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Post #512128

Author
The Aluminum Falcon
Parent topic
Which version/release of the Star Wars movies do you watch and why?
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/512128/action/topic#512128
Date created
7-Jul-2011, 12:14 AM

Since there's been quite more releases since my initial post, here's my new favorite versions.

1. Star Wars- Dark Jedi's Project Blu SW;

This one's my favorite since it's the original, grand Star Wars in stunning HD! Dark Jedi really did an amazing job on this one. The opening crawl looks ridiculously sharp and good, reminiscent of that jaw-dropping 4K screen capt from the Legacy Project. Sure, it's got some DVNR smearing but the colors are utterly fantastic. Because none of it is '04 sourced, it maintains a nice filmic and vibrant quality, which the '04 releases somehow removed. If you really want to be dazzled, simply watch the lightsaber battle. You'll never see a redder, more warmly hand-animated lightsaber anywhere. Of course, the LPCM audio is the absolute best that Star Wars has ever sounded. The menu is also a great touch and has a nice official feel. The 2011 Blu-Ray no longer serves any purpose.

2. Empire Strikes Back- Tie Between Adywan's '97 AVCHD and theatrical reconstruction;

To start, the '97 ESB didn't bother me that much as it wasn't as bad as the 2004 changes of ANH and ESB. In fact, because I grew up with it, I can now chuckle at Luke's scream. :) As for the 1980 reconstruction, it's great and, like Harmy's despecialized editions, I can't see any SE changes. However, the main draw of these for me is the color timing. Though the 1980 bootleg and Puggo's 16mm show a distinct blue cast in the film, I find a white Hoth and grey Cloud City (during the Luie/Vader battle) more pleasing to my eyes. Perhaps this is because I grew up watching VHSes with a white Hoth, using the same master as the JSC. I daresay that these will be my definitive editions until a release with similar color-timing is done.

3. Return of the Jedi- Dark Jedi's Project Blu ROTJ;

For some reason, this is the best of the Project Blu releases. I could notice no DVNR-smearing. It surpasses Lowry's sterile restoration in every way imaginable, complete with far more vibrant colors and no crushed blacks... Scenes are made more majestic with spot on lightsabers and no sickly blue tint. In this way, I could finally get wrapped up in the story of ROTJ and enjoy it for the simply fun sci-fi movie it is. The audio is also amazing, no doubt the best. I always thought ROTJ lacked grandeur; somehow this release bestows it upon it.

4. The Phantom Menace- L8wtr's Shadow of the Sith fan edit;

I admit that I did grow up during the era when TPM merchandise was abound, so I do have some fascination with it in general. However, L8wtr turns a slow and boring movie into a much faster and stream-lined movie. Clocking in at about 90 minutes, the movie is quite a ride with characters you seem to care about.

5. Attack of the Clones- L8wtr's The Republic Divided Fan Edit;

By no means does this make AOTC enjoyable but the fan edit does make it decidedly watchable. It, of course, surpasses the Attack of the Phantom in leaps and bounds in terms of video quality. The editing is flawless technically and narratively. We've now got a faster love story that seems to work out more. Anakin no longer seems stalker-ish.Lots of little changes sell this edit too; Anakin is now the hero in the Droid Factory rather than R2D2. We find the protagonists more believable in a still-ridiculous world.

6. Revenge of the Sith- Kerr's Dark Force Rising fan edit;

Somehow Kerr has crafted a majestic fall from grace and I LOVE it. His version seems so much OT/ESB-esque and we end up with sympathetic characters. Can't believe there was actually a great story hidden in the Theatrical Cut!

Honorable Mentions: Harmy's Despecialized Editions, Star Wars Revisited, Puggo's Telecines, the 1997 Laserdiscs, and Spence's ROTJ Final Cut...