Return of the Jedi DVD

I have just spent a good part of the day watching the new Star Wars DVD set. I am now convinced more than ever that George Lucas, the creator of our galaxay far, far away, hates us.

The first sign of the creator's hate of us that love his creation was Episodes I and II. Potentially, they could have been the best movies ever. Anakin's beginnings, the Clone Wars, the fall of the Jedi and rise of the Sith whose greatest lord is Darth Vader. All of this had great potentional. Instead we got The Phantom Menace and The Attack of the Clones. Don't get me wrong, some parts of these movies were great. Pod Racing, Darth Maul, Jango Fett, Clone Troopers, and Sammy Jackson with a purple lightsaber. All were right. On the flip side we have, Midichlorians, Queen Amidala, Gungans, and Jar Jar Binks to name a few.

Now, some purists hate the fact the Lucas redid the original Trilogy with the Special Edition scenes. I personally loved them. The Special Editions scenes are included on these disks. They look even better now than they did in '97.

Now we get to the crux of my rant. If you intend to buy or watch the new DVDs, you might want to stop reading.

As I watched Return of the Jedi, I ranged the gambit of emotions from joy to sorrow. Luke battling his father, being drawn further and further toward the Dark Side. The hideous little Ewoks getting blasted by AT-STs. Han Solo and his small group of rebels blowing up the sheild generator exposing the Death Star making it possible for Lando and his fighter group to blow up the DS. Luke and Anakin being reconciled, because Luke sensed the good in him and fought for it. Luke burning the body of his father Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader on the funeral pyre.

And then it happens. Lucas complete comtempt for us is shown. Instead of Sir Alec Guinness, Yoda, and Anakin, who is played by Sebastion Shaw, standing there at end of the film, it's Guinness, Yoda, and friggin' Hayden Christensen. Hayden Christensen. How could Lucas do this to us? Hayden's acting in Episode II is only bearable because it is a Star Wars movie. No other reason. He was hideous.

Now on a more positive note, Lucas might actually redeem himself in Episode III (but we shouldn't hold our collective breaths). There is a featurette on the fourth disk that is about Episode III called The Return of Darth Vader. Christensen has matured and seems to fit the part much better. The saber fights between Obi-Wan and Vader look absolutely awesome. And Darth Vader will be in the film as we have known him for years: body armor and helmet on.

I can hear the haunting, raspy breathing now.