Happy Star Wars Day

Warning this post contains some spoilers about the changes in the new DVD. If you do not want to know about them until you watch the movie, then don’t read this.

Well it’s finally here. The long anticipated Star Wars Trilogy is now on DVD. Thanks to the bestest wife in the whole wide universe, I now have a copy. Today was a great Star Wars day. I had visions of Jawas and AT-ATs dancing in my head. Everyone (OK only us Star Wars geeks) were celebrating this fine day. We were coming up with clever nicknames for each other. (I.e. One of our coworkers is named Felicia and we called her Darth Feliciuos or Fe-3PO) It was great times. I could not wait to go home. The extra half hour I had to stay was torture. I felt like a kid having to stay after school before Christmas break.

When I finally got home I ripped open the DVD package with child like vigor. I basked in the glow of the shiny new DVD box. Each disc was individually wrapped, just how I like it. Mmmmmm….individually wrapped. I loaded up the 5 disc DVD player, and put my new back massager on my chair and got ready to watch. BUT, my wife really wanted me to go to dinner with them. They were going to Café Rio, one of my favorite restaurants and home of the greatest burrito ever. Ever! We ordered our food, after waiting only a few minutes. It wasn’t very busy, which was a big surprise. I sank my teeth into a sweet Pork Barbeqoa (I think this is how you spell it) Burrito and we were soon finished with our food. My wife and sister in-law wanted to go shopping after dinner and asked if I and my brother in-law wanted to join them. Hmmmm…lets see, Star Wars or shopping? I’ll take the shopping. Yeah right! I would rather be run over by a Bantha, than go shopping now.

We raced home like rebels fleeing an imperial raid. First on the docket was A New Hope. We took our seats; I had to take the couch instead of my planned chair as the vibration caused the picture to go funny. We cranked up the stereo system and waited for that beloved intro that is Star Wars. I almost cried. Immediately I was immersed in the galaxy far, far away. The picture and sound quality were stunning. It was almost better than watching it in the theatre. The special effects received a complete make over. The engine bursts, laser blasts and explosions were transformed into incredibly pleasing effects. The light saber blades were revamped and looked more like the newer ones from episodes one and two. The Gueedo vs. Hon Solo fight was also revitalized and looked a little more natural. I still hate that Gueedo has to fire first, SO unrealistic. Jabba the Hutt received a makeover (interesting mental picture) and looked more like the Hutts seen in Phantom Menace. He was still no where near the Jabba from Return Of The Jedi, but a little better for CG. The other thing I noticed is they put in some interesting visual changes in the Millennium Falcon fight seen. When the Tie Fighters are seen from Luke and Han’s perspective, when using the gun stations, subtle flashing red boxes appear around the ships as if being targeted by some new sophisticated equipment. It is hard to notice and at first I thought it was a flaw with the DVD, but this does not happen when the fighters are viewed from other perspectives or camera positions. Speaking of the MF, the jump to hyperspace is phenomenal. It took my breath away, on how much improved this effect was. That is about all I noticed. The rest of the movie was left alone. No scenes cut out or added. It was not as glaring of a change as I expected, except for the stunning changes in picture quality. The picture is indescribably clear. You really have to see it to know what I am talking about.

It really was worth the wait and I have a better understanding for why it took so long for them to put these out on DVD. Trust me, they do not disappoint. It is the same Star Wars we love, only better and put into a crisp new format that will last a very long time. I give the DVD 5 stars, and a few tears of joy. Lots of hours will be spent in front of the TV watching this movie. I feel like a droid after an oil bath.

Watch this movie Hippies, that’s an order. Comming soon: The Empire Strikes Back. If you are interested in a Super Geek night where we can view this and the rest of the movies, please e-mail me. The link is at the top of the page.

- Dr. Worm

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