How much of a d**k is George Lucas?

Zombrex · 13-09-2006 2:21pm #1

So LucasArts have finally got around to releasing the original theatre release of Starwars 1-3 (or 4-6 depending on how you view it, the original films anyway)

But its not all good news. The second disk contains a rather crappy transfered from analog laser disk version theatre release of the movie, that seems to have little cleaning done and is not animorphic widescreen.

LucasArts offical line is that the original film masters were destroyed during the making of the Special Editions, and the LaserDisc version was the best version they could get their hands one. Now lots of people believe that it is not very likely that they did destroy the masters, as that would be a mindboggling stupid thing to do, but the claim that LucasArts could not get a better version than the laser disc version is simply not true

A number of different prints stored in private collections and archieves around the world. The idea that the laser disk version is the best available is ridiculous.

Now some would claim "why do you care", or "sure aren't the special editions just as good", and to be honest I don't care that much. I don't like the special editions, as I don't like tinkering with any movies years after the are released. But it isn't that big a deal.

Except Lucas is making it into a big deal by subbornly refusing to do this properly.

I would imagine that he has been forced to do this by the studio or investors, because there obviously is demand for it, but is doing it half heartly because he has a bug in his butt about the whole idea. He is fixed on the special editions and refuses to consider that he might have messed up, rather than "improved" the films. Maybe he should have watched Episode I-III if he needed proof of why Lucas should not be allowed near the Starwars films

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=196451&threshold=0&commentsort=0&mode=thread&cid=16095791

Dont be at yourself · 13-09-2006 2:39pm

He's not an idiot. If he can release a substandard DVD, watch it sell millions and still maintain the demand for the "definitive" version that everyone wants, he's quite a smart man!

koneko · 13-09-2006 2:51pm

Yep, I agree, there is absolutely no way the laserdisc versions are the "best versions" they have access to, no way. It's just another money making scheme, he'll keep releasing different versions of the films until he dies. And then his family will continue that tradition.

I have the boxset they released, and VCDs (for years now, official Asian ones, nothing dodgy) of the original trilogy and I have no intention of buying these new DVDs, total ripoff.

Zombrex · 13-09-2006 2:54pm

NekkidBibleMan wrote:

He's not an idiot. If he can release a substandard DVD, watch it sell millions and still maintain the demand for the "definitive" version that everyone wants, he's quite a smart man!

Well I was going to say "dick" but I wasn't sure if I could put that in a thread title.

Feck it, I think I will

projectmayhem · 13-09-2006 3:06pm

what's wrong with the re-done versions?

or are you one of these complete nutters who signed the petition saying hans solo would never get shot at, but would shoot first always?

they're HIS films people, he can do whatever he wants with them. if you don't like it, go make an epic space trilogy of your own

Zombrex · 13-09-2006 3:11pm

projectmayhem wrote:

what's wrong with the re-done versions?

What is right with them?

Let me guess, you liked the ending of the original Blade Runner too ... :eek:

projectmayhem wrote:

they're HIS films people, he can do whatever he wants with them. if you don't like it, go make an epic space trilogy of your own

Of course he can. But just like when the kid who owns the football in school storms off in a sulk taking his ball with him because someone argued with him about a tackle or goal, its bloody annoying

Joeface · 13-09-2006 3:20pm

South park was right.

slightly off topic can someone tell me what was the last movie he actuall made or directed

Goodshape · 13-09-2006 3:29pm

Just how bad are the transfers? Any point in getting these at all?

Zombrex · 13-09-2006 3:30pm

Joeface wrote:

slightly off topic can someone tell me what was the last movie he actuall made or directed

Starwars, the first one (the other two were directed by others, though Lucas produced) He didn't direct again till Episode I ... he prefered to spend his time masturbating in a pile of money.

BlitzKrieg · 13-09-2006 3:53pm

projectmayhem wrote:

what's wrong with the re-done versions?

Its not so much whats wrong with them. Its more to do with George's refusal to acknowledge the original release. Most other DVD packages which have a *extended/special* edition tend to give you both versions of the film (example Alien quadrilogy) Even the upcoming LOTR boxsets will have both versions of the films (and epic feat taking how huge those films are). Now we are getting the original cuts and they are being thrown at us in a half arsed way.

or are you one of these complete nutters who signed the petition saying hans solo would never get shot at, but would shoot first always?

actually the petition was not because solo would never get shot at, but that to reinforce his role as a *Hero* the scene was changed by lucas so he wouldnt mercilessly shoot another character without reason. Which for long term fans is taking a bit of the edge off the original trilogy. And that is promoted as an example for why fans want the original released on DVD, not the only reason.

they're HIS films people, he can do whatever he wants with them. if you don't like it, go make an epic space trilogy of your own

first. Watch more south park.

second While it is all dandy for him to release a version of his films and say this is how I want the films to be seen. Its a snub to both long term fans and new ones to deny them the ability to see the films in different versions.

Its also bad buisness practice as so many other forms of media and films enjoy healthy buisness by promoting the heritage of their products and how it has developed.

Lord Oz · 13-09-2006 4:03pm

Has anyone here actually seen the dvds? Be thankful he released these at all.

projectmayhem · 13-09-2006 4:35pm

BlitzKrieg wrote:

actually the petition was not because solo would never get shot at, but that to reinforce his role as a *Hero* the scene was changed by lucas so he wouldnt mercilessly shoot another character without reason. Which for long term fans is taking a bit of the edge off the original trilogy. And that is promoted as an example for why fans want the original released on DVD, not the only reason.

i realise that's not the only reason but it's the one that kicked up the biggest stink, and showed what a bunch of eejits star wars die-hard fans actually are. don't get me wrong, i'm a huge star wars fan, but they're movies. if he wants to stick a CGi pterodactyl in one scene in ep4, then so be it. as long as the story remains in tact, i'm happy

BlitzKrieg wrote:

Its also bad buisness practice as so many other forms of media and films enjoy healthy buisness by promoting the heritage of their products and how it has developed.

i'd be pretty willing to bet lucas has enough money to know what good or bad business is at this stage.

BlitzKrieg · 13-09-2006 5:08pm

projectmayhem wrote:

if he wants to stick a CGi pterodactyl in one scene in ep4, then so be it. as long as the story remains in tact, i'm happy

Let me see if I have this right? You dont mind changes being made to the films as long as the story remains intact. YET, the change being used as an example above is a change in the story and the character. Which actually when you go back over the changes most fans dislike are changes to the story, ok they are clearly minature changes, but they do effect the story. Taking the above scene, it is our first introduction to Hand solo and it establishes his character, his character is slightly different now due to the change.

Yes its all small nuts and what not, and if your happy without this accuracy buy the special edition, If you would perfer to watch the film you originally watched exactly as it was. Buy the non special edition.

showed what a bunch of eejits star wars die-hard fans actually are.

yes there are numerous eejits in the star wars fandom. I just dont see how this is such a case. A petition was formed, using a popular scene as an example and the numbers were used to show Lucas that it was worth (financially) listening to these fans and thus we have this boxset. The flaw of course was that are these numbers perfectionists who want the best quality, or people who can be satisfied with a cheap run. Sales will only tell half the story and the other half will be ignored on the internet.

i'd be pretty willing to bet lucas has enough money to know what good or bad business is at this stage.

Buisnesses (Like Hollywood) change, while Lucas had the sense to invest and promote SFX and digital, the market could change direction and set his buisness in a bad way. So having money doesnt really mean good buisness sense (see Sony's PR hiccups.)

Goodshape · 13-09-2006 5:15pm

projectmayhem wrote:

as long as the story remains in tact, i'm happy

Then why not just read the novilization?

The original Star Wars films were a product of their time and that - in my opinion - is one of the things which made them so appealing. A lot of the effects were amazing for the time and it was always fascinating to hear about how they did this scene or that.

And when the props, set pieces and special effects left something to be desired it was the acting, dialog and story which helped maintain the suspension of disbelief. I for one have a soft spot for stuff like that (think Red Dwarf, Doctor Who, the BBC's Hitchhikers Guide series, a few Terry Gilliam movies.. and the original Star Wars films).

It's hard to explain exactly what's missing from the Special Editions but I guess it's just that sense of "wow, how did they do that?". That got replaced with a sense of "when did they do that? ...is that great 70's special effects, or just 90's CGI?".

Basically, the Special Editions are still good, like you said, but in my opinion just not as good.

Pigman II · 13-09-2006 9:16pm

Oh boo hoo! George Lucas is leading people down a dark alleys and mugging them for their money!

Despite feeling they are getting a raw deal from the Star Wars Universe I love the way a lot of people round the world feel Lucas 'owes' them something and have the right to 'demand' this, that and the-other from him. He made the movies, he owns the movies and if he displeased with the originals and wants to supress them (which he does) then that's his concern.

Also he is as shrewd a businessman and vigourly autonomous operator as you find so I doubt anyone is 'forcing' him to do anything. Most fans think he is releasing this set as a quick cash-in before a making a proper treatment of the OT but I believe it's just his way of saying 'take that' to a collection of movies he is genuinely unhappy with and then drawing the line under this issue.

I'm pretty much as big a SW fan as you're gonna find but I'd still side with him on the issue not the nutcases who clearly need to find something more productive to do with their spare time.

Like I say I'm a big SW fan but however I'm not going to be buying this latest release. If you believe that a proper DVD re-release is coming out in the future then I advise you to wait around and not worry about what GL is 'peddling' to these poor unfortunates souls who can't control themselves or their wallets. Personally I don't think a proper OT DVD/BlueRay/Whatever set is going to happen while Lucas is alive but irregardless I will avoid this current set as it has little to offer me.

Finally BTW the company that makes the movies is called "Lucasfilm". "LucasArts" are the guys who make the video games.

projectmayhem · 13-09-2006 10:27pm

BlitzKrieg wrote:

Let me see if I have this right? You dont mind changes being made to the films as long as the story remains intact. YET, the change being used as an example above is a change in the story and the character. Which actually when you go back over the changes most fans dislike are changes to the story, ok they are clearly minature changes, but they do effect the story. Taking the above scene, it is our first introduction to Hand solo and it establishes his character, his character is slightly different now due to the change.

honestly when i first saw the scene change i didn't notice. the same gun pulling stuff. hans was still a badass, and that alien dude was still ugly. it wasn't until a certain star wars fansite had a big bitch and moan about it that i even noticed. still didn't care.

introducing a pterodactyl in the background doesn't change the story. the story is the same! it just has an extra thingy in it.

Goodshape wrote:

Then why not just read the novilization?

because then i wouldn't be watching a movie...

CiaranC · 13-09-2006 10:32pm

projectmayhem wrote:

as long as the story remains in tact, i'm happy

Uhhh, but he blatantly changed the story to be more PC...

lodgepole · 13-09-2006 11:01pm

If George Lucas had wanted to make an assload of money from his films, you would have seen several DVD releases over the years. As it was it wasn't released until late 2004, and a supreme job was done on it. Personally I don't think this release is that appealing, i'd prefer the originals as single discs to keep the price down.

Are the laserdisc masters the best they could find? Perhaps they're the best they could find that wouldn't require an expensive transfer. Who knows...

Why does Lucas get **** over releasing a second DVD release of his films, while dozens of others are constantly rereleased to little of no controversey?

Wicknight wrote:

Starwars, the first one (the other two were directed by others, though Lucas produced) He didn't direct again till Episode I ... he prefered to spend his time masturbating in a pile of money.

Actually he spent his time producing films and developing film technology. Have a look into things like EditDroid and the origins of Pixar if you doubt that.

abetarrush · 13-09-2006 11:08pm

where are the muthafvckin Hologram DVDs @?????

monkeyfudge · 13-09-2006 11:25pm

I wonder if he'll ever get around to releasing Howard the Duck on DVD...? he better not change that... it's brilliant.

ObeyGiant · 14-09-2006 9:24pm

Wicknight wrote:

Except Lucas is making it into a big deal by subbornly refusing to do this properly.

I disagree. Lucas isn't making this a big deal. His asshole fans are.

We could talk forever about the reasons for Lucas' dislike of the original movies. Tom Shone's "Blockbuster" talks about an incident shortly after the opening of Star Wars where Lucas, his wife and Alan Ladd go into a showing of Star Wars. With lines around the block and a massive emotional response from the audience, Lucas is still complaining "This shot isn't right, that shot isn't right..." What I'm trying to demonstrate here is that his dislike for the movies as we know them is not something recent.

With the 1997 release of the Special Edition, Lucas was given the opportunity to correct what he perceived to be his mistakes. And then, with the completion of the prequel trilogy, he revisited them again to make further changes, making them into a more cohesive "whole." Why am I repeating something you already know? To illustrate one side of a point: as far as Lucas is concerned, the Special Editions are the versions of the movie he wanted to make in the first place.

And here's the other side of that point: Lucas is virtually unique in Hollywood in that he is wealthy enough and powerful enough to be completely independent in his filmmaking and distribution. This means he doesn't have to listen to studios, and he doesn't have to listen to the fans of his movies.

But sometimes, he listens to his fans anyway. The new DVDs are, I believe, Lucas' attempt to try to meet the fans halfway.

He does not want to distribute the original versions of the movies. They simply do not exist to him any more. And rather than devote any more time and effort (remastering is a long and costly procedure) to what he perceives to be a 'dead product', he dug up already-digital versions of what he had to hand and presented that as a 'special feature' on the back of his final work. And I'm sure in Lucas' mind, this should have appeased the fans by giving them, basically, what they wanted: a version of the original movies on DVD.

Now, it's the fans that are up in arms. "This isn't good enough!" "We want 5.1 surround sound!" "We want anamorphic widescreen!" They're the ones making a big deal out of all this, not Lucas. I really wouldn't be surprised if we never see an 'ultimate' edition. As far as he's concerned, it's over.

(Now if we want to start talking about Peter Jackson's new releases of the Lord of the Rings, then I'll be singing a different tune).

Giruilla · 15-09-2006 7:35am

Is it true Lucas was going to have NSync appear in the latest 3 films but fans sent him a load of hate mil so he decided against it? If so..

ObeyGiant · 15-09-2006 7:50am

That's a tough one to call - were they cut because he listened to fan pressure, or because he listened to common sense?

monkeyfudge · 15-09-2006 9:14am

What about that hot asian chick who got cut out of Episode 3... and she reckons it was because of the spread she did for Playboy.

She's actually a brilliant actress though, be sure to check out Dumplings.

BlitzKrieg · 15-09-2006 10:57am

Giruilla wrote:

Is it true Lucas was going to have NSync appear in the latest 3 films but fans sent him a load of hate mil so he decided against it? If so..

They're meant to be in episode 2?

In the huge jedi battle scene, N sync were meant to be a few of the jedis being killed. But it was cut (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,9363,00.html) still though it was shot. So maybe in 10 years time when lucas wants to release the version of the prequels he wanted, they'll be put back in.

How much of a d**k is George Lucas?

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