Kaonashi Ga Suki

The other night I was surfing the web when I read that George Lucas has finally chosen and unveiled the title to the third Star Wars movie, which is Revenge of the Sith. After shaking my head in disappointment over yet another crappy title (makes me think of “Revenge of the Nerds”), I headed over to the official Star Wars website to see if there was more news about it.

On the site I found some information about the anticipated release of the “Original” trilogy in DVD form. Clicking on the link took me to Amazon, where you can preorder the DVD’s. I decided to read the reviews about the movies. So far, about 870 people have “reviewed” the DVD’s, in spite of them having not yet been released. Therefore, they are merely comments about their feelings towards the DVDs.

The thing to consider is that, despite being marketed as the “Original” trilogy, many fans were incensed to find that in fact, the DVDs won’t feature the 1977, 1980, and 1983 releases of A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi but rather the 1997 Special Edition versions of them. Furthermore, to piss them off even more, there are rumors that Lucas will add more changes to these DVD versions. One particular rumor that sent SW fans foaming at the mouth is the notion of superimposing the digitally aged face of Hayden Christiansen (as Anakin Skywalker) over Sebastian Shaw’s (the guy who played the old Anakin) ghostly face in Return of the Jedi. Many fans have not forgiven Lucas for the changes he made in the 1997 SEs (Greedo shooting at Han first in ANH; Luke screaming like a little girl as he fell in ESB; replacing the “Yub-Yub” song in ROTJ), and many on Amazon have vowed not to buy the DVD when it comes out. Could you imagine what they’d do if indeed Hayden’s smirking face replaces the original actor’s ghostly visage? Let’s put it this way: one person even went so far as to say that he wouldn’t even accept them as a present!

There were some comments that seem more levelheaded. Some fans said that they didn’t really mind the changes in the movies. What’s a few added scenes? Others mention that since it’s Lucas’ movie, he’s free to do what he wants with it. Still others have said that they actually preferred the Special Editions to the original releases. I did, in fact, like what they did with the Cloud City scenes in ESB.

My take on this whole debate is that, while I disagreed with some of the changes Lucas made in the 1997 SEs (honestly, Greedo had to have been BLIND to miss Han like that! He was sitting RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, for pete’s sake!), it isn’t something to get really riled up over. It would truly, royally suck if Lucas does superimpose Hayden’s face in ROTJ, but I won’t boycott him or vow never to watch the SEs. And in spite of how much the other two prequels bit, I’m definitely watching the final installment to this story. Everyone and their mother has been waiting for eons to witness the legendary duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan by the volcano.

I think some of the more ardent fans should just relax! It’s just a movie. Being loyal to the original releases is one thing, but to get so riled up over it is another. Besides, if they REALLY wanted the original, “Original Trilogy” on DVD, they can either get bootlegs (usually gleaned from the laserdiscs) on Ebay or just get the VHS versions.

What about you guys…what do you think? Is it fair of fans to get really upset over releasing the SE version of the films on DVD instead of the original 70’s-80’s releases? Or are they just overreacting over some silly sci-fi movies made 30 years ago? Share your thoughts

George Lucas, Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith, Empire Strikes Back, Sebastian Shaw, Hayden Christiansen, Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker, Yub Yub song, A New Hope, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Greedo