I saw Star Wars 36 times in the theater in 1977. Empire Strikes Back 24 times. Return of the Jedi 12 times. Yes, I counted. Between us, my wife and I had 4 sets of the original trilogy on VHS, and we have 2 sets on DVD (the originals and the special re-edited editions). We’ve seen all of the prequels in the theaters, both the first time and then the second time when they were re-released. We even saw The Clone Wars when it was released. I cannot begin to estimate how much I have spent on merchandise; posters, t-shirts, action figures, etc. etc. etc.
No more. I’m drawing the line in the sand here and now. I’m not going to pay upwards of $20 to see Phantom Menace in 3D in theaters next month. Period.
Here here. I drew the line on the blu-ray release as well. The fact that Lucas ruined the BEAUTIFUL scene/moment at the end of Jedi with the infamous, "Nnnnnooooo" was nothing but a middle finger to fans.
I'm sorry I have never heard ANY kind words about that moment at the end of Revenge of the Sith so how could he think it would add anything to Jedi?!
The nerd war in me does battle with wanting to see the Holy Trilogy (screw the prequels) in theaters in 3D but I KNOW it will have all that added footage.. Not to mention anything else that Lucas tries to sneak in there.
I've always thought of these re-issues as a "Nerd Tax." The truly die hard SW fans will buy the movies every time they're re-released. I have them on VHS, VHS widescreen, VHS special edition, and DVD. Like you, I'm taking a stand and refuse to pay the Lucas Nerd Tax any more.
I have no need to see the same movie in "15" different formats. It's NOT a new movie. I've seen the thing already.
Enough is enough.
3d films are an abomination unto entertainment media and the art of film making. The fact that this is a good (though now slightly murdered) film in 3d makes no difference to that fact, to me – indeed it actually makes it just a little more sad.
3D Jar Jar Binks….oh, can't miss that.
I actually don't mind the prequels at all. They certainly don't send me into paroxysms of rage as they do some fans. I can quibble about some specific choices (the pod race is way too long, for example), but they're not terrible (Empire, on the other hand, is terrific, and all of the others suffer in comparison thereto).
On reflection even Jar Jar has his place and needed to be set up as a fool (although it could definitely have been toned down from the physical slapstick into more of the "trusting sap" role) so that in Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine can manipulate him into proposing the formation of the army, when Amidala would never have done so.
But, as Dr. Sheldon Cooper once said, "I prefer to allow George Lucas to disappoint me in the order in which he intended," so different strokes…
I can't think of a single scene in any of the six movies that would be improved in 3D, with the exception of the opening naval battle at the start of Episode 3. As such, I too intend to spend nothing on these reissues.
I tend to agree, BK, although I might add the asteroid fight in Clone Wars, and the climactic battle at the end of Phantom Menace. Still not enough to get me to pony up that much dough.
"The line must be drawn HERE!" And with that volley, Joe Bloch forever joined the ranks of Star Trek TNG fans instead… 😀
Oh, I was in those ranks a loooooong time ago. 😉
A Long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? You just keep mixing your iconic science fiction movie line metaphors, or something like that… 😀
And I shall continue to do so, bank after bank, gauge after gauge, ten raised almost literally to the power of infinity.