Star Wars Original Trilogy

Don't get this version!

There's a reason that movies are filmed in Panavision -- they are more interesting to watch that way. If you buy this DVD version of the Star Wars Trilogy, you will be missing 40% of the visuals that were put together. The sides of the movie will be cropped off to fit a square TV tube, and you will wind up with a severe case of tunnel vision.

The pan/scan process doesn't give you the total picture, and many important moments are completely lost, such as the puzzlement of C-3PO when Leia kisses Luke in "Empire," or the vastness of the Death Star landing bay in "Jedi."

Get the widescreen version of these movies, please!

9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

I don't like the new changes!

It's the classic Star Wars trilogy everyone loves, but it has the new modifications to it. I'll admit some of the special FX are better, but the end of Return of the Jedi features the newer Anakin Skywalker. It was an interesting surprise (sorry I ruined it), but it took from the originality.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

STOP CHANGING STAR WARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STOP CHANGING STAR WARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Zeus of Sci-fi

I loved this boxed set! I don't now why everybody's dissapointed with this masterpeice, these are classic movies for crying out loud! I've read all of the reviews and the people are complaing about the upgrated special effects. The person on the first page was complaing that at the end of #6 when they show Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anikan. Anikan's character is changed from the older version to Hayden's Anikan. Sure it was a shock to me and my brother, but if Lucas changes one little seen in the movie, it doesn't meen that you should hate Starwars! Duh! You should know why he did that because Anikan practicly died when he became Vader, the machanical part of his body basicly took over. And do you wan't to know why Obi-Wan and Yoda were left as old men? Because they died as old men! It's really a stupid way to say why you hate it.Your probly a Harry Potter lover. Anyway, this is definatly worth to spend your 60 bucks on. Plus in the Bonus disc they talk about the most anticipated event we Starwars fans have been waiting for over thirty years... the duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anikan Skywalker. And you better not complain about that either! Everybody who likes Starwars are NOT geeks!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

What's all the crying about?

I have seen the original versions of these movies hundreds of times. I also went to see the 'special' editions when they were rereleased in the the theater. I do not believe that they were changed nearly as much as some reviewers claim. Yes, some special effects were added, and the scene of Jabba the Hut in Star Wars was unnecessary, but, did it really ruin the movie? I don't think so. The second biggest change I can think of is when they changed the ending music for Return of the Jedi and added in the extra song at Jabba's palace. The palace scene didn't add to the movie, but replacing that damn obnoxious ewok song at the end was an improvement. The ewoks were the most annoying characters in the original trilogy and succeeded only in helping to make Return the campiest and silliest of the originals. but for the most part, the movies are the same. Sorry if I can't get nostalgic for grainy footage and speeders that 'fly' only because Lucas smudged the film under them, I still enjoyed the movies just fine, except those stupid ewoks. Oh, and I will admit, Lucas is definitely driven only by greed at this point, the prequels are inferior, and the originals should have been available on DVD 6 years ago.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Worth seeing every time!

I saw Star Wars when it came out in 1977 (I was 19) and have seen it over 250 times since then. In both incarnations, and I can't say that I have a problem with either one. George Lucas has told us that he made the second version because it wasn't until much later that the technology caught up with his original vision for the movie. The first version was fantastic; the second version is equally fantastic and gives a bit more info than the first. Both are worthy of viewing, and of being on DVD. I bought the VHS versions when they first came out ($89.95 each!) and have bought every version since. All of the original three (IV, V and VI) are worth seeing, and seeing together -- I can't wait until I, II and III are also in that huge set -- and I'll buy them in every version George wants to put out!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

the spcial edition

hey at least it's got luke yealling when he's falling on empire strikes back i think it's awsome i got star wars when it came to dvd wow the spcial edition

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Hmmmmmm.........

Loved the movies but not too hot on the fact that only the craptacular versions were offered. Even with the extra CG these flicks are nowhere near the level of Episode three. So why force people to buy the poorly propped up version of these movies. I would like to buy the originals that I saw as a child, regardless of how "campy" they are. But anywho, in my opinion after Episode 3 being an awesome blend of everything possible, lucas should get his wits together and redo the last three episodes from scratch for the sake of "continuity of vision". This would be neat to see. Anywho, I just would've like to see the movies in original, barely retouched form...

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic...and shut up

First the Prequels are not inferior to the Originals. Sure Episode I had Jar Jar (who shouldve died a thousand times over), Episode II (I'll admit the worst of the Six) had its dramatic romance, and Episode III is absolutley flawless. The DVDs are great I love the Prequels and I do love the Original Versions of the Trilogy, but think about it. Lucas may be greedy, but what the hell, he earned he CREATED Star Wars, he can do whatever he wants. I like inclusion of the CGI which ties it in more with the extreme CGI of the Prequels. As for the "tampering" with the DVDs that has so many in dumb little tears over the "ruining" of the films I shake my head at you. The Prequels were needed as did continuity with the Trilogy. Sure Greedo shooting first was really dumb and pointless. Changing Jabba a bit was good he looked more like he did in Episode VI (in the 1997 release he looked like a melted candle). The inclusion of the Emperor's face from Episode III in Episode V is also continuity instead of the blurred face from before. I really liked Hayden's inclusion as Anakin instead of the fat dude from the Originals, it makes sense. So basically what I'm saying is this; we have SIX movies now, they're all really good, its what we have, and if your gonna HATE a movie or all of Star Wars because the series' CREATOR decided to change HIS WORK to make it more like how HE ENVISIONS it, then I'm sorry you are not a true fan as it would be one to embrace the changes made to the movies. So get over it.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Read the fine print before you buy. If there were any.

I have never written reviews for movies or albums I have purchased before, but my anger towards this release warrants one. Everyone loves Star Wars and it would be pointless to describe the myriad of wonderful things about the films(at least the originals). Many fans were apauled at the "special features" of the 1997 VHS re-release. The effects are awkward, completely out of place, and change a film that was embraced by millions in its original form... Directors Cuts are often released on DVD for popular films, but are most often also available in their original theatrical forms. Besides, how many films were monumentous enough to rival or surpass Star Wars? Surely this is one film, if any, that should be available in its original form. But it is not. We are denied to see Star Wars in its original form on anything but a deteriorating VHS cassette. Worst yet, this DVD trilogy goes beyond the special effects added for the previous VHS release.. additional garbage is thrown in to create continuity with the new films(in the process -removing- original actors or voice actors). Yes, the changes are minor in scale. The film is still the same story, the same characters, and the same effect. But why can we not preserve an extraordinary film as we first saw it as children? What is the harm in that? And what is the harm in making these changes? Turning off beloving fans to an entire portion of their childhood life and fantasy. If you need any proof of what an outrage this is, you need only realize that an entire episode of South Park was devoted to this very topic. A parody, but a valid point none the less. There are many many others who share my opinion, and we are not so crazy as we seem. I for one will not support Star Wars or George Lucas again until an original version is released. I truly wish I had read reviews before wasting my $56. If you are oblivious to the changes, then by all means purchase the DVD set. But if you share my view, please don't make my mistake.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

More isn't always better

I bought my DVD set thinking I could tolerate the changes since I've liked the movies for so long. The Special Editions made in 97 were pretty lame but I could take it. This release proves the more Lucasfilm tries to "improve" the movies, the worse they get. I'm all for cleaning up visual effects and can even look past minor changes like the Emporer's talk with Vader on the Star Destroyer in Empire Strikes Back. What made me want to laugh and vomit at the same time was Hayden Christensen replacing the older actor who played Vader at the end of Return of the Jedi. How does George come up with this <stuff>? A shot glass and a wedgee board? The force magically restored Anikan's apprerance to 30 years younger while Obi-Wan and Yoda remained old men? Any emotianal identification with such an important part of the movie (as well as the sequel) would be squashed. The audio and video quality are great on the DVD's but the movies themselves suffered. Big time.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

ALL RIGHT LUCAS!!!

Anyone who says GL is releasing these DVDs because he is greedy is wrong, GL is releasing the DVDs because his fans have asked over and over again to put the movies on DVD; you go GL! Star Wars will never die!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Death before Dishonor!!

Lucas and Spielberg both have the same disease. I was 11 when Star Wars came out, and the theater was only a block away. After going 12 days in a row, my parents finally cut me off. The movies, in their original form, are perfect. All this talk about 'making the movies he wanted to make' sounds like someone with too much money, time, and too little sense. Let's not even get into Episodes I, II, and 'gulp' III. Spielberg did the same thing with E.T. 'Make him look more real', he said. E.T. looked real to me! If I have to, I will go to my grave with my VCR and the remastered original versions clutched to my chest. Here is a website for anyone willing to lend their signature to a petition. http://www.originaltrilogy.com/ Perhaps the barstad will get the drift and give us the movies that he really SHOULD!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Still Milking A Waste

The marketing team at LUCASFILM is undoubtably still trying to rake in some profit from the updated versions despite overwhelming public distain and outcry for the originals. Best of luck on the release of these revised versions this fall, I would predict disappointing sales that fall somewhat short of expectations promised to retailers. I am one who will wait for the release of the un-reinterpreted originals if they ever come on DVD. Sorry George.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wait a sec, man Part 2

God, I'll never forget when I saw Phantom Menace opening night. I was sitting in front of some fool dressed up as Darth Maul. Hush. The most famous opening in Movie History rolls. Movie finally ends. I look back. He looked ashamed. Ashamed to be wearing that stupid costume. We were all ashamed. B&N customers, don't buy these DVDs. Not yet. Not till he gives us what we really want.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

10 stars for the Original, 1 star for the Special Edition

I hate to admit this, but I will have to agree with the reviewer who was upset. If it is true that the DVDs of the Star Wars Trilogy are the Special Edition and NOT the Original versions, then I am rather upset too. I think it was a HUGE mistake adding the 'special features.' I think they really took away from the movies. I was really excited at first to hear about the DVDs being released, but if they are the Special Edition DVDs I don't think I will be buying them.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Should NOT have been special editions

These 'Special Editions' should never have happened. Fans around the world made the originals the most-loved movie series of all time-- How can you take the world's greatest success, which the fans love, and change it? You can't mess with a classic! Now all we're left with is DVDs of a version we don't want, because these Special Editions are not the ones we fell in love with when we saw them as kids. Such a disappointment. All we can do is cling to the 1995 THX versions on LaserDisc or VHS, which are the true classics.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It Can't Be

There is a growing movement of unsatisfied fans. The fact that the DVD's will not be the original movies is extremely upsetting. Please, Mr. Lucas, don't do it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wait a sec, man

I just saw on B&N's homepage that they're releasing the DVDs of Episodes 4-6, does it bother anyone else that the greedy money-grubbing plots George Lucas has been scheming over for the last decade have now pretty much officially ruined what a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away used to be just about the best thing in movie history? It's okay that he ruined what I had myself imagined (regarding Obi-Wan and the end of the Jedis and rise of the Dark Side) by making some really bad prequels, but the 'retouches' to the originals are in bad taste. Here's what he's doing. First we all go buy the VHS originals (just before DVDs become the phenomenon they are). VHS tapes have shelf lives. Your copies (of the originals) are going to be worthless in a few years. Then he spitballs us with these new, improved versions, pulls the originals off the shelf, and now if we want Eps. 4-6 it's the tainted new ones we have to buy. Then he makes the prequels. We buy those DVDs. Then just before he finishes the prequels, he releases the yucky retouched originals on DVD (if B&N is correct). So you buy those. Then we'll have all episodes on dvd, but not in a box set. So when the box set OFFICIALLY comes out, with all six episodes in one bundle, yes, we all have to rush out and buy them. THEN...15 or 20 years later, when he's finally old and almost over with, and we really don't care anymore, THEN the true originals will be released on DVD (but guess what? They'll be packaged with the garbage prequels). How much time and how many permutations must we go through until we as consumers can buy what we want? The answer is, as many as possible. Do you know what the worst thing is? I can't ever enjoy Star Wars again. The whole thing is very distasteful to me. One star. Ten years ago it would have been seven.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

must see

star wars is the best motion picture trilogy besides star trek.