who saw the 2 hr SW special on A&E last night???

[Skarr]

really well done, with new interviews, new background stuff from the original trilogy...even Harrison Ford sounded like he liked the experience (because he has always said otherwise)

It was called SW:empire of dreams

[Zannon]

It was really great...and the full version of it (3 1/2 hours, I think) is on the DVDs coming out next week.

[dillion]

Drat. I never watch TV so I tend to miss out on this stuff.

[Ekade]

Drat. I never watch TV so I tend to miss out on this stuff.

Same here. I had no clue it was on. :|

[Skarr]

Drat. I never watch TV so I tend to miss out on this stuff.

Same here. I had no clue it was on. :|

me niether, was just flippin channels and then I saw Kurt Russel doing a B&W pre-screen, saying Luke Skywalker lines, and I'm thinking "WTF?"

and then watched the remainder of it...

[E-bo Obi]

yeah, i miss everything.

[Zannon]

me niether, was just flippin channels and then I saw Kurt Russel doing a B&W pre-screen, saying Luke Skywalker lines, and I'm thinking "WTF?"

and then watched the remainder of it...

Actually, it was Kurt Russel as Han and WILLIAM KAT (the Greatest American Hero) as Luke...really freaking funny stuff.

[X'an Shin]

Drat. I never watch TV so I tend to miss out on this stuff.

Same here. I had no clue it was on. :|

me niether, was just flippin channels and then I saw Kurt Russel doing a B&W pre-screen, saying Luke Skywalker lines, and I'm thinking "WTF?"

and then watched the remainder of it...

Pfffft. Shows how much you paid attention. Kurt Russel was reading for Solo.

[X'an Shin]

me niether, was just flippin channels and then I saw Kurt Russel doing a B&W pre-screen, saying Luke Skywalker lines, and I'm thinking "WTF?"

and then watched the remainder of it...

Actually, it was Kurt Russel as Han and WILLIAM KAT (the Greatest American Hero) as Luke...really freaking funny stuff.

That dude had a huger blondafro than even I did during college.

I was amazed at how WELL the three main characters read for those parts. The parts they showed from everyone else was almost a pure MOCKERY. Granted, Ford had an unfair advantage in that he was reading the parts all day long, but kudos to Lucas for eventually using him.

I really loved/hated watching that special though. I loved seeing all of the original footage, unedited, and hated the fact that the very footage they were touting (Han shoots first, Luke's non-cheerleader scream fall, the original Death Star explosions, etc) was what was being changed.

I do have to say that I've moved a little more to the middle after watching that special, though. There ARE a lot of shots that make it better (and I'll even bite and say that the newer DeathStar explodeys are better than the originals) such as the Falcon taking off out of Mos Esiley's starport, but damn if he could just go in and listen to the fans for 10 minutes, they'd be PERFECT.

[Skarr]

/bonks rodian and zabrak heads together

I know I got that mixed up, but I'm sitting here at the sim academy waiting 2-3 hours for my checkride to start, so my mind is in other places, lol...

also have an ear infection blocking my right ear from hearing very well that's irritating the hell outta me....so forgive my mistakes, oh lords of SW geekdom, lol

[Dasumi]

It was shown here in germany too, but i missed more than half of it.
I remember reading about it and then just forgot to turn on the tv, shame on me

I found most of it quite interesting, i'm curious about the full version on the DVDs, will be great stuff if the quality of the material and intervies is as good as what they shown on tv.

[Keer]

Ok, here's the post I've been dreading writing since I saw that show. Regardless, it needs to be done. This is not to bash but to pay respect. Since I know George Lucas reads Tales From the Outer Rim religiously, I just start off by saying "I'm sorry, that I've been bashing you, Mr. Lucas".

Why now? Not because of the Empire of Dreams special that viewed the other night, because the most important parts of it I already knew about. However, seeing that show and having some time away from the game maybe catalysed a few things for me personally.

I've always maintained that there are only 2 Star Wars films for me, Episode 4 and 5. I still stand by that. But, after being reminded of what the guy went through to create something that still gives me fond memories after almost 30 years, I've decided that the rest of what I don't like about the films really doesn't matter.

George Lucas, in the process of making Star Wars,:

- almost went broke

- hospitalized himself due to stress and exhaustion

- singlehandedly changed movie production (mostly self financed), marketing (further defined the "summer blockbuster" after Jaws), special effects (no need to go there), and merchandising (made everybody aware of the potential value of licensing, from T-Shirts, Pez, down to this SWG game right here that we play).

- and last but not least, wrecked his own home through neglecting his marriage and the divorce that followed, because he was obsessed with this crazy space opera running around his head.

Sure, he got insanely rich, but that was not even in his plan. I've spent untold reams of green paper on Star Wars, but nobody twisted my arm.

And all of this was known to me before Monday nights's show, but, speaking only for myself, I've been spoiled. Lucas wanted and still wants to make stories for kids. I got mine in the '70's and '80's with Eps 4 and 5 and now millions of kids are getting theirs. Do "mine" hold up better than the rest of the episodes over the years? Yes, I think so, but the bigger point is at least I got 'em.

So without making this longer than it already is, ONE movie that you absolutely love from a director is a gift. Two is really something special. I'll take my two and be happy. Even if he makes movies that I don't like forever after, Michelangelo's David and Sistine Chapel ceiling are still masterpieces even if he was to crayon in coloring books after that. He'd still be a master and so is George Lucas.

The rest of the saga, I'll fit to my own imagination. It's the least that I can do. George Lucas already did his part.