Movie Revisions

I just recently watched “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” in theaters for the umpteenth time. The film was presented in 3D and included a few additional scenes as well as a newly-enhanced Yoda. This was not the first time a “Star Wars” movie has been changed and it certainly won’t be the last. Series creator George Lucas is well-known for updating his franchise on a continual basis. And since it’s his property, he has every right to change it. Or does he really? To the eyes of many, a completed film is considered to be finished, warts and all.  

Yoda in "The Phantom Meance". In the 1999 version (right) and the 2012 release.

A change to a finished film often sparks debate because a movie’s final cut is what the public ultimately remembers. But when a filmmaker alters a movie in any shape or form, we are somtimes told it is the definitive version. I personally have no problem with that if the film originally proved to be flawed. For instance, in 2007, Ridley Scott released an enhanced version of his 1982 film “Blade Runner” with the subtitle “The Final Cut”. His changes were subtle refinements that automatically improved the film. New dialogue, sharpened special-effects and a re-shot scene perfected his dark, masterful vision of the future. 

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" included subtle refinements that improved the film.

While I am grateful for the “Final Cut” of “Blade Runner”, I believe Lucas’ enhancements are a bit self-indulging and unnecessary. At first, I accepted his “Special Editions” (of the original trilogy) since they were conceived to re-introduce the series to a new generation. But then Georgie fell in love with the idea of updating the older films. His reason? To bridge the technological gap between the two trilogies. The director has always felt the technology of the late 20th century limited his vision of a galaxy far, far away. So he has constantly gone back to the old films to add new scenes, dialogue and special-effects. And while "Star Wars" fans have come to accept this, they generally feel his changes tarnish the films' legacies.



The 1997 version of "Jedi" included a musical segment not shown in the original film.

Many filmmakers release "director's cuts" and "extended cuts" to either make an extra buck or to show a film as it was originally intended. But there's never been a series of films that have been continously changed throughout the years. Well, other than "Star Wars" that is. Love it or hate it, Mr. Lucas has chosen to tinker with his films long after they were completed. If only he allowed the original films to live on beside the new versions. Then he'd have a little more respect from the fanboys.