Star Wars Saga Blu Ray Review: Nerd Rage Inside!

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Ok, now that the Star Wars Saga has been released for the first time in Blu-Ray format, I have decided to do an FAQ for those who are wondering if it's worth it.

-What is Star Wars?

Its a sci fi movie with action, cheesy lines, explosions, droids, weird creatures, clones, a guy in a black suit of armor, a scary evil guy in a cloak that plunges the galaxy into war so he can rise to power and so on.

-What is the Star Wars Saga Blu Ray?
This is the first High Definition Release of all 6 movies on the current home HD format on Blu Ray. The release contains all 6 movies with editional bonus discs with bts footage, deleted scenes, interviews and so on.
-What does the SWS BR package look like?
starwarscompletebluray.jpg

-Who is selling this?
Pretty much every retailer that sells Blu Ray's.

-I heard that Lucas has changed/added stuff for the Blu Ray Release, do you have a list?
From wikipedia:

Episode I: The Phantom Menace


  • A new blurring effect is used when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan use Force Speed to escape the droidekas.
  • The medium shot of Nute Gunray and Rune Haako observing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escaping the droidekas has been replaced with a long shot.
  • In a scene with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan discussing Anakin's fate on Coruscant, the sun has brightened from orange to white.
  • All scenes with Yoda depicted by a puppet have been replaced with a CG model.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones


  • During Anakin's nightmare scene, a voiceover of his mother Shmi has been added.
  • After Yoda saves Obi-Wan and Anakin from Dooku's falling pillar, the reaction shots of Yoda and then Anakin and Obi-Wan are moved up before the shots of Dooku escaping on his ship and Padme and the clonetroopers arriving and firing at him.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith


  • The scene transition from Padme's ship to Anakin on Mustafar has been changed from a straight cut back to a wipe, restoring the original theatrical release.
Episode IV: A New Hope


  • Obi-Wan's Krayt Dragon call has once again been changed.
  • In the scene where Obi-Wan discovers R2 hiding in an alcove, rocks have been digitally inserted into the frame to hide the droid.
  • The shot of Han and Greedo firing at each other has been shortened by several frames from the 2004 DVD version.
  • Luke's green light saber aboard the Millennium Falcon from the 2004 DVD has been corrected and is now blue.
  • The audio errors during the Battle of Yavin in the 2004 DVD have been corrected.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back


  • In the shot when the wampa mauls Luke's tauntaun, the puppeteer's arm can no longer be seen.
  • In an exterior shot of Cloud City featuring Leia waiting for Han in her apartment, a reflection can now be seen in Leia's window.
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi


  • A static long shot of Artoo and Threepio approaching the door to Jabba's palace has been replaced with an extreme long shot revealing more of the door, as the camera zooms in on the droids.
  • There are now brighter flashes of light when Han is released from the carbonite.
  • A CG Dug has been added to the scene in Jabba's palace which features sleeping partygoers.
  • A new closeup shot of Han striking Boba Fett's jetpack has been added.
  • Wicket's eyes now have CG eyelids, allowing him to blink.
  • When Artoo is shot by a stormtrooper, additional CG gadgets fly out of his body as he malfunctions.
  • The lightsaber errors from the 2004 DVD have been corrected and Luke and Darth Vader's lightsabers now have white cores.
  • Darth Vader now says "No" while Luke is tortured by the Emperor's Force Lightning attack, and then screams "Nooooo!" as he picks Palpatine up and hurls him into the Death Star's reactor core.

-Will there ever be an unaltered release of the OT on Blu Ray?
Unfortunately Lucas will never release an unaltered version of the Original Trilogy at this time.
-Are there any Screenshots comparing the OT/PT DVD releases to the BR releases?

Yes! The good folks over at Milenniumfalcon.com have released a number of screen shots comparing the DVD release and the BR release.


http://www.millenniumfalcon.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9065&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0



-Will there be a 3-d Release of the Saga on Blu Ray?
At this time plans are well under way to release Star Wars: Episode 1 in 2012 , with the other movies released every year in 3D format. It is unknown if a 3-d blu ray will be released that same year as the 3-d theatrical release or after all the movies have been released in 3-D.
-Are there any reviews?
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Star-Wars-Blu-ray/14903/#Review

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviewshd/bdreviews091611.html

http://io9.com/5841183/the-star-wars-blu+ray-set-gets-35-out-of-5
-Should I buy this now or wait for a sale (Weeks from now/Black Friday)?
It's really hard to say at this time. This could be a good price and then next week it could be double that price. It is unknown if it will be on sale on Black Friday.

-Should I buy it anyways?
Honestly it's totally up to you. There are a number of unnecessary changes to the OT that has caused controversy on the Internet. If you can tolerate these changes, then go for it.
 
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[quote name='gordojones88']I received my DVDPlanet $65 Complete Trilogy in the mail today.
It's very nice. Gonna watch Episode IV tonight.[/QUOTE]

Got mine today from DeepDiscount too. :) Packaging is awesome, looking forward to watching some of it this weekend.
 
[quote name='VipFREAK']I... Feel like a sucker. Amazon has screwed me over more than once lately... Probably the last I order from them.[/QUOTE]

How'd they screw you over?
 
Why am I paying $70+ for somthing when it seems like it's significanty cheaper any where else... Also, didn't amazon have a price match guarantee? Forgot I pre order this til I got the shipped notification...

Edit: oh, there's two boxes? One has the original 3 movie and the other has all 6? If so, my bad i guess.
 
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[quote name='VipFREAK']Why am I paying $70+ for somthing when it seems like it's significanty cheaper any where else... Also, didn't amazon have a price match guarantee? Forgot I pre order this til I got the shipped notification...[/QUOTE]

How is it significantly cheaper anywhere else right now? Deep Discount had it for $65 as their deal of the day like a month or two ago (maybe longer). And I believe some were lucky to get it when B&N had a 50% off sale at the begging of the year, it wasn't a specific SW sale or anything.

And yes the pre-order guarantee exists and it's working. You are getting it for the lowest price that Amazon has offered for, $79.99. That also seems to be the lowest it's selling at any retailer too. Not sure how they're "screwing you over". You can't fault them if YOU forgot you had a pre-order for it, or the fact that YOU missed out on getting it from DD or BN. $80 at launch is still a pretty decent price, and worst case you can either return it or simply refuse the shipment.

edit: this post was made before you edited your post, see my reply below to that edit
 
[quote name='VipFREAK']Edit: oh, there's two boxes? One has the original 3 movie and the other has all 6? If so, my bad i guess.[/QUOTE]

There are three sets, the one you ordered is for all 6 movies Plus 3 extra discs that can't be found in any other version. There is also a Prequel set with 3 movies (eps I-III), and an Original trilogy set with the other 3 movies (eo IV-VI). The complete set is the best one to get in my opinion because of the extra 3 discs included with it.
 
I'm firmly in the 'screw Lucas' camp, but I would consider picking up the saga set if it goes under $50 at some point. Until then, Harmy's de-specialized editions are just fine.
 
Picked this up at Wal-Mart. Didnt get a Boba Fett poster like I heard in another topic was supposed to be a bonus. Must just be specific Wal-Marts. It's also $89.96 at Wal-Mart...though I think Walmart.com has it for $79.96. Got it pricematched though. Not a big fan of the sleeved casing..though the art is pretty cool.
 
[quote name='Darknuke']TROLL!!!! yes it is =/[/QUOTE]


Sad to know... w/e target opens at 8. I know Lucas will release another one but the SW geek is not able to resist. Thanks for the info though.
 
[quote name='sandaz93']Is vader's lightsaber still pink?[/QUOTE]

...as pink as your vagina ;)

[quote name='sandaz93']Not trolling. Serious question. Will still probably buy it though...[/QUOTE]
 
I think making Yoda CGI in Episode I was a smart change. He looked like crap and well it just seemed odd how much different he looked then the puppet used in Empire and Jedi. The CGI Yoda resembles the Yoda puppet in Empire and Jedi far more then that ugly puppet they used in Episode I. And yah I know hes younger, but not that much younger seeing as he's 900 years old in Jedi. As for the other changes.......they dont really alter the experience.......except the disturbing "Nooooooooo" scream from Vader in Jedi. But I'll live. Could just push the mute button for like 5 seconds. The films look amazing in blu.
 
An aside to the whole "buy it"/"don't but it" debate:
Looks like Target may be a decent option to save some cash.
Their exclusive lithographs have a return value of $8.88.
 
I picked up the lithographs from target. They were bigger than I thought at about 11 x 7 ". Here is a pic of the envelope they come in. Haven't opened them yet. The white in the back is an 8.5 x 11" paper for comparison.

 
[quote name='Nukkus']So much for the lithos being exclusive at target, here in Canada Future Shop and Best Buy both have them.[/QUOTE]

That's because Canada doesn't have Targets. It's not like it's Target that create the lithos. I'm sure whoever distributed them were simply looking for a retailer to pick them up in Canada and BB/FS was the obvious choice
 
I was planning on waiting but couldn't help myself today when I saw it on the shelves. Even with mistakes, I love these movies too much to pass on them in HD. I got mine at Target and returned the lithos (since I haven't done anything with previous lithos from movies I have received). I have until sometime in December to find a better price...
 
[quote name='FlamedLiquid']I think making Yoda CGI in Episode I was a smart change. He looked like crap and well it just seemed odd how much different he looked then the puppet used in Empire and Jedi. The CGI Yoda resembles the Yoda puppet in Empire and Jedi far more then that ugly puppet they used in Episode I. And yah I know hes younger, but not that much younger seeing as he's 900 years old in Jedi. As for the other changes.......they dont really alter the experience.......except the disturbing "Nooooooooo" scream from Vader in Jedi. But I'll live. Could just push the mute button for like 5 seconds. The films look amazing in blu.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I'd say the few changes Episode 1 has are for the better. (The other ones I really noticed were the improved Force Speed used to escape the droid destroyers, and the extended podrace scenes. Never noticed Warwick Davis next to Watto before either, so that was neat, I think he was in the movie before though.) Doesn't change it from being the shittiest Star Wars movie, but I'll give credit where it's due. The picture is damn good for being the worst of the set as well.

[quote name='scottman']I picked up the lithographs from target. They were bigger than I thought at about 11 x 7 ". Here is a pic of the envelope they come in. Haven't opened them yet. The white in the back is an 8.5 x 11" paper for comparison.[/QUOTE]

They are basically the artwork sleeves the discs come in without the holes. The artwork is pretty damn good IMO, so I'm happy, but they don't compare to the gigantic lithographs from Circuit City for the 2006 DVD re-release. That said, nothing likely would, those things are amazing.

So I'm pretty happy with the set so far, all things considered.
 
[quote name='ssjmichael']JEEZ, the bonus discs alone are selling for $60 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Wars-B...?pt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray&hash=item336c01f895

I was considering looking for just those discs so I could just buy the original trilogy set but it's crazy that they're going for so much.[/QUOTE]Like everything else that makes no sense for being sold on eBay, this is just another one.

If you can get the base trilogies for $30 each, and you get both of them, you've spent $60. If you get those bonus disks from eBay, you're in for another $60, so you're at $120.

Someone should explain to me why $120 spent is the same as spending $80 or less elsewhere. :whistle2:s
 
[quote name='shrike4242']Like everything else that makes no sense for being sold on eBay, this is just another one.

If you can get the base trilogies for $30 each, and you get both of them, you've spent $60. If you get those bonus disks from eBay, you're in for another $60, so you're at $120.

Someone should explain to me why $120 spent is the same as spending $80 or less elsewhere. :whistle2:s[/QUOTE]
It doesn't seem to make a ton of sense. Are the extras a regional thing maybe?
 
[quote name='shrike4242']Like everything else that makes no sense for being sold on eBay, this is just another one.

If you can get the base trilogies for $30 each, and you get both of them, you've spent $60. If you get those bonus disks from eBay, you're in for another $60, so you're at $120.

Someone should explain to me why $120 spent is the same as spending $80 or less elsewhere. :whistle2:s[/QUOTE]

Preorder bonuses and specially packaged things are the same way. People always profit on them. Why would someone buy the saga and not try to profit on the extra discs if they are willing to part with them?
 
I really think that auction for the bonus discs is only high because the stupid buyers didn't read what it was for, and think it's the full set based on the picture. The seller shouldn't have put up that picture.
 
[quote name='scottman']I really think that auction for the bonus discs is only high because the stupid buyers didn't read what it was for, and think it's the full set based on the picture. The seller shouldn't have put up that picture.[/QUOTE]

it could be a mistake....but I doubt it. Boycotters to this bluray set may just want the extras discs, and pay top dollar for them.
 
[quote name='FlamedLiquid']it could be a mistake....but I doubt it. Boycotters to this bluray set may just want the extras discs, and pay top dollar for them.[/QUOTE]

That's incredibly funny if the "boycotters" are paying nearly as much for the bonus discs as they'd pay for the whole set just to make a point that Lucas couldn't care less about anyway. :lol:
 
[quote name='FlamedLiquid']it could be a mistake....but I doubt it. Boycotters to this bluray set may just want the extras discs, and pay top dollar for them.[/QUOTE]


You have a good point.... deleted scenes, outtakes don't always go public and with the additional material , it may be more sort out than the OT/PT since we have already seen it zillions of times.

I am wondering if this will be the only set with them and the next release of stand alone discs will not have them.
 
[quote name='arcane93']That's incredibly funny if the "boycotters" are paying nearly as much for the bonus discs as they'd pay for the whole set just to make a point that Lucas couldn't care less about anyway. :lol:[/QUOTE]

more "sad" if you ask me. lol. But hey, there are people that pay a lot for something when they could have paid less if they just got it how it was originally to be maintained.
 
I wasn't going to bite on this, but I noticed today on Amazon that the DVD set of the original unedited trilogy was going for huge dollars all of a sudden, so since I've always been dissatisfied with the video quality on those Laserdisc ports anyways, so I listed mine and it sold right away for $80.

I went to Target this evening and picked up the full collection, but was disappointed that they were all out of the Lithographs, not that I really wanted them anyways since it would just be more junk to pile up in this house, which I don't need, but it's the principal of the matter. Oh well.
 
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Yeah, I got my lithographs early in the morning and they only had about 12 on the shelves but the checker told me they had more in back. I went back this evening for other stuff, and no lithographs left, and only 2 BR sets. Wonder if they plan to put more out each day.

About the bonus discs auction, it has to be a mistake, and I expect the buyer to either be mad or try a chargeback. It ended at $74 shipped. Why would anyone not just buy the full set new in box for $80 from amazon instead, when they could easily sell the movies for a lot more than $6 if they wanted to?

I think the same thing is happening for the lithographs. Sellers shouldn't use stock photos that contain the BR set.
This one is at $41, and no way could anyone want it that badly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Wars-Blu-Ray-Exclusive-8-Lithograph-set-/320759998163
 
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Well, I just couldn't help myself. Went to Best Buy, walked right past the SW display and bought a copy of X-Men: First Class. :D
 
Got mine from Amazon yesterday, but haven't had a chance to watch any of it since I got home late.

The packaging is pretty cool--aside from some of the art being a bit cheesy. But pretty cool how it's made like a book.
 
Ontrac seems to have delivered my package to the wrong house, so I'm kinda screwed for the time being. Amazon says I need to wait a few days before filing a complaint, either way I'm not going to have my copy for a while it seems.
 
I love the set and the whole look of it except for the cardboard with the feature listings coming right off. Doesn't seem like it was supposed to stick on there, eh?

Does this set look any better on a Blu-ray in a PS3 as opposed to seeing the films in HD on Spike TV every holiday weekend? Haven't gotten to watch any yet.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I love the set and the whole look of it except for the cardboard with the feature listings coming right off. Doesn't seem like it was supposed to stick on there, eh?

Does this set look any better on a Blu-ray in a PS3 as opposed to seeing the films in HD on Spike TV every holiday weekend? Haven't gotten to watch any yet.[/QUOTE]

Not sure it looks better, though I'd guess it does.

It definitely sounds better though.
 
I caved today and picked it up at Target for $79.99. I got the lithograph that I'll be returning tomorrow for $8.88 so I'll be out $71.11 + tax for the set. Not a bad deal, IMO for 6 movies and all of the bonus features - especially since these are my favorite movies ever. I can't watch them until sometime next week though since I'm not near a bluray player...
 
Caved in as well... Used a 35 dollar reward zone certificate to help bring it down a bit! :p

Almost bought Thor and Conan O'brien Can't Stop (You have no idea how many WTF is that looks I got from all the BB employees who claimed it didn't exist until they found it in their systems). Thor wasn't a movie that required first week purchase and Can't Stop was a bit too pricey for me at this time.
 
I almost caved, but I'm going to wait for a cheaper price. The reviews have left me a little disappointed when talking about visuals and with those bad/so-so reviews I refuse to pay top dollar.
 
[quote name='Javery']I caved today and picked it up at Target for $79.99. I got the lithograph that I'll be returning tomorrow for $8.88 so I'll be out $71.11 + tax for the set. Not a bad deal, IMO for 6 movies and all of the bonus features - especially since these are my favorite movies ever. I can't watch them until sometime next week though since I'm not near a bluray player...[/QUOTE]

That's weird, why are they marking the "free" lithos at 8.88? What if the store is out of Lithos , I doubt it but do you get the Saga for 71.11? It should be, ok here take one when you buy the saga.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']That's weird, why are they marking the "free" lithos at 8.88? What if the store is out of Lithos , I doubt it but do you get the Saga for 71.11? It should be, ok here take one when you buy the saga.[/QUOTE]

I don't know but it rang up "SPECIAL PROMOTION" like this:

BD STAR WARS $79.99
Saved $20 off $99.99
Refund Value $71.11

STAR WARS $9.99
Refund Value $8.88

PACKAGE SUBTOTAL $89.98
STAR WARS FREE -$9.99

PACKAGE TOTAL $79.99
 
I have to say chances are I wont be watching 1-3. I only bought the set for 4-6 and the extras. I won't be able to watch it till next weekend as I wont have time during the week. Sucks the originals wont ever come out on BD.
 
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