George Lucas's "Tinkering" with the films

[Cayal]

Great name for a ships mind in the Culture too.

I wonder if there's any tinkering with the Clone Wars cartoons?

They push the line with canon as it is, though I still enjoy them.

 

[Bugg]

More tinkering for the upcoming blu-ray releases of the original trilogy, some examples in this thread:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/united-kingdom/149750-star-wars-blu-ray-50.html

I think the worst thing is that these bits and pieces seem to have caused other inconsistencies, although I suppose that's an excuse for him to release yet another version with those bits 'fixed'

 

[soulsinging]

More tinkering for the upcoming blu-ray releases of the original trilogy, some examples in this thread:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/united-kingdom/149750-star-wars-blu-ray-50.html

I think the worst thing is that these bits and pieces seem to have caused other inconsistencies, although I suppose that's an excuse for him to release yet another version with those bits 'fixed'

Adding that ridiculous "Nooooo!" to Vader killed this for me. George is dead to me. What an enormous prick he is.

 

[Christopher Lee]

While I must admit that this is his work and he "technically" has the rights to do whatever the hell he wants to with it,There have been hundreds of people over the years who helped make his original three as amazing as they were.

I feel he does them and his fans who loved it so much a serious disservice by changing what EVERYONE thought was already a masterpiece.

I must agree, he's not much more than a conceded prick in his old age.

 

[Bugg]

I'm sitting here watching the original, blissfully unchanged version of Star Wars on dvd right now. Decided to check it out before cancelling my pre-order for the blu-rays. It's non-anamorphic, bog-standard stereo sound, and it's absolutely bloody brilliant. And Han shot first. None of my money for you this time, Mr Lucas.

 

[biodroid]

I'm sitting here watching the original, blissfully unchanged version of Star Wars on dvd right now. Decided to check it out before cancelling my pre-order for the blu-rays. It's non-anamorphic, bog-standard stereo sound, and it's absolutely bloody brilliant. And Han shot first. None of my money for you this time, Mr Lucas.

I have the origianl dvd box set not the blu-ray's and could swear Greedo shoots first, Han just anticipates and gets the kill shot. I could be wrong but I have some serious Star Wars watching to do soon

 

[Dave]

I have the origianl dvd box set not the blu-ray's and could swear Greedo shoots first, Han just anticipates and gets the kill shot.

I have the VHS and I queued up to see "Star Wars" in 1977. It is an alternative reality.

 

[soulsinging]

I have the origianl dvd box set not the blu-ray's and could swear Greedo shoots first, Han just anticipates and gets the kill shot. I could be wrong but I have some serious Star Wars watching to do soon

The original dvd box set is NOT the original star wars movie. It is one of the many versions he has released with changes from the original. That's why Greedo shoots first in your version. In the original movie, Greedo doesn't shoot at ALL. Han guns him down first in cold blood.

You can only see that version of the film if you have an old vhs or this dvd set:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EN71DG/?tag=brite-21

Even then, the original film is listed as a "feature" on the "bonus disc."

 

[Bugg]

I have the origianl dvd box set not the blu-ray's and could swear Greedo shoots first, Han just anticipates and gets the kill shot. I could be wrong but I have some serious Star Wars watching to do soon

You're right in that the original dvd box set only had the special editions. But, later on, there was a limited edition release with the original theatrical versions of all three movies.

It's this version that I've got (along with similar versions of Empire and Jedi):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000FMH8UI/?tag=brite-21

Edit: or what soulsinging said ;-)

 

[Huttman]

Oooh, more changes. Just checked out some of them online. I've not been opposed to most of the tweaks as long as the originals are made available. He caved for the DVD and I'm sure a marketing/fan screaming decision will be made for Blu-ray as well. I just hope the super star destroyer plunging into death star II is upgraded, it needs it so bad. I'm sure a lengthy over-the-top FX shot of it stabbing the station before multiple explosions tear throughout the ship before the reactor vaporizes it would be a welcome change for most 'alteration' haters. Maybe he's waiting for the 3D makeover.

http://youtu.be/I7WxFMg60FE
This cut scene is from the game X-wing alliance, from 1999. IT has a better blow up effect than the actual movie. Great game, by the way.

 

[Rodders]

Agreed Huttman. As a side note, i always felt it was a shame that they never continued or expanded on the X-Wing games.

 

[Bugg]

He caved for the DVD and I'm sure a marketing/fan screaming decision will be made for Blu-ray as well.

I'm sure you're right - in a couple of years we'll see the 'Super Ultimate Edition' which will include these new versions, the special editions, the original versions, and all in between.

Actually, strike that - it won't be called the 'Super Ultimate Edition', it'll be called the 'George Discovers Seamless Branching Edition' ... I mean, if the blu-ray releases of Star Trek TOS can be released with fancy new effects and sound and the original effects and sound all on the same discs, I'm sure George and his digital editing suite can manage it

 

[Huttman]

Actually, strike that - it won't be called the 'Super Ultimate Edition', it'll be called the 'George Discovers Seamless Branching Edition' ... I mean, if the blu-ray releases of Star Trek TOS can be released with fancy new effects and sound and the original effects and sound all on the same discs, I'm sure George and his digital editing suite can manage it

Ha! That's good and let's hope so!

 

[Huttman]

Another audio change from the end of Return of the Jedi?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8sQFubEBnw&feature=related

 

[C Of K]

That one had my whole house laughing out loud, Huttman.
Great post.

Can't say I like the new changes George Lucas made to Vader
at the end of RotJ. I wouldn't mind it if it didn't make me laugh.
That scene is supposed to be too serious to be funny, but I've
watched Vader throw Palpatine down the shaft 10 times now.

I laugh every single time.

At this point, I can't get angry at George Lucas. I have my originals on
DVD, and that's all I need. I can't really see much purpose to
the changes he makes, though. It just kind of leaves me bewildered.

In honor of the original version I think this video will sum up my thoughts on the matter of changes. Imagine the singer is actually the original movies trying to talk George out of making his changes.


I will say that the originals were more than good enough for me.

 

[Huttman]

That one had my whole house laughing out loud, Huttman.
Great post.

I'm really glad about that

Can't say I like the new changes George Lucas made to Vader
at the end of RotJ. I wouldn't mind it if it didn't make me laugh.
That scene is supposed to be too serious to be funny, but I've
watched Vader throw Palpatine down the shaft 10 times now.

I laugh every single time.

I'm laughing right now just thinking about it. Voice reminds me of Bush Jr. That last scene makes such an emotional impact to me, if I'm in the right mood, I'll even shed a tear. Watching what he did to Vader though, I thought the first 'no' under his breath was great, but the second I could do without. 30 years of pent up emotional frustration? I'll give it that, but like you said, we have the originals on disk and I'm sure Blu-ray versions are coming eventually.

In honor of the original version I think this video will sum up my thoughts on the matter of changes. Imagine the singer is actually the original movies trying to talk George out of making his changes.

That is quite the editing production there. I found that quite enchanting.
Evanescence, huh. Great song, most fitting with the images. Even if one were to despise the prequels, if they saw that, they would understand what was going on and probably enjoy it.

Cheers!

 

[Dave]

At this point, I can't get angry at George Lucas. I have my originals on DVD, and that's all I need. I can't really see much purpose to the changes he makes, though. It just kind of leaves me bewildered.

I'm not at all angry, he is allowed to do what he wants, except that I would like to be to buy the originals on DVD or Blu-Ray. I'm not going to keep a VHS player only to watch 'Star Wars' and eventually the tape will stretch and wear out.

I am equally bewildered though. These changes must take up quite a large amount of his time, and it is obviously debatable whether some are actually improvements. So why does he bother?

I actually think he might have a problem with obsession. To me, it seems like those people who are addicted to having plastic surgery. They start off with a nose job, or to take away lines around their eyes, with some possibly valid cosmetic reason. Then they go back for more, and more, and more surgery, hoping to make themselves perfect, but they end up having too much and looking like Jocelyn Wildestein, or with Michael Jackson's nose, their faces losing all the beauty that they ever once had. Isn't it much better to just grow old gracefully.

 

[Huttman]

I actually think he might have a problem with obsession.

That's a good point you've made, Dave. Quite possibly it's true, but then again, who doesn't. The most common one I find is an obsession to stubbornness...but I digress. The originals are (were) available on DVD, although some were gripping about aspect ratios and such on it. Oh well...I think it will be only a matter of time before their Blu-ray versions will be made available. As Obi-Wan said to Luke on Dagobah, 'patience'! (sorry, couldn't help myself)

 

[Terrible Tempest]

Lucas can do what he wants, for sure, but this constant tinkering is a bit lame. It's like he's got nothing new and original up his sleeve, so he has to keep revisiting the old. The additions and changes don't enhance much of anything. But that's just my opinion, and it's not worth a whole lot.

 

[soulsinging]

I actually think he might have a problem with obsession. To me, it seems like those people who are addicted to having plastic surgery. They start off with a nose job, or to take away lines around their eyes, with some possibly valid cosmetic reason. Then they go back for more, and more, and more surgery, hoping to make themselves perfect, but they end up having too much and looking like Jocelyn Wildestein, or with Michael Jackson's nose, their faces losing all the beauty that they ever once had. Isn't it much better to just grow old gracefully.

Excellent analogy. I wish George could see his original work the way we do...