I-VI, IV-III? Other?

[robthehand 3]

What order should the next generation watch the Star Wars movies in?

With all the tampering and changes, I think it now makes little sense to watch them in the order they were made (Hayden Christensen force ghost etc.), so I'd vote I-VI.

[Ledzo 0]

llll

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

hard choice too. it could work both ways i say. i'm more in favor of IV-VI than I-III. If only to maintain V's killer twist. Even then, you'd have to watch it at a very young age (something I myself was lucky to have) to make a big impact on your psyche (Lucas admitted as much on IV's commentary track), as well as not know Vader was Luke's daddy.

[nightscape94 968]

I love how Lucas, on practically every commentary track on the prequel movies, keeps saying that it should be watched in episodic order, I-VI. If and when I have kids, they will not be watching the prequel movies at all until they're on their own. I like them more then a lot of the haters, but the original Star Wars is the first, and last, to go in the DVD player.

Tim

[Luke Skywalker 2,383]

The OT is still outdated SFX wise, when this is fixxed, the saga will be available to watch in order

[nightscape94 968]

You have failed your namesake Luke Skywalker!!!

Tim

[Luke Skywalker 2,383]

*I warn you not to underestimate my powers*

[MrScratch 296]

Definitely start with Star Wars, then Empire, then Jedi. Watching the prequels first would totally kill the "I am your father" moment.

Jeff

[Justin 2]

I voted for other.

Star Wars -----> Return of The Jedi

Justin - Who doesn't care what Neil thinks Jedi is LOADS better than Sith. (That's not really a compliment to Jedi.)

[bondo 33]

I-VI

That way each one is better than the last (arguable after ESB, obviously), and it's a much larger and longer story arc.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1981)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1997)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1997)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1997)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Clone Wars (optional)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (2004)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (2004)

Star Wars: Episode IV - Return of the Jedi (2004)

- Marc

[Jeshopk 8]

The "I am your father" moment wouldn't have the impact if you just watched IV-V films back to back. The reason it was so monumental was because of 4 years between, and Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker becoming a mythic icon due to their massive popular appeal. The whole world thought of Vader as the ultimate baddie and Luke as the ultimate protagonist. A new watcher would just be like, "that's wierd". Not like "HOOOLY SHYAAAAAAATTT!!!!" as we were back in 1981.

[Trent B 354]

I voted I-VI as Lucas said that's how the saga is ment to be viewed. Infact at least for me in order it gives a whole new perspective on the story line if you watch them I-VI.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

The "I am your father" moment wouldn't have the impact if you just watched IV-V films back to back. The reason it was so monumental was because of 4 years between, and Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker becoming a mythic icon due to their massive popular appeal. The whole world thought of Vader as the ultimate baddie and Luke as the ultimate protagonist. A new watcher would just be like, "that's wierd". Not like "HOOOLY SHYAAAAAAATTT!!!!" as we were back in 1981.

That's true (although it was only 3 years, not 4 ). But I think anyone who's been watching movies for a while knows Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father, even if they haven't seen the films. It's such a popular reference.

[Virre85 0]

Right now I feel that IV-VI, I-III is the way to go. The OT has far too many moments that would be spoiled if you see the PT first. And the PT has far too many foreshadowings in it you'll miss if you haven't seen the OT.

[Jeshopk 8]

I'm very curious to find out what someone would think of I-VI, which is why I'll be experimenting on my children. I want to know if they guess that Palpatine is Sidious. I want to know if the foreshadowing in the Prequels is effective without seeing IV-VI.

[nightscape94 968]

Just realize, that if you do that, there's no going back! They will never be able to erase the viewing experience and start over again, therein destroying their notion of Star Wars forever.

Tim, who went too far.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

I'll be experimenting on my children.

Is that... legal?

- Marc,

[Lurker 5]

Just watch the original Star Wars. Ignore the rest.

Neil

[bondo 33]

Is that... legal?

I will make it legal...

[robthehand 3]

Just watch the original Star Wars.

Unfortunately, that's not possible at present.

[mstrox 7,348]

I voted "Other". Watch IV through VI, and then go out and get some ice cream for a job well done.

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

I - VI, the way it was meant to be. And then just Star Wars when I'm in 70's mode.

[Orson 1]

Assuming I have children, I will probably go with IV, then I-III, then V and VI.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

I'm very curious to find out what someone would think of I-VI, which is why I'll be experimenting on my children. I want to know if they guess that Palpatine is Sidious. I want to know if the foreshadowing in the Prequels is effective without seeing IV-VI.

Well, someone's gotta do it. And kids will love Jar Jar and arent picky about their movies anyway. I personally dont think watching I-VI will be that bad. Anyway, the biggest advantage I can think of if you watch the PT first is it elevates Ben's fight against Vader in IV, which on its own is rather geriatric.

Btw, what is the big deal about Star Wars vs A New Hope? Wasnt the only reason we didnt get A New Hope on the first go was that Fox didnt want to confuse audiences about an Episode IV out of the blue?

[Jeshopk 8]

That didn't stop the suits from premeiring "Leonard: Part 6"

[Qui-Don-Jinn 0]

I vote for I-VI. I watched them all in order last weekend and found it pleasant as to how well the movies flow into one another. The Vader reveal in TESB is one thing in the OT that I am okay with replacing with all the things the saga as a whole gains by watching them in order (not having time to go into them right now, though). It's not as if many people nowadays don't know Vader is Luke's father, and it's altogether possible that a child growing up in a Star Wars household with parents who are big enough geeks to be discussing this question in the first place will have some inkling. If not, it will be really interesting to see if they put together the things we've taken for granted. I'll be showing my children the saga I-VI and see how their viewing experience is different from mine.

FWIW

[Luke Skywalker 2,383]

Btw, what is the big deal about Star Wars vs A New Hope? Wasnt the only reason we didnt get A New Hope on the first go was that Fox didnt want to confuse audiences about an Episode IV out of the blue?

Well, i think they didnt put any episode title because they didnt knew if it was boing to succeed, so it was meant as a standalone movie (with enough 'unfinished plots' to make a sequel if possible) . If they had known, Lucas would have put Ep I for sure for the same reason you said.

[AlohaBlunts 1]

How to watch your Star Wars, in three easy steps:

1. Watch Episodes IV-VI

2. Watch Episodes I-III

3. Watch Episodes IV-VI again

Enjoy!

[MrScratch 296]

Well, i think they didnt put any episode title because they didnt knew if it was boing to succeed, so it was meant as a standalone movie (with enough 'unfinished plots' to make a sequel if possible) . If they had known, Lucas would have put Ep I for sure for the same reason you said.

I don't believe this. Lucas clearly states in the commentary that at the time he wrote Star Wars he came up with backstories for Ben and Vader, but didn't intend to make movies out of them.

Jeff

[Luke Skywalker 2,383]

Thats why i said that either he would have made EP I A New Hope if they were confident enough or no title at all as it happened.

(i didnt meant he doing the actual EP I in 1977)

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Of course he came up with backstories. It is essential for a writer to have a thorough understanding of the characters he's writing, including their untold stories.

[nightscape94 968]

I never thought he had any intentions on filming I-III. I thought the reason he eventually went back and added the Ep4 title was to give it a kind of "In Medias Res" thing, as an ode to those old serials that picked up in the middle of things.

Tim

[MrScratch 296]

Of course he came up with backstories. It is essential for a writer to have a thorough understanding of the characters he's writing, including their untold stories.

They'd have been better left untold.

Jeff

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

I never thought he had any intentions on filming I-III.  I thought the reason he eventually went back and added the Ep4 title was to give it a kind of "In Medias Res" thing, as an ode to those old serials that picked up in the middle of things.

Tim

Yup. Lucas even says on the commentary that at the time he made Star Wars, he had no intent of filming I - III as well.

[Trent B 354]

:roll: @ people clining onto the past to much

[Damo 0]

What Order?

I-VI.

I prefer to start from episode 1 to episode 6.

[SturgisPodmore 0]

I never thought he had any intentions on filming I-III.

The road to prequels is paved with good intentions!

~Sturgis

[Justin 2]

I never thought he had any intentions on filming I-III.

The road to prequels is paved with good intentions!

Hitler probably said that about Poland in 1938.

Mein Lucas!

Justin

[Olivier 5]

How to watch your Star Wars, in three easy steps:

1. Watch Episodes IV-VI

2. Watch Episodes I-III

3. Watch Episodes IV-VI again

Enjoy!

I agree.

1/ Preserve the wonderful twists.

2/ Learn about the background, how things turned bad. And all the politics in the first two episodes can't really thrill kids-- hence the idea of comical bumbling side-kick.

3/ Experience the second half anew, with a totally different perspective.

You will have many more surprises this way than any other-- and the point is to be entertained.

It's like a detective story: do you read the last pages or watch the final minutes before reading/watching the entire thing? what is the point of spoiling the twist and the fun of guessing or being surprised?

The only way the "know who the killer is" works is the Columbo way.

For Star Wars, the impact is a lot greater when:

- you discover Vader is Luke's father

- you discover Luke & Leia are siblings

- you see how Anakin evolved

Compare this to:

- Anakin turns bad

- "Hey, let me tell you something eveybody already knows: I'm your daddy"

- "Hey, know what? all the audience has know for some 3-4 hours we're twins, so let's surprise them: you're my sister"

Of course, Lucas may still add some surprises to IV-VI, or tweak the existing surprises to out-surprise us:

- "Hey, you know what? I'm not your father! The true Anakin-turned-Vader died between III and IV, and I've been replacing him ever since, and nobody could know the difference; so we're, like, total strangers to each other and I don't mind slicing you in half"

- "Hey, know what? we're actually cousins! my real sister died when she was a few months old, and the Organas replaced her with you so that Ben wouldn't learn about it and come and kick them to the other end of the galaxy!"

The thing is, the surprises of IV-VI are spoiled by the chronological order, whereas Anakin's evolution (I-III) is still as interesting (maybe even more) when watched after IV-VI.

[mstrox 7,348]

:roll:   @ people clining onto the past to much

I'm not clinging to the past, as much as I feel that Episodes I-III don't deserve to be watched again. Very little redeeming cinematic value, outside of special effects, in those movies, IMO.

[Chris ChrusherComix 67]

This is a dilemma. One that I'm currently considering as I'm going to show the whole saga to a family of Go-kart racing league friends of mine who've never seen it and always try to show me some terrible movies on their Widescreen. So, I'm considering which to show first. If you show them from Episode I, the effect of "I am your Father" is completely destroyed. And the original saga is overall better, and you might even lose your audience's interest before you even get to Episode III. Then, watching the OT first takes away the slow buildup of the storyline. So, it's truly a dilemma.

Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1981)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1997)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1997)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1997)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Clone Wars (optional)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (2004)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (2004)

Star Wars: Episode IV - Return of the Jedi (2004)

- Marc

I'm in full agreement. Other than the Special Editions. Those are optional. More option a than the Clone Wars cartoon, IMO. The final decision is this: If someone knows that Vader is Luke's daddy, then watch them in order of episode. If not, then watch them in order of release, and Breathmask put.

As for Neil's suggestion, with almost everybody that I show the series to, the original, unaltered, theatrical version of Star Wars is often voted the least interesting to people who didn't actually grow up with it and learn to love it's nuances. In fact, I know some people who've only seen Star Wars and never ever wanted to watch any other Star wars movie BECAUSE they HATED it. And when I showed these same people the others, they liked the saga better and then liked SW: ANH better. So, please... pig-headed "Star Wars (1977) rules and the rest progressively suck more and more" thing only works in the minds of those who think that way. It isn't reality. It's personal opinion. and it's only agreed upon amongst internet message boards and film buffs who worship rotting piles of film.

My wife came from Thailand just last year and had only seen Episode II in a theatre in Thailand and didn't know what the hell was going on, nor why I liked it. Nor did she know Vader's identity. So, when she came her last year, I showed her the DVDs in this order:

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (2004)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (2004)

Star Wars: Episode IV - Return of the Jedi (2004)

- then I showed her selections from my DVD-Rs of the laserdisc theatrical editions of the Original Trilogy. They are truly unwatchable in comparison. She preferred the DVD versions, as do I. As does everybody else I know in person. Only here is where I find such hatred for them. She could care less about Lapti Nek-for-Jedi Rocks (the only change that I TRULY hate - the rest I either don't mind OR prefer), the Jabba-less Mos Eisley scene, the Greedo shoots first, the Wampa, the opened up Bespin, the Ian's face in ESB, or the Sarlacc pit monster.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Clone Wars (I showed her parts of - she didn't dig it)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) (in the theatre.)

-then she requested to re-watch...

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (2004)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (2004)

Star Wars: Episode IV - Return of the Jedi (2004)

After this, It didn't change the effect that she had: She genuinely LOVES the Star Wars universe now. And she had no interest in those older versions of the OT even though I tried to show them to her. In the end, it does NOT change Star Wars, Empire of Jedi. It's still the same damn movie with minor and meaningless changes that do not affect the overall films. And to think they do is basically worshipping rotting old film stock. I like the theatrical versions too, but they don't compare to the DVD versions. Period.

My order-of-liking (not order of showing):

1. Empire Strikes Back (Any version)

2. Return of The Jedi (Any version)

3. Revenge of the Sith

4. A New Hope (2004)

5. The Phantom Menace

6. A New Hope (1997)

7. Star Wars (1977)

8. Attack of the Clones

TTYL!

-Chris, Who shall reveal his master plan soon... keep on the lookout! BWHAHAHA!

PS- Did you all know that the original theatrical versions of all three prequels are also not commercially available on DVD? I noticed minor changes in all three between theatre and DVD. Nobody complains about not owning them. Nor do I.

[Chris ChrusherComix 67]

Just watch the original Star Wars.  Ignore the rest.

Neil

Please be more open-minded, Neil. Not everybody thinks as you do. Everybody that I personally knows strongly disagrees with this viewpoint. The only people that I find agreeing with this are all... well... here.

Now on to something else... I CANNOT GET THIS MESSAGE BOARD TO WORK. NOT FOR MAYBE A YEAR OR TWO NOW. I cannot even SEE what I just wrote after posting. Long threads stop loading before they finish and all I see is ERROR ERROR TIME UP. What's up? I've asked you this anywhere between five to ten times and you ignored me. I accept all cookies for this site and still nothing changes. Same old. Is this site not setup for people like me who still hook up with 56k? Or is there some other reason? And no WinXP jokes either. This is THE ONLY website that I ever visit that has the problem.

-Chris

[Lurker 5]

In fact, I know some people who've only seen Star Wars and never ever wanted to watch any other Star wars movie BECAUSE they HATED it. And when I showed these same people the others, they liked the saga better and then liked SW: ANH better. So, please... pig-headed "Star Wars (1977) rules and the rest progressively suck more and more" thing only works in the minds of those who think that way. It isn't reality. It's personal opinion. and it's only agreed upon amongst internet message boards and film buffs who worship rotting piles of film.

I think that view is also shared by the public since Star Wars is the highest grossing film in the saga. Did you also know it was Fox's highest grossing film in 1997?

And your question about the board timeouts is discussed here. Long story short, your internet connection is to slow.

Neil

[MrScratch 296]

The "I am your father" moment wouldn't have the impact if you just watched IV-V films back to back. The reason it was so monumental was because of 4 years between, and Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker becoming a mythic icon due to their massive popular appeal. The whole world thought of Vader as the ultimate baddie and Luke as the ultimate protagonist. A new watcher would just be like, "that's wierd". Not like "HOOOLY SHYAAAAAAATTT!!!!" as we were back in 1981.

No, I think it would be somewhere in between. Obviously, the revelation wouldn't be earth-shattering like it was in 1980, after years of anticipation for the sequel. But the entire plot of ESB, as a stand alone film, builds to that moment... Vader searching for Luke, Lukes vision of Vader on Dagobah, Yoda and Obi's warnings, hell even Alec's delivery of his lines in Star Wars payoff somewhat in that moment.

Jeff

[Chris ChrusherComix 67]

I think that view is also shared by the public since Star Wars is the highest grossing film in the saga. Did you also know it was Fox's highest grossing film in 1997?

Art isn't a democracy, thank God. It's in the eye of the beholder. Most people I know prefer Empire or Jedi, or even Sith. Then you have some I know who actually like AotC best, which is by far my least favorite (and to me, the only true horrid error in the saga). Practically my whole family for one. They also want remakes of the OT. I obviously don't share that opinion, but I also don't argue with them over their personal faves either, I just state ESB and RotJ are my faves, with RotS being a third (even though I had problems with a few parts). I'm glad they like the one that I like the least, just like if someone loves a Williams score that's just a dusty jewel case in my Williams CD library for me.

And your question about the board timeouts is discussed here. Long story short, your internet connection is to slow.  

Neil

Ah! If only I could load the whole thread! LOL

Now what does that mean? The MB is now exclusive to people with only high speed connections?

I have tried in vain to aquire DSL. I live too far away from the station to have it. Excessive looping. And I also have trouble with cable modem as well because I've always used satellitte for my cable and PPVs. For one it's expensive and two it may also be out of range - at least it USED to be. I can do DirecTV's internet connection - NOT! That is much slower than cable and ten times more expensive. I guess this is goodbye (at least for long threads).

-Chris, who has to quote someone, then look back and read and post if I want to even tread a long thread. It's exhausting...

[JoeinAR 1,957]

In fact, I know some people who've only seen Star Wars and never ever wanted to watch any other Star wars movie BECAUSE they HATED it.

obviously they are incredibly stupid, ignorant, morons with no taste.

[Chris ChrusherComix 67]

obviously they are incredibly stupid, ignorant, morons with no taste.

You mean Harry Potter and Star Trek fans? (J/K, although I could care less for either of those movie franchises and - in jest - say the same.)

However, thank you for insulting several of my friends and family members, including my wife, brother, and mom.

My wife brings up the point that the one you see first is likely the one which you'll like best. She saw AotC in the theatre first, then I showed them to her in order of release. She leans towards liking that one best (even though it's my least favorite), and points they made Episodes I, II and III first, they'd probably be more loved and respected. (Who knows, maybe they would. Maybe the OT would "suck" instead. I've always said that the prequels all have absolutely excellent stories that simply suffer from stiff acting, occasional wooden dialogue, poor directing, terrible pacing, and atrocious editing. I've often felt that if Lucas directed ESB and RotJ, they'd probably be terrible - instead of being my #1 and #2 faves.) She also adds that people who think like you are... um... well it can't be reprinted here (Sheesh... she's only been in the USA for a year now and look at what she learned! 8O)

BTW, my wife expects an apology from you.

My brother will likely just call you a vulgar profanity when I tell him. To him, the original Star Wars is the worst because it doesn't include the Emperor, and he wishes they put him in it in a special edition. He and I share a great love for Palpatine. To us... He (along with Williams' music) MAKES Star Wars so great.

I should add that one of my friends is an ultra-elitist snob when it comes to art, music, movies, and entertainment in general. I've passed a good deal of my recent artwork by him to pass the snob test. He's as snobby as they come. And he absolutely hates the prequels (other than the Phantom Edit of TPM, which I've wanted to see anybody have a copy?). But even he has to give credit to all three of the original Trilogy. And to those who say that ESB and RotJ break narrative and ruins the "evilness" of Darth Vader? "That was the whole f***in' point of the f***in' story!"

Now I won't be posting for a good while. Again.

Thanks Joe! :roll: Nice to see the personal attack rule is applied liberally with some and not others. :?

[Incanus 5,890]

Of course the chronology would demand to watch the movies from I-VI but personally I think many moments in OT will be ruined if you watch the movies in that way. So IV through VI should go first and the Prequels after that as a kind of a back story to the OT.

Of course if you are a die hard fan there should not be a problem with watching the movies from I to VI as you pretty much know the plot. For a newbie the OT first Prequels after that.

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

I think that view is also shared by the public since Star Wars is the highest grossing film in the saga.  Did you also know it was Fox's highest grossing film in 1997?

Neil

I believe that was Titanic, released in 1997 by Fox with an income of $1.8 billion. It may have been released by Paramount domestically, but it still counts.

You mean Harry Potter and Star Trek fans? (J/K, although I could care less for either of those movie franchises and - in jest - say the same.)

Us Trek fans are at war with the Potterfans. It's a never-ending quote battle.

In fact, I know some people who've only seen Star Wars and never ever wanted to watch any other Star wars movie BECAUSE they HATED it.

obviously they are incredibly stupid, ignorant, morons with no taste.

With tact like that, you'd make a lousy psychiatrist.