George Lucas Raped My Youth!
“George Lucas raped my youth!"
- An impromptu line from an actor during a stage play of The Compleate Works of Shakespeare (abridged).
It was such a great line that just came out as members of the cast improvised a scene where one of them complained about the acting in Episode II: Attack of the Clones and they other said Lucas ruined everything by not having a puppet of Yoda. I was there with a couple of friends from work and, being geeks, we laughed quite hard at it.
Being a geek I would be remiss if I didn’t make a posting about the release of the original Star Wars trilogy on DVD (No, I haven’t purchased it yet). You have to admit that Lucas is a marketing genius (or someone is at his company). First, the re-releases with new footage draws in a whole new crowd, plus all of us who remember seeing these movies on the big screen when we were tiny tots. Then, the release of Episodes I and II. Now, in preparation for Episode III next year we get the trilogy on DVD. Nothing like keeping the franchise in the news and on the minds of Sci-fi fans. Of course, each release of something on tape and DVD is followed by the release again, with all new extras, etc. In about a year I’ll bet there will be an ultra edition that will come out with eight DVDs that include the entire sextant of movies, and two bonus disks of stuff, and maybe a small figurine of Yoda or something. The DVDs may be lined with gold or something to make it extra special.
Even the people at the LOTR have picked up a few things from Lucas. They release the theatrical version of the LOTR movies on DVD, then a few months later the extended version, then a few months after that, the special platinum extended version complete with extra disk and figurine. Thankfully, the super duper edition comes out right around my anniversary so it’s an easy thing for my wife to get me. :)
Anyhow, it’s interesting to see how loyal Star Wars fans actually are. Even though we complain that Lucas is screwing around wtih the films (such as the “Han shoots first, not Greedo), and that the newer ones lack plot and acting, we still find time when a movie comes out to stand in line for days, or be on hand at midnight when the new DVD/VHS hits the stands. I’d have to admit, Star Wars has been a part of my life in that I loved the movies as a kid and still put a halt on the channel surfing when I come across one of them on USA network from time to time. I’m not rushing out to get new versions of the Star Wars sheets I had when I was eight, but it’s very cool to see my three year old nephew wanting to watch Star Wars for his afternoon movie.