of the adjectives I've often heard described when I tell people that I actually "know" people who think that these new movies are as good as the original three. In fact, it's typically quite the opposite.

Well that's because most people are idiots. :p Look at the two candidates for President if you don't believe me.

Though I guess I'll give them some break. They did see the original trilogy when they were not as sophisticated movie viewers :p. They don't find the prequals as fan, that's fine. But to argue the moviemaking is better in the original trilogy is silly. Ask people who hadn't seen the original trilogy until now. I introduced some people to it when the Special Editions came out in '97. They don't see the original trilogy as being superior to the prequals. Perhaps they aren't blinded by nostaliga :p. Sure the little rebels against the huge empire is more fun than how a republic collapsed in on itself into an empire, but the moviemaking... it's a wash.

[ISiddiqui]

I tooke the full screen back, and got the widescreen version

Woooo!

[JasonC23]

Ok, because of you assholes, I tooke the full screen back, and got the widescreen version. Happy? Oh, and I do like it better. :p
Congratulations, akw4572. You've taken your first step into a larger world.

[Raiders Army]

Congratulations, akw4572. You've taken your first step into a larger world.
That is an awesome quote.

[cthomer5000]

Ok, because of you assholes, I tooke the full screen back, and got the widescreen version. Happy? Oh, and I do like it better. :p
you'll thank us down the road.

[Warhammer]

It's really a shame that the prequels were so hyped. When I first saw TPM, I was horrified. But, the next time I watched it, I said, "This is pretty cool, and Qui-Gonn is a bad ass!"

Then ATOC came out, and I thought it rocked. Then I watched TPM and ATOC back to back once they were out on DVD, and TPM was even better then, but ATOC took a step back. Aside from the battle scenes at the end, and the opening chase scene, the movie was below average.

That said, I think ROTS is going to be awesome. This is what we have waited almost 30 years for.

[Draft Dodger]

I don't see how anyone can expect ROTS to be awesome, given TPM and ATOC. I'm with you on the rest though - Menace does have a lot of good parts, and has gotten better with additional viewings...now, if I can just find a version of it that erases that annoying kid like there is for deleting Jar Jar. Clones, to me, was pretty poor overall, and seems to get worse each time I see it. Just THINKING about that horribly stupid robot factory scene makes me cringe.

[Samdari]

I don't see how anyone can expect ROTS to be awesome, given TPM and ATOC. I'm with you on the rest though - Menace does have a lot of good parts, and has gotten better with additional viewings...now, if I can just find a version of it that erases that annoying kid like there is for deleting Jar Jar. Clones, to me, was pretty poor overall, and seems to get worse each time I see it. Just THINKING about that horribly stupid robot factory scene makes me cringe.

I agree with this. When TPM came out I thought it was pretty cool, and still do. I saw ATOC in the theater on first run and was horrified how bad it was. I normally would laugh out loud at an acting performance as bad as Hayden Christiansen's, but it was Star Wars, so I could not find it funny. It was so bad, I have not watched it since.

[Blackadar]

Anyone else watch the self-serving drivel that was half of the special features disk? When the concentrated on the "making of" Star Wars, it was good. But there was waaaay too much about Lucas' crusade against studios and the nobility of his cause. The last 15-20 minutes made me want to puke - it was nothing but "Lucas is a mighty warrior" propaganda.

[Draft Dodger]

Anyone else watch the self-serving drivel that was half of the special features disk? When the concentrated on the "making of" Star Wars, it was good. But there was waaaay too much about Lucas' crusade against studios and the nobility of his cause. The last 15-20 minutes made me want to puke - it was nothing but "Lucas is a mighty warrior" propaganda.

I saw the A&E special, which I think was gathered from this doc. Personally, I LOVED it. Yes, I did have to put aside the yay Lucas stuff, but the rest of the stuff, IMO, was incredible.

[ISiddiqui]

re: The prequals. Personally I really liked AOTC and didn't like TPM that much. I guess YMMV on those two movies :D.

[sterlingice]

It's really a shame that the prequels were so hyped. When I first saw TPM, I was horrified. But, the next time I watched it, I said, "This is pretty cool, and Qui-Gonn is a bad ass!"

Then ATOC came out, and I thought it rocked. Then I watched TPM and ATOC back to back once they were out on DVD, and TPM was even better then, but ATOC took a step back. Aside from the battle scenes at the end, and the opening chase scene, the movie was below average.

That said, I think ROTS is going to be awesome. This is what we have waited almost 30 years for.
I think you're spot on about how I felt about both TPM and ATOtC (does the little t go in there, I dunno). Anyways, TPM was ok in theaters but seemed to get better in subsequent viewings and as hype died away. ATOtC looks worse the more times you see it. It just isn't that good of a movie whereas I think the first got bogged down in hype.

I'd be a lot more optimistic about RotS if Christensen wasn't in it. He's just awful. And how did Natalie Portman become a much worse actress between the first and second. It's not that she was Oscar-caliber in the first or anything but in the second she was almost as bad as he was. When the 20 year old animatronic puppet is the best actor in the movie and illicits the most crowd response, the movie probably has issues.

SI

[HornedFrog Purple]

ok is it just my copy or is the surround sound in the rear channels backwards?

[TazFTW]

It's backwards.

From IMDB,

Fans Discover Glitch in 'Star Wars' DVD Soundtrack


Fans of John Williams are up in arms over an apparent glitch in the new Star Wars DVD set in which the left and right channels fed to the rear speakers in surround sound are reversed in the original Star Wars movie (Episode 4). John Takis, who frequently analyzes film scores for Internet groups, points out that the violins can be heard coming from the left surround-sound speakers and the cellos from the left. "It is essentially a 124-minute audio glitch," Takis writes on the John Williams fansite, www.JW-Music.net. "The sound effects are correctly positioned in the surround channels. It's just the music that's backwards." Takis also takes issue with other aspects of the sound mix for the original movie. "Remember the awesome fanfare version of the Force theme that kicks off the Death Star battle?" he writes "Good luck hearing it this time around -- it's virtually inaudible."

[HornedFrog Purple]

aha thanks! I thought something sounded different

[Nwobhm]

I'm one of those ppl that thinks 95% of the changes suck, so i won't be buying the boxset. There are plenty of dvd bootlegs available that were transfered from the laserdisc release in '93, so i'll probably go that route. http://www.originaltrilogy.com has a forum with reviews of the different bootleg versions if anyone's interested. The "TR47" bootleg is apparently the best. Looks like some of the bootleggers are already working on making a hybrid bootleg using mostly the newly released official dvds, along with some scenes from the laserdisc versions to replace the changes lucas made to the original films.

[stevew]

I almost broke down and bought bootleg DVD's of the laserdiscs a few years ago. But i didnt want to send my credit card number to questionable people. If only i had known how to create one of those virtual single use Visas which you fund from your account.

[Hurst2112]

Fans Discover Glitch in 'Star Wars' DVD Soundtrack


Fans of John Williams are up in arms over an apparent glitch in the new Star Wars DVD set in which the left and right channels fed to the rear speakers in surround sound are reversed in the original Star Wars movie (Episode 4). John Takis, who frequently analyzes film scores for Internet groups, points out that the violins can be heard coming from the left surround-sound speakers and the cellos from the left. "It is essentially a 124-minute audio glitch," Takis writes on the John Williams fansite, www.JW-Music.net. "The sound effects are correctly positioned in the surround channels. It's just the music that's backwards." Takis also takes issue with other aspects of the sound mix for the original movie. "Remember the awesome fanfare version of the Force theme that kicks off the Death Star battle?" he writes "Good luck hearing it this time around -- it's virtually inaudible."

I bet somebody got fired for that.

[Hurst2112]

I almost broke down and bought bootleg DVD's of the laserdiscs a few years ago. But i didnt want to send my credit card number to questionable people. If only i had known how to create one of those virtual single use Visas which you fund from your account.

If you do it on ebay, like i did, you shouldn't have anything to worry about...except the fact that you arent supposed to sell or buy pirated stuff on ebay.

[kcchief19]

Do I need to upgrade for the sake of upgrading? Especially when I view the 'upgrade' as a downgrade? One of my best friends is in the same camp, but he broke down and bought the DVDs and has realized he was wrong.

Frankly, the changes everyone gets jazzed over are insignificant. I think people would have a more legitimate beef with the first set of Special Edition changes because some of the scenes were nothing more than auditions for the prequels, like the extended Mos Eisley scenes and the new scenes in Jabba's Palace.

But if you've seen the DVDs, there is no logical argument that the DVDs are a "downgrade" from the pre-special edition VHS. First, the sound and video of the tapes are horrible. The DVDs are absolutely terrific. The sound and video is tremendous. If you don't have the Special Edition's you're missing a lot.

And for those Original Trilogy fanatics, I think the DVDs are a good compromise from Lucas. The Greedo scene was clearly the most controversial with the Special Editions, and I think Lucas made a gesture toward those fans by changing the scene so that Han and Greedo shoot almost simultaneously. I also think Lucas makes a reasonable argument that having Han shoots first makes him a murderer and and less deserving of redemption late -- he's a hero, but he's a murderer. Let's face it, even when Anakin redeems himself, you still can't get over the fact that he was a mass murderer. Han had enough flaws as it was to make his redemption compelling.

Bottom line, Lucas is just like any other artists and I think he deserves and has earned the right to make his product what he wants it to be. I'm reminded of when TCY came out and Jim said that the game wasn't a recreation of the NCAA, but was a game he wanted to play. Same with this -- Lucas is making the movies he wants to make. That's what artists do. If you want art that is created for what people want, then pop in a Britney Spears CD and plop yourself into a bubble bath with a nice trashy romance novel and enjoy yourself.

If you don't like the DVDs, nobody will certainly force you to buy it. But if you like the movies and you hold off on the DVDs because you don't like the superficial changes to the movies, I think you're really missing out on something because you're just too darned stubborn.

[Anthony]

anyone who can tell that the violons and cello's are coming in on opposite speakers in surround sound is a fucking nerd and geek, and not only do i not find any of the people who have problems with this petty, but they've also lost all credibility concerning Star Wars in my book...

...and i also want them to die. i can't stand people who are so stubborn like that and would make such a big deal over it. i can't stand shit like "Fans of John Williams are up in arms..." - just because the music is switched?!? how petty are these people's lives?

[cthomer5000]

If you don't like the DVDs, nobody will certainly force you to buy it. But if you like the movies and you hold off on the DVDs because you don't like the superficial changes to the movies, I think you're really missing out on something because you're just too darned stubborn.
It's just a combination of not being super-excited with having it on DVD and not wanting to shell out the bucks for something I'm not excited to own.

If I can get it dirt cheap, I'll consider picking it up. Otherwise I'll have no problem waiting for the eventual 'final' box set release which includes all 6 movies and likely tons more extras that were not included in this set.

[Anthony]

or...you can buy the box set now, and when the mega box set comes out (in a minimum of 7 years since the last time Lucas released the Original Trilogy was in like '97 and there's no reason to believe he would fuck up sales from the current box set by releasing another mega box set like 4 or 5 years down the road) you trade in your current box set and get the mega one at a discount.

i can say in all confidence that you won't see the mega 6 DVD box set till at least 10 years from now. the point is to make people buy things twice. if all you had to do was wait 2 years for the mega 6 DVD box set - why would you buy the current box set? the answer is many wouldn't. so he's gonna leave the current box set on the market for a considerable amount of time, then one day he'll release the mega set and you'll look at the dust on your current 3 disc set and be like "why the hell not?".

the reasons why it'll take at least a decade for the 6 disc set:
1. 3 disc set just released
2. we have to wait until 2006 for Episode 3 to come out
3. then we have to wait until 2007 for the Episode 3 DVD to come out
4. i wouldn't put it past Lucas to release an Epidodes 1-3 box set 2 or 3 years after that. we're looking at 2009 at the latest so far.
5. then perhaps 2 or 3 years after that has run its course - the mega 6 disc set with 2 discs worth of extras.

2012 is a long time to wait.

[Hurst2112]

anyone who can tell that the violons and cello's are coming in on opposite speakers in surround sound is a fucking nerd and geek, and not only do i not find any of the people who have problems with this petty, but they've also lost all credibility concerning Star Wars in my book...

...and i also want them to die. i can't stand people who are so stubborn like that and would make such a big deal over it. i can't stand shit like "Fans of John Williams are up in arms..." - just because the music is switched?!? how petty are these people's lives?


Yet more proof why I sometimes think HA can eat my ass and balls. You want me to die? I would be able to tell the difference in the surround image...mainly because I work with audio. Am I a fucking nerd or geek for that or just wise enough to be able to know the difference?

I am not one of the fans of John Williams in the article, but I still think you are an asshole for generalizing. But, I have come to realize that you sometimes don't know what you are talking about and tend to bring opinions that support that fact.

[sterlingice]

Boy, if death was standard punishment for being a nerd, this would be a very abandoned board.

SI

[ISiddiqui]

But if you like the movies and you hold off on the DVDs because you don't like the superficial changes to the movies, I think you're really missing out on something because you're just too darned stubborn.

*applause*

Wonderfully written.

[Draft Dodger]

finally got to watch one of the DVD's last night (watched Episode IV on the projector...which was an incredible thing).

first, my disc was bad somehow - skipped pretty badly during the Millenium Falcon trip form Mos Eisley to Alderran, so I'll be taking that back to crappy WalMart for an exchange today (the rest of the movie was fine).

overall, I was incredibly happy with it. I don't like the SE stuff, and, in general, it was pretty jarring when that stuff was added in. even with the newer tweaks, they still look like what they are - digital add-ons that don't quite fit. The Jabba scene is still really painful to watch for so many reasons - 1) Jabba lets him go, making the price on Hans head seem much less severe 2) The interaction between Han and Jabba is still "off" - Han appears to be talking to someone about 5 feet to the right of Jabba 3) never noticed this before, but there's an editing flaw. during this conversation, Chewie is standing behind Han. suddenly, they make a quick cut to Chewie standing 20 feet away at the bay entracnce, then quick back to Chewie standing behind Han. really odd that that meaningless reaction cut was left in.

a couple other relatively minor issues:
- my subtitles didn't work either, like the guy with fullscreen edition above. I have a widescreen copy, so I guess it's off on both. didn't really bother me that badly, but there's quite a bit of subtitle work at the beginning of ROTJ, which has me concerned.
- I certainly will never notice violins and cellos being mixed up, but I did notice some screwiness with the sound. Maybe it was because I read it above, but I definitely noticed the lower music mix during the death star attack. also, during the trash compactor scene, the dialogue suddenly dropped out and sownded kind of muddy for a bit, and then came back.

overall, though, I'm very happy to have these movies in DVD

[Anthony]

i got the set for my bday and watched IV. had no problems with subtitles, sound or anything. the sound was so great (or my home theater system must be that good) that i had to turn the sound down a bit cuz it was quite powerful.

one prob i had was with the Han Solo/Jaba scene. as Jaba lets Han go and Han boards the Falcon, Han says sarcastically something to the effect of "You're a real nice human". this was obviously left in because in the original version Jaba was a fat human guy. it makes no sense now. minor prob though, nothing i'd get "up in arms" about.

[HornedFrog Purple]

- I certainly will never notice violins and cellos being mixed up, but I did notice some screwiness with the sound. Maybe it was because I read it above, but I definitely noticed the lower music mix during the death star attack. also, during the trash compactor scene, the dialogue suddenly dropped out and sownded kind of muddy for a bit, and then came back.

Yes! Those are the two places I noticed it.

HA, it's not that big of a deal to me, I just like the music in the movie and noticed it so I asked if anyone else did because I thought I might have had a bad copy of Episode IV because the rest of them are fine.

[Draft Dodger]

well, tried to take it back to WalMArt (my least favorite store in the entire world). they insisted on watching the part where it skipped first, and, of course, no skipping. interestingly, the subtitles showed up fine on their unit, so it must be my player. odd.

[Radii]

I wanted to get this just b/c I don't own any version of Star Wars and wanted to get it on DVD, and I'm not nearly as big a star wars geek to get upset/frustrated by all the changes.

After a pretty shitty ending to last week, Oliegirl came home Sunday with a gift bag that had the DVD box set in it :) Woohoo! I was planning on waiting until my birthday in a month or until Christmas.

[sabotai]

well, tried to take it back to WalMArt (my least favorite store in the entire world). they insisted on watching the part where it skipped first, and, of course, no skipping. interestingly, the subtitles showed up fine on their unit, so it must be my player. odd.

I've seen this with other DVDs. I took one of my Simpsons' season DVDs to my friends house once and it skipped pretty badly at one point. When I got home, it played just fine on mine. It's the only time I've seen that though.