World Famous Comics: Star Wars Trilogy (Special Edition)
Star Wars Trilogy (Special Edition)
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing Average Rating: Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Special Edition, THX, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 3 Release Date: August 26, 1997 Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 1980
Amazon.com essential video: The Star Wars trilogy had the rare distinction of becoming more than just a series of movies, but a cultural phenomenon, a life-defining event for its generation. On its surface, George Lucas's original 1977 film is a rollicking and humorous space fantasy that owes debts to more influences than one can count on two hands, but filmgoers became entranced by its basic struggle of good vs. evil "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away," its dazzling special effects, and a mythology of Jedi Knights, the Force, and droids.
In the first film, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) gets to live out every boy's dream: ditch the farm and rescue a princess (Carrie Fisher). Accompanied by the roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford, the only principal who was able to cross over into stardom) and trained by Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Luke finds himself involved in a galactic war against the Empire and the menacing Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones). The following film, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), takes a darker turn as the tiny rebellion faces an overwhelming onslaught. Directed by Irvin Kershner instead of Lucas, Empire is on the short list of Best Sequels Ever, marked by fantastic settings (the ice planet, the cloud city), the teachings of Yoda, a dash of grown-up romance, and a now-classic "revelation" ending. The final film of the trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983, directed by Richard Marquand), is the most uneven. While the visual effects had taken quantum leaps over the years, resulting in thrilling speeder chases and space dogfights, the story is an uneasy mix of serious themes (Luke's maturation as a Jedi, the end of the Empire-rebellion showdown) and the cuddly teddy bears known as the Ewoks.
Years later, George Lucas transformed his films into "special editions" by adding new scenes and special effects, which were greeted mostly by shrugs from fans. They were perfectly happy with the films they had grown up with (who cares if Greedo shot first?), and thus disappointed by Lucas's decision to make the special editions the only versions available. --David Horiuchi
Amazon.com: What's cool about this video is also what makes it seem amateurish at first: it is neither endorsed nor authorized by 20th Century Fox or Lucasfilm. The result: a montage of interviews with everybody of importance to the Star Wars world--from George Lucas and Liam Neeson to Samuel L. Jackson and Harrison Ford, with intelligently written voice-over narration, and a unique exploration of Star Wars and Star Trek together. This is at once an homage to the Star Wars trilogies and a documentary of its sci-fi precursors, from silent film to Star Trek.
Since this collection of interviews isn't authorized by Lucasfilm, you won't find footage of the Star Wars movies here, although you will find terrific snippets from sci-fi milestones such as Fritz Lang's Metropolis. A youthful Carrie Fischer talk about the interplanetary appeal of the original Star Wars, while a 20-years-older Fischer talks about the films' fairytale-like grasp across generations. Young and older Harrison Fords and Mark Hamills give interesting perspectives as well; the video also sports one of the longer interviews recorded with the man inside C-3PO.
Besides the actual cast and crew of the Star Wars movies including The Phantom Menace, there are interviews here with stars as fans, famous people who love the movies as much as anyone: Sharon Stone, Gary Busey, Hugh Hefner, Magic Johnson, Christina Ricci, and William Shatner. A fun and provocative look through uncensored interviews across the spectrum at all that is Star Wars, worthy of any fan's archive, a must for any serious collection. --Erik Macki
Always a classic! The original, history-making Star Wars trilogy is a worthy investment for anyone's library. The digital update makes for a more intense experience. The background disc is so loaded with information and stories, you feel as if you were there from conceptualization to final edit. Don't miss out on this. Get your own copy before it's on EBay for hundreds of dollars!
Must Own Box Set What can I say about this set that hasen't already been said. If you are a fan of the movies and don't own episodes 4-6 then I highly recommend buying this. The bonus 4th disc is a very nice touch. I found this set alot cheaper at a local retail store for around $40.
Don't Be Afraid of the CGI I've wanted to add this title to my DVD collection for a while, but hesitated when I saw the controversy about the changes. Still, at $25 for the set, I thought I'd take a chance.
Personally, I think the CGI is great. It looks crisp on an HD screen, and not grainy like all movies would be from this period. It breathes new life into a good, but old movie.
I even wish they would have taken it a step further and updated some of the lo-res computer graphics in the movie. They look like Pong.
The puppets seem kind of campy looking today, and maybe they could have done a little something with those too.
I guess there's no way to cover up some of the stupid dialogue between Han and Lea, but that's another matter.
I do agree with others that both versions should be available, but I'm guessing that would be expensive. The whole "Greedo shot first" thing is pretty bad, and completely changes Han's character, but whatever.
The changes make the two trilogies fit together better, and make modern viewing a little bit nicer.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing" -Darth Vader
When? When can I find a boxed set of Star Wars movies containing all six movies? Anyone know? P.S. Try the Adventures With Boys book series!
Overrated, but overall, still great The elements in the Star Wars films are not exactly original. Close to all the ideas are borrowed from different genres spanning from Japanese Samurai films, old Sci-Fi films/serials, Westerns, etc. Then there is the simplistic moral system of the Jedi. There really isn't much genius there. The genius comes from Lucas' knack for innovation of these cliche elements and innovation in general. The genius comes from even thinking of merging all these genres. Without Star Wars, I don't think there would be Shanghai Noon, Big Trouble in Little China, etc. Sure, the creativity is shallow, but it's fun.
I'll now go on to review the individual films.
"A New Hope" sets everything up. There's not much character development. It's basically a deliciously shallow popcorn film. It leaves you wanting more...
"Empire Strikes Back" is when the story really gets interesting. Luke's force powers are getting stronger and more inner conflict arises. Han is winning over Leia, Luke's future looks a little shaky, and he discover's an awful truth. There's much more swordfighting and it's the best of the series (many will agree).
"Return of the Jedi" shows Luke a full Jedi. You're still not quite sure which way he'll turn. He discovers something that makes him change his mind about Leia, but he's still conflicted. With all the power he's obtained, the weight of responsibility is tremendous. Emperor Palpatine doesn't help much either. There's a fun speedbike race that to this day still looks good. This one comes in close 2nd with Empire.
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