Buy the Star Wars DVD or not?

[I, Brian]

The original Star Wars impacted beyond all description a generation. It gave us all a new view of ourselves relative to the universe, and provided a glimpse of both the future, and space, in a way that felt so real and touchable.

The prequels capture absolutely nothing of that - there is no vision of the future or space - just a dissociative media portfolio of digital effects of varying quality.

The tragedy here is that George Lucas has tempared with the original versions for DVD release, to try and bring the two concepts together - weakening the effect of the originals.

There are definite improvements in the DVD release of the original Star Wars release - improved media quality, plus a couple of silly errors dealt with (ie, Ben Kenobi's lightsaber not being drawn in for some frames when fighting Darth Vader).

However, there are some appalling ****-ups, too - whilst the original Star Wars effects may have seemed dated in places, they are no worse that some of the effects brushed onto it - the TIE fighters defending the Death Star in the new revamped version now look like shiny plastic toys.

There's also gratuitous scene insertions - cheering scenes from cities at the end of Return of the Jedi, and appalling edits, such as Anakin rejuvenated to the actor in the pre-quels.

The BIG question is - is it worth buying the DVD release of the original Star Wars, if effectively the viewing experience is already soiled? Are they really worth watching for where they are good, or is there too much to cringe at (for example, the bad cartoon Jabba talking to Han in Star Wars)?

I can't bring myself to buy the boxed set yet, but when I listen to the soundtracks, I remember the impact the films had on a generation.

[Foxbat]

I agree that the new touch-ups by Lucas are the equivelant of painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa. Methinks your choices are simple however - wait and hope that one day they release an untouched version (personally I think that this is unlikely to happen - but maybe, just maybe, after Lucas has shuffled off this Mortal Coil, somebody might release the original versions). Also, DVD is unlikely to be around for many more years if formats like 'BlueRay' become a reality. I bought the boxed set just because I don't see an alternative on the horizon.

My advice would be to wait until you can get the boxed set on budget and buy it then. That way, if an original set is released sometime in the future, you won't have wasted too much cash.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

the new touch-ups by Lucas are the equivelant of painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa.

Think that sums it up nicely.

I'm so tempted to try and push the issue high in the spotlight somehow - I keep thinking the studio may release something in a couple of years - but I just don't fancy buying inherently soiled goods until I'm sure.

[Eradius Lore]

I was appalled to see that the originals had been tampered with, like at the end of ROJ with the new Anakin in place of the old one, and all the new places celebrating at the end. which they should have cut out immediately, because no one heard about the death of the emperor until a week later, and even then coruscant was under imperial control for a further 7 years, so how where they able to celebrate , any way back to the point, even if you don’t really want it for the new affects, its good for the reason that its on dvd (hole Updating thing) and also the bonus disks are enough, they are jam packed with allsorts of cool stuff like documentaries, makings of, clips etc.

[Culhwch]

I won't be buying them in the hope that the original originals are one day released. I was hoping that if enough people boycotted this release, it'd have an effect on the bottom line and force Lucas's hand, but it seems most people are just buying this one regardless...

[Foxbat]

I won't be buying them in the hope that the original originals are one day released. I was hoping that if enough people boycotted this release, it'd have an effect on the bottom line and force Lucas's hand, but it seems most people are just buying this one regardless...

I understand your point but I believe that commercial interest is not at the heart of this matter. Lucas (in my opinion) is looking beyond his own existence and trying to leave for posterity what he wants and not what the film going masses desire. That's why I don't think you will see anything before he has left this world. I could be wrong. Hope so

[Culhwch]

Yeah, I'd sya you're more than likely right. But perhaps when he toddles off to that big Death Star in the sky, his money-grubbing kids'll see the kerching potential of a release of the originals and grant our wishes...

[I, Brian]

I'm sort of hoping that the studios would release a version, though - however, does Lucas now control all distribution rights, and is therefore is unlikely to allow distribution on DVD of the original trilogy??

[Foxbat]

I'm sort of hoping that the studios would release a version, though - however, does Lucas now control all distribution rights, and is therefore is unlikely to allow distribution on DVD of the original trilogy??

I believe he does. My memory may be a bit jaded but from what I remember, he sold LucasArts and THX to finance, not only the making of the prequels, but also to acquire rights to the first three. I think we have a situation similar to Kubrick and The Clockwork Orange in the sense that it was only after his death that this movie gained a UK release.

[I, Brian]

Thanks for the info - it does make sense.

[stormbard]

All valid points, but I loved the DVDs. I personally like all the new changes in IV- except the fake Jabba, I like all in V, and mainly only the new Jabba dance number (FAKE) in VI that I don't like, though I still really like the original Ewok song. As far as the young Anakin at the end goes, the Force moves in mysterious ways!The commentaries are worth the price of the disks and more, really good.

That said, I'd love to see the originals out too, as I thought they should have been included on the DVDs, the option to choose the version! Plus, I thought they should have had an option to pick any new inclusions and decide to include in the movie or not. Then you could tailor-make the film to how You want it. That's what I'd love

[Foxbat]

That said, I'd love to see the originals out too, as I thought they should have been included on the DVDs, the option to choose the version! Plus, I thought they should have had an option to pick any new inclusions and decide to include in the movie or not. Then you could tailor-make the film to how You want it. That's what I'd love

I agree 100%. To me, that's what DVD should be all about.

[Green]

I've still got the original versions (with upgraded sound and video quality) on video, so I'm not too fussed.

Once the video recorder bites the dust, I might put them on DVD, but can't be bothered atm.

For those who have the DVD boxset - what are the documentaries like? Are they worth buying the boxset for? Personally, I don't care about the commentaries or the films, but I don't know whether to fork out or not. Are the docs filled with new, interesting info, or is it the same, recycled old crap?

[I, Brian]

Well, I've been given the boxed set as a brithday present, though I've only watched the last 20 mins of Return of the Jedi so far.

Edits are luckily sparse, but the rejuvenation of Anakin doesn;t make any sense without Obi-wan being rejuvenated as well. I had to shudder. The cut-scenes of various worlds celebrating was simply a minor annoyance - not least that they don;t appear to have any direct reference in the 6 hours of film from the original trilogy preceding that moment.

I was hoping to see the famed picture quality, but so far it's not actually been very noticable, though I guess a direct comparison would be necessary.

Not seen the documentaries - but, to be honest, I'm only ever interested in the films on DVDs.

[dustinzgirl]

Im with I, Brian. I own both the original and remastered versions. The originals take me back to those days when my parents were young and idealistic hippies, my father worked at the drive-in when we were kids and as a fire-fighter. I grew up on the old school films, my brother and sister in thier car seats and me in the middle, free popcorn and soda and licorice all night. The owner loves us, twenty years later I still get free movies! But that is besides the point, well not really. It is the nostalgia and the memories that make a movie important, that first feeling of wow-ness and awe. Like the first time I watched LOTR in the theater with my man (who hates sci-fi, so that was his christmass present to me). I have yet to see a remake that I like. Willy Wonka remake made me want to vomit for the most part, it was missing that childish wonder in turn for sarcasm.

Sorry to go off on a tangent there guys!

I love star wars, even the last three were awesome, but I also think that is in large part because I wanted them to be awesome, not because they really WERE.

The worst part of the remake is Han Solo stepping on Jabba's tail. Hello? Jabba is a bad ***, he would have slaughtered him on the spot.

PS The originals I have are on old school VHS...im converting them over to dvd someday...Ive had them FOREVER.