msycamore said:

imperialscum said:

1997 - an honest attempt to improve the films

2004 - chance to include his prequel parasites into OT

2011 - he was simply trolling the fans

I guess some would also describe the prequels being an honest attempt telling a backstory to the original trilogy. What makes the 1997 SE any more honest than the two video edits that followed? IMO there wasn't anything honest about it. In fact, most of it was just R&D and an experiment for ILM in preparation for the prequels. An experiment and a fun little 20th anniversary for the fans which have now sadly replaced the historical films. A butchering and bastardization of a beloved classic is how I would describe it.

The modern "filmmaking"-touches of Lucas we got a taste of in 1997 is very consistent with what we were presented with in 1999. Seriously, if Lucas was simply trolling the fans with his BD updates, what is it about those 2011 changes that are so radically different compared to the poor choices and filmmaking style seen in the '97 SE, Prequels, THX 1138 SE, '04 SE that makes people seriously think he would go to such length? Please, explain it to me.

First of all, mind that this is my opinion. Unlike many of you around here, my favourite versions are 1997 SE. The important difference between 1997 SE and the following two releases is in the nature of the alterations.

Majority of the changes in 1997 were related to upgrading the SFX and audio (yes I pretty much love every one of them) and a few changed/additions to some story-related stuff (i.e. Greedo, which I don't like but can live with it, and new celebration song with shots of other planets, which I love - I can't stand YubNub crap).

On the other hand, in 2004 and 2011 most of the changes were basically PT related crap inserted into OT. Some of these include: Hayden in ghost scene, "NOOOOO", Boba Fett voice change, Emperor having prequel style make-up in ESB, JarJar screaming "wessa free!" in one of the celebration scenes, Dug in Jabba's palace, etc.