For the DVDs, filmmaker George Lucas made several changes, including better special effects, new action and new characters, to the already-altered 1997 anniversary editions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi.

Lucas argues that artists have a right to alter their work as they see fit. Star Wars purists counter that changes threaten to obliterate the original cultural phenomenon.

HIT THE SHELVES

'Star Wars Trilogy' arrives in stores today; Full and widescreen editions The movies: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977); Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). List price: $69.98. On sale: Today. Advance sales made the set a top seller at online retailers Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Bonus material: Commentaries by George Lucas, effects wizard Dennis Muren, star Carrie Fisher and others; Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy feature documentary with previously unreleased footage; short features on creatures and lightsabres; teasers, trailers and TV commercials; photo galleries; demonstration version of Xbox game Star Wars Battlefront; preview of Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). What's new: In addition to changes first introduced in the 1997 anniversary Special Editions, Lucas has added more technical upgrades, and, among other changes: Hayden Christensen (Darth Vader in Episode III) appears in Episode VI instead of Sebastian Shaw as the unmasked Vader. In Episode VI, bounty-hunter Greedo now shoots first at Han Solo, who kills the alien by return fire. (In the original, only Han fired). In Episode V, Temuera Morrison now provides the voice of Boba Fett, Ian McDairmid's face has been inserted in the hologram of the Emperor. Also, Palpatine now reveals Luke Skywalker's real identity to Darth Vader. The controversy: By changing not only the look of the movies via better special effects, but also plot points, Lucas has offended some fans who revere the original movie. The unchanged originals are not included in the DVD set (unlike E.T., for example, which was released in altered form in 2002 on a DVD set that also included the original). The original movies are available only on VHS tapes, which are no longer being manufactured. Although DVD releases commonly include extra material, alternative endings and other variations, virtually all include the original theatrical version. Critics say Lucas, by suppressing the originals, is trying to change history. Lucas, in an interview on Movieweb.com, said of the original films, "I'm not going to spend ... the money and time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore."

We asked volunteer members of the Enquirer movie panel to weigh in on the debate. Here is a sampling of their comments:

• Joshua Munson, 24, Florence. George Lucas is a genius, and I have nothing bad to say about him. (The films) are not the property of these Web site geeks who think they have a say whether he can change his movies or not.

• Jennifer Miller, 18, West Chester Township. George Lucas must be going senile in his old age. There comes a point where the artist must put down the brush and determine his masterpiece finished. If it were up to me, I would just lock George Lucas away in Skywalker ranch, give Episode III to Peter Jackson to direct and re-release the original Star Wars on DVD.

• Chris Cole, 27, Highland Heights. Star Wars is a classic because of the vision of George Lucas. No one questions Paul McCartney when he remakes an old Beatles song. Why are supposed Star Wars purists giving Lucas a hard time?

• Kurt Shearer, 41, Hyde Park. The purists should leave Lucas alone. With all the technology available in the 21st century, why shouldn't we see on the screen what Lucas saw in his mind 30 years ago?

• Rich Richmond, 30, Mount Washington. If Lucas is going to change (Anakin's face), why not digitally alter Sir Alec Guiness so he looks like Ewan McGregor? I am mostly excited to share these films with my son (Wesley, age 17 months), but when the time comes I will explain to him that Han shot first and that's the way it should be.

• Tre Rockenbach, 39, Amelia. Remember the huge outcry when Ted Turner wanted to "colorize" classic black-and-white movies? When George Lucas revisits the Star Wars films multiple times, inserting significant changes that impact the content and overall feel of the films, he is basically re-writing history.

• William Alexander, 35, Silverton. If he wants to make changes, he should just pull a P. Diddy and remake the entire thing to satisfy the younger generation that can't understand that we didn't have the technology that they have now.

• Jon Engelhard, 48, Fort Thomas. Lucas needs to keep his wookie paws off the originals. What next, Pierce Brosnan's face super-imposed over Sean Connery's classic 007? Sometimes no matter what, good or bad, you can't improve on the original.

• David L. Schwier, 40, Colerain Township. Those who enjoy these movies for the story, the action and overriding theme of good overcoming evil will not even notice the minimal amount of changes that Mr. Lucas has updated with technology or tiny bits of splicing.

• John Zanardelli, 22, Burlington. Lucas should leave his film alone. It is what it is in film history, not because of the effects, but because we were swept up with the emotion of the stories. Lucas has come full circle, when he first made this film, he was the rebel, now he has become the empire.

• Pat Scriveri, 57, East Walnut Hills. The fact that George Lucas thinks that altering his movies in any way is a perfectly fine thing to do is shocking to me, but perhaps it should not be due to his extensive use, obsession with and love of cutting-edge technology. He has truly become more of a technocrat than an artist.

• Ken Kern, 38, Loveland. I vividly remember going to see Star Wars with all the other 12-year-olds and being utterly enthralled with the story and the special effects. When I watch this movie again, I want to be able to go back to the same world I explored 27 years ago.

• Marc Richardson, 35, Fairfield. The little quirks and mistakes of the originals are what made them great. Each and every one of us thirtysomethings that spent our allowance on multiple showings of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi are now the true owners of this work of art. With all this being said, yes, I will be first in line to buy the Star Wars DVD set.

• Jeffrey Hicks, 28, Price Hill. I find it interesting that a man who made a movie that was deeply based on his memories as a teenager continues to destroy the memories of those of us of the Star Wars generation.

---

E-mail mmcgurk@enquirer.com