Empire of Dreams and other extras: anyone else dissapointed?
10-03-04, 08:33 PM
#26
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Originally posted by jaeufraser
Ha, Jack abrasive!
But yeah, to expect the documentary to highlight how fans are pissed about this and that is inane, no company would ever do that. I can't think of a single documentary included with a film that spent time in a documentary discussing how fans didn't like the movies, or didn't like the changes. Even the best docus, Heartso f Darkness or 12 monkeys, just give you very detailed explanations of how the films were made, but hardly badmouth the film or the reaction to it.
Granted, the Episode I documentary felt more in depth then this one, but I still thought it was quite good. It showed a lot of the troubles the production had, as opposed to just saying how everyone loved each other. I don't expect them to talk about the fan hatred over the changes since, well, I do think that that's a very small minority.
Ha, Jack abrasive!
But yeah, to expect the documentary to highlight how fans are pissed about this and that is inane, no company would ever do that. I can't think of a single documentary included with a film that spent time in a documentary discussing how fans didn't like the movies, or didn't like the changes. Even the best docus, Heartso f Darkness or 12 monkeys, just give you very detailed explanations of how the films were made, but hardly badmouth the film or the reaction to it.
Granted, the Episode I documentary felt more in depth then this one, but I still thought it was quite good. It showed a lot of the troubles the production had, as opposed to just saying how everyone loved each other. I don't expect them to talk about the fan hatred over the changes since, well, I do think that that's a very small minority.
10-04-04, 12:19 AM
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I really enjoyed the Empire of Dreams documentary. The only problem I had with it was the lack of information about Empire and Jedi. Seemed to really focus on Lucas himself in the beginning (which was fine) and then A New Hope. Unfortunately it seems like it didn't leave that much time left over for the sequels. But all in all, informative and entertaining.
10-04-04, 01:42 AM
#28
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Originally posted by pomodoro
*clears throat* The matrix megaboxset is coming w/ 3 commentaries from critics who hated every one of the movies.
*clears throat* The matrix megaboxset is coming w/ 3 commentaries from critics who hated every one of the movies.
10-04-04, 09:46 AM
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Why would anyone who would buy the set want a bunch of stuff bashing the films? (there is already way too much of that on the net) If you hate it, why would you buy it to begin with?
To coincide with an earlier post I see the only way negative features work is when critics or a group of people really hate a film and it is still a hugh hit. (I've mostly seen it on horror films and comedies) Its kind of like a big FU to them.
To coincide with an earlier post I see the only way negative features work is when critics or a group of people really hate a film and it is still a hugh hit. (I've mostly seen it on horror films and comedies) Its kind of like a big FU to them.
10-04-04, 10:51 AM
#30
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I wish Hardware Wars was on the set. Very funny parody of Star Wars, its was only about maybe 10-15 min long, but Wookie was a big Cookie Monster puppet, Leia had two big cinnamon roll buns on her hair, the ships were nothing but steaming irons, and you could'nt understand what Darth Vader was saying at all.
10-04-04, 11:14 AM
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Originally posted by dom56
I wish Hardware Wars was on the set. Very funny parody of Star Wars, its was only about maybe 10-15 min long, but Wookie was a big Cookie Monster puppet, Leia had two big cinnamon roll buns on her hair, the ships were nothing but steaming irons, and you could'nt understand what Darth Vader was saying at all.
I wish Hardware Wars was on the set. Very funny parody of Star Wars, its was only about maybe 10-15 min long, but Wookie was a big Cookie Monster puppet, Leia had two big cinnamon roll buns on her hair, the ships were nothing but steaming irons, and you could'nt understand what Darth Vader was saying at all.
10-04-04, 04:55 PM
#35
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Originally posted by dvdaddiction
I really enjoyed the Empire of Dreams documentary. The only problem I had with it was the lack of information about Empire and Jedi. Seemed to really focus on Lucas himself in the beginning (which was fine) and then A New Hope. Unfortunately it seems like it didn't leave that much time left over for the sequels. But all in all, informative and entertaining.
I really enjoyed the Empire of Dreams documentary. The only problem I had with it was the lack of information about Empire and Jedi. Seemed to really focus on Lucas himself in the beginning (which was fine) and then A New Hope. Unfortunately it seems like it didn't leave that much time left over for the sequels. But all in all, informative and entertaining.
10-04-04, 06:51 PM
#36
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Originally posted by shizawn
This is pretty much how I felt. While I enjoyed the documentary a lot, I felt it short changed ESB and ROTJ.
This is pretty much how I felt. While I enjoyed the documentary a lot, I felt it short changed ESB and ROTJ.
10-04-04, 09:23 PM
#37
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I just remembered something else that kinda disappointed me, and did on the Eps 1 and 2 DVDs also. On the 2000 VHS release, the big thing advertised was the Ep 2 preview. Well, I happened across a loose copy of Ep IV at a pawn shop, and they were having a sale on VHS, so my wife got some anime and I picked up the Star Wars tape. Well, the Ep 2 preview was pretty lame as expected, but what I fell in love with was a teaser for basically the saga at that point (4-6 and 1). It was set to Duel of the Fates and intercut footage from all four films, with a lot of parallels seen between the OT and just TPM. I have kept that tape just because of that promo. I have hoped and wished and dreamed for a 16x9 5.1 version on one of the DVD releases, and have been disappointed everytime. I even sent a message to the Jedi Council thing on the official site. To no avail.
If anybody knows of another Fox DVD, or maybe a THX demo disc that has that, I'd be might grateful for the info.
If anybody knows of another Fox DVD, or maybe a THX demo disc that has that, I'd be might grateful for the info.
10-05-04, 12:03 AM
#38
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Finally got around to watching it just now, and i thought it was pretty good. I'm not a very big Star Wars fan, and just about all the information was new and informative to me.
10-05-04, 11:31 AM
#39
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I'm happy with the documentary. And I *LOVED* the many alternate takes of scenes that they included -- note to Lucasfilm: We need more of this. I could watch 10 hours of that alone.
My critiques:
1. I wanted deleted scenes. George, you don't have to "finish" the scenes. Just show them to be in raw form. I don't need CGI criters in my Biggs scenes. I don't need to see a RotJ CGI sandstorm. Just show 'em.
2. The 80s documentaries. They should have made these 4 classic documentaries available, either at select retailers as a bonus, or via a mail in offer.
3. Return of the Jedi gets shafted again. Most of the Lucas biographies or making-of books that you read spend VERY little time on the making of RotJ. This documentary was no different. That entire production seems to be shrowded in secrecy for some reason.
I would have done four 1-hour documentaries. 1. Set-up, Lucas at school, THX, graffiti, geting SW off the ground. 2. Star Wars. 3. ESB 4. RotJ
But, overall, I'm not really 'disappointed' with the extras. And I assume that there is much more coming my way in the 2007 uber-edition.
My critiques:
1. I wanted deleted scenes. George, you don't have to "finish" the scenes. Just show them to be in raw form. I don't need CGI criters in my Biggs scenes. I don't need to see a RotJ CGI sandstorm. Just show 'em.
2. The 80s documentaries. They should have made these 4 classic documentaries available, either at select retailers as a bonus, or via a mail in offer.
3. Return of the Jedi gets shafted again. Most of the Lucas biographies or making-of books that you read spend VERY little time on the making of RotJ. This documentary was no different. That entire production seems to be shrowded in secrecy for some reason.
I would have done four 1-hour documentaries. 1. Set-up, Lucas at school, THX, graffiti, geting SW off the ground. 2. Star Wars. 3. ESB 4. RotJBut, overall, I'm not really 'disappointed' with the extras. And I assume that there is much more coming my way in the 2007 uber-edition.
10-05-04, 02:00 PM
#40
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Like others, I am dissapointed that there was no deleted scenes or the 1980's documentaries or the original Star Wars documentary hosted by C-3PO and R2-D2.
Other things I wish was included was some :
costume sketches,
a progressive design featurette that would show early concept to final design approval of ships, vehicles, weapons, creatures and other things.
Instead of just 1 audio commentary how about several, 1 would have been George Lucas by himself, 2nd could have been Lucas and art department personnal, 3rd could have been special effects crew and the fourth could have been cast including, Hamill, Fisher, Ford, James Earl Jones and others.
A tour of the LucasFilm archives that would show masks and models from the trilogy, which was included on the LaserDisc set.
Special Effects featurette.
The Boba Fett cartoon from the Holiday Special.
There's probably more, but I can't think of them right now.
Other things I wish was included was some :
costume sketches,
a progressive design featurette that would show early concept to final design approval of ships, vehicles, weapons, creatures and other things.
Instead of just 1 audio commentary how about several, 1 would have been George Lucas by himself, 2nd could have been Lucas and art department personnal, 3rd could have been special effects crew and the fourth could have been cast including, Hamill, Fisher, Ford, James Earl Jones and others.
A tour of the LucasFilm archives that would show masks and models from the trilogy, which was included on the LaserDisc set.
Special Effects featurette.
The Boba Fett cartoon from the Holiday Special.
There's probably more, but I can't think of them right now.
10-10-04, 09:22 AM
#42
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Putting aside the doc for a momnet. I thought that there weren't enough of varied extras. The extras on Phantome Menace and Clones were much better.
I know they had to "comb the archives" to find content where films today prepare to make extras as they make the film.
This set wasn't that disimilar to Indy Jones trilogy in their approach to the extras.
I know they had to "comb the archives" to find content where films today prepare to make extras as they make the film.
This set wasn't that disimilar to Indy Jones trilogy in their approach to the extras.
10-10-04, 10:17 AM
#43
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Kube is right, other than Empire of Dreams, the extras just aren't there. A couple of short features and 2 dozen trailers, promo for a video game. Lame. Commentaries are nice, but I want to see other features.
Without the big doc, the disc would be a total waste.
Without the big doc, the disc would be a total waste.
10-10-04, 07:38 PM
#44
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I think it's pretty obvious that they're gonna release a future edition of the films either on this format or the next and with more extras. The production of this set seemed really rushed with the films themselves not even being completed. I heard the documentary didn't have much production time either.
Anyway, I really liked the documentary. I will admit that it started to feel a little long when they started talking about Yoda though.
Anyway, I really liked the documentary. I will admit that it started to feel a little long when they started talking about Yoda though.
10-16-04, 09:19 PM
#45
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Star Wars for Dummies
It should have been called Star Wars for Dummies.
The doc was not a particularly penetating or interesting study of Star Wars of Lucas. It alsmost had that PR vibe about it.
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
The docs that are part of the Hitchcock DVDs are more serious.
This doc was for someone who thinks Star Wars began with Phantom Menace.
Crap.
The doc was not a particularly penetating or interesting study of Star Wars of Lucas. It alsmost had that PR vibe about it.
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
The docs that are part of the Hitchcock DVDs are more serious.
This doc was for someone who thinks Star Wars began with Phantom Menace.
Crap.
10-16-04, 09:23 PM
#46
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The doc was not a particularly penetating or interesting study of Star Wars of Lucas. It alsmost had that PR vibe about it.
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
10-17-04, 12:17 AM
#47
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Re: Star Wars for Dummies
Originally posted by Kube
It should have been called Star Wars for Dummies.
It should have been called Star Wars for Dummies.
Originally posted by Kube
The doc was not a particularly penetating or interesting study of Star Wars of Lucas. It alsmost had that PR vibe about it.
The doc was not a particularly penetating or interesting study of Star Wars of Lucas. It alsmost had that PR vibe about it.
Originally posted by Kube
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
I didn't learn anything. Not a darn thing. There was only a modest amount of footage that hasn't been seen before.
Originally posted by Kube
The docs that are part of the Hitchcock DVDs are more serious.
The docs that are part of the Hitchcock DVDs are more serious.
Originally posted by Kube
This doc was for someone who thinks Star Wars began with Phantom Menace.
This doc was for someone who thinks Star Wars began with Phantom Menace.
Originally posted by Kube
Crap.
Crap.
10-17-04, 02:36 AM
#48
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I'm sure in a future release there will be more. But yeah, for a movie like this, its a pretty sad release. I think G.L should of taken a page out of Peter Jackson book.
10-17-04, 03:55 AM
#49
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Originally posted by Fok
I'm sure in a future release there will be more. But yeah, for a movie like this, its a pretty sad release. I think G.L should of taken a page out of Peter Jackson book.
I'm sure in a future release there will be more. But yeah, for a movie like this, its a pretty sad release. I think G.L should of taken a page out of Peter Jackson book.
Of course a future release will have more. I think it's stupid to think otherwise. That is always how lucas works and for that matter, that's how Jackson has been also. I fail to see why Jackson is any different other than not altering his material. But 15 years haven't passed yet, so we have no proof that he wont. But Jackson releasing both a regular and extended edition does sound familiar... doesn't it.
10-17-04, 07:56 PM
#50
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Re: Re: Star Wars for Dummies
Originally posted by The Cow
Did you reallly watch all of it? Don't see how you came up with that statement from the doc..
Did you reallly watch all of it? Don't see how you came up with that statement from the doc..
Still, Empire of Dreams is still a solid piece.