It really is a weak-ass movie in it's Lucas incarnation. I couldn't watch the whole thing on HBO. My wife and I kept talking about all the bad points ... especially the fall to the dark side. I really can only watch the version I've done and enjoy it. With most of the garbage out, it makes it a watchable film.

But it will never be The Empire Strikes Back no matter how you re-edit.

Interestingly, I've watched Batman Begins about 4 times now on HBO, and will stop surfing every time I hit it. And I still felt the need to bring my DVD of the film to see my parents recently, sitting them down to watch it. And they, too, were duly surprised by what an amazing film it is.

ROTS gets worse with each viewing, Batman Begins gets better with each viewing. Therein lies the difference between truly great filmmaking and shlock. What a mixed-up fixed-up topsy-turvy world we live in where Star Wars sucks and a Batman film is deep, moving cinema.