(no subject)

[heidi]

The new cover of Entertainment Weekly is so cute; it's a 1977 photo of Luke and Leia and Han and Chewbaca and it's just wonderful. I think they should've switched to a 70s style font for the magazine title and just gone with the mood.

And Dalton Ross did a wonderful 10 Things We Didn't Know, where he gets gleefully snarky. I would love to watch these three DVDs with Dalton chatting over my shoulder because he would *get it*. So would Kevin Smith, whose reaction to the changes is something I would love to know as well.

I am undecided about buying the DVDs, myself. I do own the Originals, pre-1997t-weaks, on VHS, but how long will they last? Sigh, maybe I should get these and just resolve not to unbox them unless and until my VHS versions die. Or maybe I should get them and watch them and save the original VHS ones for my boys, so they see the films as they were originally and so properly made.

George gave an interview to EW, and there was one question he was asked, where his answer really upset me, my sister, her husband and my husband.


EW: Say that it's 2010 and I'm a 10 year old coming to Star Wars movies for the first time. Should I start with IV or I?

GL: Your order should be I, II, III, IV, V, VI. Part of hte fun for me is that one generaiton will have seen it backwqards. For the next generation that sees it from I to VI, there are a lot of things in IV that were just fantastic [in 1977... But] what's really important is hte story and hte development of the characters. Now, once you get to IV, you know Darth Vadar's hte main character because you saw him [in previous movies]. So when Sarth Vadar walks in, you say, Oh, my God. Now, when you come across Princess Leia you know that's his daughter right away and you htink, doe she know? No, he doesn't know. Or does he know? And when you cut down to the planet and see Luke, you go, oh my God, that's Darth Vadar's son and Ben Kenobi has been waiting all this time to send him on his adventures. You're waiting for them to realise who everybody is. So it is a completely different movie.

Then, I choked a bit, and realised, what this needs`
[Poll #352098]

Comments

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Dude, you're being too hard on Hayden. :p Yes, he sucks, but dude, he's just so hot. And he has to work with what he's given. I challenge any actor to say "I am hoping that kiss will not become a scar" and NOT suck.

That said, I have a weird opinion on I and II - I love them. I mean, I know they suck, believe me, but they are Star Wars and therefore I love them. Given a choice about what to watch, I wouldn't pick either one (unless I was in the mood for some Ewan-and-Hayden eye candy), but I am doomed to love them, irregardless of quality, simply because of what they are.

But I still think you have to start with IV, because if you start with I and II, you'll never *want* to watch the last three. :p And because that's how I did it, and the old school way is still the best way.

[zorb]

I have no opinion on Hayden, other than that I agree that the suckiness of the writing makes it tough for any actor to do well.

Also agreed on the order. I think it's more fun to watch them "backwards" and then catch all the references in the prequels. They have more impact when you know the d00m and gl00m that's coming. And you get to go "OMG EMPEROR!" at the Palpatine profile.

[lanamariah.livejournal.com]

I'm not big on Star Wars, but hey, it's a terrific story overall. Can't answer the poll simply because I have to see III to decide which order it'd be best to see them in--whether or not III is really a terrific ending or not, that sort of thing.

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

I think one evil is that he's surrounded by yes men who won't tell him when his ideas suck. Back when the original triology was made (especially Ep. 4 and 5) he had people around to tell him when he went too far.

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

And those are the two he didn't direct - I agree, keep final creative control out of George's hands. :p

[wcspegasus.livejournal.com]

I am undecided about buying the DVDs, myself. I do own the Originals, pre-1997t-weaks, on VHS, but how long will they last? Sigh, maybe I should get these and just resolve not to unbox them unless and until my VHS versions die. Or maybe I should get them and watch them and save the original VHS ones for my boys, so they see the films as they were originally and so properly made.

There are systems to transfer VHS to DVD. However, they're usually used for home video, not purchased video. But if you find someone with a system that can do it, they might be willing to give it a shot.

And if you wanted to...I have a set up for running copies of tapes (or, well, I can in about 15 minutes...I just have to drag the equipment out of my closet and run the cords). The quality degrades a bit (since most VHS tapes have blocks)...but it might save you having to watch the originals *all* the time.

Of course I don't condone copying and selling tapes. I mostly use the equipment for running copies of my seaQuest tapes (which get watched so heavily that they decay every few years on me and need run onto fresh tape) and for making home video collages as gifts for relatives.

But yeah, there are ways to save the originals that do not involve the cooperation of George Lucas.

[shocolate.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this - especially for "Not letting Ewan sing" !!!

[plaidphoenix.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure crack is evil enough for the evil George has perpetrated. Maybe brussle sprouts. Yeah, too many brussle sprouts.

That being said, I have no plans to buy the DVDs even though I don't think they mutilated Empire too badly.

[no-remorse.livejournal.com]

I recommend watching the movies in the order I've seen them: first just one or two scenes from V and VI that spoilt me on Luke-Vader and Luke-Leia connection, then Spaceballs in whole, then V (Wondering: Why is Leia kissing Luke? Aren't they siblings?) and VI (Wondering: What's up with the plushiebears? Isn't this supposed to a geek-classic? WTF?), then I (WTF?, period.), II (Is this an intentionally bad script or a trainwreck?) and finally in a living room a short time ago IV.

So all in all I think I can say that Hayden is hot, yet clueless, the scripts of the prequels are mostly stupid, I want Portman's AOTC wardrobe and George is a megalomaniac.

[aome.livejournal.com]

I like the Ewoks. So there.

As for the order - a 10 year old has a different view of what's 'bad' than an adult. I would allow him to see the full series: 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3 just so he gets to see the full story like everyone else. 1, 2, 3 may suck in comparison to 4, 5, 6, but as long as they are not *inappropriate* for his age, then that's kind of up to him to decide, isn't it?

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Are there people who don't like the Ewoks? I love them - they're like teddy bears, but badass. :p

[xntrick.livejournal.com]

I've always been determined that it's actually gotta be

IV, V, VI, I, II, III, IV, V, VI

But now I'm hearing that in the newest version of V, the cat's out of the bag fairly early on, regarding the Big Shock.

So now it's: Old VHS IV, V, VI, DVD I, II, III, and then DVD IV, V, VI just for the sake of completion. :(

I also voted on a "forgotten" evil. I mean, besides the rumored Not-Such-A-Big-Shock-After-All thing I mentioned above. Uh...yeah: Ewan's reshoot wigs and facial hair. Rather off-putting and I'm sure not entirely George's fault but still. :-P

Oh, and I guess I never really minded the Ewoks and now, especially after Jar-Jar Binks.

I see now that I mostly have issues with the prequels.

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

But now I'm hearing that in the newest version of V, the cat's out of the bag fairly early on, regarding the Big Shock.

Oh no. What, exactly, do you mean? Did he change the final "I am your father" scene?!?!?!?! Please tell me that he didn't!!! O_o

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

I like the Ewoks too. Is it confirmed he's putting Hayden in at the end of VI?

[ashesofautumn.livejournal.com]

According to a post (http://boards.theforce.net/Classic_Trilogy/b10002/16704309/?596) at theforce.net, it's confirmed that Hayden is Ghost Anakin in Return of the Jedi. USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-09-08-star-wars-main_x.htm) says the same thing.

[mmichelle.livejournal.com]

Ahahahaha, I am in love with the comments on this post. I have no idea what anyone's talking about, it's great! Wheeeee for not being a Star Wars fan! *continues reading with interest*

[jlh.livejournal.com]

What's wrong with George is power. Absolute unquestioned power. He had one really good idea, and man, he's run with it.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Makes you fear for JKR, no?

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm....I think I have a split personality on what sequence to watch them....maybe it would have been better if Lucas had done them in order...oh well.

Why not wait until all 6 movies come out on one DVD set with all the special features and commentaries? :-)

[cleverthylacine]

Honestly, they get worse and worse each time. II was the only exception. It was about as good as VI.

V was almost as good as IV, but VI had all that schmaltz at the end. I didn't mind the Ewoks as much when I first saw them, but then the spinoffs and merchandising started. The more childlike and cutesy they got the more I loathed them.

I was the nadir, but II, I thought, at least had a better plot, and Hayden may be evil but at least half the fault goes to the person who wrote his lines. II also went far toward making me rethink ever liking the Jedi Order...

[nekiko27.livejournal.com]

When I have kids, they shall watch the original triligy first, then the new ones.

Oh, and you did miss an evil:

He totally changed and screwed up Boba Fett's back story >_<.

That is what ticked me off the most about Episode 2.

[cleverthylacine]

The other thing is that I do believe he always planned for Luke and Leia to be siblings, because I was reading STARLOG in 1976-1977 and somewhere have the original collection of the MacQuarrie art with girl!Luke. Luke was originally going to be a GIRL, but Lucas didn't think he could sell a girl action hero in 1976, yet another way in which he was lame.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly certain I still have those original Starlogs... especially where it says it was going to be a 12-part series!

George has been attriting as he's found out how much more work it is, I think.

Am I the only one, especially after the Hobbits' comments about visiting the Lucasfilm sets, who thinks George has made his THX1138 world something of his reality?

[its-art.livejournal.com]

For three years of my life, my room was nothing BUT Star Wars pictures. I, sadly, lived and breathed the movies. Thank goodness I got over that (and probably just replaced it with other obsession).

The movies should be viewed 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. It doesn't matter which versions kids watch. Whichever one they get, that's THEIR Star Wars. One of the main reasons I believe George should release both is for the older generation who treasure the ORIGINAL versions. He forgets that as soon as Star Wars hit it big, the films no longer belonged to him. They belonged to the public. What he's doing now-- changing them and saying they're the "definative" SW movies is disrespectful to our collective memories.

George's problem is George. I think, even back in 1977, he was a major control freak who had no respect for his actors. He thought that the movies were HIS and HIS ALONE. Well, no... He had hundred and hundreds of people working on them. He didn't even DIRECT two of the movies. Yet still he believes nothing he does is wrong, because he came up with the idea in the first place. Only now he has people agreeing with him that, yes, he owns it all and can do whatever he wants. The voices of the "little people" don't matter.

I also have a huge problem with the addition of Gungans to the celebration scene in ROTJ. Apparently, they shout "Wesa free!" during the celebration on Coruscant.

[coocoocthulhu.livejournal.com]

Umm, just a suggestion from a lurker...

You could try tracking down the THX remastered VHS versions that they released back before the "Special Editions" came out. The only difference between those and the original originals is slightly better video and sound quality - we have a set of these at my house, since the old tapes were starting to get a little worm down (both my brother and I first watched the movies at a very young age) :-).

As for George's answer: boooo. Half the fun of Star Wars was not knowing the twists and watching it after you find out Luke and Leia were siblings.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I think the screenplays need a LOT of polishing (look, NOBODY, not even the late Laurence Olivier, could have delivered the "Not like here. Everything here is soft and smooth" line in a way that didn't induce screaming hilarity, and the line "This droid deserves our gratitude"must die die die), but the stories of movies I & II are NOT THAT BAD. Think about it. "The Galactic Republic has become affected by corruption. Those who control trade have abused their powers, and the worlds that have dared to protest are placed under embargo. One such world is Naboo, and two Jedi are sent as peacemakers. But the Trade Federation attempts to assassinate the Jedi, who escape and make their way to the surface of Naboo, where they meet and befriend a native exile. With the planet under siege, they gain an audience with the Queen and convince her to be smuggled off-planet so that she may represent this outrage in front of the Senate..." This is NOT A BAD STORY. You can follow it; it sounds pretty reasonable.

But the films are appalling. The actors are horribly directed--I don't blame Hayden; I blame George. Look, when even Ewan McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson suck in a film, it's NOT THE ACTORS' FAULT. He clearly doesn't give a s**t about the actors. The dialogue doesn't fill in enough of the story--or it's annoyingly redundant. ("Ani...What's wrong?" says Padme, an hour after his mother's death. Jeezus. "I've failed you, my lady," says Padme's dying double. Uh, no, the whole point is that she's done exactly what she was supposed to.) Sure, the film is staggeringly beautiful, but it's like eating terrible food in a pretty restaurant.

And then there's Jar Jar Binks. *full-body shudder* My jaw has never fully closed after his appearance on-screen, I'm tellin ya.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

You know, there is a jarjar-free version...

[bekkio.livejournal.com]

What should be an answer choice on the last question: What the hell is wrong with George? The answer is George himself - he needs someone to tell him that he's creating the problem. It's not really the screenplay, it's the direction.

[morganmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Hayden Christenson was a mistake all around, if you ask me. He sucks in these movies. Jake Lloyd was sort of annoying, but he was like 10, so give him a break. Hayden doesn't have that excuse. Episode II was redeemed only by Ewan.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

It's hard because I don't *really* want to say that nobody should see the first three since I've seen them...but the midochlorians and all...they can really destroy you!

Still, I can't believe George actually thinks it's better to watch them from 1 on. First, you're going to risk losing a lot of your audience that way. And really, knowing the past doesn't make the second three all that much more exciting (you find out the most exciting revelations in them so knowing beforehand takes that away). In fact, watching the original trilogy first gives you the few good parts of the new trilogy because you can say, "Hey, that kid's Boba Fett? Look, it's Artoo!"

[morgan-d.livejournal.com]

The midchlorians are evil. (And I won't bother checking how the word is supposed to be spelled.) Changing Luke's dialogue after Artoo is spat out of the Dagobah swamp was evil. Showing the Wampa Ice Creature was evil. Restoring Biggs' scenes only partially was evil. (That was the one alteration I could have respected, as the character was mentioned in a dramatic scene and it made no sense whatsoever. But the partial restoration made it even weirder; either do the whole thing or forget it.)

Insisting on directing the prequels was pure, unredeemable evil.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I don't mind either the Biggs scene or even the addition of jabba to ep 4, because they were part of the original plan. The original novelization from 1977 has them, and I've always felt, since I first read the novelization when I was 6 or 7, that it was a reasonable, respectable part of the whole thing. The rest of it? Yeah, um, no.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I love you.
Marry me have my ewok jedi babies.

I like the ewoks. They were a great idea, that unfortunately went far too cutesy. Consider: a small very hostile (anthropophagic!) forest people that have to be won over to help the desperate good guys. In the novel, Leia gets them to help with the line "Do it for the trees." It's a cool concept, but the ewoks were too cute to pull it off.

Hayden's not bad. He's pretty, he's sulky and he has dimples on his butt. Much of it is the dialogue. At least Han and Leia got decent romace dialogue (cribbed verbatim from Rhett & Scarlett).

I agree that giving a control freak, and Lucas is an control-freak of the first water, complete authority and unlimited technology is a recipe for disaster.

[til-midnight.livejournal.com]

You forgot IV, V, VI, I, II, III, IV, V, VI, IV, V, VI ... to make you forget the first three. ;)