(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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

I agree that the suckiness of the writing makes it tough for any actor to do well.


*nods* Harrison Ford used to tell George all the time, "You can write this shit but you can't say it!"

[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?

[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.

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

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

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

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

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

Actually he did direct ep 4 (A New Hope) ... Irvin Kershner directed Ep. 5 (Empire) and Richard Marquand directed Ep. 6 (Jedi.)

But if I recall (*coughs* Yes, I'm a big SW geek from way back when) the big difference is that when Lucas directed Ep. 4 he was still answering a lot to 20th Century Fox as well as his ex wife, Marcia (who he was still married to at the time) who was the original editor on that film.

Because Ep. 4 was so successful he had a lot more control over the other films but he still had people telling him when his ideas were too far and such.

I really do think that the prequels would be so much better if he had got Irvin Kershner back to direct them but it seems he's just too far gone now and doesn't want to hear the opinions of others.

I don't really hate the prequels but the original (pre 1997 version) were such a part of my childhood that nothing could ever compare.

[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

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

What did they do, change Luke's face to anakin's in the mask in the tree on dagobah?

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Ack, sorry, I read 4 and 5 as 5 and 6. My bad. :p

But yeah, he's definitely got the ego-thing going now, and the studios are helping.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[xntrick.livejournal.com]

OK. What I heard is that the redid the scene where Darth Vader speaks to the holo-transmitted Emperor. As they put Hayden into ROTJ, they've put Ian McDiarmid into this one. And apparently, Luke's paternity is revealed here. I'm hoping that's not true. ("...THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!! NOO!!")

[xntrick.livejournal.com]

...I'm researching this now because now I need to know if what I read is absolutely true or just someone else's panicked interpretation of something.

[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.

[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? :-)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Makes you fear for JKR, no?