Star Wars Trilogy DVD
I picked up the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD last week. If, like me, you were a kid in 1977, then you probably already own these movies on LaserDisc and/or VHS, but you’ll still buy the DVDs.
The packaging is surprisingly light; the case feels flimsy, there’s not much by way of liner notes, and what’s up with the early Darth Vader helmet design? Bizarre.
The commentaries are interesting, but I doubt long-time fans will learn too much. While there are no deleted scenes (desert rendezvous from Jedi or the scenes with Luke’s friends on Tatooine from Star Wars would’ve been nice), Lucas has taken the opportunity to continue to revise the films.
In Empire he’s removed the foolish-sounding scream that Luke emits while falling away from Vader (which I believe was introduced in the Special Edition in ‘97); the holographic emperor was replaced with Ian MacDiarmid (although, inexplicably, the original actor retains a credit); and a ghostly Hayden Christensen replaces Sebastian Shaw alongside Ben and Yoda in the final celebration at the end of Jedi.
I haven’t watched these films in awhile (Star Wars actually seemed fresh to me, which is saying something), but I’m more convinced than ever that what the newer movies are missing is both Harrison Ford and Han Solo; and that Lucas himself fails to recognize this fact. But don’t get me wrong — these movies are primarily for kids, and they succeed admirably. If you want real science fiction, buy Robert Sawyer novels.
