Star Wars Trilogy on DVD

[pchan]

September 21st, 2004 is date. I am really excited !

Some insight to the DVD by Holly E. Ordway.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=12228

Video

With all the fanfare surrounding the release of the Star Wars DVDs, you would naturally expect a flawless transfer. I've learned from experience that expectations are not always met, however: a big release doesn't always get treated the way it should. Fortunately, the Star Wars Trilogy lives up to nearly everything we might expect.

Each of the films is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio (at least if you get the widescreen version, as you should: there's a pan-and-scan release as well. Ugh. At any rate, the widescreen version says "widescreen" on the spine of the slipcover so you can choose the right version.). All three are anamorphically enhanced.

Across all three films, the new and painstaking restoration process allows us to see the material in all its glory; it's not even remotely exaggerating to say that these transfers are far better than anything that was ever shown in the theaters, whether in 1977 or 1997. The prints are impeccably clean, with not even the tiniest bit of noise or particle of dirt appearing in the image. (If that doesn't sound impressive, take a look at the image as it appears in the trailers: you'll be shocked at how awful it looks.) In some scenes, a very small amount of grain is perceptible, more so in Episode IV than in the other two, but I think we're looking at the ultimate limitations of the source material here.

Colors are certainly a high point of the new transfers. Everything looks bright and vibrant, but not too much so: the world of Star Wars is still a grimy, dirty, "used" future. But where we're supposed to get color, it looks fantastic, from C-3PO's golden droid skin to the blue of a cloudless sky. Skin tones are always natural-looking, with none of the brownish tint that so often creeps into 1970s-era films. Whites are stunningly clean and white, even in extremely challenging scenes like those on the snow-covered planet of Hoth, and blacks are always richly dark.

One especially pleasing aspect of the transfers is how seamlessly all the footage blends together. For one thing, the new footage added in 1997 for the special editions is so smoothly integrated that it's impossible to notice it; regardless of your thoughts on the merits of adding that material, in terms of the visual integrity of the material it's impeccable. On the other end of the time scale, the original special effects shots have been treated amazingly well in the restoration. Because of the way that the special effects were created (using multiple layers of film), they inevitably showed more flaws and wear than the rest of the print; viewers will also recall the blocky matte outlines that surrounded the ships in the space shots. All those special-effects-related flaws have been gracefully corrected: even with a highly critical eye I couldn't catch any indications that the shots were anything but "live action." In this case, the visual seamlessness of the films adds considerably to the enjoyment of the story, reducing almost to zero the potential moments where suspension of disbelief is shaken. (There are still those puppets in the cantina, but hey, they have their own charm.)

A nice side effect of the cleaned-up space shots is that, without the distraction of matte lines, it's a lot easier to appreciate the cinematography, which is extremely well done. The battle scenes in particular make impressive use of all three dimensions, which is something that's rare to see in science fiction films even now.

To be entirely accurate, I'll point out that the transfers aren't absolutely perfect. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope doesn't look quite as pristine as the two sequels: the image tends to be very slightly softer, and some of the dimly-lit scenes look a bit too dark in some areas of the image. That's really to be expected, though, given that this film is older than the others. The one real flaw is the presence of a small amount of edge enhancement. It's only apparent in a few scenes where there's high contrast between foreground and background, and it's very minor as far as edge enhancement goes, but it didn't need to be there at all. Even so, considering that the transfer of The Phantom Menace was butchered by edge enhancement, and Attack of the Clones, though better, was still plagued by it, the minimal presence of edge enhancement in this release is actually a huge step forward for Lucasarts.

Audio

Viewers have the choice of a Dolby 5.1 or a Dolby 2.0 soundtrack for each film. (A dubbed Spanish 2.0 and French 2.0 track are also included.) While the Dolby 2.0 option is very good for a basic surround track, offering a clean and pleasing-to-the-ear listening experience, obviously the 5.1 is what you'll want to choose if you have the setup for it. English subtitles are also included.

The 5.1 offers a lovely, detailed audio experience, with a pleasing sense of depth to the sound quality in all three films. Dialogue is consistently crisp, natural-sounding, and well balanced with the track as a whole... and of course, unlike a tame dialogue-based film, the Star Wars movies are loaded with nifty audio special effects, all of which sound fantastic. John Williams' unforgettable score fills the speakers with a rich, full sound that complements the film perfectly; this is one set of movie soundtracks that's truly worth listening to purely on its own merits.

Of the three films, A New Hope makes the least use of specific surround effects; the overall sound is nicely balanced across all the channels, creating a nicely immersive audio experience, but there aren't many instances of discrete effects being placed to the side or rear channels. All that changes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, both of which have phenomenal surround sound. From environmental noises like wind, to blaster shots whipping (it would seem) right past your ear, the audio mix in the second and third films really does a superb job of placing the viewer in the midst of the movie action.

One thing that's constant across all three films is how effectively the soundtrack uses bass: your subwoofer will see a workout in any of the space battles. The deep rumble of the battleships gets right into your bones, and there's a definite bass punch to the more powerful weapons. Not only do the Empire's ships look impressive, they sound that way too.

The only quibble I have with the soundtracks is that I think they're perhaps a bit too aggressive with the volume levels in the action sequences; while as a whole the soundtrack is very well balanced among dialogue, music, and special effects, when the large action scenes start up, the overall volume gets a bit higher than I think is totally necessary. If you have no neighbors (or if they're very understanding neighbors) this may bother you; otherwise, you may have to tweak the volume controls a few times over the course of the films.

Final thoughts

The DVDTalk Collector's Series label was practically made for this DVD set. It's probably the most beloved film trilogy of all time, with three films that take viewers along for a fantastic ride through an exciting story set in an original and compelling universe. In terms of sheer volume of special features, the Star Wars Trilogy doesn't match the utterly exhaustive Lord of the Rings DVDs, but it comes close in quantity and quantity. I'd much rather have a fantastic making-of documentary like "The Empire of Dreams" than any number of bland promotional pieces or endless art galleries, so in terms of the quality of its bonus material, the Star Wars Trilogy is well worth the purchase. And to wrap things up, the video and audio transfers of the films are simply stunning. Heck, even the packaging looks really stylish. Yes, you want this set. Yes, you will enjoy it, whether you were part of the generation who grew up with Star Wars or not. What can I say? These are great films, and they more than earn their DVDTalk Collector's Series rating.

[MJPollard]

Now, let's see how long it takes for the first purist to crawl out of the woodwork and start bitching about how Lucas is evil and that modifying the films amounts to butchery, etc. It shouldn't take very long.

[mh2360]

Now, let's see how long it takes for the first purist to crawl out of the woodwork and start bitching about how Lucas is evil and that modifying the films amounts to butchery, etc. It shouldn't take very long.

Am I the only one who likes what Lucas has done with the movies? Altering the end of ROTJ and changing the Emporer in TESB, just brings them in line with the prequels...

[sunderland]

films are already out m8 you can get them here
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

and no your not the only one mh2360 i think they are great

[SteelDog]

Thank goodness it is ANAMORPHIC Widescreen. I would have been dissapointed any other way.

By the way, I just love the changes. I am not one of those purists who feel they need to argue the preservation of the original art blah blah blah.

I could see that argument if somebody wanted to change the Mona Lisa. However, the original artist of this film is still alive and wants to change his work. Who are we to say no?

I think it adds to the films and some of the changes just imprvoed upon what was there before. I can't wait to pick this up. I just read a review from a DVD review that states

"Simply put, the Star Wars films have never (and I mean EVER) looked this good before. The films presented on these discs absolutely sparkle, in all their anamorphic widescreen glory."

OH MAN. As soon as I pick this up I am going home and cranking it up.

[SLICK RICK]

Finally. I thought they were going to wait until Episode VI was released on DVD.

SLICK RICK

[Mythos2002]

The audio in A New Hope is not so perfect according to this article:http://www.dvdforum.nu/?upc=1138

"The sound is very good. But not everywhere. Because now is the time to tell you the sad part. When listening to the sound of Star Wars: A New Hope, I unfortunately found a number of tonal differences. On a number of occasions the sound of the dialogue varies between rather muffled one second and much brighter and clearer the next. This is especially noticeable in scene 26, when Tarkin and Vader interrogate Leia about the planet of the rebel base, right before the destruction of Alderaan (about 55 minutes into the movie). Peter Cushing (Tarkin) as well as Carrie Fisher (Leia) speak with both muffled and clear voices throughout the scene.

dvdforum has talked to the studio, 20th Century Fox, about this and asked whether or not they are going to act on the matter. The question went overseas to London as well as Los Angeles and last Monday the Swedish branch told us this:

”The sound has been extracted from the original version of the movie that was made in 1977. The quality is the best that Lucasfilm could possibly achieve through the restoration process and the product is not flawed in any way.”

In Fox’s view there is nothing wrong with the sound and they will not recall any discs. I compared the sound of this scene on the dvd with the same scene on the VHS version from 1997. I can hear no tonal differences between the lines on the latter. To me it seems like the sound of the VHS version is better than the sound of the dvd version in this particular scene. I must admit that feels rather strange.

Because of this flawed sound, I cannot give this edition of Star Wars: A New Hope more than 7 out of 10 in this category. The other two movies both receives the top score since I couldn’t hear any flaws there."

I'm not going into a big rant, except to say that I will gladly pass on this release. The big thing that pisses me off is how Jim Ward kept saying in the panel interview where they gave the preview to journalist how these DVD's are for the fans and how they are going to love it. However, he got very irritated every time a question was asked about the Original Versions and said the films were Lucas'. So, which is it? Are the discs for fans or for Lucas' own satisfaction since they are "his" movies and he can do with them as he pleases?

I'll pass on that and Episode III. I hated Episodes I and II, so not seeing III is no loss whatsoever. There are too many other fine DVD's that deserve my hard earned money. Besides, you know he is just going to release a more elaborate boxed set down the road. Maybe that one will include the Original Versions if there is enough negative reaction to this set.

Mythos

[mbaker_jr]

Here's a link to some screenshots comparing the 1997 special editions to the new DVD editions:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/starwarschanges.html

Props to The Digital Bits

[Nilfennasion]

Change is not the problem.

The problem is that Lucas is simply changing things for the sake of changing them. Regardless of whether they improve the end product or not. He'd do well to recall the old saying that the more one overworks the plumbing, the easier it is to stuff the drain. The Greedo scene is a good example. Maybe if Lucas had added a scene with Greedo downing too much ale beforehand, I might let that slide. But how on Earth do you miss at that distance? If Lucas had the slightest bit of sense, he'd change it back to the way it was in 1977: an excellent reference to the old "when you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk" bit Eli Wallach once did.

Maybe someone needs to strap Lucas into a chair and force him to watch the entire Lord Of The Rings series non-stop until he learns to discern the difference between a change that works, and one that falls flat.

[RowMan]

Now, let's see how long it takes for the first purist to crawl out of the woodwork and start bitching about how Lucas is evil and that modifying the films amounts to butchery, etc. It shouldn't take very long.

George Lucas certainly has the right to alter his movies. I'll be buying the DVDs as many will. I just think it's sad that the original versions of the movies... the ones that built his "Empire"...won't get the respect they deserve by not being officially available on DVD. Many people are interested in seeing the originals. Especially those who first saw them in theaters like I have. James Cameron, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg have released both the original and special edition versions of some of their work on DVD and the response was very positive. C'mon, George! Change can be good, but let's not forget your roots.

[sullen]

It is sort of like Lucas has been writing a term paper for the past 30 years. 1977 was the rough draft, 1997 was the revision, and now 2004 is the final draft. Well...I am giving this final draft an F. I know he wants all the information and details to flow, but it does a disservice to the original versions. If he really wanted to get it right, he should have started with Episode I to start with. Mark Hamill recently said that Lucas had told him that he started with 4,5,6 because they were more commercial and that 1,2,3 were "too dark". I didn't see much "dark" in 1 and 2. Nothing the people of 1977 couldn't handle. I will most likely buy the new versions for the quality of the transfer, but will hold onto my "Definitive Collection" LD set and do a personal transfer of those in the near future. I am not so much a purist, but rather a person resistent to unnecessary change.

[GizmoTheGremlin]

I don't mind Lucas changing things a bit. I'll be buying the new DVD's and I'm sure that I'll enjoy them. I do, however, wish that he included the original theatrical versions in the set as well. It seems that those versions have died as far as Lucas is concerned.

The original Star Wars movies are classics, but it loses some of that classic appeal when you change things too much.

[Nilfennasion]

I think the essential problem is simple.

There is a cadre of people out there who won't be happy until all cinema or other art is diluted to the point where it can only be enjoyed by four-year-olds (kind of similar to how Microsoft won't be happy until they've oversimplified everything to the extent that only an idiot would want to use it). George Lucas basically joined that cadre in the mid-1990s, and is now a fully-fledged member.

Maybe episodes 1, 2, and 3 were too dark in 1977, but a lot can change in twenty years, and now they're too syrupy even for Disney.

[pchan]

Now, let's see how long it takes for the first purist to crawl out of the woodwork and start bitching about how Lucas is evil and that modifying the films amounts to butchery, etc. It shouldn't take very long.

It looks like I have opened up a can worm. We all enjoy Star Wars movies. My children love it. Let's all enjoy the Classic and the Improved ones.

[sunderland]

capmaster if you looked at the site it is a main dealer who is selling the original copies not dodgy copies so take a look before you give warnings out will you

[Capmaster]

capmaster if you looked at the site it is a main dealer who is selling the original copies not dodgy copies so take a look before you give warnings out will you

As I said in the PMs, the release date is Sept. 20, whether or not the illegal copies he's selling are top quality originals or screener copies, it doesn't matter. You've heard of originals being stolen I trust? They're illegal copies either way.

But I've reconsidered.

Generally yellow cards are issued for intentional violations of the AUP. Your PMs convinced me it wasn't intentional on your part, so I'm changing it to an informal warning instead: Check your DVD sources before you link to them here. If they're illegal, this site can be in legal trouble for publishing the links.

[SteelDog]

Change is not the problem.

The problem is that Lucas is simply changing things for the sake of changing them.

I really don't think he is. I think he is just making changes to his work that he wishes he could have done originally. He is not changing any plot points, he isn't messing with the climax and he isn't making changes that completely change the story.

As far as the scene with Han, I wasn't a huge fan of Han being shot at and missed first. However, I do like the new idea of them both getting a shot off at the same time. This is more realistic with Western shootouts. Often you see where to cowboys pull there weapons and shoot at the same time with only one of the hitting. The new version is much more realistic in my opinion.

Plus I love the fact that he has added some deleted scenes. Like the Jaba scene. My brother ( I was too young) went to an advanced screening of the first Star Wars and he actually got to see the original scene with Jaba as a human in it. He was always dissapointed that the scene was cut from the theatrical release. When RTOJ came out and they changed Jaba he thought that scene would never see the light of day. Now thanks to CGI they were able to put it back in. He is happy now. So in my opinion not all changes are bad.

[Nilfennasion]

The added scene with Jabba is an example of a good change that works, as were the CGI models for the battle of Yavin or the new Wampa beast. I don't have a problem with them at all. What I do have a problem with are things like the altered backgrounds for the stormtroopers at the pod crash site or the "improved" backgrounds at Bespin. They clutter, and fill with distraction, shots that worked just fine in their original format.

Don't even get me started on the new ghost Anakin. If there were a textbook entry for incredible artistic mistakes, this would be Example A. To call it unnecessary and insulting (not to mention how insulting the Disneyfied explanation Lucas has given for it is) is redundant.

The last sentence typifies the problem I have with Lucas these days. In 1999, he was constantly rabbiting on about how much darker the new prequels would be and so forth. For one thing, if he genuinely believes that what he has put out so far is "dark", he needs to have a word with directors like Cronenberg or Verhoeven. Second, I think this typifies his whole attitude towards his audience. http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/etrerelease.html I think this review says it best about the Lucas/Spielberg family. And they have the hide to wonder why I'd rather pirate DVDs of their films, yet pay upwards up $60-80 for Paul Verhoeven films?

[Mythos2002]

I really hate the Greedo shoots first scene. If he really wanted it that way, he would have made it like that in the first place.

The Jabba scene is also unnecessary because Han already knows Jabba is after him thanks to his run-in with Greedo. Also, it takes away from the buildup of seeing Han in front of Jabba in ROTJ. The music edits are also bad during the scene and it interrupts the flow of the picture.

I really hate the change in Empire where they show Vader taking his shuttle over to the Executor. The scene is also unnecessary. It also interrupts the flow of the action in the film, has bad music edits, and uses stock footage from ROTJ. I also don't like it because Vader is justifably pissed when he says, "Bring my shuttle!". In the new version, he says, "Alert my star destroyer to prepare for my arrival." so nonchalantly which is totally out of character. He wanted Luke to join him.

I really do not think many of these changes were always intended or they would have been made that way. Also, why didn't he fix the rest of the problems like seeing the black boxes on the side of the Emporer's hood in Jedi which were caused by the effects used to make his eyes yellow.

I don't only complain about the changes, but I try to explain exactly why I don't like each one. It would be nice if Lucas would explain each and every change and why he thought he was making improvements.

Lastly, I don't only blame Lucas for changes. I'm against changing any film and not allowing the original version to be released. I have no problem with a director changing something as long as they release both versions for the sake of film preservation and history, and so that all of the fans can equally enjoy the films they love. Lucas' decision to bury the original versions is one thing that has caused a giant rift between fans and cause many to hate him. I wouldn't even be complaining about the changes as long as the original versions were on the DVD's so that I could enjoy and compare them.

Mythos

[letgoofmyears]

I don't have a problem with him changing anything, as long as they come out. I do, however, wish he'd release them as they were originally shown, 70's sfx and all. But if not, don't call these movies "original".

The very first movie I ever saw in a theater was ep 5, and to this day I can still remember the awe I felt when these giant "turtles" (thats what I called em) start walking towards the base. When ep 6 came out, I must have seen that one a dozen times or more, even though I couldnt stand the Ewoks.

My point is this. True, they may be GL's movies. He owns the rights to them, he owns the reels, etc. But the experience of the originals doesn't belong to him. It belongs to us.

I'm just surprised he hasn't included Jar-Jar somewhere. Maybe he's waiting for the "Super Duper Infected Boil On GL's Diamond-etched Butt Edition", available on on Pay-Per-View!!!!

[DupMJ23]

I think that episode 1 and 2 could have been alot darker and it would have been better for the story. Darth maul was such an underused villian, he needed more story plots to show the dark side. Episode 1 needs to be trashed and completely redone.

About the changes: I like some and hate some. I just wish that we have the choice to see both. Include the classics with the film.

[andkiich]

I think the Darth Maul part was just fine. I think the point was made that veryone is disposable to a Sith Master, even his own disciples.

I agree with most that I have no peoblem with changes certain things that wer enot technically possible at the time. However the Greedo/Han shootout really urks me. You're changing a defining characteristic of a main person. Sure, later on in the movie, Han thinks its better to help out than to run away. Before that you realy get the mercenary vibe from him. With the new change, you get the "lowly, troubled gunslinger" vibe. The guy is a merc and a smuggler!!

I'll be buying the official DVD releases, why? Because I'm a dolt and want to blow my money!

Really, though, I have the THX remastered Laserdiscs and the THX special edition Laserdiscs converted to DVD. If I really want to see the originals as they were in theatrical release, then I have that luxury too. A great box set would have been original theatrical release and new souped up versions. I just hope that when Lucas releases 7, 8, 9 that he doesn't go back and fix issues with the first 6 AGAIN!!

[SteelDog]

Really, though, I have the THX remastered Laserdiscs and the THX special edition Laserdiscs converted to DVD. If I really want to see the originals as they were in theatrical release, then I have that luxury too. A great box set would have been original theatrical release and new souped up versions.

Something tells me this isn't the lat box set version we will see. I hope in a future set he includes the originals as well.

However, in the mean time you and I might have to talk. When the price of DL discs comes down are you getting a DL drive? We might have to talk so I can get an uncompressed version of your THX laser disc originals.

[NamPla]

Weird how Star Wars divides the human race into GOOD and BAD....

[GizmoTheGremlin]

Weird how Star Wars divides the human race into GOOD and BAD....

lol... well put. I guess that makes me a back stabbing traitor, cuz I want to have both versions.

[spiderman2k1]

The one thing that get me mad is the Star Wars a new hope has some sound problem's. All they had to do was take the sound track from a laser disc to fix the problem. I think LG put in the sound problem's. So know one has a perfect master of his film's.

[mongoo13]

I for one, hate whats happening here. I'm as big of a star wars fan as any, I've bought all the crap George throws out there, but he's F*&%ing with the sole reason why I get hooked at every new SW product. I would be more than happy with him make his little "revisited" version, but hiding the original trilogy away and pretending the special edition is the original is pure and utter blasphemy.


SHAME ON YOU LUCAS!!!

[CaseyComb]

I dont mind the revisions...I hated that first CGI jabba and that weird alien thing that was supposed to be the emperor in ESB. As far as Anakin at the end of Jedi. I actually think it works fine thematically. It's Fantasy with mythological themes. "Vader betrayed and murdered your father". It's a metaphor people, in a series of films filled with them. Why is this so hard for most people to wrap there heads around? The force ghosts are a representation of the people the moment they died. Anakin died the moment he became Vader. This has been the driving force behind the series since day one. Anakin died spiritually when he turned to the darkside. His act of redemption was self sacrifice.

Also...I read somewhere that there is some some new footage of rebel troops fighting imperial ones on hoth? But I only read this in one place. Damn...I wish I remember where I read that. I wonder if its true? I guess I'll find out on the 21st

[Thomas Anderson]

As far as Anakin at the end of Jedi. I actually think it works fine thematically. It's Fantasy with mythological themes. "Vader betrayed and murdered your father". It's a metaphor people, in a series of films filled with them. Why is this so hard for most people to wrap there heads around? The force ghosts are a representation of the people the moment they died. Anakin died the moment he became Vader. This has been the driving force behind the series since day one. Anakin died spiritually when he turned to the darkside. His act of redemption was self sacrifice.

Technically though didn't Luke bring Anakin back to life at the end of ROTJ? I'm sure this will be interesting to see if they've done well putting Hayden in, but I think it'll upset a lot of people. I don't really care too much, they're GLs films, so he can do whatever the hell he likes with them, no-one is making us watch them. If you don't like the SE go and watch your old VHS or LD, as he isn't likely to release the originals on DVD.

[Skynet107]

Cleaning up a film for re-release is great. But I am like many others and take offense when they monkey around with core elements. There is a reason the original trilogy is great. So leave it great.

The Abyss Special Edition is shining example of taking a theatrical release and making it what it should of been in the first place. IMO Lucas and co. did the exact opposite.