zombie84 said:
OKAY...
My interpretation:
2) Disney cares about the fans and Star Wars. They do. That's why they are doing the sequels right. They are making a point of hiring top talent that includes good writers (LAWRENCE KASDAN for god's sake--how old school SW can you get) and good directors who are themselves fans. They are onboard with Abrams' "practical effects" "doing it like the OT" approach. Everyone involved with the film--Hamill, Mayhew, even visitors like Kevin Smith--have gushed about how it's like making the OT all over again. Disney is smart, look at their treatment of Marvel.
Further, when Bob Igor was buying Lucasfilm he made it clear that the films were no longer George's and they needed to do with them what they felt best. Lucas obviously agreed, as he made the deal. That's why they are sort of making a point of saying "hey fans, I know the prequels and SE kind of split the fan base, we are not going to do that, we are going to win the critics back."
Disney like any other company only cares about money. That's all there is really. Yes, I'm a grumpy old cynic. But, you cannot just push all the same buttons once again and somehow think you're gonna end up with movie magic. Oh well. At least they're trying... only about 15 years too late though...
zombie84 said:
3) George Lucas doesn't care. He has no involvement. He walked away. He sold the films. They are no longer his. There is no "never release the OOT" contract, that is an unfounded conspiracy theory. He released them in 2006, technically, and soften by 2011, saying he would like to restore them but didn't want to spend the money. He COULD HAVE--but he didn't give a shit. I'm sure by then he knew he was going to retire and sell the films the next year--as if he made that decision lickety-split--so was just like..."meh...I don't really care...money and time...this SE is my last statement on SW."
He may not care any longer, but just let us say he's still as hellbent as ever concerning this... how many studios release major catalog titles against or without the director's consent? This particular director is also a (former) Hollywood giant, former owner of the company and also happens to be Disney's second largest single shareholder, good friend of Bob Igor and Kathleen Kennedy. It's a quite unique situation I know, but all I'm trying to say is, if George still really doesn't wan't those films and his other two directorial films out there, I think it's quite safe to say that they will respect his wishes.
zombie84 said:
4) Which then brings us to....what the heck is this thing then? The lightsabers are weird. Not the 1997--I THINK? Has anyone verified this beyond a shadow of a doubt? Because what happens due to exposure variants is the the core and the glow look different from transfer to transfer, even when from the same source. Read most of this thread but maybe I missed something.
I mentioned back on page 3 that the compositing in that short video sample is without a doubt not the original compositing. I have since checked both IB-Tech and Kodak print scans and I think others have also reconfirmed. The lightsaber compositing in the Ben vs. Vader duel was left untouched in the '97SE release.
Also, you really need to update your page on the "'SW-restoration," additional info has surfaced over the years since you compiled that piece.