When I think of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas I think of two very different people who enjoy working in similiar genres.

As a person, I much prefer George Lucas to Speilberg. It just seems to me that Lucas embodies more of my own personal outlook on life while Steven's values have often come into question with me.

However, Steven Speilberg seems to get by with a little more in my mind and I wonder why that is--especially considering that, overall, I prefer the "Star Wars" saga to anything Steven has done.

Take, for example, the special editions. I have made it no secret that I absolutely hate the "Star Wars" Special Editions. If all three of them died in a car accident today or were horrible injured beyond recognizition I would jump for joy! However, I LOVE the E. T. Special Edition. Every restored scene seems to make the film more enjoyable. I especially love the conversation between Elliott and ET in the bathroom, because I think it would be typical of a child and someone/something new. However, with one exception, in ANH when a pilot tells Luke "I knew your father", I absolute HATE EVERY SINGLE CHANGE that was made to the Trilogy.

Still, I can name another example. In E. T. when Greg says "Why can't they [E. T.'s people] just beam him aboard", Elliot replies: "This is reality, Greg." For some reason, that makes me laugh. However, in AOTC when Padme says "I'm a real person in the real world" it makes me groan. It seems like one is delievered to be funny while the latter is taking itself too seriously.

I laughed through MOST of the dialogue between Anakin and Padme during AOTC until some disgruntled fan snorted: "What's so funny!?!" Well, I thought the dialogue was. Here are two leaders, a former Queen and a Jedi Knight, exchange love-speak like two inexperienced high school students on their first date (maybe even MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS). It certainly isn't the clever banter we see in EMPIRE between Han and Leia.

I suppose Speilberg "gets by" with more because I don't expect as much from him as I do Lucas. Frankly, while Spielberg's films are often touted as "the greatest__________ever", to me, 90% of the time they are a let down. Lucas, on the other hand, usually scores even when the critics say otherwise. So, I guess it is a matter, mostly, of expectation.