Review Detail

Wow...just, wow! The moment I saw the runtime of this edit and read the reasoning behind this, I was intrigued beyond words. Although I knew that it will probably not be my go to version, unless I don't find some other, less aggressive, edit that suits me. But I will explain this later.

First of all, I have to tell you my opinion for the original. I found it ok. Not bad, like Solo, but certainly not great, just because it was something different from what we had seen back then, as a lot of people said. My enjoyment factor for the original was around 5.

Now about the edit. Well done for a nearly flawless audio and visual editing! 'Nearly' because of some very tiny issues that other reviewers have mentioned already with the audio. But the biggest credit of all, in my book, goes for the fact that the editor managed to cut 83(!!!) minutes of the film's runtime and it still made perfect sense, in combination of course with the opening crawl. I can't stress enough my congratulations to eldusto84! I couldn't believe that something like this was possible.

Now, why my enjoyment factor is a 7 and it isn't my go to version if everything is so perfect? Character building or the lack of. Obviously I knew that will happen and anyone who sees that the runtime is that of an episode of a tv series, knows that character development will take a big hit. So, my issue was that although everything made sense, excellent action sequences etc, I couldn't shake the fact that I was just watching a bunch of people I know nothing about, so I don't care at all, running around, fighting and dying with no impact on me whatsoever. I mean, the edit ends with the protagonists dying holding hands, for crying out loud, and I felt nothing. And since I am a person that likes character development, even if it is basic, I couldn't enjoy it much.

The reason I recommend it though, is because if you didn't like the original and if you take this, as the editor says, as a supplement episode before Star Wars IV, then it is a great addition to your future Star Wars marathons!

Thank you eldusto84, thanks everyone for reading my review and may the force be with you!