Forget clones, contrived love scenes and CGI comic relief. The original Star Wars trilogy comes out on DVD Sept. 21.

It’s the first time the classic series has been released on DVD, though it’s not exactly the beloved original. The DVD includes the 1997 special edition release of the movies with extra scenes and effects. It also includes an entire disc of bonus features, including a feature-length documentary of the Star Wars saga and a preview of next year’s Episode III, Revenge of the Sith.

LucasArts defends releasing the special editions as artist’s prerogative, though apparently Lucas wasn’t finished monkeying with the originals. The DVDs have newer shots that tie the originals to the prequels, including a cameo by Hayden Christensen in Return of the Jedi as Anakin’s spirit. USA Today highlights the other changes.

Time covers the DVD release (with pictures of a sun bathing Carrie Fisher and stunt double in Jabba’s slave outfit) focusing on the incredible hurdles George Lucas and company had to overcome to film the original.

Amazon is currently taking pre-orders of the four-disc set for $41.99 including shipping. It’s been number one in Amazon DVD sales since last weekend.

Speaking of spoilers, check out this complete run-down of the plot for the third Star Wars movie (link via jordoncooper.com). A lot of it is rumor and speculation, but a good chunk seems to be based on some strain of fact. True or not, it’s interesting (and long) to read. Of course we’ll have to wait for the summer of 2005 to see the real deal.

I really feel like the Star Wars prequel trilogy is just a joke compared with the original, so I have no vested interest in saving the plot details until I see the movie. I still love Star Wars and will gladly watch the prequel episodes, they’ve just lost the magic the originals still hold.

Mmm… Star Wars.

“When 900 years old you reach, be as cool you will not, hmm?” (Andy Fast)

Mmm… Star Wars. Episode II comes out tomorrow (with the ridiculous title that I can’t bring myself to use: Attack of the Clones), and I’m amazed at the lack of fanfare. Actually it comes out at midnight tonight, but who’s counting (well, some of my friends, who are going to the midnight showing despite their 9-5 jobs.

Okay, so there’s been a lot of fanfare, but nearly as much as there was for Episode I. Of course we’d all agree that Episode I had way too much fanfare, and it didn’t come close to living up to it. There were so many parts of that movie that were just lame. It was incredibly exciting to watch simply because it was Star Wars, and so many of us grew up with Star Wars–it was like being a kid again. For a few hours we were able to ignore the lame characters, the failing plot, and the pathetic acting and just revel in the moment. Then the movie ended and we came back to reality and realized it wasn’t that great.

I’m expecting more of the same from Episode II. Of course now when I go back and watch the original Star Wars movies, I realize they weren’t so good either. The dialogue seems odd, the acting is stiff, and even the editing feels piece-meal and jerky (although most editing from 1980 probably feels that way). I think the whole magic of Star Wars is wrapped up in two things: 1) The fact that it deals with the stuff of legends. This is classic Western cowboy, Arthurian legend, bad-ass monks. What more could you ask for? 2) The joy of childhood.

I’ll save this for another rant, but the other thing that bothers me is when the movies are given away. I refuse to read anything about the movie because it gives too much away. I’m not some fanatical fan or anything, but it ruins the movie when you know the tiniest little thing is coming. A lead-in to a review on the front page of a newspaper today said what to expect for the last half hour of the movie, and basically told you how you’d feel at the end. They didn’t give away any plot, but already I know what to expect for the last half hour, I know that when certain things start happening, I’ll probably be able to guess how they end. You just ruined the movie for me. If I’m going to have to pay $7 to see it, the least you could do is not ruin it for me. Sheesh. I’ll have to go on about this later, it’s time for a walk.

As a proud member of the Star Wars generation, I just returned from seeing the new movie. Wow. I must say, it’s quite an experience to grow up with the original trilogy, play with all the toys, and now watch the phenomenon happen all over again. It’s way cool to see it happen and notice all the intricate little plot details. Lucas is a pretty keen guy. I’d love to write to no end about all the cool stuff I saw, but then I’d probably ruin the movie for you. So I’ll shut up. All I can say is stay in the theater until the credits are totally done rolling. There’s something cool at the end.

“You can’t stop the change.” Shmi (Anakin’s mother)

“Who would have thought that Darth Vader was Luke’s father!?” Homer Simpson

Oh yeah, I’m heading home now.