push3r said:
Harmy,
Sorry for the wall of text.
I was fortunate enough to see Star Wars in the theater during it's original run. Darth Vader's first appearance is burned into my memory, and the fear evoked by the sound of his breathing that first time in the theater is something I will never forget. When it was announced that it would be on HBO, I couldn't have been more excited. I did nothing but watch it every time it was on for the first weeks it was available. I'm sure I watched it dozens and dozens of times. I had all of the original toys and spent endless hours playing Star Wars with my friends.
When they announced the special edition I was thrilled. No more re-recorded VHS tapes. Finally a high quality home viewing experience.
I didn't even make it through a single viewing. I wasn't quite sure what I was watching, I just knew that it wasn't Star Wars.
At that moment my fandom died. I tried to rekindle it when the prequels were announced, but my excitement died an even harder death for the obvious reasons.
Since that time, the only enjoyment I've gathered from the Star Wars universe were the prequel deconstructions by RedLetterMedia. I've watched them over and over. Even though they're a critique on everything that went wrong with the prequels, it's easy to feel the genuine passion for the original films and characters underlying the disdain for Episodes 1-3. Those reviews let me know that deep down inside my fandom was still alive, though dormant.
I was led to your project by a chance post in a completely unrelated forum. I've spent the last few weeks reading every single post in this 275 page thread. Even though I've come so late to the game, reading through the posts made me feel a part of it. I felt the joy when the first version was completed, the pain of the problems and personality conflicts. Above all I felt and was infected by the surge of optimism and excitement everyone felt. If my passion for Star Wars was a tiny ember, this thread has fanned it back to a raging flame (and no, that's not a reference to Rob...... or was it?)
I registered just to offer my most sincere gratitude. The thousands of hours that you've spent couldn't have been more valuable to me and I'm sure many others like me.
While I'm sure there are many who appreciate your effort for it's value to cinematic history, to me your effort is far more personal. All your time, effort, and frustration have not only served to resurrect a film, they've effectively served to rebuild a precious part of my childhood. What were once simple memories, rapidly fading, are now a reality that I can share with all five of my own children.
Due to the economy and various other factors, I'm going through quite a difficult time. The anticipation of watching the despecialized Trilogy is a rare bright moment in a very dark time in my life.
Please understand that it's not my intent to be over-dramatic. Believe me when I say that you have literally given me back a part of my life I had thought long lost. It's impossible to overstate the value of this great gift at this particular time in my life.
Having read the thread, I know it has at times been hard. At the risk of being completely over the top corny, please know that your work has brought New Hope to me. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Thanks also to You_Too, 005, Puggo, h_h, msycamore, catbus, chewtobacca, zombie, dark_jedi, adywan, -1, and especially mverta for all the technical assistance. Thank you also to the many others who contributed feedback or otherwise assisted Harmy with his efforts even if it was mostly comic relief (I'm looking at you, Frink & Stinky). I know I'm forgetting people, and there are surely some I don't know about. Just understand that if you've contributed in any way I consider myself in your debt.
Harmy,
THANK YOU.
That's a great post.
...And a well formatted wall of text.