For the first time ever and for a limited time only, the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus, these 2-Disc DVD’s will feature a bonus disc that includes, for the first time ever on DVD, the original films as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980 and 1983.The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of The Empire Strikes Back is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Empire as it originally played in theaters in 1980. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various “improvements” and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So no more of Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) replacing Clive Revill with slightly revised lines, or Temuera Morrison rerecording of Boba Fett’s minimal dialogue.
What do you lose by watching the 1980 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture. On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16×9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom. The original edition of Empire, however, on a widescreen TV will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality). If you’re watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won’t notice a difference.
Yes, it’s true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced 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 The Empire Strikes Back, and the 1980 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
Buy “Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back “ For Only $13.53
March 5, 2010
#1
So is it war you want with true Star Wars fans well you got it. Star Wars fans keep writing great reviews and we will crush the widescreen punks. Lets bring back the old electoincs and toss the old crap. It is time for Darth Moron to go bye bye back to the bottom of the sea.
March 5, 2010
#2
Well, when I first watched this movie, after hearing how “great” it was, I was hoping to see a Godfather Part 2-esque sequel, because I really loved Star Wars.
However, I got the opposite.
Wow! What a BORING, USELESS film! The acting is slightly better than the original, but that’s it. The story is (…). I mean, why didn’t Luke just use the Wampa as a blanket to stay warm? Obviously Luke could have easily killed the Wampa. Why did Luke disobey Yoda and Ben, did he ACTUALLY think he can defeat Vader? What ever happened to this hero I knew from Star Wars? Now he is just an inept FOOL. I mean, the story is horrible. There is no ending, beginning, or anything. All we get are 122 minutes of clobbered battle sequences. There is no character development, Han and Leia have no reason to be in this movie (except to lead Luke to Vader, which is at the end anyways). This is slow building and just plain boring. Just because it’s “dark” doesn’t mean it’s good. Star Wars is NOT a homage to movies like Alien, but to ones like Flash Gordon. Anyways, this movie is overrated, and watch it for yourself to see how BAD it is. F-
March 5, 2010
#3
Considered by many the best of the Star Wars saga (although Star Wars barely beats it), this is an overrated, rehash of the original and is quite a dissapointment. We are not talking about a Godfather Part 2-esque sequel here.
Some people may claim the story is “darker” in TESB than Star Wars. Star Wars was never meant to be dark, however. It was supposed to be a fun, exciting children’s story. Leave the dark Sci-Fi movies for Alien and Blade Runner. Think about this: It’s the only Star Wars film were a main character does not die… Dark is not a synonym for good. Ridley Scott need not to be afraid.
The characters were more complex in Star Wars. Han is a scoundral. Knew that. Han has the hots for Leia. Knew that. Han can also be courageous and caring. Knew that. Luke is trying to become a Jedi. Knew that. Luke is a great hero/pilot. Knew that. Leia is a snobby princess. Knew that. All the characters in TESB are rehashed. Luke never even changes through the whole film (he doesn’t adapt to Yoda’s teachings until ROTJ) We learn 2 new things, Vader is Luke’s father and there is a character named Yoda… Lando is just a clone of Han Solo.
The Empire Strikes Back suffers from the “middle child syndrome.” It has to fill all the cracks and holes in Star Wars, so it is not half as much fun. It’s not as fresh as the original and it is not required to have an ending. So there is minimalist plot development, contrary to what others say. The Empire is hunting the Rebel Alliance, and Luke Skywalker is still training to be a Jedi knight, and a subplot involving Han and Leia. Instead of a solid storyline, the viewer is treated to 122 minutes of cobbled-together battle sequences. There is no tension building or climax, which is required for a plot, and at the end it just drops… you can just skip this movie and watch ROTJ, without missing much (Vader’s revelation is explained better and Yoda has more character development in the Prequels).
It is OK, but not half as good as the original Star Wars.
March 5, 2010
#4
The Empire Stikes Back, the inevitable sequel to Star Wars (or bores). It is a story about a man who gets lost on an alien planet and meets this weird alien guy, meanwhile the guy’s friends get trapped on this big city way up in the sky. He goes to rescue them but he’s too late, and must fight this weird guy in a mask. After that, the guy is rescued by his friends and all is well. Hmph, this movie stunk. It’s very slow-paced and it’s really tedious at times. Some scenes are soooo long and soooo boring you’ll just go crazy. The special effects are cheesy and dated as well is the dialouge. I really disliked this movie and I can’t see a child sitting and watching it without getting bored. It’s not a kid’s movie, it’s a geek movie. Don’t mean to offend anyone. Bye, thanks for reading.
March 5, 2010
#5
This movie is not the worst or best movies around. It has a very weird plot, and you’ll need to see the first movie in order to understand it. It does have a good actor, Harrison Ford, but other than that, it’s a bunch of no-names. The plot is very, dumb. Some guy named Mark Hamill plays a Jedi named Luke. I didn’t really understand it the first time I saw it. I would, however, give a lot of credit to the sound and light people, ’cause the special effects are pretty goo for 1977.