Just pre ordered the Star Wars Blu-Ray set

[vi edit]

3000 people voted 1 star...Out of how many??? (this is a rhetorical question) I think it sold 130K copies in the first week of its release...So what does that mean?

I think the Back to the Future trilogy sold almost 200k in it's first week's release. So what does *that* mean?

 

[litttlechica]

The originals will never be released again. His ex-wife was editor and is due a % of the profit from any release of the originals where they are the primary content. It was a very nasty divorce and he would be perfectly happy if she never saw a dime from them.

I hadn't heard of this either... that sucks since he had something good that a big fan base (including me) loves so changing it is ridiculous. I'd buy the set on blue ray if it was the exact same movies...

First 3 movies were such a disappointment though (admittedly I still watch them because I can't just not watch Star Wars)... it was like Lucas lost it after Return of the Jedi or maybe he just didn't care to have a good script and good actors because he could ride off his fan base ... the emo boy in I-III is beyond a sad choice

 

[dainthomas]

I never said that reviews = sales. I just find the shear volume of negative opinions very amusing. If anything, hopefully the pure number of opinions about it at least persuaded a few people into avoiding and waiting for the proper release of the films.

I saw all the hateful review of the LOTR trilogy on Amazon before it came out. I never considered for a second not buying it. Just like I'll buy the EE set when it comes out. And the theatrical and EE versions of the Hobbit movies when they come out. Oh well. Life's too short for the hate.

 

[Ns1]

That explains a lot. I remember reading some quote where he said the originals would "be too cost prohibitive" to produce on BR. I thought he was just being a cheapskate prick about it...which he still probably is...but I can sort of respect that now knowing more of the history about the cuts back to the wife.

a share of profits does not increase costs to Lucas.

that said, I've never heard of an editor getting a share wtf.

 

[spacejamz]

I think the Back to the Future trilogy sold almost 200k in it's first week's release. So what does *that* mean?

You tell me...you are part of the crowd that is bitching about the studios being greedy and yet they seem to sell alot of these products that a large number of consumers (your words by the way) seem to bitch about...

Its like they want to whine about something but yet they still buy/watch/pirate it anyway...

Weird, huh???

 

[lord_emperor]

I'm going to torrent this and no feel the slightest bit of guilt since I've already bought these movies in one format or another.

 

[palswim]

Its like they want to whine about something but yet they still buy/watch/pirate it anyway...

Weird, huh???

Because I own two copies of the trilogy on VHS (1995ish "digitally re-mastered" and 1998ish gold "Special" editions), but I don't know of anywhere else I can find a decent version of the theatrical releases, a desire to even download these has risen in me. But, I guess if the originals don't exist anywhere, even the pirates can't simply conjure them.

Mr. George Lucas, if you're reading this, I will buy the trilogy again if you release a theatrical or even "digitally re-mastered" version, even on DVD (not counting your laserdisc-transfer-letterbox version). I will not buy anything else.

 

[spacejamz]

Because I own two copies of the trilogy on VHS (1995ish "digitally re-mastered" and 1998ish gold "Special" editions), but I don't know of anywhere else I can find a decent version of the theatrical releases, a desire to even download these has risen in me. But, I guess if the originals don't exist anywhere, even the pirates can't simply conjure them.

Mr. George Lucas, if you're reading this, I will buy the trilogy again if you release a theatrical or even "digitally re-mastered" version, even on DVD (not counting your laserdisc-transfer-letterbox version). I will not buy anything else.

Even if George were to read your compelling post, I am pretty sure he wouldn't change his mind.

We are stuck with what we have. Either buy it or don't...The only thing he will listen to is the ka-ching of the register and there is no way in hell in our society of instant gratification and we gotta have it now will attempt to boycott these movies...

I would bet that 3/4 of the people here are gonna pirate the movies anyway, so what does it really matter???

 

[The Boston Dangler]

 

[IndyColtsFan]

"I'm sorry, are you talking about me?"

"Hey, look George! There go some more suckers with car loads of Star Wars toys! Hahaha! Now, let's get on with ruining the Indiana Jones franchise too!"

 

[qliveur]

 

[zinfamous]

The originals will never be released again. His ex-wife was editor and is due a % of the profit from any release of the originals where they are the primary content. It was a very nasty divorce and he would be perfectly happy if she never saw a dime from them.

I know they were included on one version of the dvds, but it was as an "extra" and there is some legal loophole that allowed him to release it without giving her anything.

oh god, that's insane.

this leaves only 1 option: Lucas must die.
:\

 

[0roo0roo]

The originals will never be released again. His ex-wife was editor and is due a % of the profit from any release of the originals where they are the primary content. It was a very nasty divorce and he would be perfectly happy if she never saw a dime from them.

I know they were included on one version of the dvds, but it was as an "extra" and there is some legal loophole that allowed him to release it without giving her anything.

great, we now have an example where shitty divorce law affects all of us now lol

 

[coloumb]

Couldn't he re-release the originals and just make 1 small alteration that doesn't affect the story and only a dire hard star wars fan would actually recognize?

Honestly - the only issue I have with the modifications is the notorious Han Solo / Greedo scene change . That's something Spielberg must've suggested... "Let's re-make Han Solo a nice guy - not some bad SMUGGLER - oh noes!!"

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Honestly - the only issue I have with the modifications is the notorious Han Solo / Greedo scene change . That's something Spielberg must've suggested... "Let's re-make Han Solo a nice guy - not some bad SMUGGLER - oh noes!!"

Dude, seriously -- the new "musical" number at Jabba's palace makes the Han/Greedo scene look like a masterpiece.

 

[Drako]

George Lucas is dead to me.

Let me reiterate: George Lucas is dead to me.

 

[shortylickens]

Dude, seriously -- the new "musical" number at Jabba's palace makes the Han/Greedo scene look like a masterpiece.

I didnt like most of the changes. The Greedo scene because it looked like shit AND ruined Han's character.
I didnt like all the extra animals on Tatooine cuz they dont fit in with the original cinematography at all.
I wasnt too fond of the Stormtroopers running into an assembly area instead of a locked door cuz that also seemed too different from the original film.

Empire Strikes back wasnt too bad except for all new scenes of people walking around. Again with cinematography so different that it actually fucked up the movie.

The new music number at the beginning of Return of the Jedi almost made me cry. It was so completely out of place it actually ruins the rest of the movie. Shoving Hayden Christiansen into the ending ruined everything. The new song and video sequences didnt help either.

Yup, Lucas ruined it all. He shoulda just cleaned up the video and done nothing else. Or at least he shoulda released a version with just the cleaned up video along side the "enhanced" versions.

We will never see the original movies again. They are long gone.

 

[magomago]

i'm going to have to disagree with you guys on the Lapti Nek Scene @ Jabba's place.

The new one sucks because it looks like its aimed for kiddies.

The old one sucks because it looks so tacky. Look at all those dolls....its incredibly fake beyond words; hell, the blue thing on the left side literally looks like a plush doll (and probably because it is!). Even for 1970s work its shoddy. Atleast it looks potentially realistic in the remake (although the remake scene sucks, so that doesn't mean much).

If they had to remake anything, I would have kept the same scene (maybe make it slightly clearer since its just a jumble imo, but again, as you guys pointed out, maybe that is what they were going for) but at least updated the absolutely fake dolls...er, aliens.

 

[Fritzo]

Dude, seriously -- the new "musical" number at Jabba's palace makes the Han/Greedo scene look like a masterpiece.

What are you talking about? The new scenes are awesome! Look, it even says so right here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY7Jc15Ckyw&feature=youtube_gdata

 

[zinfamous]

i'm going to have to disagree with you guys on the Lapti Nek Scene @ Jabba's place.

The new one sucks because it looks like its aimed for kiddies.

The old one sucks because it looks so tacky. Look at all those dolls....its incredibly fake beyond words; hell, the blue thing on the left side literally looks like a plush doll (and probably because it is!). Even for 1970s work its shoddy. Atleast it looks potentially realistic in the remake (although the remake scene sucks, so that doesn't mean much).

If they had to remake anything, I would have kept the same scene (maybe make it slightly clearer since its just a jumble imo, but again, as you guys pointed out, maybe that is what they were going for) but at least updated the absolutely fake dolls...er, aliens.

you shut your WHORE MOUTH you ignorant SWINE!

 

[vi edit]

You tell me...you are part of the crowd that is bitching about the studios being greedy and yet they seem to sell alot of these products that a large number of consumers (your words by the way) seem to bitch about...

Its like they want to whine about something but yet they still buy/watch/pirate it anyway...

Weird, huh???

Allow me to connect some dots for you.

While 120k moved copies may seem like a lot. It isn't. LoTR was arguably the most desired BR conversion to date. Jackson & his studio had a chance to hit a home run the first time and do it the right way and bring the extended cuts out. But they didn't. They went for the cash grab double dip and did the normal cuts and promised to release the extended later.

People weren't happy. And the online community spoke.

The DVD sales for the LoTR movies has approached close to 1 BILLION sales.

Avatar when released did close to 4 million copies on BR in it's first week release.
Beauty and the Beast on BR did 2 million in it's first week.
Sex and the City 2 did 210,000 in it's first week.
Back to the Future (for similar cost/triology) comparisons did 200k sales in it's first.

And you are telling me that 120k for LoTR was a success?

I think the voices of the displeased were certainly heard more than you think.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Avatar when released did close to 4 million copies on BR in it's first week release.
Beauty and the Beast on BR did 2 million in it's first week.
Back to the Future (for similar cost/triology) comparisons did 200k sales in it's first.

Allow me to chime in for a moment and say that Disney did a fantastic job on Beauty and the Beast. I got the Back to the Future Trilogy for Christmas and even though I've only watched the first movie so far, I am impressed.

And you are telling me that 120k for LoTR was a success?

Wow, that's kind of hard to believe it sold that little. I was contemplating buying them but I guess I'm glad I didn't.

Sex and the City 2 did 210,000 in it's first week.

I had to move this crap movie down to the bottom. I can't believe it sold that many copies -- WTH are people thinking?!?!

 

[vi edit]

I was doing some more reading and it looks like if you add up the individual movies LoTR got up to 450k total sales by some estimates. Largely boosted by $7 Black Friday sales prices.

For comparison Twilight saga did over 700k in that same time.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

you shut your WHORE MOUTH you ignorant SWINE!

This. The "old" musical scene in Jabba's palace may look "stiff" or "fake" today, but it looked amazing nearly 30 years ago (the movie was released in 1983, remember) and even if the creatures still look stiff when they move, I still think they hold up pretty darn well otherwise. Which would you guys prefer:

This Sy Snootles:

or this one:

 

[Ichinisan]

Allow me to chime in for a moment and say that Disney did a fantastic job on Beauty and the Beast.

This. I was very impressed.