logo Sign In

CO

User Group
Members
Join date
25-Jul-2005
Last activity
22-Apr-2019
Posts
1,568

Post History

Post
#189007
Topic
TPM voted #12 worst sequel ever by EW Magazine
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/189007/action/topic#189007
Time
Adam, whether it is a bunch of Star Wars purists or not, it is interesting to see how pop culture views the PT now that it is all done with. This isn't an exact science, this is just one of many lists that will appear that we can all debate on, so lighten up.

And yes it is a prequel, but you know what they mean by sequel, it was the fourth movie released in the series, so it is a sequel in the way it was released, but it is a prequel in the way it is in the story.

There was a list a couple of months ago in some magazine that had the top scifi movies ever and ESB was #1 and Star Wars was #4, ROTJ was nowhere to be found in the top 10. That list was interesting to see how the original SW and ESB are still the favorites and have aged very nicely among scifi/fantasy movies.

It is just a list, not the law.
Post
#188942
Topic
TPM voted #12 worst sequel ever by EW Magazine
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/188942/action/topic#188942
Time
I got my Entertainment Weekly Magazine this week, and they have a list of the top 25 Worst Sequels of all-time, and Episode I: The Phantom Menace comes in at #12! This shows that this is the legacy of the Prequels, cause the first picture on the page talking about all these sequels is Jar Jar! That is the only Pop Culture reference that the PT gave us, Jar Jar, a punch line to how bad people views these films. Here is the list:

25. Matrix Reloaded
24. Next Karate Kid
23. Porky's II
22. Teen Wolf II
21. Legally Blonde 2
20. The Godfather III
19. Revenge of the Nerds II
18. Battle of the Planet of the Apes
17. Star Trek V
16. Ocean Twelve
15. Dumb & Dumber 2: When Harry Met Lloyd
14. Conan the Destroyer
13. The Sting II
12. Star Wars Episode I: THE PHANTOM MENACE
11. Dirty Dancing: Havanna Nights
10. Jaws: The Revenge
9. Speed 2
8. Friday The 13th , Part VIII
7. The Fly II
6. Weekend at Bernies II
5. Batman & Robin (1997)
4. Blues Brothers 2000
3. Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha' Hood
2. Caddyshack II
1. Stayin Alive

I guess TPM is not getting better with age.
Post
#183617
Topic
Understanding the saga - A perspective from T.F.N
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/183617/action/topic#183617
Time
Originally posted by: Adamwankenobi

But see, that's the point. Even in the early 80's, Lucas warned people that the PT would be quite different from what you would expect. The new trilogy would not resemble the other.

So... comparing the two based on the OT just doesn't work. The two trilogy are not meant to be compared, with one being judged against another. They're simply two parts of an overall story that he chose to create in two totally different ways. The OT was designed to be based on mythology.

The PT basically tells you where all those mythic guys came from.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CO's response:

I kinda agree with you Adam, that the PT was never suppose to be better than the OT, it is just a different story, and to me, not as fun. Putting aside quality, and I have a hell of alot of quality issues from the PT,

Which Trilogy has the funner characters?
Which Trilogy has a story that delves right into it in the first minute, than rather having one, possibly two setup movies?
Which Trilogy is not restricted to the other trilogy, meaning it was made first, so Lucas could do anything with the story?
Which Trilogy are the fates of the main players unknown?

Now looking back, even if Lucas put out three great prequel movies, I still don't think we would love them, or like them as much as the OT, it is just a different trilogy. It is more staunch, every character is some type of politician or jedi, what the hell fun is that? The story takes its time getting going, cause it has to give you the macro view of everthing, while telling the story of this boy we already know the fate of, and are just waiting for him to turn evil.

This isn't a defense of the PT, cause we all know it could have been better, but what were we really hoping for? The OT movies are just fun to watch and great movies too, the characters Luke, Han, and Leia are great, the story moves, and the villain is the biggest badass in the history of movies. The secondary characters of Yoda, Lando, Chewbacca, The Emperor, and the glue that holds the first movie together Alec Guinness dies halfway through the first movie. How could Lucas ever top it?

I can only speak for myself, but I think I was expecting more than even Lucas/Kurtz/Kasdan/Kershner in their prime could have put out for the PT. I really do believe 3 excellent prequel movies would still not match the OT, so was it worth it? Now, I really don't think so, it is a different story, different characters that invaded our universe from 1977-83, how can someone strike lightning in a bottle twice? To have these two trilogies as one story, doesn't work for me, and will never work, I think that is where Lucas miscalculated, and should have left well enough alone in 1983.

Post
#182061
Topic
Update on the TV show, an now Lucas is getting involved!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/182061/action/topic#182061
Time
"Speaking of the future, you said the Star Wars TV show is years away...

Steve Sansweet: We're doing it in two phases. The first is Star Wars animation, which is CG 3-dimensional animation, like a Toy Story, that takes place during the period of the Clone Wars that takes place between Episodes 2 and 3. And that we're setting for Fall of 2007. Preproduction is underway, we're doing animation test, people are working on initial scripts. So we're well under way on that. And George is very much taking hand and is very much part of the whole process. I know some people thought maybe he would just hey "hey, go do it," but George is Star Wars and he's always gonna be very closely involved in this.

The other project is live action, and the live action is going to take place between Episode 3 and Episode 4. We're looking at a 1 hour show and [Producer] Rick McCallum has said the ideal would be to come up with 100 hours to really get into the story line and characters, and that's the direction we're going in. So that is really targeted more towards the end of the decade."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you go guys, Lucas isn't done with SW. I guess those small experimental films he always wanted to do isn't that interesting for him now. I thought he was done with SW? I guess 7,8,9 may be a possiblility? Does he say anything anymore that we can take at face value?

P.S. Adam, I know you are interested in the TV series, so the above info is for you, my sarcasm about Lucas is for anyone else.
Post
#181871
Topic
Harrison Ford's Feelings about the Holiday Special
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/181871/action/topic#181871
Time
Are you sure Harrison Fords reaction wasn't from Conan showing him one of the prequel movies?

I can see Harrison Ford flipping the channels one night with Callista and Attack of the Clones is on TV:

Callista: Harrision, isn't this movie part of your saga?

Ford: Whoa, these movies were made at a different time then the trilogy I did in the late 70's/early 80's. They are not part of my saga!

Callista: This love story is downright awful.

Ford: I always said you can type this shit, but you couldn't say it. I take it back for the prequels, you can't even type this shit now!
Post
#180145
Topic
TV series set between ROTS and ANH
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/180145/action/topic#180145
Time
I still don't see this TV series ever seeing the light of day, they are already changing the time frame for it? First it was the PT time between Episode III-IV, now it is during the OT? I think they will keep talking and talking about it just to keep SW in the news, and give us something to talk about, but I don't see it ever hitting the small screen. I think they are just throwing the OT timeframe out there to see if there is interest from the older fans, because ROTS is the only one we actually enjoyed in the theater, and see what we think, and frankly I echo what Vader said , "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! to the TV series."
Post
#178592
Topic
My letter to Entertainment Weekly, what do you guys think?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178592/action/topic#178592
Time
Davis thanks for the re-write, and I think we should keep all these changes from my letter and make one official letter for the website that each of us can use if we find some publication that we feel will help the cause.

I proof-read my original letter I posted last night, and sent it out late last night after it seemed everyone was cool with it, but I do think that the best thing we can do now is just have one official letter that anyone of us can cut and paste from the website whenever needed. Anyone have anymore changes they feel would make my letter better for the future, go right ahead, I won't get offended, cause I was kinda just doing this last night off the top of my head.
Post
#178469
Topic
My letter to Entertainment Weekly, what do you guys think?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178469/action/topic#178469
Time
Originally posted by: greencapt
Well written CO and you beat me to the punch!

Are you planning on including specific examples whether in the form of screen-shots or a detailed list of known changes? I feel this would help. In fact any information that a reporter can use that saves him/her a little work can help loads towards an article.

The idea of a cover story really has me pumped- can you all imagine an EW cover that resembles the Wookie-Groomer splitscreen editions- like an all black cover with a screen cap of something like the S Shaw Force ghost on top and Hayden's on the bottom? Or perhaps a whole MONTAGE of split screen comparisons!!! Hell if I wasn't at work and had access to Photoshope I'd start laying out a mock cover like that!!!

I'd personally probably mention both the Donner Supes article and the fact about Spielberg's last mintue decision to release the original E.T. for the wider release just to remind EW that change is possible.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn't get too specific, cause I was just curious to see if they are interested. If they are, then I am planning to refer them to the creator of this site, and he can give them all the information they need, and then there is one webpage that did a comparision of the O-OT/'97/and 2004 editions which screenshots and a write up of each change. I don't know if anyone remembers that site?

If we get one magazine or newspaper that is interested, then we can all just get together here and bring as many good sources that we can find, and that would really make it more legit.

But for now, I am just trying to get someone out there to bite, cause if I wrote a long drawn out thesis to them, they may not be interested. But I purposely made my letter short and to the point, and I will all let you guys know if they answer it.

To me this is like being a salesperson, the overall odds of someone being interested in my product is probably very minute, but again, we just need one taker to get the ball rolling.
Post
#178242
Topic
My letter to Entertainment Weekly, what do you guys think?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178242/action/topic#178242
Time
Originally posted by: Kaal-Jhyy
Originally posted by: CO
I love your magazine because to me it everything that is 'in' with todays movies, music, and television, that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Is it true?
just a joke...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, remember you have to butter them up before you ask them to help you out. I mean who doesn't mind a nice compliment!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Originally posted by: CO
Now all those fans respect George Lucas has a right to change the movies, cause they are his and no one elses,...


That is not true. A quick view on those threads suffices to know that IMO...


Anyway, it's a really good letter! It would be awesome if it could change GL's opinion! I vote for it, good job!


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The magazine editor won't go through our posts, he will just log on to see if it is legit or not, and the first thing that will pop up is Lucas's quote about not changing movies, and then the next page will be all the people that have signed the petition, cause I really don't think he will have to time to go through our rantings about Lucas.


The thing we have to be courteous, and be legit, and this website helps. If I just wrote a letter asking for the O-OT on DVD, they wouldn't think twice because this one fan wants the old movies? But as they see this website, it atleast sticks out that 80,000 people agree with my letter, so it isn't just myself asking them to do this, it is a whole group of fans, so the editor may think we are on to something. If this goes anywhere, we have to not bitch and complain or say that we hate Lucas, then we will just look like angry fanboys who haven't gotten past their childhood. We have to do this in a dignified way, and maintain it is about releasing the movies for the next generation to enjoy just as much as we can to.

I know I am dreaming now, but wouldn't it be great for the cover of Entertainment Weekly, "Where are the original Star Wars movies on DVD?"

Maybe that is asking too much.

Post
#178189
Topic
My letter to Entertainment Weekly, what do you guys think?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178189/action/topic#178189
Time
OK guys, I found the Entertainment Weekly website, and found a link where you can send comments to the editorial writers of the magazine, here is what I wrote:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To whom it may concern:

I am writing to you in an attempt to possibly generate a story about the growing majority of Star Wars fans who want the original versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, not the Special Edition versions in 1997 & 2004, but the original versions as seen in the movies in 1977, 1980, and 1983 out on the DVD format.

I think it would be a big help for our cause that you could do a story in your magazine in an upcoming issue. I love your magazine because to me it everything that is 'in' with todays movies, music, and television, that the mainstream public is concerned about.

Since 1997, when George Lucas released the Star Wars Special Edition, he has not decided to release the original three movies out on DVD, and a growing frustration of alot of fans wanting these versions on the current high tech format has been growing and growing.

There is a webpage www.originaltrilogy.com that has over 80,000 signatures of Star Wars fans who just want the original versions to enjoy on DVD. Now all those fans respect George Lucas has a right to change the movies, cause they are his and no one elses, but we think in fairness to the fans who have supported him since 1977, that boths versions be available on DVD so every customer can be satisfied. Right now there was one release on DVD in 2004, where there were more changes than the 1997 Special Edition version, so this is sort Star Wars Special Edition, Part 2.

I and many others would love if you could do a story about just the history of the Star Wars movies, and how there are many versions now since Lucas started making changes. How the original versions are no longer for sale, and many fans have to result to buying illegal bootlegs, which to me sends a very negative message out there.

If you are interested in doing a story on this, I can give you the name of the creator of the website www.originaltrilogy.com, and he would be glad to give you all the information you need for the story, and I don't think it would be an anti-Lucas story, but more of a pro-Star Wars story.

Thanks for your time,
Chris Olivo


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know this a hail mary pass, and I probably won't get a response, but we have to stop bitching and complaining and get on the offensive and do something. If we try this on dozens of entertainment magazines, or major newspaper, all we need is one to pick it up, and were off to the races. I am not saying this will bring out the O-OT on DVD next week, but we have to get this somehow in the mainstream, this has to be more than just SW fans who are clamoring for it. I think we forget about the prequels, forget about Greedo shooting first, and focus on ideas as was stated earlier this morning in another post about getting this news about the O-OT on DVD out there, not on just this website, where it has stalled for a couple years. This website is great, cause it really focused me on how much I wanted the O-OT on DVD, but we have to branch out now, more than just SW fans like ourselves.
Post
#178060
Topic
Does GL ever explain why...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178060/action/topic#178060
Time
Originally posted by: grifter
Originally posted by: CO
So I put up with Hayden as a force ghost for superior sound & picture quality, am I traitor to you guys?


by buying these dvds you approve what Lucas is doing to the movies, so yes, you're a traitor...

(by the way i haven't bought the 2004 dvds nor episode 3 and i have resold I and II)



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately he has a monopoly on us, and that is the way it goes. As much as I bitch and complain about the SE, I still can enjoy the movies cause he didn't change that much of the movie. I think that Lucas is full of shit when he said that we fell in love with a 25% finished movie, cause he changed maybe 10% of it. Would I kill for the O-OT on DVD, of course I would, but I have watched the DVDs over 10 times each cause of the love I have for these movies, and I have a bootleg of the O-OT, and the quality just isn't there that it is worth it to watch it.

I mean, the problem with DVD's and CD's, is once you experience better quality of something, you never want to go back. Who the hell would still want their favorite bands on cassette tape, when CD's are superior quality? It is the same with DVD, and widesceen too. 10 years ago I didn't know why the hell on SciFi they would show these movies with these black bars, to me they were annoying. Now that I came to understand widescreen, and how the movies all these years on VHS were getting cropped, I can never watch a pan-scan movie ever again.

If you guys want to call me a traitor for enjoying the SE 2004 DVD's, so be it, but again, there are so many minor changes to ESB that it is practically the same movie. I mean with the new wampa, the new Emperor dialogue, and the enhanced Cloud City visuals, and Vader going to his ship, it is the same movie from the O-OT. Now the original SW I get annoyed with Han shooting first, and really get annoyed with Hayden in ROTJ, and that stupid song in Jabbas palace, but I still enjoy the movies, and sorry if that bothers you guys.

Would I kill for the O-OT on DVD, I wouldn't be here if I didn't, but I gonna be honest with you guys that the changes suck, but it doesn't ruin the movies for me, it just isn't as good as the O-OT.

Post
#178034
Topic
Star Wars becoming "mainstream" and "popular"
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178034/action/topic#178034
Time
Originally posted by: Invader Jenny
I think that by "mainstream" is that it is just popular right now, now that the PT is over and done with. When the PT came out a lot of closet case Star Wars fans came forward and said that they loved Star Wars and were going to check out the newest films.

Now that the hype is over, I'm guessing that it will retreat a bit and with a little luck, the PT will fade away and the OT will be remembered most.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The one thing I notice alot is people refer to the prequels as the Star Wars trilogy with Jar Jar in it, and to me, that can't be any good if they think of those movies like that. The one thing I am glad that the prequels were made is, they have made the OT even more superior than it was in the 80's. Now fans who don't like SW, atleast recognize the great trilogy and the bad trilogy. So again, the saga may be tied together by the PT gushers, but the mainstream will always look at it as two trilogies, and the PT is always the punch line.
Post
#178031
Topic
Does GL ever explain why...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/178031/action/topic#178031
Time
Originally posted by: Invader Jenny
Originally posted by: CO
I own the 2004 DVD editions... So I put up with Hayden as a force ghost for superior sound & picture quality, am I traitor to you guys?


Yes. Yes, you are.


Harrison Ford is on the commentary?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No, only Carrie Fisher. Harrison Ford & Mark Hammill did not participate.

I know I am a traitor, but the movies sound so damn good in Dolby 5.1, and look great in anamorphic widescreen, I can't resist..........
Post
#177994
Topic
Does GL ever explain why...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177994/action/topic#177994
Time
I own the 2004 DVD editions, because their quality is so good, that with my HD TV and surround sound system, bootlegs of the O-OT don't even compare to the picture and sound. So I put up with Hayden as a force ghost for superior sound & picture quality, am I traitor to you guys?

I have listened to all 3 commentaries, and I have to say nothing new comes out about the changes. The ESB is the only good commentary cause you hear Kershners take on the movie, and there is no prequel spin, or this is the way I envisoned it. Kershner is pretty honest and straightforward, and does a go indepth on alot of subjects, especially the cave sequence. Carrie Fisher adds some funny moments when Harrison Ford talks to her after Luke tells her he is her sister, and her and Han Solo have a tender moment, she says, "Ugh, I liked it better when we were arguing with each other in ESB!"

I used to love Lucas interviews pre-SE, because he was much more honest then. He actually was very insightful when he'd talk, and it was always interesting on his take on the OT movies. But now, he has to give the spin that the story was always about Anakin, or there were never 9 episodes, or Darth Vader is just this pathetic #2 guy, or I had to wait for the technology is why I never did the PT back in the 80's. It is all a big lie now, and sadly, I don't really care what he says, or I just think he is spinning his views so everyone sees the saga 1-6 now. But check out his interviews pre-97 interviews, they were always very interesting, and to me I think he was alot more humbler back then too.
Post
#177949
Topic
New tactic for petitioning for the OOT?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177949/action/topic#177949
Time
Not a bad idea, at this point anything new is worth a try.

How about finding some writer for a publication like Entertainment Weekly, or some entertainment magazine to get the full story out about the original movies. Get one of the magazines to do a cover story about the O-OT, and how they are stored away somewhere and can't be enjoyed on the latest format.

As much as we all want these movies out, I still think there is a huge amount of older fans who didn't really follow the prequels, and don't follow SW much anymore on the web like us, but loved the movies growing up, and really aren't aware that these versions either arent' out, or they have changed that much over the years.

But your idea is still worth a try!
Post
#177945
Topic
Why is Leia a princess?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177945/action/topic#177945
Time
She was a princess cause that was a stereotypical character for the standalone movie in 1977. You had the wizard, the cocky pilot, the farmboy, and the princess, and the evil guy behind the mask.

Everything in the original was there because it was a basic story. She was a princess cause it made the mission to find her more interesting for the plot. And young boy fulfilling his destiny to save a princess from capture, and blow up the space station run by the evil empire.

There was nothing more to the story than that, Lucas had some notes and some backround on the characters, but these plans for a huge saga are such malarky, it was originally a standalone movie, that Lucas made Vader survive just in case he could do sequels, in which he had no idea where the story would go from here.

That is why it doesn't make sense if you watch the PT, and then watch the original SW, nothing adds up, cause nothing was there in 1977 yet.
Post
#177681
Topic
did lucas destroy star wars?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177681/action/topic#177681
Time
Originally posted by: Zebonka
"They will wonder why Uncle Owen hates Kenobi & Anakin, when nothing is stated in AOTC or ROTS."

I'm not sure I've ever understood this sticking point.

When did he say he hated them? I always saw it more as a kind of concern, a crotchety, stay-at-home kind of 'well, your mother died and your dad roasted, you shouldn't get up to that Jedi tomfoolery like Obi-Wan or you'll pay for it'.


Text
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is not a major point that will stick out as much as the others, but I always felt Lucas missed a huge opportunity in the PT of really having Uncle Owen play a bigger role in the relationship with him and Kenobi/Anakin.

Again, you and I have to assume why Owen hates him, or is concerned about him, etc. Why the heck should you and I debate how Owen feels so strongly in ANH about them when Lucas had three movies to show it? That is such a failure of the PT, aside from Jar Jar and all the other things we bitch about, here is a key character in the original SW who raises the hero of the next trilogy, and has some angst against ObiWan and Anakin, or does he know it is Vader?

And we get a couple of stinkin lines, "I guess I am your stepbrother. I am Owen, and this my girlfriend Beru." That was Lucas connecting the dots cause he had to have that final scene with baby Luke, nothing more nothing less. That would have enriched the original SW so much more to see Owen develop a relationship with Anakin and ObiWan for the PT, but now people will have to watch the Episode IV, and try to figure out why the angst he feels the same way we did in 1977, except they have a backstory that didn't explain it.
Post
#177672
Topic
Star Wars becoming "mainstream" and "popular"
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177672/action/topic#177672
Time
Jenny, I am not demeaning ESB or ROTJ by saying they are not mainstream, because those movies have box office numbers movies would kill for. Just because the SW audience is so huge now, doesn't mean its mainstream.

Just look at the PT numbers, they all did great at the box office.

TPM- 431 million
AOTC- 310 million
ROTS- 380 million

But how many non-SW fans went to see these movies? I have one friend who saw TPM 6 times in the theater in 1999, that is a big reason SW numbers for all the movies are so high, they get repeat business from the same fans, and more repeat business from the same fans.

Lord of the Rings got that too, when each of their movies ended up at roughly 350-380 million, that is the cap amongst true fans for all these movies. Spiderman did 407 million, and the sequel did alittle over 300 million. But again would recommend these movies to any movie goer?

A movie like Titanic did 600 million, and was a true phenomenon in 1997-98. Now granted many fans saw it numerous times that pumped up the box office, but I would still recommend Titanic for anyone to see, my brother, my sister in law, a teenager, or even my mom or grandmom.

When the original SW came out, everyone of those people I just mentioned saw it in 1977. Partly because they 'had' to see it to see what all the fuss was about, but overall it is a standalone movie that is an enjoyable, fun movie that has an ending and could have ended there. I would not hesitate to this day to recommend the original SW to anyone of any ages to watch it, and putting aside the 5 sequels, I am pretty sure they will enjoy the movie, and maybe even really like it.

For the other 5 SW movies, I don't know if I could recommend them. To me, as good as ESB is, and I think it is just as great as SW original, you still have to LOVE SW to like this movie, it delves more into the characters, it doesn't have an ending, and the good guys lose in the end. But it is atleast a great movie, so that would be the only sequel I would think to recommend.

ROTJ, TPM, AOTC, and ROTS are just sequels that live by the SW name, and other than SW fans, anyone non SW fan movie goer would think these movies are pure shit.

The original SW is one of those movies that struck lightning in a bottle, I can't explain it, but it is like E.T., Titanic, The Godfather, where the success lived up to the hype. That is why everytime it gets re-released in the movies it crushes the sequels, because you and I and most on this website went to see all 3 SE movies in 1997, but the mainstream audience went to the SW and thats it.
Post
#177657
Topic
Star Wars becoming "mainstream" and "popular"
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177657/action/topic#177657
Time
It is an interesting subject, cause when I was growing up you either loved SW or not. And back in 1983, we defended SW fans, now the SW fans are bickering amongst themselves.

Is it cooler now to be a SW fan, that is a tough question. Maybe, cause the OT, or atleast the original & ESB are considered classics to many outside the SW box, but in a sense they have been helped so much by a lackluster prequel trilogy. I have so many friends say to me now that hated SW when we grew up about the new movies. "I was never a big fan of SW growing up, but the new ones really suck, the old ones are so much better."
They were the same people who didn't get SW 20 years ago, and still don't get it 20 years later, or even like the movies anymore 20 years later, but recognize that the movies are very good and so much better than the PT movies.

I still think the only mainstream SW movie was the original, the rest were made for the fans. I found at boxofficemojo.com the total number of tickets bought for every SW movie:

Star Wars (1977) 180 million
ESB (1980) 94 million
ROTJ (1983) 90 million
TPM (1999) 84 million
AOTC (2002) 54 million
ROTS (2005) 58 million

Now of course the OT had the SE and re-releases in the 80's to pad these numbers, but look how far the original is to any of the sequels, nothing comes close.

The problem that SW fans don't understand, especially PT fans, is that the mainstream only loved the original. It was a basic good vs evil story in 1977 with lovable characters, a cool bad guy, and effects that blew people out of their seats, it was the must see in 1977. I remember going to it with my mom, my two older brothers, and my friend and her parents when I was 5 years old. Everyone had to see SW in 1977, it was an event that summer for every movie fan.

After that they were just made for SW fans, and the masses didn't go, but it had such a huge fanbase, it still made a gazillion dollars for the 5 other movies. Even as much as I love ESB, the original SW still gets all the acclaim as being #15 on the AFI greatest movie list, goes into the movie archives.

Here is the boxoffice gross in 1997 for the SE releases:

Star Wars - 138 million
ESB - 67 million
ROTJ - 45 million

If ESB is so loved by all of us, including myself, why is the original double it even 20 years later? Cause fans who may not be diehard SW fans like ourselves love the original.

My whole point is I don't think SW has ever been mainstream since 1977, but we have such a big base of fans that it seems that way. As I said, I dont' know if it is any cooler that when we were growing up, but the mainstream is beginning to recognize how good the older films are, because the PT was so average compared to them. In that sense we should thank George for putting out an inferior product that has really distinguished the two trilogies: One great, one average.
Post
#177655
Topic
did lucas destroy star wars?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177655/action/topic#177655
Time
I think he destroyed the original SW to every new fan who watches it 1-6 now. They will be watching it as Episode IV now, as Anakins story, and not as we saw it as just a good vs evil movie, and Vader was a really cool bad guy.

Think about it they will watch I-III, and then get to Episode IV and have this culture shock at things in the movie:

-They will wonder where is The Emperor and Yoda?

-They will wonder why are these effects so inferior

-They will wonder why the duel between ObiWan & Vader is so slow and lame

-They will be looking for the internal struggle of Vader as this tortured man, and it wasn't even invented til ESB.

-They will wonder why Uncle Owen hates Kenobi & Anakin, when nothing is stated in AOTC or ROTS.

-They will wonder where the Imperial March music is?

-They will probably think it is slow, and not a computer game action fast like the previous movies.

-They probably won't fall in love with Luke, Leia, and Han like we did, cause they will focus on Vader since the story is about him.

It is a shame because I have noticed on other web pages, that newcomers watching it 1-6 put the original SW as their least favorite, cause they are so ingrained to watch the saga now 1-6, and to be the story about Anakin, the original from 1977 wasn't written like this, and they are watching the movie in a totally different context then we did, as we watched it as just the first SW movie. I really feel bad, because no one should think the original SW is an average movie, growing up everyone I knew loved it, and we debated ESB & ROTJ.

The original SW not being loved by the younger or newer SW fans is a direct result of the PT, cause it went from being the first SW movie seen by us, to being thrown into #4 spot, and now it sticks out like a sore thumb. I put the blame on Lucas, cause he says the saga must be watched 1-6 now, and in the process has scewed up the one great SW movie he directed. Thank god I saw it when I did, cause it is still my favorite movie of all-time, now it just another episode in the SW saga, that is sad.
Post
#177654
Topic
Someone has to goto Wonder Con at bring up the O-OT next week
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177654/action/topic#177654
Time
Originally posted by: Zebonka
I refuse to abridge my opinion to two words like "ANH rocks" or "TPM sucks". Each of the Star Wars movies runs at 2 hours or more... there is *so much* in each one of them to like or to hate.

As for this idea of asking Sansweet about the O-OT... nice thought but it won't go anywhere. Fan relations types like that, whether or not they have an opinion, will usually just go with what they've been fed from the top. If his job relies on him saying the kind of crap that was said on the Official Site concerning this, then he'll say it.

Actually, anyone remember the press release for the '04 DVDs? It was hilarious, the excuse for it not being the O-OT was because it was 'art', and it was regrettable that they were pissing off fans but oh well.



Text
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do agree, I don't expect him to say, "That is a great question, the O-OT will be released......"

I don't expect him even to answer the question, probably give the company line from Lucas. But if we keep asking at every event, and making a big schtick everytime these guys do a presentation, maybe, just maybe, they'll get the point that there is a bigger demand for these versions than they think.

Wishful thinking, but I am not giving up.
Post
#177061
Topic
Someone has to goto Wonder Con at bring up the O-OT next week
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/177061/action/topic#177061
Time
I was reading that the Wonder Con is taking place next week and there will be a representative from Star Wars, Steve Sansweet there on Saturday Feb 11, here is the scoop:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, Lucasfilm’s Steve Sansweet returns to WonderCon to show us there’s more to come from the monumental Star Wars saga.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Now I could care less what is coming up for the saga, I am guessing news on the TV show, but we have to get someone who lives out there and go to this event, and make a stink about putting the O-OT on DVD, and how there is huge mass of SW fans out there that want it. Atleast someone get one question in about it, just to see what his answer is about the issue. I live in New Jersey, does anyone know anybody who lives near San Francisco?

And I think we have to be courteous about this, we don't want to look like were disrespecting the speaker, just ask nicely about if there are plans on a future release of the O-OT on DVD, and explain how there is huge fanbase that just wants to see the original movies in their original form, cause Lucas always says he makes these movies for the fans.

We'll do all our bitching and moaning about Lucas here on the website.