# Help a Star Wars virgin pick an order to watch the movies in. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 4, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037 "2012-06-04T15:20:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/41 "2012-06-05T19:38:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > try watching [The Phantom Edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_Edit), the fan recut version of Episode I. That way we can find out if it’s really better. > > (Skip the Changes section of that Wikipedia page if you don’t want to be spoiled.) Ooh, yes, that’s a brilliant suggestion! Is there a way to watch just the “deleted scenes” after seeing the edit, so that you can see how much worse Lucas’s version was without forcing yourself to watch it all again? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/42 "2012-06-05T19:50:35Z")
> [@Darth\_Sensitive](#): > > I say do it in the order that guy who was slowly showing them to his young kids did: > > 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 I agree with this, but I would recommend the ‘Phantom Edit’ version of episode 1. Less of a certain really unpleasant character (whose name shall not be spoken) is always appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/43 "2012-06-05T20:53:58Z")
I voted Machete order, because [the article](http://www.nomachetejuggling.com/2011/11/11/the-star-wars-saga-suggested-viewing-order/)makes a good argument. I would consider running Ep 1 before 2 if you really want to see it. My second choice arrangement would be in release order: IV, V, VI, I, II, III. > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Where does the term “Machete Order” come from? The guy who created it has a blog called “Absolutely No Juggling Machetes”, and in his description and justification of the order, _he_ called it “Machete Order”, “because I’m a vain asshole”. > [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > I’ve also seen suggestions for 4,5,(1),2,3,6, but I don’t really see the point of that. Without spoiling any plot for a Star Wars virgin, obviously 6 is the end of the story, but again, that doesn’t mean it’s the end. I also think there’s plot points in it that will be spoiled if you see the trilogies, though obviously no where near as badly as straight chronological. I guess you do get to have the sort of cliffhanger last longer, but that’s about all the benefit I see out of it. Read the article. Briefly: [spoiler]Almost no Jar-Jar (like 3 lines, no stupid antics). Almost no midichlorians (brief mention in Ep II that is benign as DNA). No Jake Lloyd, no “little Ani”. No Anikin created C3PO. No weird age difference business about Amidala vs Anakin. No “virgin birth” nonsense. The story flow preserves the plot surprises - both from the original trilogy and the prequels. Most significantly (IMO), he makes the case that the parallels of Luke to Anakin are _better_ displayed. We’ve just seen a whiny, arrogant Anakin go to the dark side from trying to protect his family and friends. When Luke enters _RotJ_, he comes in wearing all black (like Anakin), force choking (only seen Vader do), making threats of his power to Jabba (echoing Anakin’s words to Obi-wan). It really sells the angle that Luke is on the path to the Dark Side, _just like Anakin_. When Luke goes ape-shit on Vader because of the ambush, it feels much more convincing because of the parallel of when Anakin went ape-shit on Mace Windu. It is like the Emperor is replaying the fall of Anakin with the fall of Luke. Fall of Skywalker, Part II. [/spoiler] He does admit there are a couple points that are missed out or confusing because of the lack of Ep I, but they are minor. Oh, also, the pacing of the movies is Ep IV: evil is brewing Ep V: evil is winning Ep II: evil is brewing Ep III: evil is winning Ep VI: the resolution of both plots. > [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > As has been mentioned, the entire 6 movie story did not exist as a whole that was then released out of sequence. It was 3 movies, partially made up as they went along, then 3 more movies about how things came to be the way they were at the beginning of the originals. Right. Lucas didn’t “start in the middle” because he had a 6 or 9 movie arc planned out. He “started in the middle” because it was a storytelling gimmick to skip lengthy exposition and jump into the middle of the story. He didn’t have to give us the Rise and Fall of the Great Republic, he just gave us a text scroll to set up the plot, so we come in on the Princess getting captured and putting her secret mission in jeopardy. > [@](#): > > The prequels are a post hoc rationalization that manages to focus on all of the wrong stuff. Kind of like when a kid spins an elaborate line of BS to explain something that he actually did for no good reason. AMEN. Focus on all the wrong stuff, indeed. > [@](#): > > Also, if you already intend to watch all 6, the results for items 1 and 3 should be added together in the final tally. Why? Option 1 omits three movies. If you plan to watch all 6, then the results from Option 1 should be _discarded_. Because there is no option presented that omits any of them, and both options 2 and 3 show all 6 movies, so neither should get preferential treatment just because you’re discarding options that don’t show all 6. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/44 "2012-06-05T21:29:43Z")
I find it really entertaining how every time I look in this thread, ‘originals only’ and ‘originals then prequels’ are consistently evenly matched, with Machete order consistently slightly ahead. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/45 "2012-06-06T04:07:10Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I voted for the first option, but I’ve changed my mind. Really only IV and V are worth watching. I voted for the first option even though from the beginning I considered saying, “Just watch V.” Well, IV is good, and VI has some neat visual concepts. I’ve never managed to sit through all of II, and didn’t care by the time III came out so have seen none of it. ---
**Author:** ![CyclopticXander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/46 "2012-06-06T16:32:08Z")
I’ve never understood this prequel hate. All of you are BOTH overestimating the OT and grossly underestimating the PT. They were never meant to be “good” movies, just fun space serial. This phantom edit thing perfectly illustrates this nonsense. 18 minutes are cut from the real version. 18! How is it the worst most pointless movie ever is made good by cutting 18 minutes? I understand if you don’t like Jar Jar and some of Jake Lloyd’s acting is cringe worthy, but clearly there is some great stuff in this movie (pod race, Darth Maul battle) that isn’t completely ruined by these elements. Besides, episode 2 is clearly worse than episode 1 in every way, but it doesn’t get nearly the heat as episode 1 because it has a darker tone. Which just shows this anti prequel mob just wanted it to be more badass like they spent their childhoods imagining Boba Fett was (never mind he never did anything). You have to have the lighter tone of TPM for the later tragedy to have meaning. Why is it little kids understand this better than all these bitter adults? Because apparently a whole lot a people spent their lives taking Star Wars way too seriously. Anyhow, I stick by the chronological order just for the novelty of someone finally digesting the story that way, but I see that’s not going to happen:) ---
**Author:** ![Rampant\_Coypu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/439d5e/32.png) [@Rampant\_Coypu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rampant_Coypu)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/47 "2012-06-07T06:21:33Z")
The prequels do not exist. They never happened. You’re a victim of Descartes’ Demon if you believe they are real. IV, V and VI are the only real Star Wars movies. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/48 "2012-06-07T06:53:34Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos;] but you’re the first person I’ve ever encountered who favors _The Return of the Jedi_ over _Star Wars_. [/QUOTE] I got ninja’d! Return of the Jedi is my favorite (ESB might be a better film, but ROTJ has more pure enjoyment, especially for my inner child). I think [URL link=[The Ewok Line As Explained By Barney Stinson On How I Met Your Mother | Cinemablend](http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ewok-Line-Explained-By-Barney-Stinson-How-I-Met-Your-Mother-35922.html)]Barney Stinson’s theories about ROTJ are pretty accurate. I think 2 is better than 1 or 3. 1 isn’t worse enough than the others to single it out for exclusion and has some cool parts like Darth Maul. I would as a virgin watch it in the order it came out, and then at some later date watch it in narrative order. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/49 "2012-06-07T07:06:09Z")
4-5-6 compulsory. Watching 1-2-3 later is optional. 1 can be watched while doing something else, looking up when the landscape is pretty. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/50 "2012-06-07T15:42:11Z")
Yeah, I’m another one of those wierdos who likes ROTJ the best. In order of my favorite VI IV V & III (kinda tied) then II & I. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/51 "2012-06-08T21:36:25Z")
V, IV, VI, III, II, I That way, they progress from best to worst. If at any point you find your enjoyment lagging, you can quit watching, knowing what comes after is going to be worse. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/52 "2012-06-19T11:17:45Z")
Well, I think the poll’s run long enough. Looks like Machete order wins, but not by much. I’ll _try_ to procure the DVD’s and watch them during my vacation next week. I’ll report back. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/53 "2012-07-25T22:45:21Z")
Sorry to bump this thread. I was going to start my own, but I’ll just add it here. I recently discovered that my boyfriend has never seen any of these movies. Furthermore, HE DOESN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM! He knows none of the big reveals, no plot details. He says he literally knows nothing. We are going to watch them in a couple weeks when I get home from the boat, and I think machete order wins, with possibly throwing episode 1 in at the end if he is still in the mood for more. I’m going to ask him to write down his comments after each movie, so I can come post them for you. Agent Foxtrot, did you ever come back and report in another thread how this went for you? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/54 "2012-07-25T23:48:56Z")
By coincidence, I just this week showed 'em to my five-year-old: IV-V-I-II-III-VI. She liked them all, but liked Episode I the best. This disturbs me greatly. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/55 "2012-07-26T00:02:37Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > By coincidence, I just this week showed 'em to my five-year-old: IV-V-I-II-III-VI. > > She liked them all, but liked Episode I the best. > > This disturbs me greatly. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! or I sense a disturbance in the force. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/56 "2012-07-26T00:09:31Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I sense a disturbance in the force. For what it’s worth, she followed up the movie-watching experience by picking up a good long stick in the backyard and asking me to playact lightsaber fights with her: _“I’ll be Darth Vader,”_ she said, _“and you’ll be everyone else.”_ ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/57 "2012-07-26T00:34:55Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > For what it’s worth, she followed up the movie-watching experience by picking up a good long stick in the backyard and asking me to playact lightsaber fights with her: _“I’ll be Darth Vader,”_ she said, _“and you’ll be everyone else.”_ Phew! ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/58 "2012-07-26T16:13:51Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Sorry to bump this thread. I was going to start my own, but I’ll just add it here. > > I recently discovered that my boyfriend has never seen any of these movies. Furthermore, HE DOESN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM! He knows none of the big reveals, no plot details. He says he literally knows nothing. How long was your boyfriend down for? Have you run a background check on him? Is he from this planet? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/59 "2012-07-26T18:05:06Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > She liked them all, but liked Episode I the best. To be fair, that’s the only one with an actual kid in it. What did she think of Jar-Jar? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037/60 "2012-07-26T23:57:55Z")
I would watch in this order \*Star Wars \*and \*The Empire Strikes Back \*and skip the rest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-star-wars-virgin-pick-an-order-to-watch-the-movies-in/624037.md?page=4)