When they release it , I will buy it. I already have the shelf space for it.

That's the beauty of a message board my friend, we can discuss our likes and dislikes about these films. I don't think anyone is claiming to be ILM techs or George Lucas, but we know what we like and we're not just accepting everything thrown at us : -).

That was great, Gatsby.

You realize that Star Wars wasnt just made by one person right? There are hundreds of people working on these films, each contributing their own unique talent. So yes, I do have the ability and talent to work on projects of this size. As of now it'd be storyboarding/layout/animatics.

I'm sure there are some writers, craftsmen, and 3D artists here who could also say the same.

I certainly couldn't make something as incredible as the OT by myself, but as Artman said, neither did Lucas.

I'm not sure where it would fit in movie wise, but one of my few talents is taking a concept that somebody isn't understanding, and being able to break it down so that they can. It sounds simple but I've people tell me how good I am at doing it, and how I should seriously be a teacher (I haven't ruled out going back to school).

For instance, if Lucas were directing and he said "faster! and more intense!" I could probably be able to see what he's getting at for a particular scene and convey that a little clearer to the actors.

And I do have a pretty good imagination, so I could probably work in previz or something like that also.

And the main problem with the change in ESB of "Alert my star destroyer..." is that the original line was delivered so well. It's anger and rage and confusion, all bubbling and boiling just below the surface, and he can barely speak a word thru his frustration, all he's able to growl is a simple command. It was perfect the way it was.

Yeah, I'll be sure to pick up the "Boom Mic Operator's" Cut of Star Wars when it's out on dvd...

In simple matter, a film may be done by a group, but it's creative control is handled by one man. In this case it's Lucas. Those other workers are doing it for the passion of the job. In the end of the day, they move on to another film. Whatever they are doing, they are doing for that one man who says what goes and what stays.

It's funny how we all have our own favorite lines in the films. I never considered this line all too iconic. But I do the part where Vader turns on Leia in ANH and says "You are part of the rebel alliance and a traitor! Take her away!" I think it captures Vader's out of control rage perfectly. One arc I like in the OT is how Vader goes from this guy who kills anyone who gets in his path until he duels with Luke. After he encounters Luke, he is conflicted. He doesn't murder Piett when Leia, Chewie and Lando escape Bespin. I am glad that Lucas left out the parts from Jedi where Vader choked out the underlings. It helps emphasize that Vader's character is changing due to his meeting Luke.

I will go back to my videos and look at this line again...

My plan is to steal the SW DVD's, that way Im not supporting the shoddy job, but I will have them....

Everyone wins with crime...its a fact.

By that logic, George Lucas of the late '90's -- who had, at that point, not shown he still had ability or talent left one way or another, but has, since then, in many people's minds, conclusively proven that he's lost whatever ability and talent he once had -- should not be allowed to much about with the work of George Lucas of the mid to late '70's, now should he?

I am so excited about seeing the ground-breaking films by those who would bash Lucas. To them all, please let me know when you've come up with an idea, pitched and sold the idea to a studio, produced the film and then handed it off to another group of people to handle marketing and promotion and then reaped the rewards of creating one of the most successful films ever.

Don't rest for too long, though...there are sequels to be made...

I hate that argument. I defend Lucas, but I'll never use the lame "if you can't make your own film, you have no right to criticize other filmmakers" stance.

Everyone is free to have an opinion, regardless of how annoying and overstated, on films.

The George Lucas making the prequels and messing about with the OT is NOT the same GL who made the OT. 20 years has quite an effect on a person.

If you could get the young GL into the editing room, sit him down in front of the Avid, and ask him to re-edit the picture, then *maybe* the changes would be valid.

But the person who suggested the changes to the OT for the SEs, and the person making the prequels had not had hands-on movie-making experience for over 15 years.

I mean, would 1980 George Lucas had thought that Jar Jar was a good idea? I think NOT.

IMHO, most people here would purchase any version, any edition, any packaging,etc on DVD related to ep. 4-6, and would then purchase upgrades, different editions to boot, and just keep the edition most happy with.

Nuff Said

As evidence for this theory, I present the fact that George originally wanted the second half of Return of the Jedi to take place on Chewbacca's home world (not with Ewoks). A very interesting way to end the trilogy.

But, something happened to 1980 George shortly before production began on ROTJ. What, exactly, remains the greatest mystery of all time. But the damaging results have been pretty obvious - from Howard the Duck to a Young Indiana Jones TV series that I think was deliberately trying to be boring.

Wow! this is a monster of a thread.

Here's my whole thing right here.....yes it's his movies and he can do anything he wants with them. But there has to come a point where you "should leave well enough alone". Like Stan said on South Park that time, if the Beatles went back an re-recorded the White Album every year what would we have now? A bunch of crap. Any real "artist" knows that there comes a time where he has to leave his work to the ages.

This whole thing about his "true vision", I'm tending to agree with a few other people that was a line of BS. From what I remember hearing, the "Special Editions" were said to be a testing ground for his CGI effects team so they can try everything out before working on the new trilogy. Some of the new scenes, like other forum members pointed out, did nothing to improve the films. As for myself, I personally don't like the scene with Han and Greedo. I mean come on. Greedo is sitting two feet away from Han with his gun drawn. Even Stevie Wonder can hit him from that range!! I will probably buy the Star Wars DVD's whatever editions they are, but I'm hanging on to my original cuts of the movie on VHS. I just don't understand why there isn't room for both cuts of the film.

You know this is a little off topic but I saw a special with Matt and Trey from South Park, and they both said that Speilberg AND Lucas were really pissed off at them for that episode when the gang tried to steal the original print of Raiders Of The Lost Ark. It was soon after that episode that Spielberg and Lucas dropped their plans for a Raiders "Special" Edition.

Your views would be most welcome at the www.theforce.net, home of George Lucas syncophants!!

If George is so out of touch with reality he doesn't realize this, maybe we can get this message out to him: A lot of rabid Star Wars fans would willingly buy both the original version and the extra crispy one, because they want anything and everything Star Wars related - good or bad. (I would fall into that category, being an owner of the Star Wars Holiday Special. ) So he's got an opportunity to get me to buy both versions, or piss me off so I boycott and refuse to buy his revisionist "This is the Way it Really Happened Until I Decide Darth Vader Needs a CGI Parrot on His Shoulder" Edition.

No, the George Lucas that made the prequels and messed with the OT is very much the same George Lucas that made "Return of the Jedi". When people bitch about the prequels, every point they make applies to "Jedi", with the exception of the over-use of CGI. The original film and "Empire" are also full of poor dialogue and acting, but you rarely see people complaining about that. If you can get past your opinions that were established during your childhood, when you were much more forgiving, you would see that "Phantom" and "Clones" are ultimately worthy of the original series. "Phantom" is definitely the worst "Star Wars" movie of all time, but it's not significantly worse than "Jedi", and "Clones" is actually better than "Jedi" as far as I'm concerned, and is close if not equal to the overrated original.. As a matter of fact, the only "Star Wars" movie that I would consider to be a great movie is "Empire". I just think that if you're going to point out the fact that "Clones" is merely a "good" movie and that "Phantom" is average at best, the same should be said about the original and "Jedi", respectively. Here's hoping that Episode III will be the "great" movie out of the trilogy, though Georgie doesn't have another director to help him out this time.

If you hate the movie so much, then don't watch them for god's sakes!

You spend a whole paragraph talking bad about all the movies except of Empire Strike Back.

I always love it when people bitch and moan about an entire series' of films - DON'T SEE EM IF YOU DON"T LIKE EM!

Its stupid to sit around and bash all the movies except for Empire. Here's a hint - Empire might be the strongest because there is no need for character introductions or even much of a plot. The SW crew just got chased around for the entire movie, which gives opportunity for characters to breathe.

ANH had to introduce characters etc. ROTJ had to finish the story.

I admit I think the prequels suck but you really can't have your cake and eat it too. And I think the Special Editions pretty much blow too in some spots.

It's funny when you geeks get all annoyed when somebody doesn't love everything you love. For the record, I LIKE ALL FIVE STAR WARS MOVIES! I particularly love "Empire", but my realistic perception of "A New Hope" and "Return of the Jedi" makes me more forgiving when it comes to the prequels. My entire point is that if somebody is going to criticize the prequels they need to acknowledge that the flaws their bitching about are very present in the original trilogy, particularly in episodes IV and VI. I mean, everyone bitches that there's no "Han Solo"-style character in the prequels but nobody brings up the fact that Han acts like a complete puss in "Jedi".

Keep in mind that was written after 1980 George mysteriously disappeared and was replaced by this flannel-wearing imposter.

First off, I don't love Star Wars and my posts pretty much state that I don't. Secondly, I think its funny when others use the term "geeks" and "fanboy" in a derisive manner when they are sitting there and writing whole long paragraphs on Star Wars.

This is why I hate Star Wars discussions.
You have the fans that are completly off-kilter about the whole series, praise everything and thats it.

Then you have fans who say they like the movies, but bitch about everyting and claim the original trilogy's fond memories in fan's minds are due to being a child.

I pretty much like the originals, don't like the SEs and really can't stand the prequels but have seen each of the new ones in the theater

So that took what, 6 pages? Before someone pointed out the 2 kinds of posters regarding Star Wars. That's usually the thread killer in these types of discussions.

And they say the Star Wars franchise is dead. I count upto 4 open discussions around here. Even one about JarJar that's reached I think more than 20 replies. Don't you just love it?

Actually, I really enjoy "Attack of the Clones" and think it's now my second favourite SW film after Empire.

The Phantom Edit is also very good. It just goes to show that there was a good 50 minute movie hidden under all of that muck.

I'm very much looking forward to Episode III, and hope hope hope that it doesn't suck.

Or, more accurately, after Gary Kurtz was canned and the flannel-master surrounded himself with people who only know how to say "Man, George, that's a GREAT idea!"