An alternative viewing order is 4-5- 2-3 -6. It is called the "Machete Order" because it cuts away Episode I, widely regarded as the most annoying of the prequels,. It presents episodes 2 and 3 as a look back in time, but episode I is not actually important in the larger story, so it can be skipped without missing much.
See the original theatrical cuts of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Refuse to acknowledge any other cuts or subsequent films were ever done.
Alternately if you want to punish yourself with crap don't forget to watch Carivan of Courage and Ewoks: Battle for Endor between Empire and Jedi.
I've casually heard this many times.. that star wars fandom is masochistic in nature, because it's been a constant influx of carrot and betrayal.Indeed. I use to say that you are not a true Star Wars fan if you not also hate what has happened to Star Wars. We hate because we care...
Ignore the books. It is up in the air which ones are going to be relevant in the future or not. It depends on what the script writers for the coming movies decide to bring into canon or not. Also, there aren't exactly any masterpieces among the Star Wars books, even though some can be entertaining.
No matter what version you see, Han shot first.
Watch the 'original trilogy' before you see any of the others, or do the 'machete'
I've only read a few of the books. Play the videogames, as many as you can get emulators and roms for.
Though, I know you're more of a Trekkie, TP4.
Ignore the books. It is up in the air which ones are going to be relevant in the future or not. It depends on what the script writers for the coming movies decide to bring into canon or not. Also, there aren't exactly any masterpieces among the Star Wars books, even though some can be entertaining.
Some of the books are fun reads. Who cares if they won't be canon. George Lucas has so ****ed up the Star Wars universe as it is and I'm sure the new movies will just **** it up more. The non-canonical books just make for a more interesting universe, especially the ones that deal with Thrawn and the Yuuzhan Vong.
I believe he new Star Wars movies from Disney are disavowing everything other than Episodes 1-6 and the Clone Wars TV show. So from a canon point of view nothing else matters. Some of it is fun to read, watch, and play though, as others have mentioned.
If you want to see the original trilogy (episodes 4-6) in high def as they were shown originally in theaters (which I highly recommend), check out the "despecialized" editions. They look fantastic and have none of the lousy CG and tweaks that George has inflicted on us for the last 15 years.
so the despecialized are fan edits yea?
so the despecialized are fan edits yea?
Yes, cobbled together from various sources, cleaned up, recomposited, and up-res'd where necessary. The process of creating them is also pretty fascinating. I'll see if I can dig up the link I have.
Huh, Episode I is considered the most annoying of the prequels? Haven't re-watched any of them (yes, they are terrible in comparison) but hardly remember it being any worse than the other two.
Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite, and the only film with a tone throughout that takes itself more seriously than the others. The original is also fun.
As for the Special Editions (the 2006 version, not the Blu-Ray) they aren't terribly different on the whole tbh, except for the awfulness that is the CG Jabba palace song *shudders*. SW fans can get overly sensitive to all the subtle changes, but Harmy et al are legends for their work making HD de-specialized versions.
so the despecialized are fan edits yea?
Yes, cobbled together from various sources, cleaned up, recomposited, and up-res'd where necessary. The process of creating them is also pretty fascinating. I'll see if I can dig up the link I have.
Here is the slideshow (https://plus.google.com/photos/109609428403596349302/albums/5615986319094414129) I was remembering, and a Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHfLX_TMduY) video as well. You'll want to see the movies before watching the videos, probably.Huh, Episode I is considered the most annoying of the prequels? Haven't re-watched any of them (yes, they are terrible in comparison) but hardly remember it being any worse than the other two.
Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite, and the only film with a tone throughout that takes itself more seriously than the others. The original is also fun.
As for the Special Editions (the 2006 version, not the Blu-Ray) they aren't terribly different on the whole tbh, except for the awfulness that is the CG Jabba palace song *shudders*. SW fans can get overly sensitive to all the subtle changes, but Harmy et al are legends for their work making HD de-specialized versions.
I agree that fans get too worked up about it. Someone coming to the movies fresh will not care nearly as much. But the changes are really, really terrible -- technically, tonally, and story-wise.
should I start with despecialized? or watch the vanilla bray first..
Huh, Episode I is considered the most annoying of the prequels? Haven't re-watched any of them (yes, they are terrible in comparison) but hardly remember it being any worse than the other two.
See the original theatrical cuts of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Refuse to acknowledge any other cuts or subsequent films were ever done.
Alternately if you want to punish yourself with crap don't forget to watch Caravan of Courage and Ewoks: Battle for Endor between Empire and Jedi.
Most of the games are crap and can easily be ignored... though Battlefront, X-Wing and Tie-Fighter have decent gameplay at least. The original 1983 arcade game, one of the first FPS games, is actually pretty good if you like retro games. I still find the laser bright outline graphic style amazing looking.
Can you even get the original versions of the first three movies anymore? The only copies I have of them are in VHS and they have worn out..
Can you even get the original versions of the first three movies anymore? The only copies I have of them are in VHS and they have worn out..
Can you even get the original versions of the first three movies anymore? The only copies I have of them are in VHS and they have worn out..
Nope. Thus the "despecialized editions" that we have been discussing. :thumb:
Can you even get the original versions of the first three movies anymore? The only copies I have of them are in VHS and they have worn out..
Nope. Thus the "despecialized editions" that we have been discussing. :thumb:
Though there was a rumor a few weeks ago about a leaked email that might indicate that Disney is planning to release the unaltered original trilogy on blu-ray now that they own the rights. It would be a huge olive branch to the fan communities and a show of good faith that they care about putting the prequels behind them and giving us something worthwhile. They are definitely trying to create that impression so I think a rerelease would be worthwhile in faith and good will even if they don't make a ton of money on it.
Can you even get the original versions of the first three movies anymore? The only copies I have of them are in VHS and they have worn out..
They are included in the 2006 double disc DVD version. The quality hasn't been restored from the Video Disc copies however, and it seems more of a reluctant inclusion for OT fans.
Ahh my bad, Ivan said it wish such authority that he had a way of watching them or something. But I'll have to check out those 'despecialised' versions... Did they also remake episodes 1, 2 and 3 into watchable movies ?
They are included in the 2006 double disc DVD version. The quality hasn't been restored from the Video Disc copies however, and it seems more of a reluctant inclusion for OT fans.
The 2006 release isn't available for purchase anymore unless I'm mistaken...
so the despecialized are fan edits yea?I would call them "fan restorations".
The [original versions] are included in the 2006 double disc DVD version. The quality hasn't been restored from the Video Disc copies however, and it seems more of a reluctant inclusion for OT fans.They are copies from the same master tapes that were used to create Laserdiscs of the three movies in the early '90s. Letterbox widescreen - not anamorphic widescreen like the DVD edition. There is also some added motion blur because of a primitive image enhancement filter used back then.
Though there was a rumor a few weeks ago about a leaked email that might indicate that Disney is planning to release the unaltered original trilogy on blu-ray now that they own the rights.Fox still owns the distribution rights for quite a few years before they are transferred to Disney.
Fox still owns the distribution rights for quite a few years before they are transferred to Disney.
Can someone send me a link to download the despecialized editions? I could only get to a site where you need an invitation to download.
Can someone send me a link to download the despecialized editions? I could only get to a site where you need an invitation to download.
Did you check TPB?Show Image(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
you guys really make me want to get into star wars again
Crush the blacksyou guys really make me want to get into star wars again
I just finished watching the despecialized, and now into the bluray..
In the space station.. there's a great deal of black crush.... I'm don't think the crushed details are essential to the movie... but i could see how comic-book-guy would consider that to be something dire (missing)..
Well, if you're new to Star Wars, then you are about to start a love/hate relationship with George Lucas. And you need to know one word: Ewoks. Prepare for the Ewoks.
You should also look up the changes Lucas made to the first movie. The worst of which is when he changed when Han Solo shoots Greedo.
To me VI just feels a bit more dated and inconsistent in tone. There are great parts of the film, but they are mixed with other parts that could have been improved or re-written. The quality of the models from the Jabba scenes at times is like something out of Time Bandits (even if I happen to like that film), and the Endor forest sequences have an 80s vibe I can't quite put my finger on, aging the film for me more than some of the other timeless sets and models, such as the magnificent designs in the final space battle (beautiful (http://a.pomf.se/rntcii.webm) - possible spoiler warning unless you've seen VI).
Ignore the books. It is up in the air which ones are going to be relevant in the future or not. It depends on what the script writers for the coming movies decide to bring into canon or not. Also, there aren't exactly any masterpieces among the Star Wars books, even though some can be entertaining.
Some of the books are fun reads. Who cares if they won't be canon. George Lucas has so ****ed up the Star Wars universe as it is and I'm sure the new movies will just **** it up more. The non-canonical books just make for a more interesting universe, especially the ones that deal with Thrawn and the Yuuzhan Vong.
To me VI just feels a bit more dated and inconsistent in tone. There are great parts of the film, but they are mixed with other parts that could have been improved or re-written. The quality of the models from the Jabba scenes at times is like something out of Time Bandits (even if I happen to like that film), and the Endor forest sequences have an 80s vibe I can't quite put my finger on, aging the film for me more than some of the other timeless sets and models, such as the magnificent designs in the final space battle (beautiful (http://a.pomf.se/rntcii.webm) - possible spoiler warning unless you've seen VI).
ROTJ is my sentimental favorite since it was the one I loved best as a kid. As an adult I can see that it's weak as a film, but the set pieces are just so damn good! I agree with the general consensus that Empire is the best of the 6 films, but I think that the final assault on the Death Star in ROTJ is the best, most exciting and fun space battle ever filmed.
I dislike any version of the original trilogy except the original theatrical version. I've seen the originals so many times the changes are really noticeable, especially where they dubbed in new dialog. And there is no Han shot first, he's the only one that got a shot off.
I really don't see why people's h8n' on this movie either..
Another vote for Despecialised in Machete order. We don't need no Jarjar in our Star Wars universe, thank you very much.
Another vote for Despecialised in Machete order. We don't need no Jarjar in our Star Wars universe, thank you very much.
I hadn't heard of machete order before this thread, but it makes a lot of sense.
............... Episode 2
Natalie Portman and Hayden christensen...
I think these two actors were just a bit too stale, and made various segments of the movie extremely difficult to dive into..
............... Episode 2
Natalie Portman and Hayden christensen...
I think these two actors were just a bit too stale, and made various segments of the movie extremely difficult to dive into..
There is no chemistry. Christensen is hard enough to believe as a whiny Darth Vader, but that he is deeply in love with Portman? Nope.
............... Episode 2
Natalie Portman and Hayden christensen...
I think these two actors were just a bit too stale, and made various segments of the movie extremely difficult to dive into..
There is no chemistry. Christensen is hard enough to believe as a whiny Darth Vader, but that he is deeply in love with Portman? Nope.
My physics prof this past semester loved to hate on Christensen. According to him, the guy only has one facial expression, no matter what he's doing, acting or not.
The Christensen/Portman scenes in Ep. II are the only star wars scenes I have ever willingly skipped.
I mean... when you confess about KILLING 50+ more/less innocent (though backwards) people... you'd think there'd be some more emotions...
Don't feel too bad, I mean, you were just watching backstory with those three anyway, right? Despite what George Lucas thinks, Star Wars is about the badass Jedi Luke Skywalker and his rise as the last of the Jedi order, not about some guy named Anakin.
I think you should avoid the Ewok movies and the Holiday Special completely... The Ewok movies were made to cash in, and are really for small kids. The Holiday Special is so cheesy 1970's that it might will scar you for life. :eek:
An alternative viewing order is 4-5- 2-3 -6. It is called the "Machete Order" because it cuts away Episode I, widely regarded as the most annoying of the prequels. It presents episodes 2 and 3 as a look back in time, but episode I is not actually important in the larger story, so it can be skipped without missing much.
See the original theatrical cuts of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Refuse to acknowledge any other cuts or subsequent films were ever done.