Star Wars Original Trilogy Thread (1977-83)

I thought this board deserved to have its own Star Wars thread exclusive to discussing and reminiscing about the pre-Disney, pre-2000 original trilogy movies, since I'm sure they have their fans here.

Before the dark days.... before the NPCs....

I watched them over Christmas. The first two really hold up for me as genuine classics but Jedi doesn't quite engage my attention anymore. It falls flat visually compared to Empire and the acting from some of the cast members is all over the place. Jedi was my favourite growing up but the more and more I watch it as an adult the more I notice that it doesn't quite have the magic or the heart of the prior film Saying that, it is still the third best SW movie.

Loved them as a kid. I haven't seen them since the late 90s, though I have them on DVD and keep meaning to get around to it.

Commander Maxil wrote:Jedi was my favourite growing up but the more and more I watch it as an adult the more I notice that it doesn't quite have the magic or the heart of the prior film.

I used to rewatch Jedi to death in my early teens.

I think it mostly still holds up but I do think it's the Endor battle involving all the Ewoks which lets it down, and is where the film starts to feel indulgent and routine.

I recently got my hands on Harmy's Despecialised Edition, an HD fan restoration of the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy without any of Lucas' misguided, revisionist alterations. Highly recommended.

I still don't think there's any logic in the sentiment that the prequels are at all or substantively worse than the originals. I posted this somewhere else but the flaws and bonuses are all the same.

I do really like the films, though I'm not convinced they were ever particularly well-written or well-acted for the most part.

What made Star Wars special was the imagination going into it, bolstered by great design and music.

As powerful and dark as Empire is I still prefer Jedi - so rousing and well-paced. A New Hope is dated but very tightly put-together.