Star Wars DVD Set Previews/Reviews

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Star Wars DVD Set Previews/Reviews

Posted by michael on Thursday September 9, 2004 @03:00AM from the let-the-wookie-win dept.

Reducer2001 writes "USA Today has an article up that has a couple more details about the upcoming Star Wars DVD release. The cantina shootout between Han Solo and the green-snouted bounty hunter Greedo is virtually identical, but now it seems their guns fire almost simultaneously." Reader Jutebox150 writes "Time magazine has an early preview of the Star Wars DVDs and gives some justification for Lucas issuing the updated versions of the trilogy and talking about his many mental and physical battles to finish filming. The article also describes a 2.5 hour documentary by Kevin Burns that traces the origins of the saga. 'The first cut of Star Wars,' Burns' narrator says, 'was an unmitigated disaster.'" Reader spoco2 writes "The Star Wars Original Trilogy is due for worldwide release on the 21st on DVD, but the first reviews are appearing already in Australia (obviously of the PAL version). Yes, they are the SEs with even more differences (Now Gredo and Han shoot at the SAME time!). I'm afraid I'll be waiting for the day when George reconsiders and releases the untouched originals."

58 of 465 comments (clear)

Uh-oh! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:02 · Score: 4, Funny

Oh shit. Time for a thread triage. Everyone complaining about how Star Wars is terrible and your childhood is ruined, reply here. People discussing Lucas and his never-ending quest to rape the franchise for more money, over on the left. If your contribution to the discussion is "HAN SOLO SHOT FIRST!", over on the right. GNAA... well, you know what to do.
Holding your breath... by jeffy210 · 2004-09-09 03:02 · Score: 4, Funny

"I'm afraid I'll be waiting for the day when George reconsiders and releases the untouched originals."

Riiight, you do that... can you also let me know when Duke Nukem Forever comes out?

--
------
"And may your days be long upon the earth."
1. Re:Holding your breath... by Shadow+Wrought · 2004-09-09 03:11 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  can you also let me know when Duke Nukem Forever comes out
  Duke Nukem Forever is set to be released in a box set with the original unfscked with Star Wars trilogy, along with Rick Berman's three hour apology speech for what he has done to Star Trek. Unfortunately its release will happen on the exact same day that the Pentagon announces that it now considers the world "safe" and will be disbanding itself accordingly. Due to the lack of press over the release, all three features will tank. Luckily for the studios, however, no one will notice due to the overwhelming victory of the combined Bigoot and Antlantis forces over a disbelieving US. Or something like that...
  
  --
  If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
2. Re:Holding your breath... by Rude+Turnip · 2004-09-09 04:18 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Apparently you haven't seen "Demolition Man," where it's predicted that the law will get changed to let Arnold run for president...because he had done such a good job with being governor of California.
  
  --
  Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
3. Re:Holding your breath... by andyt · 2004-09-09 04:27 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I've had my say. (as I sit back and wait for the flames about how Chewbacca would never say "RRRAAALLLLLGGG" because his dialect of Wookiese doesn't have such a term)
  
  Wookiese? Chewbacca, as a native Kashyyykian, speaks Shyriiwook you insensitive clod!
4. Re:Holding your breath... by Oliver+Wendell+Jones · 2004-09-09 04:28 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  along with Rick Berman's three hour apology speech for what he has done to Star Trek
  
  Only 3 hours? He must talk really, really fast if he's going to fit it all into 3 hours...
  
  --
  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing -- Emo Phillips
5. Re:Holding your breath... by kill+-9+$$ · 2004-09-09 08:11 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  I've got the originals for the VCR in widescreen format. Na-ne-na-ne-na-na.
  
  That being said, I really wanted to get them on DVD, but sadly I won't get my wish this time around it seems. So I implore slashdot reader's and geeks everywhere to do the only thing you can do if you are truely passionate about this... Vote with your dollar. You don't need to purchase the new movies, you don't need to watch them, you don't need to see episode 3, etc. If enough people don't buy (which isn't going to happen) it would make a noticeable impact.
  
  Personally, I do feel strongly enough to not buy the DVD trilogy, and will plead with family not to buy it for me. Extreme? Perhaps, but since the whole damn thing is pretty much f'd at this point I don't really care any more.
  
  Maybe once the 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 9th movies come out he'll put out a 100-disc box set containing DVD's for every possible configuration/version of the series you'd ever want to see, and extra gazillion hours of extra footage of how hard it was to make this shot, or that shot, and a special 4 hour disc which just pays homage to how great Lucas is....
  
  --
  
  -- A computer without COBOL and Fortran is like a piece of chocolate cake without ketchup and mustard
Virgins, Get your opinions started! by ajservo · 2004-09-09 03:03 · Score: 5, Funny

Begun, this flame war has...
1. Re:Virgins, Get your opinions started! by dasmegabyte · 2004-09-09 03:35 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Oh please. The only advantage Star Wars geeks have over Star Trek geeks is that they (okay, we) can get laid. Chicks dig Star Wars too. Maybe not as much or on as visceral a level, but come on -- every girl has swooned over Han, Luke or Lando. Play your cards right, don't mention the names and species of each alien in Mos Eisley cantina, and you're in.
  
  May the force be with you.
  
  --
  Hey freaks: now you're ju
2. Re:Virgins, Get your opinions started! by lpangelrob2 · 2004-09-09 04:32 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  That reminds me of a white elephant gift I got while I was still in the fraternity. It was, in all the Slanted Text glory, a "The Force is in My Pants" shirt.
  I wore it once... needless to say, that's one of those things you only tend to wear around the (frat) house. Or, I suppose, trying to hit on girls at a Star Wars convention.
  
  --
  -Rob
  Marriage doesn't have to suck!
3. Re:Virgins, Get your opinions started! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:39 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Hey, hold! Don't mod it Informative until you get laid as a result of the advice!
4. Re:Virgins, Get your opinions started! by dswensen · 2004-09-09 05:32 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Not true. Both my ex-girlfriend and my current girlfriend both loved Trek, Star Wars, LotR, even Babylon 5. My ex was a huge anime freak, too. And my new girlfriend introduced me to Firefly.
  
  No, they're not imaginary, but some days I wonder if they ought to be.
X-mas Special by dr_dank · 2004-09-09 03:06 · Score: 4, Funny

The Holiday Special is said to have been altered too. In the new edition, Jefferson Starship shoots first.

--
Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
Shooting by Mateito · 2004-09-09 03:06 · Score: 5, Funny

Now Gredo and Han shoot at the SAME time!
How tantric.. err..
So now we have Star Wars, Episode IV, designed by a committee edition. I may yet end up with the box set (we have a house full of furniture and need smaller things to put on our wedding "wannas" list.. yeah.. I hate the concept too, but practicality is winning on this one).

--
Norman Cook's Ode to Sl
Hans and Greedo now say "over" at the same time... by j1bb3rj4bb3r · 2004-09-09 03:06 · Score: 5, Funny

as all guns are now replaced with walkie talkies.

--
*yawn*
Maybe a bit unwanted.... by Aceto3for5 · 2004-09-09 03:07 · Score: 5, Funny

Call me a purist, but I think the akward "Kiss Goodbye" between Jar Jar Binks and Chewbacca in the cantina is unappreciated at best.

Also, I heard thanks to product placement, the death star now has the AT&T Logo slightly superimposed.
1. Re:Maybe a bit unwanted.... by dasmegabyte · 2004-09-09 04:05 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  I came home the other day and there was a message on my answering machine from James Earl Jones. It was eerie -- he talked for like three minutes about how my DSL was now activated and who I should call if I had any trouble, but the poor digital quality of the answering machine meant he sounded just like Vader. I expected him to say some shit about "You don't know the power of the Broadband" or "Obi Wan never told you what happened to your cablemodem."
  
  --
  Hey freaks: now you're ju
and in the next version... by WormholeFiend · 2004-09-09 03:07 · Score: 5, Funny

Lucas, tired of people still complaining that Han shoots first, and not at the same time as Greedo, will tweak the scene so that, even though the shots look simultaneous, it will be possible to demonstrate that Han's shot fired milliseconds before Greedo's.

However, I predict this will fail to silence the critics that still complain about Han stepping over Jabba's tail.
Re:same time! by Chess_the_cat · 2004-09-09 03:07 · Score: 4, Funny

Han shot first.

--
Support the First Amendment. Read at -1
Other Changes... by HogynCymraeg · 2004-09-09 03:08 · Score: 5, Funny

1. Han cries "Nice one kid, that was one in a million" BEFORE luke fires
2. The wookie DOESNT win and C3P0 gets an unexpected "backdoor suprise"
3. Han is now Luke's father (See change 1)
4. The final scene in ROTJ has yoda wearing a ninja headband
1. Re:Other Changes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:32 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  5. ???
  6. Lucas profits again.
2. Re:Other Changes... by dave420 · 2004-09-09 04:50 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  5. The Death Star blows itself up before the rebels leave Yavin 4
  6. Princess Leia gives birth to Senator Amidala
  7. The stormtroopers are a nice shade of orange
  8. Darth Vader commits suicide in the first scene
3. Re:Other Changes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 05:02 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  4. The final scene in ROTJ has yoda wearing a ninja headband
  
  ...and wearing Nikes.
4. Re:Other Changes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 07:24 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  9. Princess Leia admits she has bi-polar disorder.
  10. Darth Vader informs Luke "I am your mother."
  11. Yoda takes off his mask and reveals he is the blue Muppet, "Grover".
  12. C-3PO and R2D2 marry each other.
  13. After finding out they are related, Leia and Luke "get it on".
  14. The prequels are edited to "not suck".
5. Re:Other Changes... by Vinnie_333 · 2004-09-09 09:09 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  9.Ben Konobi parties with Sand People, drinks too much and passes out in desert.
  10.R2-D2 enrages C-3P0's by bringing another robot into their "relationship"
  11.The part of Yoda will be played by Gary Coleman. "What you talkin' bout, Luke!"
  12.At the battle of Hoth, all the guns are removed and replaced with snow balls.
  
  --
  
  "We shall party like the Greeks of old! You know the ones I mean." - HedonismBot
That's it. by Dirtside · 2004-09-09 03:09 · Score: 5, Funny

The cantina shootout between Han Solo and the green-snouted bounty hunter Greedo is virtually identical, but now it seems their guns fire almost simultaneously."
Okay, that's it, I've had it.
*rolls up a newspaper and goes to Skywalker Ranch, finds George Lucas, and smacks him over the head four times*
NO! BAD GEORGE! GREEDO DOESN'T GET TO SHOOT *AT ALL*! BAD DIRECTOR! NO COOKIE!

--
"Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
erratum by chegosaurus · 2004-09-09 03:10 · Score: 4, Funny

> The first cut of Star Wars,' Burns' narrator says, 'was an unmitigated disaster.'"

Surely he means "the first episode"?
Re:han/greedo by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:12 · Score: 3, Funny

Of course, lets not be so crazy as to put it back the way it was originally.

-- gid
Also reported by Prince+Vegeta+SSJ4 · 2004-09-09 03:15 · Score: 2, Funny

In Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, in an attempt to show the kinder, gentler, Annakin side of Darth Vader. Vader is quoted as saying to Luke "Please, please, please dont make me destroy you, this is your last warning, can I just give you a flesh wound? please..."
Holding out. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:15 · Score: 5, Funny

I'm still holding out for the version where Han and Greedo hug eachother.
Re:How many are there? by WormholeFiend · 2004-09-09 03:16 · Score: 4, Funny

people complain because Lucas seems to have the Michael Jackson syndrome with the original SW trilogy.

He can't stop altering it, to the point where it will soon all start falling apart.

And both men live on so-called "ranches", so it gives one pause to wonder...
Make it a DVD option? by daveewart · 2004-09-09 03:17 · Score: 5, Funny
Perhaps it should be an option in the DVD menus:
1. Greedo shoots first
2. Han shoots first
3. They shoot simultaneously
4. They don't shoot each other, they have a nice chat instead
--
"If you think the problem is bad now, just wait until we've solved it." --- Arthur Kasspe
1. Re:Make it a DVD option? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:25 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  5. Han and Greedo do shots.
Not that guy!!! by Meostro · 2004-09-09 03:19 · Score: 5, Funny

The article also describes a 2.5 hour documentary by Kevin Burns that traces the origins of the saga.

Did anyone else mis-read that as Ken Burns and think Only 2.5 hours? That must be one of his short films!
MOD ALL POSTS DOWN! by ajservo · 2004-09-09 03:25 · Score: 5, Funny

You people aren't being hateful enough...
Re:Hans and Greedo will post at the same time! by SkankhodBeeblebrox · 2004-09-09 03:36 · Score: 2, Funny

Hans, eh? Is that the special Danish Edition of Star Wars??
Come on... by grasshoppa · 2004-09-09 03:39 · Score: 2, Funny

Given the angle of the blast, we can deduce that Han did not, in fact, shoot guedo. There must have been a second gunner!

On the grassy knoll, of course.

--
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
1. Re:Come on... by Colonel+Cholling · 2004-09-09 04:00 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  However, Six Seconds in Tattooine provides testimonies from witnesses that were never called before the Palpatine Commission, and these indicate that there were no less than three separate shots fired. Also, don't you find it suspicious that Han Solo, a known Wookie sympathizer, would be fingered as the lone gunman? Why do we never hear mention of his Hutt gang connections, going back several years? His checkered history with Lando Calrissian, the very man who would one day encase him in carbonite? And who, as we well know, was the second Death Star shooter?
  
  But of course the most valuable piece of evidence is the original, unedited Lucas film. If we play the scene repeatedly in excruciatingly slow motion, you can clearly see Greedo's head moves back... and to the left. Back... and to the left. Back... and to the left. Back... and to the left.
  
  --
  
  I am Sartre of the Borg. Existence is futile.
Re:Shoot at the same time? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:40 · Score: 1, Funny

Can some explain to me what all the commotion is about regarding the cantina shootout scene?

After seeing the final cut, Gredo accused Han of camping.
Re:Hans and Greedo will post at the same time! by ARRRLovin · 2004-09-09 03:41 · Score: 2, Funny

LOL!

"Chewy, bring her down right next to yonder windmill."

Damn my typo!

--
-Randy
Re:Biggest irony... by Mr.+Bad+Example · 2004-09-09 03:42 · Score: 5, Funny

> Don't get me started on Guido shooting first [...]

Oh, great...Lucas has gone and turned the cantina scene into something from The Godfather.

"That's a nice Wookiee you've got there, Mr. Solo...it'd be a real shame if something happened to him..."
Disappointed in you geeks by gmletzkojr · 2004-09-09 03:43 · Score: 5, Funny

I am so disappointed in you geeks - with a picture like Leia and her stunt double sunbathing in *the* outfit (at the Time magazine link), you guys are worried about who shot who first. Shouldn't we all be talking about whether or not that footage is included in the special edition?

*I hang my head in shame.*

--
I for one welcome our new [insert main topic] overlords.
Re:Hans and Greedo now say "over" at the same time by Mateito · 2004-09-09 03:44 · Score: 4, Funny

All guns are now replaced with walkie talkies.
Han shouts first!

--
Norman Cook's Ode to Sl
Why does everyone ignore... by ImaLamer · 2004-09-09 03:50 · Score: 5, Funny

Why is everyone trying to act like it's not a big deal that R2-D2 and C-3P0 are being replaced with Crow and Tom Servo?

--
Get your Unix fortune now!
Re:Unmitigated disaster by SuiteSisterMary · 2004-09-09 03:55 · Score: 2, Funny

Actually, if you watch the documentary on the TPM DVD, they show Lucas and posse sitting down in a screening room and watching the first 'final' cut of TPM, and when it's over, they're all just stting there, with 'oh FUCK' looks on their faces. The voice over of one of them confirms it, as well, as I recall.

--
Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
Greedo shot first god damn it... by Rebel_Princess · 2004-09-09 04:01 · Score: 2, Funny

I'm quite pissed that Han and Greedo shoot simultaneously. Seriously, what kinda bullshit is that? I want Lucas to release it as it was originally intended in 1997, with Greedo shooting first.

Stop raping my 20's Lucas!! *shakes fist*
Re:Get Yours! by pdangel · 2004-09-09 04:27 · Score: 4, Funny

I cant believe after 4 years of lurking i registered on /. just so I could post this. WALMART PRE ORDER
Dont feed the monkeys. and yes I could have posted AC.
What do you call the smartest Star Trek fan? by pentium69 · 2004-09-09 04:45 · Score: 2, Funny

A Star Wars fan.

--
Mystika
Whiny Ani in RoTJ? by dafz1 · 2004-09-09 05:02 · Score: 2, Funny

Why do we see whiny bitch Ani(Christensen) in the final scene of RoTJ? Wouldn't it make sense to see Ewan as well, for continuity? I would like to say that wouldn't happen, as leaving out Sir Alec would piss off too many fans, but George doesn't seem to care about that with all of his other changes.

Then again, seeing Sebastian Shaw standing(rumor is Ani loses legs in/after the "great" battle) doesn't make a lot of sense either. Then again, I wouldn't want to see a stumpy Anakin. Maybe he has "magic legs" like Lt. Dan?
French Version... by TiggertheMad · 2004-09-09 05:04 · Score: 2, Funny

GREEDO: Is it not a melancholy today, Captain Solo? I morn the fleeting tentrils of night.
HAN: Well met, Monsuir Greedo. I was just going to eat a fine Brie and drink a bottle of wine with you employer. He wanted to confide his angsts to me.
GREEDO: Give me your purse of Francs, for lo! I have consumption and the cold hands of the reaper chill me even now. Life is but a cheap wench!
HAN: Does a man's life ammount to but a purse of gold? Are we ever fated to wander the maze that is life blindly seeking nothing more but piles of shiny metal? I think not!
GREEDO: Love is capricious and stern. She has taught me to be stoic. I will slay you without remorse, but with a light heart, as in doing so, I will save you all future woe.
(Han throws his drink on Greedo.)
HAN: Alas, the laughing mime has failed! I will go now, for, life is but a river traveling forever to the fate we are all blind to. A pox on your taylor!
(Han exits)

--

HA! I just wasted some of your bandwidth with a frivolous sig!
wesley crusher got Robin Lefler by putch · 2004-09-09 05:09 · Score: 2, Funny

That is what Star Trek lacks: hunks.
hey, wesley crusher got Robin Lefler (Ashley Judd).

i love it when she says "your neutrinos are drifting"

wow, i can't believe i just admitted being such a loser.

--
just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
Re:Holding your breath... tsarkon reports by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 05:53 · Score: 1, Funny

Your geek use of unfscked is not only unfunny and is reflective of your fat, sexless loser ass philandering child molester self, but also incorrect. Fuck you and your fucking fsck, Fucker. In this case the use of fsck is WRONG, because the Original Star Wars from Geroge Fuck-face Lucas the child molester (Graffiti, Star Wars and ESB are the only good films of his, the rest sucks and I want to get a pony to bite his penis off), the original is the uncorrupted file-system and therefore FSCK would do NOTHING to fix is, since it was unmounted cleanly. The new versions need the FSCK. FUCK YOU you fat Nuevo hippy geek sexless faggot fucker. Geek means no sex. Fuck you fag.
Re:George==his own worst critic by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 06:15 · Score: 1, Funny

> (my sister still has piles and boxes of original stuff, clearly it impacted her more than myself.)

Name and phone number, please? :-)
The SPECIAL Special Edition! by LittleGuy · 2004-09-09 06:25 · Score: 2, Funny

Yes, they are the SEs with even more differences (Now Gredo and Han shoot at the SAME time!).

...using walkie-talkies!

--
Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
Gredo and Han switcheroo by Anonymous+Custard · 2004-09-09 06:25 · Score: 2, Funny

(Now Gredo and Han shoot at the SAME time!)

Also, Lucas digitally changed the scene so that Han misses and Gredo kills Han instead. Later, Gredo assasinates Jabba the Hutt and takes over his crime ring, and falls in love with Princess Leia and tehy get married and have a child who turns out to be Tiger Woods.

--
$8.95/mo web hosting
and not only that... by Savatte · 2004-09-09 06:37 · Score: 2, Funny

George Lucas announced that C3PO is a replicant!
Re:2 things stand out in the article.. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 11:22 · Score: 1, Funny

I sense a great disturbance in the force... in my pants.
Re:Interesting Fact! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 20:11 · Score: 1, Funny

In that case, my friend, you may want to look into Homosexuality.

Homosexuality -- Is it for you?