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First, I'm a huge Star Wars fans. I grew up with these films and I love them. They are truly great pieces of work. I'm not one of these wait in line or dress up kind of fans, but I love these films just as much as they do. I support your cause and I have signed this petition. I want the originals, as well as Lucas new cuts. I believe Lucas is wrong not to release and preserve the originals. But I'm not so cynical or jaded that I'm gonna pass on this DVD. I doubt many Star Wars fans, despite their denials, will pass on it either. With that, here we go.
Posted by Luke Skywalker:
"jimbo he has proven it 3 times... and even thats being generous considering he didnt direct TESB or ROTJ.."
This was a post implying that Lucas isn't a good filmmaker, and that he's only made 3 good films, the original Star Wars trilogy. It's also the biggest load I've ever heard.
American Graffiti - Lucas created and directed American Graffiti, a film that received numerous Oscar noms, including Best Picture and Best Director. It received great critical acclaim and is widely known as a classic.
THX-1138 - He also created and directed this film, a film regarded as a great science-fiction film, as well as receiving great critical acclaim.
Star Wars - Then came Star Wars, the only film of the original Star Wars trilogy that received Oscar noms for Best Picture and Best Director. It was directed by George Lucas. Perhaps Empire should have received those noms as well, but that's beside the point. The Star Wars trilogy is Lucas' vision. He is responsible for it and a very large reason why it is as great as it is.
Return of the Jedi - According to Kershner, Lucas directed most of Return of the Jedi, because Marquand and Lucas didn't get along, and the actors didn't respond to Marquand all that well. Kershner stated it was kept very quiet. I would be glad to drag the quote out. You can find the interview online.
Willow - Not a great film, but regarded as a good, lighthearted, fun film. It is enjoyed by many. Lucas didn't direct, but he did create it, write the stories, and produced them.
Indy Trilogy - No, Lucas didn't direct these films either. But Indiana Jones came from the mind of George Lucas. He created the characters and the concepts, and wrote the stories to all 3 films. He produced all 3 as well. You can thank Lucas for this trilogy, as well as the Star Wars trilogy.
So as you can see, Lucas has proven his worth as a filmmaker far more times than just with Star Wars. Maybe you should have gotten your facts straight before you mouthed off about what a terrible filmmaker he is.
Don't eve get me started on his founding and created ILM, Skywalker Sound, and LucasArts, the best and most prolific companies of their kind in the filmmaking industry. Not to mention the massive impact Lucas has had on filmmaking, visual effects, and an entire generation of people and pop culture. You wouldn't be here otherwise. Even the great Kurosawa can thank Lucas for helping him to get "Kagemusha" made. Lucas even lent ILM's services to Kurosawa so he could make great effects for his film "Dreams."
Ask Lawrence Kasdan, who Lucas helped on his first film, Body Heat. I can go on and on and on.
Lucas' influence and impact goes far, far greater than just Star Wars. Rather than continually insulting him and calling him every name in the book, simply because you're angry over his refusal to release the originals, how about a little frickin' respect for the man. If anything, you should thank him for giving you Star Wars and Indy in the first place. You can be angry and disappointed without the mean-spirited attacks and disrespect.
"So Luke, if a bunch of us e-mailed Criterion, do you think we'd intrigue them...I mean, they're all about film preservation, so perhaps they feel as we do"
It doesn't matter what they do. They have no control over Star Wars, nor do they have the ability to put the originals on DVD. Lucas owns Star Wars. They can't do a thing without Lucas' approval.
"Richard Marquand did a great job on directing Return of the Jedi. The only thing that's his "fault" about it is how great it is."
As I said above, maybe you better thank Lucas rather than Marquand. Kershner stated that Lucas directed most of Return of the Jedi. You can look above for the reasons. Do a search for Irvin Kershner interviews. It was an interview with Shock Cinema in which he states Lucas directed most of Jedi, along with his(Kershner's) 2nd unit director filming some other, smaller scenes.
Posted by Luke Skywalker:
"but i understand that being of your intelligence... you need a lot of action to hold your attention and a very simple story..."
After reading many of your posts, you of all people shouldn't be insulting anyone's intelligence. Your opinion is not fact. It's like all other opinions, and we know what they say about opinions. I bet you even own AOTC on DVD, which says a whole lot about you, especially if you hate it so much.
"http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1715
That is a poll about the Star Wars DVDs to the general public. This was not on a Star Wars site or anything.
I was surprised to see so many people not going to buy it (general public) because of the changes."
A poll from an internet gaming website is not the general public. In fact, they make up many of the online fanboys. The general public does not chat about movies online. Internet fans make up probably 1% of all Star Wars fans. They just tend to be the loudest and most fanatical.
If you honestly believe that only 50% of Star Wars fans are going to buy this DVD, then I've got a bridge to sell you. Almost all Star Wars fans will buy the DVD sooner or later, even the vast majority of those who claim they won't. It's a bunch bull and they know it. Some won't buy it, but those will be few and far between. Online polls and threats are meaningless, because nobody can call you on it. For all we know, people can claim they won't buy it, then go out and buy it, and we wouldn't even know.
"George Lucas listens to fans, not in my lifetime!"
Considering how pathetic, mean-spirited, and possessive they've become, why should he. Star Wars fans have now surpassed Star Trek fans as the most pathetic lot in all of movie fandom, and I have to include myself in that fanbase. I wouldn't listen to them either, if I was in Lucas' shoes.
Posted by Luke Skywalker:
"yes and these people who like the changes are fanboys who like anything that Lucas dishes out.."
Quite funny coming from someone who has racked up nearly 3,000 posts on a Star Wars message board. Kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.
I've seen these rips, and they are a vast improvement over the '97 SEs. The new Jabba is a huge improvement over the '97 SE Jabba, and it isn't even close. The new dianoga is far better than the old one. The new ending to Jedi is much better than the original, abrupt ending with the silly ewok yub-nub song. The new Emperor change in Empire, is a huge improvement over the original, monkey-eyed emperor. The removal of the scream from Luke's fall is also a great change. Not to mention all of the other cleaned up shots, including lightsabers. If you complain about these, you need help.
As for replacing Shaw with Hayden. I don't like it. It's half-ass work. I prefer the original.
Now, you can flame me, rip me, call me names! Whatever! But get a clue and a grip. If you think you're going make Luc