The most disingenuous thing about George Lucas' changes is the fact that he is packaging them as an "artistic vision" that he had in 1977 but couldn't translate. That's a crock ... he's changing these films 4LOM (for the love of money). None of the changes he's made -- not to the 1997 release (which I took on the chin and didn't complain about) and not to this current DVD debacle -- were made to better the films. Indeed, this last round of changes was made as a way to force his prequels into the Star Wars saga ... so you can't watch the first three movies without recalling the Prequels. And I don't think he's done meddling yet.

Gary Kurtz, who was as much of a creative force in the first two Star Wars films as Lucas (some say he was far more active in Empire than Lucas) can't stand Lucas' meddling. He's one of many important individuals unhappy with the changes ... individuals whose work was evident in the first three films. Lucas has crapped on hundreds of artists' contributions.

Yeah, Lucas created the characters. And yes, he owns the copyright. That's unfortunate and it's the reason why studios usually acquire full rights to properties ... so the creators can't go in later and devalue the property.

Lucas has gone batshit crazy ... too bad he only has Yes-men and no real friends to help him out.