Blu-Ray "Star Wars" changes the end of "Return of the Jedi" - Vader cries out "NOOO"

[NewJeffCT]

I'm not joking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVqgSFg3zSw
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The 'Star Wars' Blu-Ray War: Is George Lucas the Evil Emperor?

So George Lucas is coming in for some heavy criticism for altering several scenes in the Blu-ray edition of 'Star Wars: The Complete Saga,' which is scheduled to hit stores on Sept. 16.

At the center of the controversy is the addition of audio to the scene at the end of 'Return of the Jedi,' when Darth Vader throws Emperor Palpatine down a shaft; in the original, Vader was silent, but now he cries out "No!" foreshadowing the end of 'Revenge of the Sith.' There's other changes, too, that are bothering fans, such as CGI versions of Yoda and the Ewoks (their eyes now blink) as well as audio changes for Obi-Wan Kenobi's Krayt Dragon howl when he rescues Luke Skywalker from a Tusken Raider attack.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/09/02/star-wars-blu-ray-changes-george-lucas/
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[YankeyMCC]

1. Note to self

Do NOT Purchase Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu Ray.

What is this "'Revenge of the Sith" you speak of? That phrase does not seem to exist in my universe.

[TK421]

8. same here...I'm trying to forget I ever watched those wretched "prequels"

[LanternWaste]

2. I actually enjoyed the additions to the first movie when it was re-released

I actually enjoyed the additions to the first movie when it was re-released some years back-- some new eye candy on Tatooine and some cleaner effects during the climactic dogfight/death star scene were welcome additions to me.

I figure, it's his baby-- he can edit and re-edit to his hearts content. Heck, there about three versions of Close Encounter out there-- and I like each one of those too. I guess there's a certain intractable dogma to the super-fans who perceive editing an already released film is akin to historical revisionism, but fundamentally, cinema is art, not history.

[NewJeffCT]

3. I agree that it is his baby

and he can do what he wants with it. However, why not put out the original on Blu-Ray for those fans and then put out a revised Lucafied version?

[LanternWaste]

4. Were I a betting man, I'd lay a week's paycheck he will.

Were I a betting man, I'd lay a week's paycheck he will. Maybe not now, but eventually I can see him releasing all versions bit by bit-- post-edited and post-un-edited-- for no other reason than increasing sales.

[alphafemale]

10. Hans Solo shot first.

Dammit.

:rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

11. and by making Greedo shoot first

it's much less of a change in Han Solo's character from A New Hope to Return of the Jedi.

In the original "Han shot first" - it makes him much more of a cold blooded self-centered mercenary. The change from there to his leading a small team of rebels on the moon of Endor is a complete change driven by his love for Leia.

If it's Greedo shoots first and misses, he still changes, but he's not nearly as cold-blooded - he was shooting in self-defense after all.

[RSillsbee]

13. Slight side track but...

In either version Greedo is pointing a gun at Han Solo and has declared his intention to kill him. Any way you look at it Han is shooting in self defense.

[alphafemale]

14. Even in the first movie

which is episode ...4. It's a much better story if Hans Solo shoots first. He changes even in that storyline from a cold-blooded "Soldier for Hire" to a sympathetic character who risks his life for others.

The "shoot in self-defense" edit makes him somewhat likable from the beginning. I never understood GL's reasoning on this.

[Orrex]

22. No no no no no

Han Solo shot only. Greedo didn't shoot at all.

[NewJeffCT]

24. good point

Han was too quick for him

[Frank Cannon]

29. Han Solo did not shoot first.

Han shot ONLY.

[dr.strangelove]

31. He has already done this once

The 2006 dvd release included both the revised version and the theatrical version. Once the 3D Blue Rays are released in 2-3 years, I expect he will release the blue ray of the theatrical version as well.

[pokerfan]

21. films belong to the public more than they do the copyright holders...

Or that's what Lucas believed back in 1988 when he testified before Congress:

... pleading for lawmakers to enact laws that would … wait for it … prevent anyone from using advances in digital technology to make changes to films, arguing that films belong to the public more than they do the copyright holders, who he contends are merely custodians of art owned by the people. He then calls on Congress to, in the interest of preserving America’s cultural heritage, use its power to do whatever it can to preserve films as they were when they were originally released.



http://www.uproxx.com/media/2011/09/1988-george-lucas-was-against-2011-george-lucas-before-he-was-for-him

[NewJeffCT]

23. ah, but 9/11 changed everything

[NewJeffCT]

5. good cartoon here

[pokerfan]

25. This deal is getting worse all the time! n/t

[Frank Cannon]

30. You feel you're being treated unfairly?

Next edit: Jar-Jar Binks scenes in all six episodes.

[edbermac]

6. I think George Lucas should be publicly flogged.

:spank:

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. How long until "Star Wars Babies"?

[NewJeffCT]

9. They already did that with the ewoks, no?

right

However, one change I'm okay with is making the ewoks blink.

[Fire Walk With Me]

17. I'd be okay with making them blind.

When I first saw that film, I realized that everything the Ewoks said translated to "Buy me for Christmas!"

(facepalm)

[NewJeffCT]

18. When I saw that movie

I was more focused on Carrie Fisher in the brass bikini... but, I was 16 1/2 when Return of the Jedi came out in May of 1983. I guess I was too old to even think about Ewok toys for myself, but not yet cynical enough to think about them being there mostly for marketing.

[Fire Walk With Me]

19. I'm fairly certain that was the film in which marketing went wild...

...and I'm fairly certain that aspects of the film were created to enable marketing.

Booo....or as Vader is about to say, "NOOOO!" :rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

20. I may have noticed it at the time

may have... but, i was likely too thrilled just to have another Star Wars movie in the theaters that I didn't really care.

and, the beginning of the movie - the rescue of Han and the end of Jabba - was well done. The rest was a mixed bag.

[AsahinaKimi]

12. IS that a Star Wars FACE PALM??

SOMEONE'S GOTTA SAVE That...

[NewJeffCT]

15. yes, I did a google image search on "vader facepalm"

and that was one of the first that came up

[AsahinaKimi]

16. Excellent!!

[Supply Side Jesus]

26. Star Wars? I had a pyre after episode 1

It was very cathartic

[NewJeffCT]

28. The prequels got better

but, still had some low points throughout... I'd put Revenge of the Sith close to Return of the Jedi.

[pokerfan]

27. The most controversial change seems to be

to the Han Solo and Greedo encounter in the Mos Eisley Cantina. The Blu-Ray version has Greedo firing (and missing) ten times from about two feet while Han cowers and pleads, "Please don't hurt me!" Out of ammo, Greedo tries to flee the Cantina but bumps his head (with a comic sound-effect) on the doorway, knocking himself unconscious.