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Debating the best Star Wars saga movie order


A topic came up a long time ago (in a blogpost far, far away) in I think Black Six's blog. The subject was what movie order would be suffice showing someone who has never seen Star Wars the saga. Now, there appears to be several camps, with the mass majority being the 4-5-6-1-2-3 and 4-5-6 camps (skipping 1-2-3 as much as possible) but I came up with one that I'd like to share, this being May the Fourth (it still is in PDT, anyway).

 

The order I formulated was 1-4-2-5-3-6 (then 7 when it comes out, assuming it doesn't tank). This is by far the best way to show someone the movies without spoiling the big reveals. I'll briefly touch base on why this order makes sense *POTENTIAL SPOILERS*

 

Episode 1, if you may not recall (for any number of reasons) introduced us to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Senator Palpatine and Padmé Amidala. (Skipping the droids because they're both in all six movies, so yeah) While it's more than obvious that Padmé is going to probably end up with Anakin in the near future, for the outside observer you don't get much more than a "meh" from this movie. I think there's a space battle? I'll be kinda honest, it's the weakest link out of the six (seven), but it's best to get it out of the way now to let the other 5 (6) build up more.

 

Episode 4 is the true introduction to Star Wars for most of us, and it introduces Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and reintroduces Obi-Wan as a wizened Jedi Master, who sees Luke and remembers the boy that Luke's father was (wooOOOooooo plot connection!). Luke and cast leave Tatooine, with Luke swearing he'll never return. We are also introduced to Darth Vader, an evil Jedi who we are told killed Anakin. This is probably never mentioned again whatsoever in any other movie and probably isn't special trivia at all.

 

Episode 2 now introduces the beginning of the Clone Wars, mentioned in passing during Episode 4 when Obi-Wan met Luke, and it also introduces us to Jango Fett and by proxy Boba Fett. We also get to see how awesome Jango is fighting a Jedi. We also see a fight scene with Master Yoda and Count Dooku, which leads us into Episode 5. Jar Jar Binks basically puts Palpatine in charge single-handedly after being manipulated, way to go Jar Jar. Reason #4,312 nobody likes you. Oh, and we also get to meet the first generation Stormtroopers. Way to make 'em worse later, Empire. Also, hints of Anakin's rebellious nature, including his attraction Padmé that was basically shouted at us since the first movie.

 

Episode 5 is the big reveal movie, basically. Luke meets Yoda, Vader's not dead, we meet Lando Calrissian, Han is betrayed by Lando, Luke is trained, Luke enters a cave, Luke senses trouble after the trippy cave scene, he goes to Cloud City, Han is taken to Tatooine by Boba Fett (remember him from up there ^?), the big reveal is made, hands are lost, Luke is rescued, and the movie basically ends on an even worse cliffhanger than Smaug attacking Lake-town. (I am... death.)

 

Episode 3 is where the big reveal leads us to the inevitable demise of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader. Basically, it's the birth of the Empire and so on and so forth. But we do get an epic fight scene between Palpatine and Yoda. Still didn't save the movie for me, IMO. Next movie!

 

Episode 6 is the movie that takes it all home for us. (Until Episode 7.) Pretty much Empire builds a new Death Star, the Emperor arrives on the new Death Star, The cast returns to Tatooine against Luke's will, they get captured, and Luke single-handedly rescues half the cast from a giant slug. Later, many Bothans die to get information about the Death Star II to the Rebels, we are all sad but can't remember what a Bothan is, then the entire cast except Lando go to the forest moon of Endor (why a moon? Why not the planet Endor? Whatever.) to disable the shields on the clearly disabled Death Star. Turns out, it's a trap! and they're ambushed. Luke fights Vader, Ewoks happen, the Emperor is defeated, Vader dies, Anakin is avenged, and finally Force ghost cameos for all.

 

... I'll admit, didn't quite expect to write all that, but I said whatever, nobody reads my blog anyway :P

 

To summarize (TL:DR), 1-4-2-5-3-6(-7) is probably the best way to introduce someone to Star Wars, assuming they haven't seen it before or were spoiled in any way, shape or form. I'm sure people will disagree, but I hope my rather long arguments for this reason will sway you to see it my way.

 

Besides, you could always keep ignoring 1-2-3 if that's what you'd prefer. I won't judge you, I'm only socially obligated to even have those DVDs :) (Actually, I didn't mind 1-2-3 as much, but I could go on even longer rants on how I'd fix those personally. This is why I don't rant much.)

  • Upvote 2

12 Comments


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Vorahk1Panrahk2

Posted

I find it fascinating how much people debate the viewing order. Personally, I'm an incredibly simple man (and a very casual Star Wars fan) so I'd go 4-5-6-1-2-3 simply because that's the release order. The prequels can be watched first, but I think stuff from the originals helps give context. I don't say that as a criticism, either. That's just the nature of some prequels. The Hobbit movies are the same way.

 

Also because I kind of like Revenge of the Sith more than Return of the Jedi so for me it's a far more satisfying ending.

 

*dodges rotten fruit*

  • Upvote 2
SPIRIT

Posted

It's too bad Spock won't be in the new one.  U mad bro?

  • Upvote 10
Kaleidoscope Tekulo

Posted

I just edit them all together randomly and drink whenever I think I see a coherent story forming.

  • Upvote 6
Xaeraz

Posted

The best way to watch Star Wars is to just put Sharknado on repeat instead.

  • Upvote 6
believe victims

Posted

the best viewing order is 6-5-4-3-2-1 because that is the best way to plunge the entire thing into complete chaos and confusion that could have simply been avoided by watching each trilogy in order, in whichever order you choose.

  • Upvote 5
Sumiki

Posted

The only problem I've ever had with Machete Order is that it cuts out the Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan vs. Darth Maul battle. Other than that, I'm all for it—and I've not found any order that works better.

  • Upvote 1
CyclonatorZ

Posted

I'll say it again: 4, then 5, then finally 6, and nothing else. 

 

(Alright, maybe 7 after that, if it actually ends up being good)

Kayru

Posted

I just heard about the Machete Order. 4-5-2-3-6. The more I was told about it, the more it makes perfect sense. 

 

Think of 2 and 3 as a flashback, which makes sense as Luke just found out Vader was his father in 5. You get the back story right when it's relevant, and you don't wreck any of the spoilers/twists if you're new to the series. 1 lends absolutely no relevant information (other than a bit of detail about who Qui-Gon is, and the state of Anakin's mother when he left). Ending on 6 is a must because then you end it happily, the way things 'are' by the time 7 comes out (at which point I'm sure it'll tack on nicely). 

 

I'll be honest, as far as a movie on its own, I preferred 1 over 2 and 3. Which I'm probably the only person who ever says that. But it really doesn't lend much to the series, and like the previous linked article states, this order keeps Anakin's character consistent and the arc less muddled with other irrelevant affairs.

  • Upvote 1
Vorahk1Panrahk2

Posted

1 lends absolutely no relevant information (other than a bit of detail about who Qui-Gon is, and the state of Anakin's mother when he left).

 

I actually like all three prequels, but even so I always felt like Episode 1 would have been better of as a sort of 'prologue' movie. Attack of the Clones could become Episode 1, Episode 2 could be devoted to the Clone Wars, and Episode 3 stays the same. That way Anakin's turn to the dark side wouldn't be rushed. As it is we really only get one and a half movies of it.

 

At the same time, though, I do think The Phantom Menace is relevant to Anakin's character since it's where we see him first as an innocent boy before he starts succombing to anger in Ep. 2. It's important we see that side of him because it contrasts with the hot-tempered, irresponsible Anakin in 2 and 3, and it wouldn't be a good 'fall' (and redemption) story if the character didn't have potential for greatness in the first place. It's Ep. 1 where that potential for greatness is emphasized, giving us an explanation for why Anakin was taken on as a Padawan at all, and what the risks where of doing so.

 

It's also necessary for setting up the political story of the Empire's rise to power, but I admit that I'm probably one of the few people who really love the poltical elements of the prequels. They're great for expanding the universe, and give the prequels a unique flavor compared to the original trilogy.

Akano

Posted

I never knew that this was a debated topic amongst fans. This blog entry has opened my eyes.

 

 

I just heard about the Machete Order. 4-5-2-3-6. The more I was told about it, the more it makes perfect sense. 

 

Think of 2 and 3 as a flashback, which makes sense as Luke just found out Vader was his father in 5. You get the back story right when it's relevant, and you don't wreck any of the spoilers/twists if you're new to the series. 1 lends absolutely no relevant information (other than a bit of detail about who Qui-Gon is, and the state of Anakin's mother when he left). Ending on 6 is a must because then you end it happily, the way things 'are' by the time 7 comes out (at which point I'm sure it'll tack on nicely). 

 

I'll be honest, as far as a movie on its own, I preferred 1 over 2 and 3. Which I'm probably the only person who ever says that. But it really doesn't lend much to the series, and like the previous linked article states, this order keeps Anakin's character consistent and the arc less muddled with other irrelevant affairs.

Pretty much this for me. I have yet to actually watch the series in Machete Order, but it sounds like an utterly brilliant movie/story experience.

 

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