Cleaning up and expanding the effects only makes the film more seamless--the effects are actually less noticeable now! The most obvious new effects are in the Mos Eisley sequence, where the quiet ghost town has now become a thriving, buzzing frontier spaceport full of outlandish creatures and little whizzy machines. And new scenes do add to the narrative--Jabba the Hutt was off-screen in the original version, but now he gets his big scene with Han Solo (Ford), setting the stage for the bounty hunt in The Empire Strikes Back and Jabba's appearance in Return of the Jedi. The other notable addition is a short scene between Luke (Hamill) and his home-planet buddy Biggs, which gives a helpful clarity and resonance to the final attack sequence.

It's hard to define why Star Wars has such an enduring appeal. Its story isn't exactly original (although it's quite compelling); its cast is merely competent (yet their earnestness, wit and camaraderie get you right with them from start to finish); its pace is frenetic (there's only one real moment of tranquility near the beginning). Yet it remains my very favourite film of all time--not the best film I've seen, but certainly the one that's gotten furthest under my skin. It simply must be seen on the big screen--again and again--and it will never disappoint. Maybe that's the secret ... and why it will still draw a crowd in another 20 years.

[U violence, suspense] 21.Mar.97

"We just came back from seeing Star Wars on the big screen. It was GREAT. As you've heard there are a few extra scences, like Han Solo talking to Jabba and even stepping on his tail. I guess they erased the original Jabba and digitally added the one from 'Return of the Jedi'. There is a definite Star Wars craze happening here." --Al R, Los Angeles.

"Thoroughly enjoyable! Still a great story. I remember standing in line to see it the day it opened in 1977 (which was the day school let out that summer) and being just completely entranced with it--a great story well told. Nothing has changed; the 'enhancements' are mostly unnoticeable, but that's as it should be. The added scenes are minimal, but actually help the story make a little more sense, even if they do slow it down a bit. I think you'll love it." --Jim L, Los Angeles.

"I have seen the rereleased Star Wars twice, and thought it fun, but terribly dated, and campy beyond belief. I haven't seen Empire yet, but it is my favorite of the series, and apparently the least changed, I am told." --Dave S, Massachusetts.

"The Star Wars special edition in Ecuador! We've been waiting to take our kids so they could get their first Star Wars experience, but we heard that it was just long lines and soldout theaters. Finally a friend got in to see the film. It was so crowded, he had to sit on the front row. The movie started ... everyone was excited ... the first words were spoken ... IT WAS DUBBED IN SPANISH! Every gringo in the theater moaned; the Spanish speakers cheered. So the kids will get to watch it in Spanish, or will have to wait for the release on videotape. That's what you get for living in a Spanish-speaking country. Missionary life is tough!" --Russ C, Quito, Ecuador.

"I saw it opening night. It was cool to see it on the big screen, because I had seen all the rest in the theatre except Star Wars: A New Hope. You must see it in a THX theatre! The Mos Eisley part was completely redone and it completely rocks! They have new scenes and monsters in the movie. With the new scenes they added a lot of scenes that explain the movie, like the new Biggs scene explains why Luke was able to fly a Xwing. Have you visited ?" --Jeff S, Texas.

"I've seen Star Wars' three times since its re-release Jan 31. (Impressive. Most impressive.) Seeing the Death Star blow up on the big screen (not to mention in THX sound) is THE GREATEST. But it gets better ... The Empire Strikes Back is re-released Friday (Feb 21)! I'm going to buy advanced tickets for my family to make sure we're there! I saw an interview with George Lucas and he said that the three prequels will be filmed at the same time. It'll save money with sets and stuff." --Al R, Los Angeles.

"It was the first time ever in a theater for me, and although the new stuff was interesting, overall I was not that impressed. It really feels 20 years old, and surely would not make it if it were released new today, in my opinion." --Dan S, Colorado Springs.

The sheer difference in budget has never been more apparent: Star Wars was made on a shoestring; Empire obviously had more to work with, from better sets and costumes to more experienced cast members. And director Kershner goes for a much more darkly humorous take on the story, getting more depth from the characters and situations, and using the special effects to superbly advance the complexities of the story, which was threadbare simplicity in the first film. We have the initial rebel hideout and Imperial assault on the ice planet Hoth; Han and Luke manoeuvring for the affections of the lovely Leia; the breathtaking chase through the asteroid belt; Luke's apprenticeship with Yoda on Dagobah; the plots, counterplots, betrayals and unwanted revelations of the cloud city Bespin. And it all plays today as well as it did 17 years ago! The only new enhancements are an extended visit from the Yeti-like creature on Hoth and a rollercoaster aerial tour of Bespin. Otherwise, the plot and characters still carry the film, with some very clever touches scattered through the script, direction and performances. This is quite simply a terrific film that can be watched over and over again without inducing boredom. Don't miss it on the big screen, where it works its magic best.

[U violence, suspense] 11.Apr.97

"They have outdone themselves again. My favorite of all the trilogy is Empire. The big screen adds a lot to some of the chases, especially in the asteriod field. They also had their new promised scenes, not as many as in the first, but a few. The part in Bespin Cloud City has been changed as much as Mos Eisley was in A New Hope. If you watch closely though, in one of the sequences toward the end of the movie, one of the added scenes is a clip from the beginning of Return of the Jedi." --Jeff S, Texas.

While there are still problems (those dreadfully cute Ewoks), the film still works well as it completes the Empire cliffhanger, then goes on to set up a powerful confrontation between Luke, Darth Vader and the vile Emperor, while at the same time pitting the bedraggled Alliance against the ruthless Empire in a final desperate battle. Memorable sequences abound: The extended rescue operation in Jabba's creepy palace (by the way, Jabba made of rubber here looks much better than the computer-generated Jabba in the new Star Wars); those speeder bikes racing through the forests of Endor; the flash-bang space battle; the inventive little Ewoks taking on the blasting Storm Troopers; and of course the Luke-Darth-Emperor zap-a-thon. All of this is greatly enhanced with digital sound and sharper visual effects. A must see! But keep a copy of the original version on video just for old times' sake.

[U suspense, violence] 25.Apr.97

"Well, imagine our shock when we all went to see Episode VI. The whole family agrees that the Ewok song is hideously sappy and juvenile, but we love it anyway and have sung it together many times in many places. It is almost our family song at this point. So there we are in a dark theatre, for two-plus hours, waiting for 'our' song and ... ARRGGGHHHH! They cut OUR song! How could they! We all just about died laughing and crying crocodile tears in our popcorn! But we had to admit the new scenes and new songs were a vast improvement. I was hoping for a nix on the 'shimmering Jedi trio' as well, but no such luck. It made me want to gag as much this time as the first (remember that, Rich? We skipped out on our first post-college jobs to go see it?)." --Nina W, Minneapolis.

"Very nice. The best of the three re-do's in my opinion." --Dan S, Colorado.

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