SW DVD

[leelastarsky]

kaaaaaaaaaaaaay, I just watched the new Ep4 DVD......

Why is Luke's lightsabre GREEN on the Falcon??? It wasn't green in ObiWan's hut - I checked - it was still blue. Why'd it suddenly turn green on the Falcon?? *is bewildered*

Han and Greedo. *heavy sigh* Well, I think you all know my feelings on this. Stupid, dumb, unnecessary change. In the original version, Han shot Greedo under the table. It was cool cos Greedo was stupid for letting Han get his hands below the table - we all knew that, and it was FUNNY. Like Indy pulling out a gun and shooting the sword-master in Raiders is FUNNY.

Now it's not. And it looks awkward. Not as awkward and jumpy as it did when they changed it to Greedo shoots first, but still. I dunno...

And the Jabba scene still doesn't work for me. Jabba doesn't stick out like a sore thumb quite as much as he did in the SpEd, but... to quote my kids who sat and watched it with me tonight - he doesn't look like he's there. (and they are vicious critics when it comes to SFX, I can tell you! The two youngest laughed themselves sick over the chestburster scene in ALIEN) This is a Han scene - I want to like it, cos any extra Han has got to be good, right? But I can't deny it slows the film down. I can understand why it was originally cut.

I have to tell you, it was interesting watching it with my kids, who are sort of more familiar with the prequel films. When ObiWan spouts his 'story' about Vader to Luke the kids were all, "But Vader is his father, isn't he?" "Why is Ben lying?" And then there's that super-sinister look that Ben gives Vader, just before he sacrifices himself, that always makes me want to wack him. Manipulative SOB....

Got to watch it with the commentary now. Really looking forward to hearing what Carrie has to say.

Spent a lot of the film lamenting Hamill's loss of his nose. Damn he had a nice nose! In fact his whole face was rather lovely (as my 14yo self was well aware back in '77!), but he really did have a lovely shaped nose. :~(

Comments

[may-child.livejournal.com]

You need to see it from the POV of those of us who waited the yrs between films the first time round - all the expectation and rumours.

I am seeing it from that POV. I waited the years between the films the first time around too. I was dying with anticipation for ROTJ especially.

At the time the rumours said there would be a big battle in the 3rd film, set on the Wookiee planet. The Holiday Special *gag* was something of an appetiser. O.o So you can imagine the general disappointment when we got Ewoks.

Oh, I don't know. I remember quite a bit of enthusiasm for the Ewoks, from adults as well as kids. My Sunday school teacher adored the fuzzballs. When I went to sixth-grade camp, we were divided up into tribes and given Native American names. One tribe was called the Miwoks. They wanted to re-name themselves the Ewoks, and though they weren't allowed to officially, that's what they called themselves.

(although those singing Wookiees would have been quite devestating, I'm sure!! XD)

Imagine how you would feel if you went into Ep3 keyed up to watch the kick-ass battle between Anakin and ObiWan, and especially to watch ObiWan throw Anakin into the flaming pit (or whatever - a rumour that has been around since ANH came out), only to find out that the battle is at a different moment completely in the film and that Anakin actually falls into the pit by accident. (tripping over his robes! LOL!)

Yeah, that would suck.

On first viewing, you'd walk out, vaguely disappointed, but assure yourself that you'd enjoyed the movie nonetheless. But, after a few more viewings, the disappointment would fester... and the cuddly teddy bears would pop up everywhere as unbearably cute kiddy toys...

Lucas himself pointed out: "Why market a teddy bear? They're already around." And there's not much in any of the SW movies that isn't toy-friendly. I was watching ROTJ and I found I really enjoyed the Endor battle. Also, the SE of ROTJ should actually be pleasing to Ewok-haters -- it cuts out some Ewok footage in favor of the galactic celebration. ;-P

and, before you know it, you're 10yrs down the track and realise that you actually LOATHE the things. ;~P

Love, expectation...then disappointment. Much like Christmas really. ;~D

I suppose so. But would it be so hard to focus on the good aspects?

Myself, I am not crazy about some of the changes. However, overall I am blown away by the DVDs. The picture is beautiful (it must've cost a fortune to clean up the prints, but it was worth every penny -- and it's a nice, if ironic, benefit of the cleanup that you can see the intentional grunginess and lived-in look that Lucas insisted on giving the sets and props), the sound is great. If not for the late-70s and early-80s hairdos, I would think that these movies were made last year, not decades ago. The "Empire of Dreams" documentary is great. And it's a treat to see filmmakers ranging from John Singleton to James Cameron to Peter Jackson to Ridley Scott (who's my favorite director) give Lucas props and talk about how SW influenced them.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

would it be so hard to focus on the good aspects?

I do focus on the good parts - Han and Leia! XD

As for the cleanup on the DVDs - I'd have been extatic if that was all he'd done. Cleaned up the sound, colour and some of the SFX. I'd have been in geek heaven! It was when he started cutting and pasting that I got upset. Even then I probably wouldn't have been as upset if he'd brought out the original versions as well. But, as it stands, I've had to resort to pirate versions of those. (from the laser discs)

70s and 80s hairdos- well, those are back in fashion, aren't they?! ;~P :~D

And, what I've seen of the "Empire of Dreams" special is very good.

btw - do you know why Luke's lightsabre was green on the Falcon instead of blue? I haven't watched the new ESB yet... is Luke's lightsabre blue in that?? *worries*