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Best watch order for first-time viewers? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/star_wars

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I've got a couple friends who have never seen Star Wars, but would like to. What is the best order to introduce "Star Wars virgins" to the franchise?

I was raised on the release order (4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3), and prefer it when introducing the movies to first-time viewers, but I recognize that I could be biased.

I know there are a bunch of different orders (chronological, machete, etc.), each with their proponents and detractors.

What is your recommended order, and why?

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[–] jedibob5 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

Personally, I prefer release order, especially for first-time watchers, but whatever you do, don’t start with TPM. The prequels are a terrible introduction to Star Wars, and if they're watched before the viewer has an emotional investment in the franchise, it can cause them to lose interest in continuing.

[–] wjrii 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

For first time viewing, release is the only order that makes any sense whatsoever. Every movie was originally made by people who had seen the prior movies, for an audience that had seen them.

The callbacks won’t work right as foreshadowing, and no other movie introduces an audience to the setting like ANH does. Themes are built upon over time, reveals happen in the context of actually giving a shit about people and events from earlier movies.

Even if George wanted people to watch the PT first, and I’m not at all convinced he did, it just doesn’t work that way.