The Star Wars DVD thread!

[Jared]

Originally posted by Spider AL

... All the... people who want to... watch the originals on DVD?

 

 

well.....I ...guess you have a point...but........i'm just happy they are on dvd finally...for the most part that is.

[El Sitherino]

Originally posted by .:CoupeS:.

Here's the horrible saber clash

that saber clash is also in the 92 vhs.

[Kurgan]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

that saber clash is also in the 92 vhs.

 

No it's not. The clash is in the movie, but it doesn't look horrible like that. The saber cores are nice and white, and you don't have this obvious intersection of solid colors in the middle.

 

I never remember it being that bad, ever. In my 97 SE's it's not that way. In the trailers on the DVD it's not that way (and the documentary footage that shows that scene), etc.

 

Considering the '92 version is the THX Enhanced, with no added or re-touched scenes, it would be the same as the original, and the new saber clash problems weren't introduced until the 2004 DVD's.

 

Or show me a screenshot if you have proof, but I'm 99.99999% positive you're mistaken, sorry.

[Kurgan]

Originally posted by Spider AL

... All the... people who want to... watch the originals on DVD?

 

Originally posted by Jared

well.....I ...guess you have a point...but........i'm just happy they are on dvd finally...for the most part that is.

 

Plenty of people. They'd love to be able to see Greedo get wasted without some bad looking extra shots flying around and missing. They'd be happy to see Anakin as an old man whom Luke would actually recognize and not a long-haired kid. And those eyebrows give Anakin's face character! And Boba Fett's voice sounded great the way it was. The actor delivers his lines with feeling and menace. The Emperor in ESB doesn't look as cool but at least he doesn't sound like he's taken sedatives.

 

And, who doesn't want to see Imperial Officer's have their shirts catch on fire as they get laser-blasted in the chest at close range? ; )

 

If the Originals were released on DVD with the video restored and the sound remixed, but none of the CGI changes, RIGHT NOW I guarentee you people would buy it. Toss in "From Star Wars to Jedi the Making of a Saga" and the missing deleted scenes and you'd have a sure-fire winner. Something that should have been included in this set already.

 

Originally posted by Kain

I seen it before it became the ole x, and all I can say is

 

@Hayden replacing Shaw: He dodged the bullet huh? Big surprise, if he'd of talked about it he'd of only made himself sound dumber than doing made him look.

 

Okay I listened to it again. Lucas just says that "...his old self, when he died, as Anakin Skywalker..."

 

Which makes me think that he's saying that Anakin "died" as a young man. But he DOESN'T SAY THAT.

He just says "when he dies, as Anakin Skywalker."

 

Hello, Lucas! Don't you remember that Anakin Skywalker was the one who "came back" and killed the Emperor, saving his son? There may be this theme of them being two people rather than one, but you're taking it a bit too literally now.

 

If that's the case, then Darth Vader is NOT Luke's Father, Anakin is. Think about it... (well, unless Padme is making whoopee with him while he's evil and robotic I suppose).

 

Anyway, his words could be interpreted either way, but it would have been nice if he'd just said "and he obviously died as a young man, as I am going to portray in Episode III." and that would settle the issue. Now it just sounds silly with him giving such a cryptic and easily misunderstood line.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by InsaneSith

uhmm... he ceased to be Anakin when he became machine, remember the certain point of view thing? His true form, when he was last TRUELY Anakin, was when he was young. Thus he showed up as his young self.

 

yeah, I finally saw the ani ghost today.....I think its quite interesting, despite having my doubts when I first heard about it

 

way to go GL ! Its his to change, after all !

 

as for the DVD set..........w00tage ! FINALLY SW on DVD ! All I need now is a damn HUGE SCREEN TV with appropriate sound setup

 

mtfbwya

[Nairb Notneb]

All I can say (what an understatement that is) is that I was told (I don't remember who t was but man is that guy in trouble) that GL was going to explain the ghost change in RoTJ in this here DVD set somewhere and just like Kurgan has already said, it aint there bub! He makes a little bitty comment about it (again as stated above and yes I'm repeating but I have the right to reinforce a good answer and to back up a correct statement if I want to.) What Mr. Lucas said was in the commentary on RoTJ. During the scene of Vader's funeral pyre, Lucas says that Yoda and Ben (Obi-Wan Kenobi) "learned" how to become one with the Force when they died, at will. When they did this they kept their form. They taught this to Anakin and he did it when he died too. That's all. Then you watch the rest of the movie and get to the ghost part and (in my best Emerol voice) BAM! There is a young Anakin ghost, not the old guy? What the frack is this? So, according to Jedi Master Lucas, that means then that little ol' Ani died in the fire pit way back in the day and that his suit has made him some sort of zombie or something. His name change should have been Darth Zombie. I mean, this explanation is worse than the ghost change if you ask me unless their is something in RotS that will make the pain go away, I don't know but I am very upset right now. But I loved the other 4 hour documentary on the OT, it was a blast to watch btw.

[toms]

I just got around to watching empire, and i have to say i enjoyed it a lot more than ANH (see review earlier).

 

The dialogue sounded less flat and high pitched, and the rest of the sound was great (especially the use of the surrounds). The picture was just as clear and stunning as the first film.

 

I'd always rated ANH slightly above ESB due to it being the first, the death star rescue banter and the end trench run... but watchig them again for the first time in about 3 years I found ANH a little flat (all except the end trench run, which still rocks). ESB has more depth, character, seriousness and humour to it.

 

I'd also like to say that the "special additions" to ESB were so much better than the ones in ANH. If you are going to add CGi to an old film then ESB is a much better example of how to do it.

 

In ANH they insisted on adding whole new CGi scenes and characters and they just don't work (stand out too much, make the CGi look fake and the models look like models).

In ESB they pretty much restricted themselves to adding little details, cleaning little things up and tiny, unobtrusive things in the background. This actually works pretty well as it enhances the existing stuff, rather than standing out.

 

Did i imagine it, or did they add a few extra things in the background of the hoth battle, a few very quick cuts of stuff and extra ships at the end? I don't remember the Y-wings that kept flying past in the end medical frigate scene... they were a bit too intrusive, but not too bad.

 

Also, did they redo the bit where like rapels up to the ATAT? I remember him looking bigger and more like a model, in this he seemed smaller and to be moving his legs.

 

I wasn't sure about Boba Fett's new voice... it isn't a big issue, and i guess it makes sense, but it doesn't sound as COOL. He had a menacing deep mechanical voice, now he has a slightly high pitched NZ accent??

 

As for the new emperor scene, again, not a big issue, nothing great or terrible. But I did think that Ian Mcwhatsit put in a pretty average performance... he sounded rather bored. THe new dialogue was ok, but it does kind of give away the luke-is-your-son ending. Not that anyone doens't know that now.

 

All in all, a much better expericence than the first one, and a pretty good example of how lucas SHOULD have updates ANH and ROTJ.

(ROTJ isn't too bad, but the dance number is pointless and goes on too long, and i miss the old yub yub music. Still, i might get to watch the DVD later in the week)

[Crazy_dog no.3]

FINALLY got my copy on Sunday and I watched ANH yesterday.

 

Review:

Movie- 10/10

It's Star Wars, what more can I say.

 

Changes- 7/10

Jabba looks MUCH better. Still a little cartoony but MUCH better. I wasn't around in 1977 for the whole Han Shoots first thing, but after thinking about it why the f*ck didn't he shoot first (staring to see the fanboy's POV here)? It made him look more like a badass pirate and less like a hero making his character change at the end all the more powerfull. Shooting at the same time is a major improvement over the 1997 version though. The Death Star corridor thing is an improvement but I barely noticed it.

An unwelcome change is the shooting of Imperial officers which has been censored .

 

Sound- 10/10

The surround effects are amazing and the music was great too.

 

Picture- 9/10

It's never looked better. Not as good as modern films but still excellent.

 

Overall: 9/10

 

Watching ESB later today.

[Spider AL]

Jared:

 

i'm just happy they are on dvd finally...for the most part that is.

Even... butchered like this?..

 

 

Nairb Notneb:

 

All I can say (what an understatement that is) is that I was told (I don't remember who t was but man is that guy in trouble) that GL was going to explain the ghost change in RoTJ in this here DVD set somewhere and just like Kurgan has already said

He's also said that he's going to fully explain it in the third prequel!

 

Oh, for "explain it" please read: "make up some utterly fat, beardy and stupid reason to justify it" Maybe it was the MIDICHLORIANS that did it!

 

 

InsaneSith:

 

uhmm... he ceased to be Anakin when he became machine, remember the certain point of view thing? His true form, when he was last TRUELY Anakin, was when he was young. Thus he showed up as his young self.

A "certain point of view" was metaphorical! It's not meant to be taken literally, that's the whole point! In other words, Ben lied to Luke. Vader is a cyborg, not a zombie. There's no reason for his ghost to appear as Hayden the Untalented, except to line Triple-Chin-Georgie's pockets further by linking the cashcow of the OT with the godawful prequels.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Spider AL

...Even... butchered like this?....

 

AL, we're just all going to have to accept whatever's been changed and get on with our fanboi lives....

 

I saw ESB last nite, I loved the new Palpy bit but Temeura Morrsion RUINED some of the coolest lines in ESB(fetts lines).....but life goes on alas

 

mtfbwya

[toms]

There is a silly streak of disingenuousness that runs throughout Lucas's desire to redefine his films, something that comes across rather strongly in the commentary track. Once you get past Carrie Fisher's drug-flashback banter and effects guys Dennis Muren and Ben Burtt (visual and sound, respectively) blow-by-blow descriptions, you are left with a battle of revisionist wills between Lucas and Kershner, and the dichotomy is very clear. Kershner is lively and energetic, explaining why certain elements needed to be added and how difficult it was to envision some of the overall action. He is making his movie for all time, not just a particular demographic. Lucas, on the other hand, is apologetic and direct, worrying that this new vision is still too intense and dark "for kids." Those last two words appear a great many times in George's narrative, covering everything from why the movies received the special edition treatment, to situations that still bother him. While it's great to hear him finally comment on the sagas that solidified his own cinematic empire, it's disheartening to hear his constant concern for the juveniles. The fallacy here is that, while children do make up a nice component of the Star Wars fan-base, it was teenage and adult filmgoers that drove the box office. Where were the tykes lining up for Episode I six months before it opened? Lucas fails to recognize that Star Wars is more than just a children's matinee, and this has been the rationale behind many of his most misguided decisions.

 

I, of course, haven't gotten around to listening to the commentary tracks (probably never will), but i wish he would have gotten kershner to direct ep2 or 3...

 

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/starwarstrilogy.php

 

It's made even worse in the SE with the wretched new "Jedi Rocks" musical number in Jabba's palace, which not even my two-year-old likes, and he's been known to watch Teletubbies from time to time.

 

Every edge, reflection, nook, and cranny has been obsessively cleaned of artifact (except for the matte around one forgotten TIE Fighter).

Hey!! I was right! I thought i imagined that...

 

The dialogue seems to be de-emphasized, while the music and effects seem to dominate…unless you're discussing the final battle, where the score has become subsumed by the effects. In particular, the bass channel is overpowering. When R2-D2 fell over, my entire house shook from the bass impact, as though a 200-mile wide asteroid had crashed into central North Carolina. Artoo is a heavy little bugger, but does he outweigh Imperial Star Destroyers? I spent most of the film tuning my bass dial up and down to find the sweet spot, but never found it. At reference levels, the bass is simply dominating. Additionally, there are a few places in which the dialogue has volume dropouts or slight synch issues. For an example, when Leia is speaking to Grand Moff Tarkin, her voice doesn't precisely fit with her lips, while his voice fluctuates.

Hey! i was right again! I thought it was my crummy sound system...

 

Star Wars even helped change the look of science fiction films. In past cinematic science fiction films, the future was utopic in architecture and design (even when bad, oppressive things happened). Everything was ultra-modern, clean, dirt-free, and uniform in its beauty. In Star Wars, the future is a mess. From the rough-and-tumble welded and plated spaceships to the brushed concrete buildings full of dingy flickering lights, to dusty deserts and seedy cantinas, the universe envisioned in Star Wars had a gritty, industrial look, a jaded cynicism that had rarely been expressed in cinema before (although Lang's Metropolis had the bottom-half right). Movies like 2001 and Logan's Run envisioned a cleaner and neater future, even when plagued by the occasional killer spaceship and runaway citizen. Heck, even the world of Star Trek was clean, tidy, and racially harmonious, a difficult trick when you are decked out in absurd pastels and ridiculous bellbottoms. But after Star Wars, visions of the future quickly became less clean and less idyllic in a trend that continued throughout most of the 1980s. The future became dystopic, like a steel plant swallowing a city into gaudy neon lights, grime, dirt, and decay, articulated through films like The Terminator, Blade Runner, Alien, Aliens, Brazil, and on and on.

You really wich GL was influenced by himself soometimes...

 

The values of these two groups of people are a good way of evaluating the changes that have been made to the Star Wars trilogy. Some of the changes that have been made satisfy the aims of director and audience. The improved depth of Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back does not interfere with the tone or story in any way, but it creates a larger backdrop for the action to unfold. It eliminates the claustrophobic feel of the original version. The added footage of the Wampa makes the scene more frightening and looks seamless. The removal of the obvious blue-screen lines in each of the films was much needed. I also think that the CGI improvements made to the space battles are largely effective. These changes do little to damage our memories of the original films, and help to mask the low budget and tight filming schedule of the original films. Lucas can be satisfied that he has successfully incorporated the new technology, and we can be pleased that he has not had any real impact on the nature of these scenes.

 

There are some changes that do not live up to either Lucas's intentions or the audience's desires, however. Most of these, ironically, occur in Return of the Jedi, which was already generally considered the weakest film of the trilogy. The musical number at Jabba's Palace feels childish, and the CGI characters don't blend with the original costumes and puppets. This is even worse in the Sarlaac scene, with the dreadfully fake Super Mario-inspired pod destroying the impact of the sandy pit. Perhaps the worse moment is still the added scene with Jabba in A New Hope, which should have stayed on the cutting room floor where it belongs. Not only does the (now enhanced again) CGI Jabba look like a plastic toy slug, but it's impossible to believe that he could develop from this mobile, shiny creature to a bloated mass of clay in a few short years. The removal of the Ewok song at the end is also troubling, because it takes out a cool song and shifts the focus away from the characters that we have come to care about and instead focuses on the freed planets where we have no emotional connection. Not only do these scenes spoil our memories of the originals, but Lucas has also failed in his goals by making these changes stick out and look at least as fake as things did in the first place.

Indeed.

 

. A documentary on the Trio channel, Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, carried an implicit suggestion that Star Wars was conceived as a sort of revenge for the poor reception given THX-1138 in its initial release—an intentionally dumb movie served up to an audience which, its having rejected the "pearl" of THX, Lucas now saw as swine. If this is the case, it explains a lot, and it's both tragic and miraculous—miraculous in what Star Wars gave to us, the miracles of special effects and the delight of old-fashioned broad canvas storytelling, as well as a lot of pure energy. Tragic in what it took from us—idea-oriented science fiction in the movies, which has seen but a handful of entries since Star Wars debuted in 1977.

Would explain a lot...

 

The craziness (and graphic violence) of the early spinoff novels and even the original New Hope novelization—ah, different times. And has anyone noticed that laser guns don't smoke anymore in movies? That was an actual plot point, at least in the novelization—Luke and Han, during the battle in the detention block, use their weapons to create a mask of smoke (that's right, an actual reason for those poor retconned Stormtroppers to miss everything).

 

THat is one big long deep meaningful review...

[Spider AL]

AL, we're just all going to have to accept whatever's been changed and get on with our fanboi lives....

Pfft, we don't have to accept anything of the sort. Return your copies of the DVDs for a refund and obtain DVD rips of the original movie laserdiscs instead.

[Crazy_dog no.3]

Watched ESB yesterday:

 

The Movie- 10/10

Even better than the original. Acting's better, SFX are better, story is better, etc.

 

Changes- 8/10

The new Emperor didn't make much of a difference to me but it did seem to make more sense. And the removal of Luke's scream does seem to improve the scene that it's in.

However I didn't like Boba Fett's new voice.

 

Sound- 10/10

Good surround effects, especially in Dagobah.

 

Video- 9/10

See my first review

 

Overall: 9.25/10

[toms]

Originally posted by Spider AL

Pfft, we don't have to accept anything of the sort. Return your copies of the DVDs for a refund and obtain DVD rips of the original movie laserdiscs instead.

 

True, but i do have to say that the job they have done on the video is pretty outstanding, much better than any dvd rips of the laserdiscs will be. (and far superior to the vhs).

 

That said, they have kind of messed up the sound balance in places on ANH, and the special changes are annoying on ANH and ROTJ... so it seems there is no perfect version.

 

What we need is someone to use these as a source to make as near an original cut as possible (a bit like that guy did who "fixed" episode one). I'd buy that off ebay.

 

ESB is worth having though, as they haven't messed it up too much (apart from boba's wussy new voice).

 

That said, i wonder what would happen if someone could organise a mass "return" of the dvds by everyone (once we have all watched them), send them all back to amazon with a note saying that you have watched it, but "it seems to be an inferior version to the one you were expecting"....

[Spider AL]

it seems there is no perfect version.

Agreed, but I still say the OT rips are the BEST version. The greedo shooting scene alone tips the balance.

 

What we need is someone to use these as a source to make as near an original cut as possible (a bit like that guy did who "fixed" episode one). I'd buy that off ebay.

That WOULD be good, if done properly. But what a big job that would be when you can't accept any money for it eh...

 

ebay? No need to buy rips off of ebay mate. A lot of guys are sending them out free of profit margin for the sake of their fellow fans. Just visit some major OT sites to see.

 

That said, i wonder what would happen if someone could organise a mass "return" of the dvds by everyone (once we have all watched them), send them all back to amazon with a note saying that you have watched it, but "it seems to be an inferior version to the one you were expecting"....

That would be mattress-laundering good.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Spider AL

Pfft, we don't have to accept anything of the sort. Return your copies of the DVDs for a refund and obtain DVD rips of the original movie laserdiscs instead.

 

I was referring to the fact that theyve been changed, not the DVDs specifically....but for OT freaks, do the laserdisc thang like AL says ....

 

BTW ....like my sig Ghost Ani rules.....It perfectly links the PT to the OT(and I was very anti the idea when I first heard about it)...

 

mtfbwya

[Spider AL]

BTW ....like my sig Ghost Ani rules.....It perfectly links the PT to the OT(and I was very anti the idea when I first heard about it)...

...

 

You sux, d00d.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Spider AL

...

 

You sux, d00d.

 

he he he....

 

c'mon ! embrace the ghostage

 

mtfbwya

[toms]

Originally posted by Astrotoy7

....like my sig Ghost Ani rules.....It perfectly links the PT to the OT(and I was very anti the idea when I first heard about it)...

 

"He ceased being Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader....when that happenned, the good man who was your father was destroyed..." - Obi-Wan Kenobi - ROTJ

 

But surely the WHOLE POINT of ROTJ (and probably the whole trilogy) was that anakin DIDN'T CEASE TO EXIST when he became darth vader, as luke managed to bring him back. Which is why he was Anakin again at the end.

 

LUKE- I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father.

VADER (turning to face him) -That name no longer has any meaning for me.

LUKE-It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That is why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now.

Vader looks down from Luke to the lightsaber in his own black-gloved hand. He seems to ponder Luke's words.

-----------------

LUKE - No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you here. I've got to save you.

ANAKIN - You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right.

how come lucas is the only one who doesn't understand his own films?

 

--------------------------------

 

Word is that Kevin Smith is being considered for the star warstv series, i find this unlikey (given the clerks animated assault on GL) but at least he might understand it.

 

---------------------------------

 

Now if lucas insists on inserting new versions o scenes, i wish he would stick soe of the decent ones back in:

A series of explosions within the superstructure follow, then swiftly overtake the small craft as it races for an exit.

INT MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Lando turns to Nien Nunb and shakes his head.

LANDO (into comlink)- Wedge, I don't think we're going to make it.WEDGE (VO)- You'll make it. Just follow me Gold Leader.

LANDO (to himself)- I promised to return his ship without a scratch...I sure hope that old pirate forgives me.

EXT DEATH STAR

An X-wing, piloted by Wedge Antilles, races out of the exploding superstructure and whizzes toward the Sanctuary Moon. But the Millennium Falcon is not fast enough as it explodes with the Death Star in a supernova of glory.

EXT ENDOR FOREST

Han and Leia, Chewie, the droids, the Rebel troops, and the Ewoks all look to the sky as the Death Star reveals itself in a final flash of self-destruction. All except Han cheer, as the thirty- year-old starship pilot feels a deep personal loss.

HAN (whispering to himself)- Lando...

THREEPIO (misinterpreting Han's reference)- They did it!

Han looks down from the sky to Leia, a look of sorrow and regret on his face. He knows he will never see the Falcon and Lando again. His thoughts turn to Leia, as she continues to look at the sky, watching for Luke.

[Nairb Notneb]

Now toms, you know that according to GL, that Lando dies scene was never part of the script, we only wish it was because it would have been cool. I would have been more sad to see the Falcon gone.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Nairb Notneb

Now toms, you know that according to GL, that Lando dies scene was never part of the script, we only wish it was because it would have been cool.....

 

damn right....

 

c'mon Toms, you should know better than to indulge in fanboi fantasies

 

as for the ghost thing, I agree that Luke did redeem some part of anakin too, but I like seeing young anakin smilin away at the end of the OT/saga, especially as when we see him last in episode III he will not be lookin so happy

 

hey, maybe some clever chappy can author a dvd where, at the ghost scene, you can press the 'angle' button on your dvd remote

and flip between young and old ghost anakin

 

mtfbwya

[Prime]

Look on the bright side, Anakin doesn't say a word.

[IG-64]

...

 

 

Well I liked it so you people suck

[toms]

Originally posted by Nairb Notneb

Now toms, you know that according to GL, that Lando dies scene was never part of the script, we only wish it was because it would have been cool. I would have been more sad to see the Falcon gone.

 

hmmm... i wonder where i got it from then....

 

lucas seems to have an incredibly selective memory as far as the events surrounding the first films go.

Oddly, this version already has the Ewoks in it, despite the often mentioned fact it was origingally supposed to be wookies... so the falcon change must have happened pretty last minute, though i'm not sure if they filmed it. Did they add back in the extra scenes with the imperial guards in the throne room? Must watch ROTJ soon.

 

--------------

 

I just noticed those saber pics (not sure how i missed them).

Surely the point isn't how things look in single freeze frame ( alot of SFX look really bad if you pause it and look that close) but how they looked in action. I've watched that final duel loads of times and i can't say i ever noticed the sabers looking bad.

 

THe only time i've noticed bad sabers was the wavery edges of the saber in ANH, which is still there in the dvd. Odd. I also preffered the look of the fuzzier blaster bolts in ANH as they made the opening raid look cooler, but they seem to have cleaned those up. oh well.

[Nairb Notneb]

Toms, the Lando rumor has been floating around for a very long time. Also, when one watches the documentary of the making of the movies provided on the fourth DVD that comes with the set (I watched it, I'm not saying you haven't yet but some people haven't seen it yet) the guy that helped Lucas (I can't remember his name now) write the screen play for ROTJ tried to talk Lucas into having somebody die. He wanted it to be Han, according to him. During this section I got all excited because I thought this was going to be a reference to the rumored Lando death, but alas, the truth be told Han was considered to be the hero that was to die! Harrison Ford says in this documentary that he even suggests this to Lucas that Han dies. GL didn't have it and so the hero lives.

 

As for the Wookies, GL has said for a very long time now that in his original script for SW, in the last scene, he intended the alien species that helps the rebels defeat the death star to be the Wookies. This is no mystery. Now Lucas is going to have his Wookies on mass in ROTS fighting with the Republic against the Confederates.