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Star Wars (1977) [Episode IV]

Again? Yes. Even though no other movie has been released as many times on video as Star Wars (except for its sequels, The Empire Strikes Back [original] and Return of the Jedi [original]), George Lucas and the folks at 20th Century Fox have actually released a slightly different film this time. This video followed the mega-successful 20th-anniversary theatrical rerelease, in which Lucas personally remastered the image and sound quality of his baby. Other revisions are more obvious, if hardly radical. Lucas enhanced several special effects with updated computer technology--most noticeable are the explosions and removal of matte lines during the Death Star battle finale. And the creatures that populate Mos Eisley's spaceport--though meticulous--are aesthetically superior improvements. The inclusion of extra scenes (originally outtakes), however, is not an improvement. Both the meeting between Jabba the Hutt and Han Solo, and Luke talking with his childhood pal Biggs, do nothing to enhance character development or theme, and serve only as distractions that preoccupy the waiting viewer. And, really couldn't Lucas find something better to do with his time than mess around with a national treasure? As for the video, this boasts both visual and sound enhancements. But since Star Wars has been available with these tweaks numerous times before, the decision whether to purchase this latest new version depends on how badly you want to see Lucas's cosmetic surgery. --Dave McCoy, Amazon

Video Description from Amazon
A facelift of the 1977 science fiction classic. A farmboy becomes enmeshed in a war between the evil Galactic Empire and the Rebellion when a pair of droids bearing plans for the Empire's ultimate weapon crash-lands on his planet. Soon he is off rescuing princesses, battling Imperial stormtroopers, piloting spaceships, and learning the ways of the mysterious Force. The Special Edition [unavailable] includes a number of scenes cut from the original as well as all-new special effects and a resequencing of the ultimate space battle above the Death Star. Although many agree that the new effects are spectacular, critics and fans alike argue the necessity of the Special Edition's additions. **[Special Edition O]n moratorium as of November 30, 1997.**