This is the cover to Blackthorne’s Star Wars 3D comic, but it’s not what we’re discussing tonight. Nor are we talking about the sequel to The Force Unleashed, the video game that will also be coming out in 3D. No, it seems Mr. Lucas plans to release the two trilogies in 3D.

Now I love Star Wars as much as any sci-fi geek (although I do break from the pack by saying Return of the Jedi was my favorite instead of The Empire Strikes Back), but is there a need to release them in 3D? I went to the Special Editions of the original trilogy because it was the first time we could see them on the big screen in years. My friends and I saw all six movies when they came out, and went to the CG Clone Wars movie every other Star Wars fan seems to hate. (Sure it was weak, but it was meant to be a pilot for the series, which I rather enjoy. Unusual, but other series were released that way long ago, like Battlestar Galactica.)

But do we need the movies in theaters again?

I didn’t get as angry as Angry Joe did when he was telling be about it (and by “telling me” I mean I watched his show), but it did make me think about why he would bother. A new movie? Sure, but why remake the old movies in 3D?

[picapp align=”center” wrap=”false” link=”term=money&iid=257403″ src=”http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/257403/international-currencies/international-currencies.jpg?size=500&imageId=257403″ width=”234″ height=”166″ /]

You have a point, PicApp, but I think there’s some ego involved as well. Remember, as each movie came out, they were a pioneer in special effects. And now the franchise is being left behind with movies like James Cameron’s Avatar getting praise for its effects (not so much the story) and developing new techniques. I guess it isn’t enough for him to have created the special effects studio that worked on the movie (OK, part of it), and tons of other movies, Industrial Light & Magic.

The thing is, Lucas can’t seem to stop messing with the film. I was glad to see the Jabba the Hutt scene finally made it into the first movie. However, I love watching the old movies, seeing what Lucas did with what was on hand, and sneeze out gold. I’m not a filmmaker, but that’s one thing I can geek out with alongside them. (You’ll note I’ve praised that in independent productions like the Star Trek fan films or The Revewaverse Saga.) However, Lucas isn’t exactly pioneering anything, nor can he make the claim he did during the original trilogy’s Special Editions that he was adding to his vision. 3D didn’t exist, and I don’t see how adding 3D really adds to anything. Although, a Moviefone.com blogger did find this article from 2005 that states he was hoping to start this game back in 2007.

Angry Joe makes the point that with the series being released one movie a year (starting with the original and going straight through–I’m betting Clone Wars won’t be in that release) it will take forever and cost moviegoers a lot of money, and a loooooooot of moviegoers there will be. Although there appears to be a division in the fandom, I would be surprised if at least for the original you didn’t see the Jedi faithful out on premiere night.

One final note: none of the movies were designed with 3D in mind, at least not the original films. So how well will that come out? Expect the internet to beat that answer into our heads. Will I go? Doubtful, unless I have a lot of money and nothing to do. I didn’t even see Disney/Pixar’s Up in 3D, and I don’t feel I missed out on anything. And it was the best movie I saw that year!

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Posted by on October 6, 2010 in Movie Spotlight and tagged , .

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About ShadowWing Tronix

A would be comic writer looking to organize his living space as well as his thoughts. So I have a blog for each goal. :)

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