:: Captain's Personal Blog ::

Stardate: Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Stealing Memories

Alas, there is an item in today's USA TODAY regarding the upcoming release of the original STAR WARS films on DVD. This brings to mind the fantastic crime that George Lucas is committing on the helpless public.

With all due respect to the talent that Mr. Lucas has exhibited and his fine business acumen, I tend to wonder if he has forgotten why he got into movies in the first place, and more specifically, the magic that he tried to infuse into the STAR WARS films.

As originally conceived, the films invoked the nostalgia of the original Saturday morning matinee serials of the 30's and 40's. The key word in that sentence is NOSTALGIA. It is this one idea which is the cornerstone of the popularity of STAR WARS.

If there is any doubt to that, look back at the ad campaign for the SPECIAL EDITION release of STAR WARS. What you will see is an attempt to remind the audience how cool it was to see the film on the 'big screen' and how much the younger generation missed by not seeing it on the 'big screen.' What is missing, however, is the movie that we all remember seeing.

Hardcore fans knew that Greedo didn't shoot first, and their memories of that film were ever so slightly tarnished by that. It's in this vein that I believe Mr. Lucas is doing a tremendous disservice. He is taking away the films that we all fell in love with. Yes, he's 'improving on them,' but just because you can do that, it does not necessarily follow that you must.

After all, who wouldn't pay just a little extra to be able to see the films as they were originally shot, on a digital transfer with 5.1 surround sound?

Personally, I would prefer that to the SPECIAL EDITIONS, or any new versions. A smart man would take the ALIEN QUADRILOGY route and include both the originals and the spiffy new versions. Why snub a public who has been more than willing to laud you as a genius and forget your rather incredible dreck! (Howard the Duck, anyone?)

It's the same lack of respect that the people at Paramount have shown with Star Trek. By allowing people to come in and re-write history, you aren't adding to the glorious tapestry of the story, but rather tearing the original away, piece by piece. Change can be a good thing, but only if done with respect to what came before. Change for the sake of not having anything better to do? That's just disrespectful.

:: J 10:15 AM [+] ::
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