How to introduce Star Wars ?

[CharlesD]

Despecialized 4-6, then Force Awakens.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

When you were a teenager, did you routinely watch "old movies" that were made decades before you were born? If you say "yes", you're a liar.

I was being a tad facetious, but the Star Wars franchise is so iconic for anyone interested in science fiction/fantasy/pop culture/heroes vs. villains that it's hard to fathom anyone not watching the movies if that sort of thing interests them.

[spanky87]

Release order is the only way for a noob.

As much as I dislike the prequels I don't think it's fair to discourage a new fan from seeing them. They don't carry the same baggage as older fans and might enjoy them even though they're objectively inferior films. Just make sure they see the unaltered OT first, that's what matters most when introducing someone to Star Wars.

Machete order is not a good way to introduce the series to someone as it alters the flow and narrative of the OT.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by bsmooth

I would like to intro someone who's nver seen one Star wars movie. Would you start with A New Hope ?

My gf had never seen any SW before this year. I started her on New Hope, then Empire STrikes Back, then she said "ok that's enough, this stuff is all the same"

[ScarredLungs]

Star Wars Talk to Your Kids PSA - YouTube

I do agree with the above comments. 4-7, then 1-3.

[Moviefan2k4]

My first piece of advice would be, "don't let your own opinions mandate theirs". In other words, let them decide how they want to experience the series...and be patient with them. Explain to them the nature of each Episode being a fraction of the whole, so they can't skip all over the place and expect to grasp everything. But after that, let them call the shots. If they get just a couple of films in and lose interest, so be it; don't take that personally.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

When you were a teenager, did you routinely watch "old movies" that were made decades before you were born? If you say "yes", you're a liar.

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes. I was watching Carey Grant movies at age 12... 14 and I watched "12 Angry Men", and a whole HOST of other films...

[wormraper]

as for the op... eps 4-6 and then 7... tell them they can watch eps 1-3 at their own discretion

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

4-6, Force Awakens, Rouge One.

[Prog5000]

4 to 7. No more.

[Ray Jackson]

Tell them the rumors of a prequel trilogy are merely vicious lies spread by devil worshipers who seek to destroy the world through their message of hate.

[Samus Aran]

Someone suggested that 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 would make for an interesting viewing order, but I honestly don't know anyone who hasn't seen at least one Star Wars movie by now so I don't know how that viewing order would go over.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

When you were a teenager, did you routinely watch "old movies" that were made decades before you were born? If you say "yes", you're a liar.

Hell, yes. Choices were limited, I didn't own a VCR until 1987, so it was broadcast or cable for the most part. I grew up with 4:3 pan and scan and mono sound. The horror.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

My gf had never seen any SW before this year. I started her on New Hope, then Empire STrikes Back, then she said "ok that's enough, this stuff is all the same"

Yeah, if I was in your place I'd probably consider dumping her.

[Det. Bullock]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

When you were a teenager, did you routinely watch "old movies" that were made decades before you were born? If you say "yes", you're a liar.

By age 12 I watched 2001: A Space Odissey, Ben Hur and various Hitchcock and Disney movies and these are the ones I have clear memories.

Originally Posted by bsmooth

I would like to intro someone who's nver seen one Star wars movie. Would you start with A New Hope ?

I would, yes, which version is at your discretion, while I don't like a few changes in the SE and later in the Blu ray and DVd editions they are a good start nonetheless.

[42041]

I'd seek out some high quality pre-SE versions of the OT. I can live with the blu-ray versions, but they're not the quite the films I loved as a kid - most of the non-cosmetic changes are for the way, way worse.
Personally I think the prequels are flawed but perfectly enjoyable movies (ditto episode 6), ignore the gibbering internet horde and throw those into the playlist.
And don't do all these silly alternate viewing orders - just watch them in the order they were made.
I definitely wouldn't start with TFA, since so much of it is straight up nostalgia pandering.

[imsounoriginal]

Release order or Machete order.

[stvn1974]

I also loved old movies as a teen. Being 13 and seeing Grace Kelly for the first time.

As for which order the Star Wars films to show someone depends on if you like or really hate them.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

When you were a teenager, did you routinely watch "old movies" that were made decades before you were born? If you say "yes", you're a liar.

I got into watching classic cinema when I was in junior high, so...

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Explain to them the nature of each Episode being a fraction of the whole, so they can't skip all over the place and expect to grasp everything.

I think it's entirely possible to watch just 4-7 (despecialized of course) without missing anything genuinely important.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I also loved old movies as a teen. Being 13 and seeing Grace Kelly for the first time. .

I saw her for the first time in To Catch a Thief and when Cary Grant walks her to her room and she turns around I think I became a man at that moment.