Topic: Star Wars

[Tom]

Definately the original trilogy first! There is no other way to do it. If you really want to watch the prequel trilogy, then do it after watching the originals.

[Najemikon]

Pete, there is a rule of thumb that works for any film. The less exposition, the more intelligent the script. Star Wars is a perfect example of both sides of this theory. Watch the original trilogy first and you are thrown into the middle of the story, but the screenplay is clever enough to give you what you need, when you need it. It treats you, the viewer, with intelligence.

The prequels are pure exposition. They tell you nothing you don't already know. Watch them first, and they treat you like an idiot and ruin the elegance of Episode IV.

Now another point. Every first entry in any franchise, is not a franchise entry! It's a genre film. The first Bond is a thriller; the first Indiana Jones an adventure; the first Star Wars, is a fantasy western set in the future. As such, all these first entries follow the rules of their chosen genre. Lucas famously based Star Wars on a Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. There is a deep rooted reason why he did that.

The sequels become franchise films. And even in the rare case they are better, they still can't stand-alone.

Star Wars: A New Hope, has a point and a nothing-to-lose attitude. By the time you get to the prequels, pure laziness has set in.

[Antares]

Lucas famously based Star Wars on a Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. There is a deep rooted reason why he did that.

Yeah, he wasn't talented enough to write his own story that would be interesting.  

[Najemikon]

 

Is no thread sacred?

 

[Antares]

Is no thread sacred?

 

 

You know, I actually watched the original a couple of weeks ago when it was on Spike TV. I was amazed at how Lucas had tweaked it. A shame really.

[Najemikon]

It definitely is, because cleaning up a couple of the effects shots worked beautifully. I always annoyed at how the Death Star kind of just 'popped'! Now it's a real mega-boom... but at such a cost to other scenes.

[Dragonfire]

I watch the originals first.  The prequels have massive issues - Anakin annoys the hell out of me, especially in Episode II.  It just doesn't fit that such a whiney ass becomes Vader.  He was slightly better in III.  However, even though there are issues with the first ones, I do enjoy them overall.  There are some cool fights in them. 

A few days ago, someone started a similar thread at Epinions...about the order she should show the movies to her children.

[lovemunkey187]

Is it still possible to get the non-tweaked versions?

The only two tweaked bits I like is one in Star Wars(it was never episode this or that it was Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) when Han & Chewie chase after a couple of 'troopers and find a battalions worth, which makes Han's reaction better.
The other bit is in Empire and the scenes in Bespin(Cloud City) where alcoves are replaced with windows showing the panaroma of the city.

[Najemikon]

I have the originals on DVDs. They were released under pressure and are very bare bones, not even anamorphic.

[DJ Doena]

Is it still possible to get the non-tweaked versions?

In Germany there was a release a few years ago that contained the original versions as bonus material. It's non-anamorphic but it's the version I have been watching ever since. Han shoots first, no comic relief Jabba in IV, Anakin is an old man as spirit and the Ewoks have the right victory music.

[lovemunkey187]

Is it still possible to get the non-tweaked versions?

In Germany there was a release a few years ago that contained the original versions as bonus material. It's non-anamorphic but it's the version I have been watching ever since. Han shoots first, no comic relief Jabba in IV, Anakin is an old man as spirit and the Ewoks have the right victory music.

That's the version I want.

[DJ Doena]

Is it still possible to get the non-tweaked versions?

In Germany there was a release a few years ago that contained the original versions as bonus material. It's non-anamorphic but it's the version I have been watching ever since. Han shoots first, no comic relief Jabba in IV, Anakin is an old man as spirit and the Ewoks have the right victory music.

That's the version I want.

If you can live with german covers:
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000FO8968/?tag=dvdcolonl0b-21
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000FO896I/?tag=dvdcolonl0b-21
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000FO896S/?tag=dvdcolonl0b-21

[Najemikon]

That's the release I have from the uk. Original version included as an extra.

[DJ Doena]

That's the release I have from the uk. Original version included as an extra.

This would be it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000FMH8UI/?tag=dvdcolonl-21

[lovemunkey187]

Thanks Jon & Karsten