The new Star Wars DVDs

[Dottie]

Hey guys. I guess there are a lot of us UD users who also like Star Wars.
As you all know new Limited Editions were released including the theatrical releases of the old trilogy.
I'm considering buying those, since I don't own the Special Edition box, and I really want the theatrical release too, since I don't like the changes made in 2004 (C'mon Hayden Christensen??!!!)
But a lot of people have complained about the VERY bad picture quality of the theatrical releases.
I actually don't care much for the picture quality, since I have a normal fulleescreen tv and it actually looks all the same to me. The only thing I can see is the diference between VHS (worn out) and a DVD.
'

Does anyone of you own these DVDs and tell me if it's worth the buy, for someone not fanatic about picture quality and bonuses?

[lord-of-sith]

I don't own these particular DVD's (as I own the 2004 editions and find them fine) but, as my sn shows, I am a huge Star Wars fan, and have read several reviews of these DVDs to get a consensus, so I can help.

From your description of what you want, these seem perfect. The main issue appears to be that the picture is taken from the laserdisc version of the original films. However, it would appear because it is a DVD, that it is somewhat cleaned up anyway.

Another issue is that because it is not enhanced for widescreen TVs, if you were to watch them on widescreen TVs, they would have to be stretched out to fit the screen, rather than automatically filling it. But that doesn't matter to you, because you have a fullscreen TV.

So, according to what you have said, these would be just fine for you. And yes, I would reccomend them.

[Dottie]

Thanks for your answer!!
I really didnt know what to do, because people were complaining so much. I actually don't want the 2004 box, because I think it's far too expensive for movies that are not quite the same anymore.
I own the 1997 Special Edition VHS Box and I liked that one very much, but the 2004 versions was too much that was altered.
So I think I'll go with the new Limited Editions.

[Jungleprince_55]

The Limited Editions are pretty good, The quality of the originals isn't as crisp clear as the 2004 versions but it is a lot better than what most reviews make it sound like and if you want the original versions you should get them because it's probably the last time (or at least not for a long long time) that the Original Unaltered Trilogy will ever see the light of day again.

[Dottie]

The Limited Editions are pretty good, The quality of the originals isn't as crisp clear as the 2004 versions but it is a lot better than what most reviews make it sound like...

Good to hear that!! As I've said I don't care much about super-better-than-ever-crisp picture. It has to look normal, like on tv, and I'm fine with it. That's what annoys me so much, that everybody was complaining that the originals weren't available, and now that they are, they're still complaining.
Although I doubt it's gonna be the last time the original trilogy is released.
Maye for the 30th anniversary there'll be a "hyperspace-box-set"

[MadonnasManOne]

Much to my surprise, I couldn't resist buying these, especially with the exclusive tin from Best Buy, which houses all three of the 2-Disc Limited Editions. As a huge fan of the Original, Unaltered films, I figured this was my best chance to buy them.

To my surprise, they don't look nearly as bad as I had expected. Sure, it would have been nice for them to be anamorphic (enhanced for 16x9 screens), and sure, it would have been great to have them digitally restored. However, expecting them to look really bad, I was actually surprised. I can actually watch these films as I remember them, and enjoy them, again. Which I have. I have watched each one at least twice.

All in all, I'm happy with my purchase. Could I have been happier? Sure. Could I have been less pleased? Absolutely. I would say go ahead, if you love the original films, untouched by Lucas' mechanical soul, and buy this release.

[DarthPrime]

I actually found them better not being restored. The restoration on the 2004 set was great, but it left a lot of messed up stuff. I mean Vader's lightsaber is pink in a ton of shots, along with a lot of other stuff.

The set was better than I thought it would be, and it was great to see the films unaltered again. If the set was anamorphic it wouldn't have gotten as much negitive reviews as it did.

Personally I'm happy with this release. I hope we eventually get a better transfer thats anamorphic, but if we don't this release is good enough. If you want to see the films unaltered then the 2006 set is as good as you will get for now.

[Dottie]

What does anamorphic actually mean? Why is it so important for people who own widescreen tvs? I mean those DVDs are widescreen, but letterbox, what's the difference?
(You see I really don't have a clue )

[TM2-Megatron]

What does anamorphic actually mean? Why is it so important for people who own widescreen tvs? I mean those DVDs are widescreen, but letterbox, what's the difference?
(You see I really don't have a clue )

On a widescreen TV, letterbox-format DVDs will have black borders around all sides of the picture, not just the top and bottom (sometimes the sides will be white, instead). This happens because on anamorphic DVDs, the video is encoded to fit inside the 16x9 (or around 1.77:1)aspect ratio of a widescreen TV. Basically, the black bars you actually see on the top and bottom of a fullscreen TV aren't part of the video that's encoded on the disc... your DVD player puts them in so the movie appears in proper proportions (though on movies wider than 16x9, smaller black bars are encoded on the disc in order to preserve the original aspect ratio).

The video on the new Star War discs is encoded at the aspect ratio of a normal TV, which is 1.33:1. So basically, you're losing out an alot of lines of vertical resolution if you own a widescreen TV.

Movies that are filmed in 16x9 will fill a widescreen television perfectly, whereas movies that were filmed at an even wider aspect ratio (like 2.35:1, etc.) will have the top and bottom bars even on a widescreen TV, but they won't be as pronounced as on a normal television.

Personally, despite being a fan of Star Wars, I won't be buying these new discs. I've no doubt these will sell incredibly well, as the great majority of people have no taste or or discrimination in what they're spending their money on. I only wish the sales would suffer so Lucas may be forced to release proper versions of the films. I mean, I never expected any extras or anything on these discs, but to not even bother anamorphically enhancing the picture? What's he thinking?

[Dottie]

So you still get the full picture as it was filmed, but on a widescreen tv it'll be like in a box, well that's why it's letterbox, right?
But on a normal fullscreen tv, It'll look like a "normal" widescreen picture on a fullscreen tv with the black bars at the top and the bottom?

Gosh, I feel stupid

[Dottie]

Oh, and by the way. Thank you all so much for answering!!!
It's good to see that not everyone thinks it's a crappy release, but that it's actually ok for someone who just wants the originals.
I was kinda shocked when I saw what people wrote about it on amazon.com. There were so many rude comments and people fraking out.

[slave2moonlight]

I do want to get these, but will likely put it off for some time. I have the previous DVD release boxed set (with all the alterations) and have a lot of priority DVDs coming up, so...

[Kyle]

I hear that the quality is pretty good considering they didn't touch up anything. but the set is non anamorphic. Im personally going to skip this set and wait for a remastered version of the original cut. I want it to look as good as the 04 set, minus the radical changes (adding CGI, Hayden, etc). I mean, just look at how much some of these shots have improved. these aren't the best examples, I don't have the original, other wise Id take my own screens to prove a point.
http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/st ... hope2.html

the amount of detail seen in the 04 edition on the sand is amazing. its a shame we cant just get a cleaned up version of the original theatrical cut.

I actually don't mind most of the changes, so I prefer the 04 set. Ive never cared as much as most people do when it comes to preserving the original cuts of movies. to me, any changes that the studios make is fine by me, assuming it doesn't change the story or characters in any way. meaning the only problem I have with the changes in starwars is the fact that greedo shoots first and the Hayden head replacement. anything else is just cosmetic. any time they can enhance the effects shots, I think they should go for it.

by the way, did you guys know Lucas is making further changes to the movies for the 3d release? he's going to be replacing the puppet Yoda with the cgi one from what I understand. as well as a most of the model work for the ships. I know these will scare off a lot of you (including me) but he's also replacing the Yoda in the phantom menace, which is a good thing. everyone hated that version of the puppet I think.

[Dottie]

Thanks for the link Kyle!! I actually like the picture of the theatrical release more, since it's not as dark as the Special Edition.

Replace the Puppet Yoda!!!?? That's really sad, since I think the CGI Yoda looks off model and Frank Oz' performance as Yoda was amazing!!
I hope Lucas doesn't do that.
Another reason to buy this set, if this is true.

[DarthPrime]

Actually I've heard of the puppet Yoda getting replaced as well, but only in The Phantom Menace. From what I have heard there are no plans to replace the puppet in the Originals. It would be the worst thing to happen in my opinion.

[Kyle]

actually I'm not sure if its a full replacement, or just certain shots.
they may end up doing what spielberg did and simply re do his face(or parts of depending on the shot) just to add more expression.
I personally love what they were able to do in ET for the most part and would welcome this kind of enhancement if done right for Yoda.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Personally, despite being a fan of Star Wars, I won't be buying these new discs. I've no doubt these will sell incredibly well, as the great majority of people have no taste or or discrimination in what they're spending their money on. I only wish the sales would suffer so Lucas may be forced to release proper versions of the films. I mean, I never expected any extras or anything on these discs, but to not even bother anamorphically enhancing the picture? What's he thinking?

But this is the exact point I made in the "Cars DVD thread" a while back, that boycotting is NOT the answer to get what you want. Because just ask yourself this question: why does any company release a movie on various DVD versions? The answer: it sells. If people just avoided this release, why would Lucas all of a sudden say, "Oh, most people haven't bought this release, they must want it in an anamorphic release." A lot of people still don't have widescreen televisions, so they're perfectly fine with this release, and since it's selling well, I'm 100% sure we'll get a future release in anamorphic widescreen with tons of bonus features in the not-so-distant future, while if it didn't sell, Lucas would just decide not to bother.

I understand you not wanting to buy this release because of you thinking/knowing something better will come, but to say, "I hope these releases fail" is pretty much saying you don't want the originals on DVD at all, not even in an anamorphic set with discs of bonus features.

[HappyPug]

I couldn't remember the "original original" versions
( with say the Ewok Celebration )
But they looked fine to me when I watched them.

Granted, I don't have a massive home theatre, I just have a normal good one like most families nowadays.

The only problem I found watching Return Of The Jedi is why, at the end of the Original Original movie, did it only shows the Ewoks celebrating?

As surely across the universe, everyone would be pleased with the Empire being destroyed.

Luckily, we just popped in the "remixed originals" and everything was celebrated ad nauseam.

Don't forget we all have to the buy the 30th Anniversary Boxset next May with all 6 Episodes in it!

[rexcrk]

Hey Dottie,

you sound a lot like me! ^_^ I also have a fullscreen TV so all that stuff doesn't matter to me either. I was VERY happy when I got the original Star Wars and I'm getting The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi tomorrow!

[yamiiguy]

I have also been holding out on them because of the 30th anniversary Saga boxset coming out next year