Episode IV: A New Hope (Disc 1)
Star Wars Trilogy DVD
20th Century Fox
Reviewed by Michael Sullenger
September 10, 2004
Director: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing
Format: Anamorphic Widescreen (Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1)
Sound: Dolby 5.1 Surround EX, English Dolby 2.0 Surround, French Dolby 2.0 Surround, Spanish Dolby 2.0 Surround
Subtitles: English
Film Rating: PG
Running Time: 123 Minutes
SRP: $69.98 (4 Disc Boxed Set)
Availability: September 21, 2004

Twenty seven years after it amazed audiences and changed the moviegoing experience, A New Hope redefines itself once again in a superior way through DVD format. George Lucas expected this film to fail miserably, despite already having the running storyline for two more films. But Star Wars, as it was known before each episode was "chapterized", became the biggest blockbuster in its time and remains in the top echelon of cinematic masterpieces. Inspired by Kurosawa's " The Hidden Fortress" and Joseph Campbell's books on mythology, the now familiar tale of Luke Skywalker's mission to destroy the Galactic Empire's formidable space station while at the same time discovering his roots and beginning his quest towards Jedi Knighthood is back and better than ever.

This version is an update of the 1997 Special Edition which included changes by the director that proved controversial. A CGI Jabba sequence, originally part of a deleted scene,  was added with awkward results, and the decision by Lucas to have Greedo shoot first in his showdown with Han Solo was seen as blasphemy by many diehard fans. In the DVD version, both these sequences were altered again. Are they an improvement? I'll honestly say my feelings are mixed on this.

Another obvious flaw in this release is the lack of deleted scenes. This would have been a perfect opportunity for the Anchorhead sequence (which was featured in the 1998 Behind The Magic CD ROM from Lucas Arts), with Biggs and Cammie, to be included. Mark Hamill himself commented that the audience would have seen another dimension of his character, where Luke isn't the most popular kid in his circle of friends and was more inclined to enroll at the Imperial Academy than join a Rebellion.

PACKAGING
The platinum widescreen embossed outer slipped case (gold in the fullscreen version) features the classic Hildebrandt image on one side and Darth  Vader on the other.

The DVD box itself follows the template previously seen in the prequel DVD's with brand new art featuring Luke, Han, Obi-Wan and Leia with the Death Star and a couple of X-Wings set in the corner. So all 7 discs (including the prequels) can be shelved in handsome uniformity. The disc art by Tom Jung is inspired from the original theatrical release poster.

Also included inside is a sheet featuring a stylized oil painted Luke and Leia with the 50 chapter descriptions on the flip side.

VISUALS
Lowry Digital took on the project of cleaning up nearly 30 years of degradation using a high definition version of the original negatives and came through with  a final product that can only be described as phenomenal. The DVD viewed in a High Definition 16:9 widescreen monitor is a wonder to behold. The visuals are crisp and clean with vivid colors and details you may have not have seen before in VHS. R2-D2's lights, C-3PO's armor, the Tatooine desert, and the final Death Star sequence brim with exacting detail, energy and dimension. You can even catch the lightsaber reflecting on Luke's eyes in some sequences. It's like viewing this movie again for the first time with 8 year old eyes. 

Another one of Lowry's goals was to ensure that they didn't overdo it. Lowry commented that they were able to fine tune the negatives to such an extreme that you could see the makeup lines on the actors, but pulled back as to not infringe on the integrity and vision of the film. Still, every feature and blemish on the actors were captured to where you can almost touch them. Not that you'd want to of course.

There were some minor shadowing with the TIE Fighters during the gunner station sequence and some slight artifacting with the lightsabers in certain segments. But these were quite minor compared to one major flaw during Luke's lightsaber training, where the blade started off as green then changed to blue on the next frame. Why Lucasfilm allowed such a snafu to slip past them is beyond me. But I digress.

I'll critique the changes below.

SOUND
The 5.1 Dolby is simply earth shattering. You'll notice it right off in the iconic opening sequence where the Tantive IV roars overhead followed closely by an even larger Star Destroyer. TIE Fighters and X-Wings zoom around your living room in dogfight nirvana. Even the subtlest notes of John Williams orchestral score are clear and unmuffled. It's theater quality sound at its best in the comfort of your living room.

MENU
The menu system by Van Ling continues to improve with eye catching pans but remains sensible and easy to navigate. A random planet theme is loaded upon boot up, and for A New Hope, it's Tatooine, Yavin, and the Death Star, with sections for Chapter Selection, Options, and the secret exclusive DVD window to StarWars.com.

Death Star
 

Tatooine
 

Yavin
 

ENHANCED SCENES
While there are quite a few enhancements visible only to the most scrutinizing fanboy, here's what stood out as fairly evident. The SE version is the left thumbnail while the DVD's is on the right.

The landspeeder approach to Mos Eisley was a big improvement. The uncompleted model of C-3PO has now been replaced with a completed and better looking version of the character, and the landspeeder is enhanced with blue exhausts and swerves to the right instead of straight ahead making it look less rigid.

The controversial "Greedo shoots first scene" from the Special Edition is played down a little to where Han shoots his blaster almost simultaneously. Han's reaction is also less jerky and more natural. Many if not most would still prefer the original I'd presume, but this change is an acknowledgeable atonement.

We winced at the seemingly half hearted attempt to include the Mos Eisley hangar sequence with Han and Jabba. Since ILM pasted over the human actor, Jabba seemed out of scale compared to his original ROTJ version, not to mention the CGI slug looked like an intergalactic kewpie gangster with large eyes and a lack of detail that just didn't add up. Jabba gets a makeover in the DVD version (looking more like the Episode I Jabba) with darker detail truer to the Jedi model but still missing the mark in some respects. He also gives better facial and hand expression in this one, giving an evil glance when Han Solo steps on his tail instead of the "ouch, that hurts" of the SE version.

As I mentioned earlier, Luke's lightsaber was changed from a whitish blue to green in the beginning of the Falcon training segment, but quickly reverts back to blue after a couple of frames. Needles to say, it doesn't make sense and they should've left this one alone.

Finally, you'll notice improvements on the lightsaber rotoscoping effects. This is evident in the final duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.

COMMENTARIES
Commentaries in this disc are provided by George Lucas, sound designer Ben Burtt, ILM's Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher. It's always both fun and informative to listen to candid comments and insight by the folks involved in the making of the film, and this DVD is no exception. It would have been great to hear more of Mark Hamill's take on things, as he had some wonderful stories to share during the recent press junket. Otherwise, good stuff.

Did you know Carrie Fisher originally wanted to play Han Solo? Ben Burtt recalling the difficulties getting the droids to sound right is also an interesting listen to.

FIN
It really is Star Wars...err A New Hope , as you've never seen it before. If you've been waiting on making the jump to a High Definition monitor and a Dolby 5.1 surround system, now's the time as the visual and auditory stimulation surpasses any non-digital theatrical experience in many respects. The enhanced scenes are hit and miss. While the visuals are improved to the nth degree, George's itch to change certain segments can be seen as improvements for the most part, though still missing its mark in the Han/Greedo and Jabba/Hangar sequences.

If you're like me, the Star Wars experience is a love affair which has lasted almost thirty years. While nothing really can compare to the indelible impact the film has left on my eight year old self in 1977, my inner child is jumping with glee as this DVD really is like experiencing that galaxy, far, far away for the first time.