The internet is abuzz with negativity over some changes that have been made to the "original" Star Wars films for their upcoming blu-ray release on September 16th. The films have been the most eagerly anticipated release since the blu-ray format was created, but now, two clips of altered scenes have hit the web causing many fans to curse George Lucas' name, cancel their pre-orders, and call for a boycott of the release.
It has been common knowledge for some time, that the original 1977, 1980, and 1983 versions of the Star Wars films would not be included in this set. If fans were going to buy them two weeks ago, before the revised scenes leaked, there should be no reason for them to change their minds now.
This reaction of absolute horror coming from the same fans that have been eating this stuff up for years is both hilarious and predictable. It seems that this is just a good opportunity for fans to complain, get negative, and make a lot of noise with proclamations like, "I won't buy them now."
I don’t seem to remember this much of an outcry for the first dvd release of The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition after its record breaking theatrical run in 1997. The same fans who were happy to see them then – "... digitally re-mastered…with a few new surprises” – are now saying enough is enough. Is it not hypocritical to accept one series of changes, but scoff at another?
The [leaked] scenes in question are relatively minor tweaks of sound only, which would not change characterization or dramatic intent. Fans can debate all day long about the changes (and they will), but in the grand scheme of all the additions and alterations Lucas has made to the films, they are much less offensive to fans than some others – specifically the inclusion of Hayden Christiansen as Anakin’s ghost at the end of Return of the Jedi and the infamous Greedo-shoots-first-scene in Star Wars.
The fact that there have been additional changes made shouldn't surprise anyone. They’ve been talking about more changes for years. "Films are never completed, they're only abandoned." is a phrase that George Lucas enjoys using to support his right as an artist to alter the films. His claim that the little nips and tucks move the pictures closer to his original vision may have been true for some of the original changes, but now it should be clear to everyone that he will never stop. Seriously, get used to it if you want to be a Star Wars fan, because he will NEVER be happy with them enough to stop tinkering.
In addition to the changes to the original films, there have been a few upgrades to the prequels also, most notably the replacement of the puppet Yoda from Episode I with a digital version that matches Episodes II and III. Again, no one seems to be grabbing their torches and pitchforks for that change. The set hasn't been released yet and some fans are jumping to conclusions that all the tweaks are bad for Star Wars.
Most fans would be happy to see Lucas continue to tweak the films if he also included the original unaltered versions on the set. I agree with that sentiment, but for this release, that’s not happening – maybe next time. If you don’t own them unaltered, they are available on the “Limited Editon” dvds that were released a few years ago. Seek them out, enjoy them, and share them with your kids.
Most fans would be happy to see Lucas continue to tweak the films if he also included the original unaltered versions on the set. I agree with that sentiment, but for this release, that’s not happening – maybe next time. If you don’t own them unaltered, they are available on the “Limited Editon” dvds that were released a few years ago. Seek them out, enjoy them, and share them with your kids.
If you want to boycott the blu-ray release, fine. It is the consumer’s right to vote with their wallets. Don’t expect many Star Wars fans to join you though. The set is packed with some very cool features including never-before-seen deleted scenes and will find its way into most fans’ collections eventually.
Lucas is a genius at managing Star Wars as a property and will continue to find new ways to get fans to spend money for the same things time and time again. He’s been doing it successfully for years. Rest assured, one of these days, he will release the original 1977, 1980, and 1983 versions again.
As Obi-Wan would say, "Patience."
