I agree, after seeing the 2004 DVD's there really aren't that many changes compared to the number that was made for the 1997 version; and although some people might say "they go too far" - Anyone who takes issue with the 2004 changes should too take issue with the 1997 changes. It's not really about closeness - but that the interest should remain in the original trilogy. There's a difference between this and say Blade runner which has had more cuts then you can shake a stick at. Most hollywood movies that are censored in America are released that way everywhere. Not the case here, there's the Theatrical cut - the American Theatrical cut, the Director's cut ... etc. But all were made from original material that was compiled when the movie was made. They may have been compiled at different times, but they all had the same material available to make each version - get my drift?

This isn't the case with ET and StarWars. They're altered, new material is used not just original material. It's like how the Noddy books have been censored. And that is censorship, because it's fudging the original material. That's what I take issue with. I do still think original material should be preserved in addition to director's cuts - but I don't think it's right to continue re-making the movie. If you want to make a re-make, start from scratch.