April Foolishness: Blast from the Past

[krpalmer]

Perhaps in part due to "The Home Page Forums" being in what seems an unfortunate state of hibernation, I just couldn't seem to hit on any fresh ideas for a little jape I had indulged in each April 1st for the last few years on that message board, to think up a glimpse from some "alternative reality" where Star Wars is unlike what we know (and yet still similar at the core, at least to my own conviction). I did find myself thinking back a full ten years to something else not accomplished, my thought that an "April Fool's 1999" prank might be made in the form of a fake "press release" where George Lucas declared that "Episode I" "just wasn't working out" and its release would be cancelled to the slight dissatisfaction but ultimate understanding of its actors... and then I decided to just bring back one of my old experiments. I do wonder a little if this journal will really be more enduring than the message board, and I suppose I can envision a point or two being modified or even added... but, of course, we aren't allowed to change things these days.

"Star Wars Wars: Controversy greets videodisc release of Revised Version"

To commemorate the anniversary of his famous Star Wars trilogy, filmmaker George Lucas recently created a Revised Version, notable for modifying some scenes using new special-effects technology. The movies continued to draw large crowds on their theatrical re-release, but there was a considerable amount of debate in fan circles about the changes. A visit to the checkout line of a local videodisc store is enough to demonstrate that the controversy is still there even as the Revised Version is released on home video, and it perhaps may focus down to one particular change to one scene in the first movie.

"In the original version," Vince Charnak declares at the first opportunity, "when Han Solo gets cornered by the bounty hunter Greedo, he dodges Greedo's shot then blows him away the very next second. I mean, how cool is that? But now, Han just shoots Greedo like any common thug and that's that!"

"Lucas is trying to downplay the scene," Nick Anson adds. "He can't let Han do anything impressive any more. Instead, he seems intent on diminishing and injuring his character - just to be politically correct!"

"It doesn't even look right," Matthew Chen says. "Han just sits there frozen, and that lone shot might as well come from nowhere. If the whole point of this 'Revised Version' was to get closer to some 'original intention,' then Lucas should have filmed the scene that way to begin with - end of story."

"And what about poor Greedo?" Marie Cavor asks. "Now he can't even get a shot off. He's taken completely by surprise! It robs him of his dignity."

Not all of the fans waiting in line with Revised Version box sets seem willing to agree, though. "It's really a very minor change anyway," Laura Walden insists. "Han still does plenty of stuff you can call 'cool' if you want to. And after this much obsessing over it, I can see why Lucas might want to 'downplay the scene.' The real point of the first movie is Luke Skywalker setting out on his hero's journey, not some shootout in a cantina!"

Vince Charnak, in particular, seems unimpressed by her growing annoyance. "Luke is a weenie. As for me, I'm having a 'Greedo Shot First' T-shirt made up for the convention next year." He continues on his way to the cash register.

Comments

[krpalmer.livejournal.com]

The thought came to mind right around the time the "Pre-Special Editions (http://krpalmer.livejournal.com/3699.html)" were put on DVD and I was feeling a little frustrated at the oh-so-familiar complaints (or complaint, singular) being aired out once more, although I may have been thinking more "if things had been the way they were changed to in the beginning, everybody would have been just fine with them." In any case, another positive reaction is appreciated.