On a cross-country flight yesterday, 2.0 and I were watching Empire (him for the first time) on my laptop. He has a little trouble with even mildly scary stuff in movies, but then again, he loves Star Wars. So I told him, if it gets too scary, let's pause the movie, and I'll tell him what's going to happen and how everything's going to turn out okay, and then we'll decide if he wants to keep watching. So we're watching, and it gets to the Luke-Darth Vader duel, and his eyes get real big, and he pushes pause, and he goes, "Daddy. We need to talk." Just awesome. And he kept watching, too, and it was okay for everybody except for Han Solo.
And this is why we need proper DVD releases of the trilogy, so that our children can be raised in a world where Han shoots first, there's a proper 70's explosion when the Death Star blows up and Han doesn't talk to Jabba at Mos Eisley.
Yes. It's inevitable that the demand for such will create a supply.
But will Lucas provide that supply any time soon, or will parents have to go the web's variously wretched hives of scum and villainy to procure pure product for their offspring? Perhaps more importantly, how many children are at risk of exposure to tainted product if their parents do not have access to a legitmate market for fully licensed original versions of these films?
We've had that discussion here before -- 2/26/07 post: "<span>You have think - which would be the bigger shocker. finding out that Darth Vader is Luke's father (which means you start with IV), or following the story from the start and wondering if Luke and Leia will find out who they are and who Vader really is."</span>
About a month ago, I watched The Princess Bride with my 8-year-old son, and he precisely mirrored Fred Savage's reactions about 10 seconds before each cutaway. It was uncanny.
I advocate going in release order; that way, the children will be older when you get to the prequels and will (hopefully) have the capacity to realize that Lucas should never attempt romantic speeches again. But seriously, I think New Hope-Empire-Return is where to start. Then wait a bit before introducing them to the ones aimed at younger kids (note; this is probably my inner curmudgeon speaking).
My hesitation is that III is really too brutal (burning scene, specifically) for my wimpy 6-yr old girls. Although by the time I can convince them to give any STAR WARS movie a shot . . .
Actually, Lucas did (grudgingly) release DVDs with the original trilogies; they came out as bonus discs for a 2006 release. Each of the three original trilogy movies has a two-disc package. The first disc in each features the tarted-up Special Special Edition version. The second disc features a not-terrible transfer of the original film. I bought all three two-disc sets, discarded the Special Special Edition disc, gave my young nephew the old-school discs, and now he's hooked on a universe where Han shot first.
There's a bewildering array of SW releases, but the one with the original trilogy DVDs is from 2006. A 2008 release gathered all three movies (Special Special Edition, original) into a box set. Here's a link to the box set:
Last Gasp, it's a decent release, but I want a proper one with a restoration done; the prints are...OK on that 2006 set, but nothing like what they could be. Above the TV prints, but not by much.
Oh, I agree - the official sets I mentioned are essentially mediocre Laserdisc transfers. Would be delighted to see a lovingly restored version of the OT, but Lucas has shown very little interest so far. There's a Blu-ray set rumored for 2011, but I'm not holding my breath.
On a cross-country flight yesterday, 2.0 and I were watching Empire (him for the first time) on my laptop. He has a little trouble with even mildly scary stuff in movies, but then again, he loves Star Wars. So I told him, if it gets too scary, let's pause the movie, and I'll tell him what's going to happen and how everything's going to turn out okay, and then we'll decide if he wants to keep watching. So we're watching, and it gets to the Luke-Darth Vader duel, and his eyes get real big, and he pushes pause, and he goes, "Daddy. We need to talk." Just awesome. And he kept watching, too, and it was okay for everybody except for Han Solo.
ReplyDelete(spoiler alert)
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of The Princess Bride here. "She does not get eaten by the eels at this time."
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why we need proper DVD releases of the trilogy, so that our children can be raised in a world where Han shoots first, there's a proper 70's explosion when the Death Star blows up and Han doesn't talk to Jabba at Mos Eisley.
ReplyDeleteThat story is adorable!! And now I want to be in charge of star wars-ing my new neice, also indiana jones-ing.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's inevitable that the demand for such will create a supply.
ReplyDeleteBut will Lucas provide that supply any time soon, or will parents have to go the web's variously wretched hives of scum and villainy to procure pure product for their offspring? Perhaps more importantly, how many children are at risk of exposure to tainted product if their parents do not have access to a legitmate market for fully licensed original versions of these films?
Act, George! Act now, for the children!
So I'm the only one thinking of showing the six films in story order? Episodes I-VI? Hello? Bueller?
ReplyDeleteWe've had that discussion here before -- 2/26/07 post: "<span>You have think - which would be the bigger shocker. finding out that Darth Vader is Luke's father (which means you start with IV), or following the story from the start and wondering if Luke and Leia will find out who they are and who Vader really is."</span>
ReplyDeleteAbout a month ago, I watched The Princess Bride with my 8-year-old son, and he precisely mirrored Fred Savage's reactions about 10 seconds before each cutaway. It was uncanny.
ReplyDeleteI advocate going in release order; that way, the children will be older when you get to the prequels and will (hopefully) have the capacity to realize that Lucas should never attempt romantic speeches again. But seriously, I think New Hope-Empire-Return is where to start. Then wait a bit before introducing them to the ones aimed at younger kids (note; this is probably my inner curmudgeon speaking).
ReplyDeleteMy hesitation is that III is really too brutal (burning scene, specifically) for my wimpy 6-yr old girls. Although by the time I can convince them to give any STAR WARS movie a shot . . .
ReplyDeleteActually, Lucas did (grudgingly) release DVDs with the original trilogies; they came out as bonus discs for a 2006 release. Each of the three original trilogy movies has a two-disc package. The first disc in each features the tarted-up Special Special Edition version. The second disc features a not-terrible transfer of the original film. I bought all three two-disc sets, discarded the Special Special Edition disc, gave my young nephew the old-school discs, and now he's hooked on a universe where Han shot first.
ReplyDeleteThere's a bewildering array of SW releases, but the one with the original trilogy DVDs is from 2006. A 2008 release gathered all three movies (Special Special Edition, original) into a box set. Here's a link to the box set:
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Trilogy-Harrison-Ford/dp/B001EN71DG
I definitely fall into the show-the-original-trilogy-first camp.
Last Gasp, it's a decent release, but I want a proper one with a restoration done; the prints are...OK on that 2006 set, but nothing like what they could be. Above the TV prints, but not by much.
ReplyDeleteNew Hope does have burnt bodies, remember.
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree - the official sets I mentioned are essentially mediocre Laserdisc transfers. Would be delighted to see a lovingly restored version of the OT, but Lucas has shown very little interest so far. There's a Blu-ray set rumored for 2011, but I'm not holding my breath.
ReplyDelete