The Star Wars Saga – Here’s the Order to Watch Them
George Lucas is milking Star Wars again with a new release of the entire saga on blu-ray with new special effects, deleted scenes & three documentaries… But Greedo still shoots first.
The natural inclination is to watch these films in numerical order: I, II, III, IV, V, VI.
Don’t do that.
My preference is to watch them in the order of their release because that’s the natural way that the story unfolds: IV, V, VI, I, II, III.
However after a long drawn-out conversation with some friends I’m willing bend a little and go with this order: IV, V, I, II, III, VI. This order lets you see Luke’s story unfold, followed by Anakin’s, and both of their narratives collide and resolve in the final chapter.
Either option is solid, just please don’t watch them in numerical order. Every time a person watches Star Wars in numerical order Yoda sheds a tear.
Since It’s Star Wars Day
Why is it “Star Wars Day?”
It’s May 4th… as in May the 4th be with you.
Stop judging me, I didn’t make it up.
Given the date and the unfortunate wordplay, I figure I should give you some Star Wars silliness.
I give you Han’s reaction to discovering that Luke and Leia are siblings, as it should have been edited.
The Order of Star Wars
The other day I was pondering the order in which the Star Wars movies should be viewed.
When I was a kid (as with most of you, I am assuming) there were only three: Episodes IV, V, & VI.
With the addition of Episodes I, II, & III should first-time viewers see them in numerical order or the order in which they were originally released.
My conclusion is that they absolutely must be viewed in the order of their release: IV, V, VI, I, II, & III.
The reason is because that’s how the narrative naturally unfolds. In my opinion the single most important moment in the Star Wars anthology is the reveal that Darth Vader is Lukes father (If I just spoiled that for you tough! If you are old enough to read and care about geeky stuff enough to read this blog you should have seen the original Star Wars trilogy).
Remember how much this scene blew your mind the first time you saw it? - "Search your feelings, you know it to be true!"
The big reveal would be spoiled for a new viewer if he/she were to watch Episodes I, II, & III first. A number of other things would be spoiled as well: Obi-Wan’s first appearance, the Force, the Emperor, Yoda’s first appearance, Luke and Leia’s familial relationship… none of these things would be even remotely surprising and that would be tragic.
A second reason is that the original trilogy is superior.
When introducing people to Star Wars, remember the proper order!
