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Originally posted by: Darth-Adroit
Welcome garethxxgod.
It’s great to have you aboard even if I disagree with your preference of the SE. Perhaps you could help me understand what you like about the Special Editions. I know a few fans of the SE, but they are primarily very young viewers and can’t really articulate their feelings. I’m not trying to put you on the spot here; I just really want to know what features you enjoy. I can imagine an alternate universe where I would’ve really liked the SE. If George had made the OOT and the SEOT available on DVD in the same set, with the OOT getting top billing and the SE as a special feature on the second disk. In a scenario like that I could’ve been a little more objective about the SE. I would’ve seen them as a further development of what George wanted when he made the movies. That was the way I viewed the SE when I saw them in theatres. Now I see them as an object lesson in why revisionism is a detriment to our society.
Welcome garethxxgod.
It’s great to have you aboard even if I disagree with your preference of the SE. Perhaps you could help me understand what you like about the Special Editions. I know a few fans of the SE, but they are primarily very young viewers and can’t really articulate their feelings. I’m not trying to put you on the spot here; I just really want to know what features you enjoy. I can imagine an alternate universe where I would’ve really liked the SE. If George had made the OOT and the SEOT available on DVD in the same set, with the OOT getting top billing and the SE as a special feature on the second disk. In a scenario like that I could’ve been a little more objective about the SE. I would’ve seen them as a further development of what George wanted when he made the movies. That was the way I viewed the SE when I saw them in theatres. Now I see them as an object lesson in why revisionism is a detriment to our society.
I'll tell you, nobody has really ever asked WHY I prefer the Special Editions to the Originals. I'll be totally honest with you, as of late I've had the free time to post on certain message boards and seen some really ridiculous oppositions to some of the more in my mind trivial things in these movies. In a way that has helped me reinforce my appreciation for the Special Editions although it's not the only reason I like the SE's.
Firstly I'll help debunk the "myth" that all SE fans are infact children. I guess compared to some of you I could seem like a kid but I'm actually 25 years old. At the wee age of 2, I saw ROTJ....don't remember much but I'm sure I would have enjoyed myself if the entire movie had been Luke sitting outside of Jabba's palace scratching his head in disappointment at his failed attempt to get in (like to throw a little humour in their once in a while). I grew up with the Original films, I liked them all the same probably appreciated them just as similarily as anyone else. Then the 1997 Special Editions came out. I dunno, I was just excited. I couldn't explain it, I had loved Star Wars and I was excited at the time to see these "new features" in Star Wars. Looking back I don't even know if I would have appreciated them so much. With the few new shots they showed in the trailers I doubt I probably would have even noticed. Then a friend let me borrow the films, and while there were a few noticable changes I never really desired to actually buy those films. So I stuck with my copy of the "One Last Time" editions and that was that.
Then the Prequels hit, I was excited for the first film. Like alot of people I probably saw them through a "nostalgic or rose-tinted haze" in which I hoped they would be like the originals or be just as good. I enjoyed the first fim, revisited it on VHS, didn't like it as much but I had moments I enjoyed. Attack Of The Clones I found to be a superior and atleast more faithful release in the spirit of Star Wars. It had adventure, excitement, all the things those crazy Jedi's don't crave. Revenge Of The Sith was definately the strongest part of the prequels and the one I think suffers the least in terms of how faithful or unfaithful to the story and feel of Star Wars. You see I was just way too wrapped up in the story. Nothing really disappointed me except for a few things like oh I dunno Jar Jar Binks....Anakin at 9 taking out a Droid Control Ship by himself by "accident" (I was so glad when Christensen stepped into the role). I had questions sure but how cool was it to see the origins of some of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe? I've said I'm a more "easy going" movie goer and I guess I was more succeptable to George's crazy juice.
I'm sorry if I've rambled on and I appreciate anyone who's actually stuck it out thus far. I'll keep this last paragraph short and sweet. As far as the 2004 editions go, yes I wondered who the hell let these crappy Lightsaber bloopers go? No matter how many people see a Pink Saber, I never really see anything but that evil red of his although after reviewing that comparison site someone posted in the TC vs. SE board I might start seeing pink (thanks alot guys!
) Wait a minute...that's not right, Anakin is young where's old man Sebass? FINALLY Empire has the CORRECT Emperor is in the film...I was happy to know though that they had touched up Jabba once again in better condition than that piece of melting turd that was in the 1997 edition. I like mostly cosmetic changes that help the story along, like the revamped Tie Fighter/X-Wing shots at the Battle Of Yavin, fixing up the disappearing Tie Fighters, the extended Mos Eisley shots (although some would argue they are way too long and doesn't move the story along). Hell I can even accept the Sarlacc and the Jedi Rocks song because I honestly never thought much of them to begin with....and in the end it all boils down to me being a sucker for the story. I grew up with this story just as much as you guys and I honestly can't help but want to embrace that larger picture I guess. I'm sure there's tons more that I could name BUT I'll spare you guys for now and post in the other appropriate threads. Sorry for rambling on about Star Wars. I've gotten it out of my system now, I'll try and keep it down to one paragraph a post 
. And I think that the "other" boards are theforce.net. I've never been there though. 