Yeah, I should've looked through more of that "before & after" photo set before I posted. I've never actually watched the 2004 versions... But you're right, the lightsabers here DO look better than in 2004. But they were clearly different from what I was used to with the GOUT (& laserdiscs, & vhs, etc., etc....) so I guess I assumed they were the 2004 versions.

And perhaps the flashes stood out to me b/c the colors are just so much more vibrant than the practically black & white GOUT that I have been watching...

Never the less, still just astounding work! My mind has been blown!