Star Wars, Episode IV- A New Hope
Nov/095
Product Description
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, 2004 release, SINGLE DISC FROM TRILOGYAmazon.com
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of George Lucas’s epic space fantasy Star Wars is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Star Wars as it originally played in theaters in 1977. What does that mean exactly? Well, for starters, the initial title crawl proclaims that this is just Star Wars, not Episode IV, A New Hope. Second, the film is without the various “improvements” and enhancements Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So no more critters and droids scurrying around the port of Mos Eisley when Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi first arrive, no meetings between Han Solo and Jabba the Hut and between Luke and Biggs (extraneous scenes that were cut in 1977), no enhanced explosions during the final reel, and–most importantly to some fans–no more of Greedo shooting first in the bar. Instead Han is free to be the scoundrel and not even let Greedo squeeze off a shot.
What do you lose by watching the 1977 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here). Digital cleanup for another–Tatooine looks like it’s been coated with an additional layer of sand cloud. Yes, it’s true that fans who want better sound and picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set. But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film. The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope, and the 1977 version of the film is merely a “bonus feature.” Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version. Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that’s worth the purchase. –David Horiuchi
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5:36 am on November 4th, 2009
A very bad and lame sci-fi movie stars Mark Hamill. Of coarse it has great special effects and the plot is great!
Rating: 1 / 5
8:03 am on November 4th, 2009
I can’t stand this movie! I absolutly hate this movie! It is so poor, boring, and stupid that I can’t make myself get into it. Star Wars has some very cool sound effects but the acting is terrible and so is the boring script. I’d rather watch Sesame Street than this. This movie is for boring grown ups who like boring movies. Avoid it!
Rating: 1 / 5
8:09 am on November 4th, 2009
Quit whining. If you dont like the this watch the special editions and close your eyes during the new parts. Theres like 2 minutes added on. Not that bug of a deal.
Rating: 1 / 5
10:45 am on November 4th, 2009
People who hate Lucas for his revisions of the original trilogy ignore the fact that the Star Wars movies are works of intellectual labour that happen to be a commercial success and an insanely wild cultural phenomenon. Contrary to what you immature fanatics want to believe, the movies belong to Lucas and he has every legal and moral right to alter it until HE HIMSELF is satisfied with the finished product. Only a true artist has the moral courage to focus on achieving his/her own vision of perfection instead of paying too much attention to what the rabble is clamouring for. This is a rather elitist viewpoint, but true art is inherently elitist anyway. If you fans want to think of Star Wars, especially the original trilogy, as a piece of art that is above the usual American pop culture garage, then show more respect to Lucas’ artistic drive and his intellectual property rights. Who cares who shoots first! The release of these outdated and imperfect versions is an insult to the freedom of artists to be creative and individualistic.
Rating: 1 / 5
1:40 pm on November 4th, 2009
I hear u all complaining but u keep coming back and buy more..If you don’t like it- don’t buy it. Ur not being swindled out of money, u choose to spend it. This is the movie business- a business of illusions and fantasies (lies). Long long ago, in an galaxy far far away (in California), a man with a plan devised a way to make a windfall on this for the rest of his life..One of the ways to close a sale is to create a sense of urgency and by telling you it is the “last time” or “limited”— well Pavlov runs out and buys it………I only have the original VHS and it’s getting soooo grainy, I’ve bee watching it for almost 30 years now, maybe this is the DVD to get. It’s probably about time to join the 21st century.
Rating: 5 / 5