These changes were largely made as visual effects tests for the forthcoming prequel films, demonstrating the possibilities of computer-generated imagery (CGI). The first substantial changes were made in 1997 with the release of a Special Edition remaster in commemoration of the franchise's twentieth anniversary. Dissatisfied with the original theatrical cuts of the original Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, creator George Lucas altered the films in ways that were ostensibly not initially possible, primarily due to limitations of time, budget, and technology. Though changes were also made to the prequel trilogy, the original trilogy saw the most alteration. The 2004 DVD release replaced his appearance as a Force spirit with Hayden Christensen (below), who played the character in the prequels.Ĭhanges in Star Wars re-releases vary from minor differences in color timing, audio mixing, and take choices to major insertions of new visual effects, additions of characters and dialogue, scene expansions, and replacement of original cast members with newer ones. George Lucas borrowed from a lot of places but seldom from himself.The original theatrical release of Return of the Jedi features Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker (above left). There's a Darth Vader equivalent, a Grand Moff Tarkin equivalent, an Emperor equivalent, another attack on a Death Star like planet (the third, but who's counting?) and an all too brief sequence of TIE fighters being fought off by the Millennium Falcon. The biggest problem with The Force Awakens though is that it cannibalises its own past, giving its audience a relentless recycling of original trilogy elements.Ĭharacters, relationships, plot devices, special effects and lines of dialogue are all revisited rather than revised. The pace is too quick, character development underdone and there's a dire lack of set pieces. Star Wars - The Force Awakens has the world at its feet. It is Hollywood lore that the box office never lies and critics have been unaccountably kind.
With help from Empire Strikes Back co-scribe Lawrence Kasdan, Abrams delivered the ultimate fan fiction: a photocopy of the first trilogy, complete with some aging, original cast members. JJ Abrams, a man who had already remade the older Star Trek franchise, was retained to give the fans what they wanted. Freshly married and unhappy with all the carping, George Lucas sold the farm, signing away creative control to Disney. The mixed reception afforded the prequels had consequences. Who cared if Hayden Christensen could not act? Revenge of the Sith was dramatically powerful, its fiery climax lifted from Dante's Inferno. It also revealed an amazing New Zealand connection: the stormtroopers were all genetic duplicates of someone from my home town! The Phantom Menace referenced Ben Hur's chariot race and talk of the Force's mystical side gave Episode 1 the tone of a biblical epic.Īttack of the Clones paid homage to Ray Harryhausen's legendary stop-motion animation technique. Just as in 1977, I revelled in George Lucas' on-going cinematic borrowings. The prequels made money but were critically damned and divided the fan base.
There were rumours of suicide amongst the fanatics when George decided that Greedo shot first.Īmazingly, the re-releases proved but a prelude to new films and further trouble.
To others, holy writ could not be re-written. Then came their re-release in cinemas, a catalyst for renewed mainstream interest and the beginnings of fan-boy dissent.įor me, Lucas' refinements and digital alterations were artistically legitimate and fun. In a world that presumed it had heard the last from Lucas' universe, memories of the trilogy were a scared thing. Sentimentality had reared its ugly head.īetween 19, Star Wars was like a well kept secret, almost a cult. Those Ewoks were too cute for a 17-year-old and the hugging between characters was over done.
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When the novelised version of The Empire Strikes Back was released months before the movie itself I read it early and did the unthinkable, anticipating Homer Simpson by several decades by telling my third form class exactly how Vader was Luke's papa.Īs a sixth former it wasn't the coolest thing in the world to be an ardent Star Wars fan but I dutifully went to Rotorua's first screening of The Return of the Jedi - alone, I seem to remember - and overlooked its sappier elements. When the Star Wars Christmas special played on New Zealand television in 1979 I was personally blamed for its shortcomings, becoming an intermediate school social pariah. The enthusiasm sometimes got me into trouble.
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