nightstalkerpoet said:
I have a lot respect for the original films and film making techniques, but I do feel that it is perfectly acceptable to replace outdated effects...
...
For a lot of people, the replacement of the TPM puppet with the CGI version was a welcome change.
The new puppet was rather atrocious.
Without fear of being bashed (and please people, don't bash opinions on this) does anyone think that the Yoda in the OT could be replaced in a way that would improve the films? Keep in mind, this is assuming the CGI is done well and is well integrated not to stand out.
Without bashing your opinion, I think your premise is flawed. CGI characters stand out. Even in the PT, they didn't entirely mesh. Forcing it into a movie from 1980 isn't going to be any better.
There are different problems with CGI Yoda to be considered.
If the puppet Yoda walked in front of the couch right now, I would recognize it as a tangible moving object, even if he looks a bit puppety. If the second did, it would be more like a cartoon. Not even the cloth and hair pass for real. That he could bounce around like Roger Rabbit - while looking the part - would not constitute an improvement to me.
If your question is simply whether it is technically possible to insert a CGI rabbit Yoda (for good or ill) over the actual Yoda with a similar relative integration as the PT, I imagine it would be a painstaking task, but possible. I honestly do not see how forcing that kind of blatant CGI into ESB could improve it. Especially when you say the closeups on a puppet were very well done. So I agree with doubleofive ^