Sci-Fi Storm

It may not be surprising that there is some backlash to the changes being made to the upcoming [sfs=1098]upcoming Blu-ray release[/sfs] of the Star Wars saga. But some hardcore fans are calling for a boycott.

As we discussed before, some of the changes seem to be for he better, and we do Lucas has always detested when he had to settle for OK because technology didn’t allow for what he wanted. But are the changes to drive up sales as claimed? I’m not so sure. They don’t seem to be complaining about the inclusion of extras that easily could have been included in past releases – if anything that is going to be the driving factor on getting money from people who have already purchased it before. It is also a technology refresh – Blu-ray is still gaining steam to replace DVD, and with HD televisions also gaining, the higher resolution does make a difference. I really don’t think anyone is going to buy set set just to see an Ewok blink.

So what are they really complaining about? It really seems to be two particular things – the reported “No…Noooooo!” from Darth Vader, and the Krayt Dragon call by Obi-Wan when he scares off the Sandpeople, for being poorly done.

What I think is the most interesting about their argument is that they are also objecting to Lucas “replacing” his previous versions with yet another one, and that they actually use Lucas’ own words against him. Back in 1988 Lucas warned Congress about advancements in technology allowing works of art to be replaced:

“People who alter or destroy works of art and our cultural heritage for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians, and if the laws of the United States continue to condone this behavior, history will surely classify us as a barbaric society.”

Is Lucas guilty of what he warned against?