Re: Star Wars Episode VII
That's kinda contrary. They are his movies, they're his to change... and he wants people to have those versions of his creation. It's not childish and there's no lack of respect at all... in fact, the reverse is probably more true... folks just aren't respecting Lucas and his property by demanding this release; especially, when you factor the costs of doing so (which I think most don't even consider... and there is no guarantee that this will be recovered)...
I don't see them as being contrary because they're two separate, but connected, issues--intellectual property and distribution. Director's Cuts and Special Editions of movies are quite common, but this is the only case I know of in which someone has tried to eliminate the existence of the original versions and attempted to convince people they never existed in the first place. I understand
he doesn't like them, but for him to essentially state, "I don't like them, so you can't watch them either." It's childish and shows a complete lack of respect and/or appreciation for the fans who have loved those movies for more than three decades.
With regards to cost, that's all on Lucas. No one asked him to revise the movies; the fans simply wanted them on DVD or Blu-Ray, mediums that are consistent with the current home entertainment technology. And since they had to transfer the original movies to a digital medium and clean them up in order to revise them, that work was already going to be done and the money was already going to be spent.
... People act like GL changed the whole dang movie - it's not like at the end ESB, Vader now cuts off Luke's leg, dances a jig and says "Yoda's your Daddy, sucker!" In the grand scheme of thing's the changes (barely) alter the story.
Yes, but the story is only one part of making a good movie. Good storytelling is also a matter of pacing and timing and, in my opinion, that's where the not-so-Special Editions fail, particularly with regards to
A New Hope.
My biggest "gripe" with Lucas' revised version of that movie is the inclusion of the scene in which Han Solo confronts Jabba the Hutt. In my opinion the original theatrical version moves along at a good pace with no wasted footage; every scene aids in moving the story along. But now there's a scene in which Han and Jabba have an extended dialogue which does nothing but repeat the conversation Han had with Greedo in the Cantina--Han owes Jabba money. It's repetitive, brings the flow of the story to a dead stop, and does nothing to move the story along.
And, of course there's the "Greedo shoots first" scene. True, it doesn't change the story, but it does change the way audiences perceive Han Solo. In the original theatrical version it's clear he's a deliberate, pro-active person who will do whatever it takes to protect himself. But Greedo shooting first turns him into a
reactive "let's wait and see what happens" passive person; it diminishes the character. And, on a side note, it just looks bad and obviously tampered with.
Of course, these are only my opinions and I express them with no disrespect intended towards your opinions (or anyone else's).
