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njdevils901 t1_jaa1dpv wrote

My problem with the Lucas special editions is that it is very hard to find the original theatrical versions. I would argue leave movies alone, specifically their special effects, they are of their time.

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MrFoxManBoy OP t1_jaa2j30 wrote

Yea thats true. That is a caveat I would argue is a must if they ever actually do this. You have to keep the original theatrical versions available. This is an unpopular opinion, but I prefer the theatrical versions of TLotR trilogy over the extended cuts. I know its not exactly the same thing I am talking about, but at least they make both versions available.

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beefcat_ t1_jaa28e1 wrote

I think they would be a lot less controversial if they stuck purely to technical upgrades, rather than making major changes to the editing, tone, and environments.

This is why I think Empire Strikes Back is the least controversial special edition (and it's the only one I actually prefer over watching the Despecialized version). It didn't get a bunch of ugly CGI additions like the other two films. Most of the changes were centered around cleaning up '80s effects work, not replacing it. The entire Battle of Hoth looks so much better than it used to since they were able to digitally re-composite all the original film elements that were originally assembled photochemically.

Star Wars (1977) got done the dirtiest by the "Special Edition treatment. It changed some minor plot points, re-introduced a scene that was deleted because it was redundent (everything we need to know about Han and Jabba's relationship was already conveyed by Greedo in the cantina), and all the CGI additions feel extremely out of place in a film that otherwise looks like it was made in the '70s.

I think Blade Runner: The Final Cut is the gold standard for how these kinds of remasters should be handled. The new version itself looks and sounds great, without any added nonsense. It feels like a version Ridley Scott could have released in 1982 if given the power. But even if it was bad, they still had the good sense to include multiple original cuts of the film in the Blu-Ray set.

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MrFoxManBoy OP t1_jaa3hzb wrote

Exactly. Thats what I am referring to. Fixing mistakes and issues. Not so much going through and updating the feature. Jedi used to be my favorite as a kid and its the worst one now because of the Special Editions. But the HP example is probably the most extreme version.

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TimidPanther t1_jaa1zxk wrote

I disagree. I think it does the movies a disservice by cleaning up and adding CGI to what was released in 1977. Anyone who's interested in movies has heard of what a technological leap Star Wars was when it released, which is something that just isn't clear anymore. It's not the same movie it was, which is a shame.

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MrFoxManBoy OP t1_jaa30ng wrote

Oh for sure. Which is why I said up front there were a lot of really bad changes. But thinks like fixing costume issues of the wampa in Empire, and the way they incorporated just a few more shots that showed more of it, and in the same aesthetic as the original version.

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Particular-Ad-4772 t1_jaa3uhe wrote

They should sell the unedited original versions too . Unless they are and I just missed it .

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MrFoxManBoy OP t1_jaa4b66 wrote

Agreed. The originals should never be replaced or some newer version made definitive. The touch up should only be an additional offering.

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houtex727 t1_jaa5xlf wrote

All of the Reeve's Superman movies need this. The effects, while amazing at the time, are super dated. That said, probably not enough bucks involved to do it. Thing has to sell, and I'm not sure a revamp of these movies will do it. And they're classics, things of their eras, especially the first one. Really don't want to spoil it in my opinion. It's still pretty amazing. That entire helicopter scene...

So I'm in the pen of 'leave them alone', mostly. George wanted to polish his Star Wars nest eggs, because control freak, and could, so he did. That of all movies, Star Trek: The Motion Picture got not one but TWO Director's Editions, both making more VFX shots, the latter in 4k(!) among other changes (sounds, cuts/adds of scenes/dialog) is just astounding to me. That one. Two special cuts. How and whut. Star Trek Fans are Powerful Indeed? shrugs All I know is I was and am here for it, that movie's kinda special to me.

OOH. The Black Hole. That one could use your sprucing up, that's for sure. Love that stupid movie RIGHT UP to the end parts. Little slow, but hey, not bad for a first shot at a Sci Fi Live Action movie from Disney, and some of those effects still hold up! Just need to come up with another ending... I get the idea, but c'mon.

Anyway. Most movies can probably use a bit of sprucin'. But unless it has a way to be monetized, it's just not going to happen. And in the case of your HP example, it's just not enough bang for any bucks sent along. I would be surprised if enough HP fans would actually buy HP8 just for the few minutes we're talking about.

I say leave them alone... with grand exceptions because there's always exceptions. BvS and ZSJL come to mind. Similar to TMP, studio screwin' with it (different reasons of course) and the edits that were supposed to be in the theaters (as far as I'm concerned) wind up being much better. Well, to me anyway, there's quite a few who will still disagree, and that's fine, but that Snyder got to get the 'right ones he meant to make' out is still a good thing, you ask me.

Edit: just thought of TRON. Man. That one could use some vfx editing help for sure.

Edit2: Aw, man. The Last Starfighter. Could you imagine?

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Spaghetti__Girl t1_ja9ym9e wrote

Nothing is better in the special edition.

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