How much do you love Star Wars? Well, Matt could tell you about me, he was there! In the middle of a Hoth-sized snowstorm, I drove an hour to see the re-release in 1997, on the DAY OF MY WEDDING REHEARSAL! I could have missed it, but it was that important to me to see it on the big screen with good sound.
4 years later, frustrated with the lack of Star Wars in Dolby Digital sound, I purchased import VCDs from Japan, but I think they were bootlegs… and thus, I have not been able to enjoy my favorite movies of all time in the way I’ve wanted to.. until now.
This week, I picked up the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD, and have spent five days so far watching it. Here’s the gist..
DISC 1: Star Wars (A NEW HOPE) – Its almost exactly like the 1997 special edition, with 2 exceptions. First, Greedo doesn’t shoot first anymore.. its at the same time. Second, Digital Jabba looks a LOT better. Its still the same movie you remember. The commentary is the highlight here, with Lucas, Carrie Fisher, and others talking about the Behind the Scenes (and dropping hints about Ep. 3)
DISC 2: The Empire Strikes Back – Again, almost like the 1997 special edition, with a couple of exceptions. First, Boba Fett is now voiced by the actor from the new trilogy, which is jarring if you’re not used to it. Second, the Emperor is played by the same actor as Jedi and the new trilogy (originally, it was a different guy). Third, and best, Luke no longer screams when he lets himself fall – which was my biggest beef with the special edition, now corrected. The commentary here is awesome too, with all the others plus the Director, Irvin Kirshner. Yes, this is my fave movie of all time, and its fun to see it again.
DISC 3: Return of the Jedi – This is also like the 1997 release, with some exceptions. Unfortunately the dance number is still there. So are the ewoks. The biggest thing here is at the end of the movie. When the ewoks are celebrating, we cut to Naboo, where the Gungans (Jar jar’s people) yell “Weesa Free!!”. Also, when we see the Jedi ghosts, Anakin is now played by Hayden Christianson from the new trilogy. The commentary here is good too, but beware if you want to avoid all spoilers about Ep. 3.
DISC 4: Extra stuff: This is the cool stuff. A 2 hour documentary called Empire of Dreams is candid and detailed about how Star Wars came to be, and it is AWESOME! Also included are 2 other lesser shorts about the Lightsaber and the influence of Star Wars on other directors. For real fun, watch the old TV and Trailer commercials. And, beware here.. there is a Documentary about Episode 3 whose name is a spoiler, and it has images of lightsaber duels and costumes that will spoil stuff in Ep. 3 if you want to keep it all a secret. I watched it and it got me pumped, but some people may think it gives away too much.
The sound and picture on these discs are AMAZING, the best of any DVD release I’ve ever seen. The box is elegant silver, and is reasonably priced (you can find it for 38 bucks – for four discs and 3 movies, that ain’t bad!)
So, yeah, as a fan, Bug Big thumbs up (especially for the commentaries) and label me Psyched for Episode 3 next summer: Revenge of the Sith
When did you have time?
We are also quite excited about the release of this trilogy. Matt was quite upset that I had sold our old set at a yard sale last year when we got rid of our dead VHS player. So this is what we’ve been watching at our house this weekend, as well. I thought about putting it on layaway for Christmas but Matt rushed out Friday and bought it. I don’t mind at all. Having boys around the house, this is the coolest thing since sliced bread, and great bonding time with their awesome dad!
And by the way, I like the ewoks! When this movie first came out, I wanted one as a pet.–
Christy
Pan & Scan
Unfortunately, I bought the Pan & Scan version from Wal-Mart. Oh, well, I’m not going to take it back since we’re already enjoying it 🙂 Just a small difference, and one day when they release the “all six movies with special features” version, I may end up buying that one, too…
—
Matthew P. Barnson
Returning it..
Actually, you should have no problem returning it. Just say you got it home, opened it, and it was pan scan (not entirely untrue).. and they will 9 times out of ten exchange it for you.
Expect the all 6 possibly in 2007 (if there isn’t another theatrical release then of all 6) – that will be the 30th anniversary.
Rewatching, its amazing how well these films hold up.. especially A New Hope. Hey man.. only 234 days, 4 hours and 52 minutes until Revenge Of The Sith.
MONEY MONEY MONEY
Hey, evidently we weren’t alone.
This trilogy sold 2.5 million copies last week.. at at least 40 bucks a pop. That’s at least an additional 100 million dollars.
With the holidays approaching, they think it may go as high as 300 million dollars by christmas.
Wow.
Luke, I am your Second Cousin, Once Removed
Let me be the first to say that I REEEEEEALLY hope that Episode 3 doesn’t suck as badly as Episode 2. I hope that Lucas got a brain and brought in somebody else to write the dialogue. And maybe he can get Kirshner to direct.
— Ben Schuman Mad, Mad Tenor