I love all the "Star Wars" films, having seen the OT for the first time on VHS in the mid-'80s. I was probably about six years old, and watched a recorded copy of Episode IV so much with my cousin Jared, his dad (my great-uncle) actually taped over it so we'd quit.
Most of what I now know regarding "New Hope", "Empire", and "Jedi" came from reading books about them that I got from the library, and the stories Jared would tell about Vader being roasted in a volcano. My young mind was fascinated with everything in those films, to the point that when I first heard they were making new ones, my inner child leaped for joy.
Looking back almost 15 years, I admit that "Phantom Menace" is a little less serious than the rest, but I think that was the point. I never understood where people got the idea that Anakin was some kind of "super-Jedi" with no faults, because its not presented anywhere in the OT at all. Every main point given about Anakin's life in the later chronology was fulfilled in the prequels, albeit expanded on quite a bit. I think what really makes Episodes I - III pale in comparison is the lack of any genuine surprise, since Vader's become so prominent in popular culture across the board.
As for the "Special Edition vs. Theatrical" debate, I like both for the most part. The one thing that bugs me most about Lucas' changes is the stupid musical number in Jabba's palace; its a terrible song, and does nothing to advance the plot. In contrast, I actually like John Williams' new ending theme for "Jedi", much more than the "Yub Nub" version. There's some minor things that annoy me, but that's mostly because so many years have passed without them being completely fixed (Luke's saber on the Falcon, Han shooting second looking barely believable, etc.)
Here's some of my favorite lines from Episode IV...
Most of what I now know regarding "New Hope", "Empire", and "Jedi" came from reading books about them that I got from the library, and the stories Jared would tell about Vader being roasted in a volcano. My young mind was fascinated with everything in those films, to the point that when I first heard they were making new ones, my inner child leaped for joy.
Looking back almost 15 years, I admit that "Phantom Menace" is a little less serious than the rest, but I think that was the point. I never understood where people got the idea that Anakin was some kind of "super-Jedi" with no faults, because its not presented anywhere in the OT at all. Every main point given about Anakin's life in the later chronology was fulfilled in the prequels, albeit expanded on quite a bit. I think what really makes Episodes I - III pale in comparison is the lack of any genuine surprise, since Vader's become so prominent in popular culture across the board.
As for the "Special Edition vs. Theatrical" debate, I like both for the most part. The one thing that bugs me most about Lucas' changes is the stupid musical number in Jabba's palace; its a terrible song, and does nothing to advance the plot. In contrast, I actually like John Williams' new ending theme for "Jedi", much more than the "Yub Nub" version. There's some minor things that annoy me, but that's mostly because so many years have passed without them being completely fixed (Luke's saber on the Falcon, Han shooting second looking barely believable, etc.)
Here's some of my favorite lines from Episode IV...
- "You are part of the Rebel Alliance, and a traitor. Take her away!"
- "Your destiny lies on a different path from mine."
- "It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home."
- "Jabba...you're a wonderful human being."
- "You watch your language!"
- "The more you tighten your grip Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
- "He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damn-fool idealistic crusade, like your father did."
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