Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

If the Prequels were some other other sci-fantasy movies and the OT never existed, you never would have seen Episode II. Having said that, the Prequels never would have been created in the form they were, because they assume you already know certain things from the OT (The Force, the Jedi, the Dark Side, pew-pew lasers, etc...). The entire thing would have to be a top-to-bottom rewrite/re-imagining. It's just how things worked out.

Since the prequels expect viewers to already know certain things about the Star Wars universe, I think it makes more sense to watch the saga in release order. That brief scene in the first film where Obi-Wan tells Luke about the Force is a great little scene and in my opinion should be someone's first exposure to the idea of the Force.

[Class316]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

Since the prequels expect viewers to already know certain things about the Star Wars universe, I think it makes more sense to watch the saga in release order. That brief scene in the first film where Obi-Wan tells Luke about the Force is a great little scene and in my opinion should be someone's first exposure to the idea of the Force.

Yep pretty much

[NYorker]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

To the people here who like the prequels, would you like them as much if the OT didn't exist? I used to think the prequels were crap because I liked the originals so much better, but now I kinda like the prequels but I think part of the reason is because they're Star Wars movies. I bet if the OT didn't exist, the prequels wouldn't have as many haters or lovers.

When I saw TPM for the first time, it was like, "wow, that was awesome!"
Then, on repeated viewings and as time went on, it crumbled fast. I caught it on TV the other day, and it was really bad, almost painful, to watch.

If the OT didn't exist, I'm skeptical we would see the PT first, because what studio would bet the farm on six, extremely costly movies..?

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

Since the prequels expect viewers to already know certain things about the Star Wars universe, I think it makes more sense to watch the saga in release order. That brief scene in the first film where Obi-Wan tells Luke about the Force is a great little scene and in my opinion should be someone's first exposure to the idea of the Force.

Meh, I saw Phantom Menace first and I turned out fine

[Hardback247]

Daisy Ridley is one of those people who suggests watching it in episodic order, because "for a young person it's easier to understand the chronology."

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

Daisy Ridley is one of those people who suggests watching it in episodic order, because "for a young person it's easier to understand the chronology."

And she is right. Watching the updated blurays in order requires zero previous knowledge of Star Wars.

Matter of fact, seeing them in order enhances the experience.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I thought George added the "Noooooo!" to the OT as an FU to people who were critical of it in Sith. Like how he added Jar Jar at the end of Jedi.

I don't think Lucas does anything like that out of spite. If he did, he would have doubled down on Jar Jar's role in Episode II and III like he planned instead of putting him in the background.

I think he just looks at the other movies and and tinkers with them to make them connect more with his whole "rhyming" idea. He probably thought the finale should mirror the end of III, like familiar beats repeating themselves. And either just wasn't aware of the whole "noooo" criticism specifically or didn't care much. He tends to just kind of do his own thing, which can sometimes be kind of eccentric and odd, but that's just the way he is.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

Daisy Ridley is one of those people who suggests watching it in episodic order, because "for a young person it's easier to understand the chronology."

Understanding chronology isn't the same thing as comprehending a story. Lucas said he wrote the series for 12-year-old boys, called the original film a Disney film...you don't need to know anything about the Prequels for 12 year olds to understand the original Star Wars...or in my case, six year olds. No way in hell would I rob a child or even a 12 year old of the greatest twist ending in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by Hardback247

Daisy Ridley is one of those people who suggests watching it in episodic order, because "for a young person it's easier to understand the chronology."

[Mighty Max]

If one watches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, awakens... awakens comes off as such a redo of the 3 previous movies!

If one does: 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, awakens, I can see it being slightly easier to swallow...

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Mighty Max

If one watches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, awakens... awakens comes off as such a redo of the 3 previous movies!

If one does: 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, awakens, I can see it being slightly easier to swallow...

I have seen the first 7 films over 500 times in differing orders and I always come back to chronological. This is coming from someone who started watching these at age 2 from recorded VHS tapes off of HBO.

[Mighty Max]

Episode Chronology is the only way I watch them.

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by Mighty Max

Episode Chronology is the only way I watch them.

Amen to that.

The "twist" ending of Empire is something different now. It actually has a excitement that a first time watcher can see as a build up to revealing to the son as opposed to an OT fan who will never see it any other way. the audience knows, but Luke doesn't. Like Rogue One it works really well with Star Wars when seen one right after another.

But as for seeing the old way, it is like insisting that your child go to a concert with you to experience your likes, without realizing that your aged self as well as the aged band is never going to recreate your experience of your youth.

Empire Strikes back was a work in progress (because the complete 6 part film was not told by the artist up to that point), and if enjoyed in chronological order, for some it can be an even more rewarding experience.

Of course you would have be deaf dumb and blind not to know the big "twist" in the internet age, but the experience of getting there is not something OT fans only will ever "get" because they are blinded by how they felt before.

For me, I could know the "twist" of lots of films and still enjoy them for what they are and experience that "twist" over and over again while knowing what is in store. Watching prequels doesn't change Vader's bad ass self coming out enraged and breaking everything in sight in Empire Strikes Back. Like "A Boy Named Sue", the old man has something to show and then some.

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I have seen the first 7 films over 500 times in differing orders and I always come back to chronological. This is coming from someone who started watching these at age 2 from recorded VHS tapes off of HBO.

And I feel the same way. I am a hardcore fan, and I remember going nutty waiting to get the Laserdiscs to finally see proper widescreen in a superior format (well then anyway). I will never go back to then (except for watching the first movie by itself). Now the OT untouched feels like a work in progress. Yes yes even down to slithering Jabba. I like it, so shoot me.

[ambient_indie]

I just skip 1,2,3 because they're, in my opinion, not good.

To hell with the episode numbers I'm starting in the middle!

[Alan_Grant]

Originally Posted by Class316

Go on youtube type "cinemassins" followed by the title of each star wars prequel. It really highlights why people hate the prequals.

"Go on youtube type "cinemawins" followed by the title of each star wars prequel. It really highlights why people love the prequals."

Seriously. If i youtube'd a review looking for negative shit, I could find one. Although, brownie points for not using the Cliche "RLM is Star Wars godzzzzzz" response, I guess. But on the other hand, points taken for spelling Prequel correct, then misspelling it 8 words later. You lose, good day sir!

[frogmort]

I really love all of the movies. I'd say Episode II is my least favorite and I still enjoy the hell out of it. I can't wait to watch I-II-III-R1-IV-V-VI-VII at home in a couple of months.

Also, to qualify my opinion on the prequels, I'm 46 and saw Star Wars when it was first released at the theater and it changed my life. The originals hold a special place in my heart, but to me the prequels are a helluva lot of fun, like a roller coaster ride, and Jar Jar and 'Yippie!' don't even really bother me that much.

VII is pretty enjoyable, if a bit too derivative of the originals, but I did like it quite a bit.

I thought Rogue One was really kick-ass overall and probably enjoyed it more than VII, but I personally thought that

[Show spoiler]Tarkin and Leia were a bit too odd looking to me. I'm somewhat dumbfounded that some people actually thought they were real. It's not a deal breaker for me now that I know what to expect though.

I can totally see where a lot of the complaints come from with the prequels, VII, R1 and even RotJ, but I still get an immense amount of joy out of every single one of them. I'm just a man-child, Yippie, M@th#r F*ck&r$!

[bobbyh64]

I think it's awkward to watch them in episode order. As Ernest Rister pointed out, the OT establishes certain things about the the Star Wars universe that the PT expects you to know. I don't think it ever makes much sense to say you should watch a prequel before a "sequel" if the "sequel"' was released years before the prequel. You certainly can if you want to, but I don't agree with someone saying you should. But I guess I'm talking about the original versions of the OT. If you watch the special editions before the prequels, then it seems weird to see this young random dude as Anakin Skywalker's spirit/ghost.

If George had made the prequels first, it probably wouldn't have played too well with audiences because there isn't a main protagonist that you can root for. So it made more sense to make the OT first. But to say you're supposed to watch them in episode order only makes sense, in my opinion, if you've already seen the OT. I think the prequels have more meaning with the OT already imbedded in your mind.

To the people who prefer watching in episode order, would you still prefer that order if the only versions of the OT were the unaltered original versions?

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I think it's awkward to watch them in episode order. As Ernest Rister pointed out, the OT establishes certain things about the the Star Wars universe that the PT expects you to know. I don't think it ever makes much sense to say you should watch a prequel before a "sequel" if the "sequel"' was released years before the prequel. You certainly can if you want to, but I don't agree with someone saying you should. But I guess I'm talking about the original versions of the OT. If you watch the special editions before the prequels, then it seems weird to see this young random dude as Anakin Skywalker's spirit/ghost.

If George had made the prequels first, it probably wouldn't have played too well with audiences because there isn't a main protagonist that you can root for. So it made more sense to make the OT first. But to say you're supposed to watch them in episode order only makes sense, in my opinion, if you've already seen the OT. I think the prequels have more meaning with the OT already imbedded in your mind.

To the people who prefer watching in episode order, would you still prefer that order if the only versions of the OT were the unaltered original versions?

I think that if someone is not familiar with Star Wars in general, they should watch IV-V-VI then I-II-III-IV-V-VI then later watch I-II-III-R1-IV-V-VI-VII.

[CGHULK]

Originally Posted by ambient_indie

I just skip 1,2,3 because they're, in my opinion, not good.

To hell with the episode numbers I'm starting in the middle!

I acknowledge their existence, but I'll never watch them again.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by CGHULK

I acknowledge their existence, but I'll never watch them again.

I used to dislike the prequels but now I DESPISE them. a group of friends and I watched all 6 with Rogue one coming out and getting through 1 and 2 was probably the most painful movie experience I've had in years. they've aged BADLY. the first 20 minutes hurt really bad until we all just devolved into insulting and MST3K ing them through the rest of the runtime (and a few beers to soften the experience). AT this point I can't see myself watching them again except as a way to punish myself for some reason. They're completely unwatchable IMO