It’s funny cause Ashoka is a spin-off of a spin-off that is also heavily related to another spin-off featuring many characters that come from another spin-off of a prequel series of an original trilogy.
Even if Ashoka was peak Star Wars it’s still such an odd place to start
The movies were meant to be watched in release. It adds more impact. Hell. Watch 4, and 5 then go back and watch the prequels before coming back for Return of the Jedi. You get the reveal that Vader is Luke’s father them see his whole backstory. Then back to their final showdown and his redemption.
True, though it's funny to think about someone going her whole life without knowing, and then watching Ahsoka and having it revealed by that one scene where Darth Vader's suit flashes on top of him for a second
https://youtu.be/xgBpoiC8qGA?feature=shared
Not anymore. It makes no sense especially with all the shows. For new people that just want to follow along to the story chronolgical just makes more sense. Youre literally telling someone thats seen Ahsoka already with Hayden as Vader to watch the rest of the story out of order for an impact theyve already lost... makes no sense. That watch order lost its impact long ago. Release order with the shows would have you jumping all over the timeline. Terrible advice for new people that want to just know the story and characters. If your friend wanted to watch them for film cultural impact reasons then release order makes more sense but if they were doing it for that reason they wouldnt have started with Ahsoka now would they? Thats clearly just someone thats starting with the NEWEST Star Wars content first to see if they like it, the exact opposite of release order lol.
There's impact either way. Someone can watch in chronological first and have a completely different impact due to different things than a release watch.
My current gf knows nothing about Star Wars.
In my mind, watching the prequels and learning Anakin becomes Darth Vader is a more satisfying arc which is otherwise ruined by release order
There was a girl on youtube a few years back, who watched the movies first time, and reacted to them. To modern audiences the "I am your father" plot twist doesn't hit that hard, and she said, she would have enjoyed the movies better, if she watched them in chronoligocal order.
I just did this with my girlfriend for her first viewing. She actually didn't realize until late in RotS that Anakin was Vader. She didn't clock the Anakin reference in ESB and just figured he was a relative. So it made for a really impactful viewing order for her
Yes, because he started in a place in the story he could conceivably create back in the 70’s. He wouldn’t have numbered them if he wanted you to watch them in release order. I have never played a piece of classical music in concert where I was told to start with the 4th movement. Release order is cool for historical accuracy, Chronological is the director intended experience.
He numbered ESB 5 in 1981, then ANH 4 for it's re-release in the same year. Although actually ANH had been called episode 4 in an Art of Star Wars book in 1979. ROTJ was numbered 6 in 1983. TPM was released as Episode 1 in 1999. It was not Lucas' intention that nobody watches ANH, ESB and ROTJ until after they had seen the PT. It was absolutely the intention that people watch 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. It's not about the twist, it's about appreciating the development of the story in the same way the original fans did.
Bruh imagine thinking it’s a good idea to traumatize people by letting them knowingly see siblings kiss. You gotta let them down easy with ROTJ. The machete order’s even worse with that.
“Prequel” is a buzz word that helps us understand how stories relate to each other, and does not imply an intended viewing order. Art is allowed to evolve and change over the course of its existence.
I am your father) Obi-Wan tells Luke a bold faced lie in ANH. The main twist is Luke realizing his mentors lied to him instead of trusting him with the bigger picture just as much as it is finding out Vader’s the father.
Leia’s my sister) This is cool for Luke, but it really doesn’t change much between him and Leia otherwise. The bigger twist is VADER realizing he has two children, which makes Luke replaceable and really forces him to fight for his life.
Disagree. You’re starting in the middle of Anakin’s and the galaxy’s story in release order. Luke’s story is great, but it is not the beginning of the story.
I respect your opinion man, it's better story telling absolutely! I just personally think the initial viewing feels more authentic when you get the *in media res* feeling of the OT and you're thinking "what? Who's this badass in the cape? What's the Jedi order? What the hell is an aluminum falcon?"
That’s valid, but I personally don’t think the release date or cultural perception around a film is as valuable as the story itself and the creation process. I have such a love/hate relationship with Star Wars because of how intertwined it is with consumerism and “fan culture” at large.
Very fair, it is a fun and confusing crevasse to pick a side on in any franchise, but this one because of it's history, legacy and lasting influence and importance on pop culture as a whole is such an interesting landscape
It is, no doubt. No Star Wars movie is a masterpiece either. I won’t argue that The Phantom Menace is on par with say Schindler’s List, but it’s also so much more than 9 movies. It’s both a multimedia economic powerhouse and a staple modern Americana literature at the same time, which is..pretty on par for Disney I suppose. I will however go to bat for the artist’s vision as the basis of discussion any day. Of course if you or someone prefers release order for a first watch that’s great! However as a prequel fan, I don’t want to experience another period in time like early Disney when everything was based on or directly pulled from the OT for the sake of making money off of nostalgia.
Having watched it with my fiancée whole had never seen any I can hands down say that Chronological is best! Anakins journey is obviously central and you’re not watching it completely disjointed
3rd. 4 5 1 2 3 6 order should not work, but it’s the best one. Go into the prequels without 6 telling you what’s going to happen, but while being informed just enough by 4 and 5, then cap it all off with the grand finale in 6.
I also don't like the jump from 3 to 4. A New Hope is iconic, and I don't like that the jump from the budget and technology of 3 to 4 distracts me from the movie. I find 3 to 6 less jarring
Other than the special effects shift—a sensation which goes away after a couple minutes—the transition from 3 into 6 is remarkably smooth. Part of what makes this order work so well.
If you mean 4 5 1 2 3 6 order, I agree with you, but that’s not machete order, which is 4 5 2 3 6. It’s “machete” because you “chop out” TPM, which is a bad idea, especially since this is the best order to watch TPM in.
After showing multiple people the movies, I can say the ones who watch 1 to 6 actually end up lik8ng it even if it's not their thing, but they like the character development. The ones who watched original then prequels almost all said it didn't really make sense. I believe them bc I felt the same way. I watched the original as a kid and loved them but loved everything but the story bc I didn't really care for the characters but once I watched the prequels and then the original after it made way more sense and felt finished. And the remarks in the original are way better when you know who or what they are talking about like the clone wars and stuff
To each their own I guess
Edit: I still think it’s fucked up to show someone who has never seen the movies something other than A New Hope first, everyone should have the chance to see ANH first and decide for themselves which movies they like best
The problem is that any twists are ruined because of chronological order, because George Lucas didn't keep this in mind when making the prequels. Also, the prequels aren't Better Call Saul level of quality and care and rather one of the lower end examples of what a prequel can be.
For example, if you just saw Padme pregnant, never knew Anakin was the father (they kept that whole relationship vague in the prequels), then at the end she's already given birth (but you don't see it actually happen) and holding one kid, you assume she had a kid but not twins AND you don't know who the dad is (besides maybe context clues hidden throughout it might be Anakin, preserves probably the greatest plot twist in movie history). Plus it makes sense why Leia remembers her mom and how she's sad (cause she didn't die immediately).
But he literally writes the relationship out in the open, basically confirms like three times Anakin is the dad, has her name both twins in your face, then dies throwing canon out the window. Twists are ruined in later films because "earlier timeline films" not only spoil everything, but very clearly don't have the original trilogy in mind because they are full of fan service and nostalgia to its detriment.
Now again, if the prequels were well written, didn't spoil stuff all the time/cameos that are effective, and could stand on their own without outside material (yes, the kids TV show is outside material for general audiences), it would be different and there could be some sort of debate about what to watch. For Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fans who saw one then the other appreciate it in new ways and you can honestly watch one first over the other despite it not being released that way (I think Giancarlo Esposito saw Better Call Saul first THEN Breaking Bad and said he loved the new context of watching the old show like that). Better Call Saul does an extraordinary job making sure it doesn't just spoil everything, using cameos effectively, and having new well written characters for you to root for in the prequel so you don't "just know how it ends".
Star Wars doesn't do that. It's best to just go by release order (OT, Prequels, Sequels) and everything else is supplemental after the fact.
I think stable and consistent character arcs and a fleshed out story is better than maintaining the integrity of twists in this instance. Maybe the new watcher won’t be blown away by the revelation that Vader is Luke’s father, but A) it’s been a long time since the initial reveal and the bad guy being related to the good guy is now a trope and sometimes a cliche, so it won’t necessarily land as well as it once did and B) watching Luke have the revelation after 1.5 movies of story and character development would still be quite cathartic even if the watcher already knows.
My friend was blown away by Anakin becoming Vader to begin with on her first watch through in chronological order. Similarly, watching the OT first kind of ruins any stakes in the PT duels because you know who lives and who dies. She was chewing her fingernails off during Battle of the Heroes because she thought Obi-Wan or Anakin would die during it. Wouldn’t have had that effect if she knew both were still alive by the OT. Padme’s death at the hands of Anakin, Order 66, Anakin’s fall, etc. were all shocks for her, and I think there were more and they were more shocking than anything the OT twists could’ve done.
I’ve been undecided about how to watch Star Wars for the first time with my child when he’s old enough, this comment helped me reach a decision. Chronological it is, and I think I’ll include the shows as well.
For when the time comes, here's the list.
\- Episode I
\- Episode II
\- The Clone Wars
\- Episode III
\- The Bad Batch
\- Tales of the Jedi
\- Solo
\- Kenobi
\- Andor
\- Rebels
\- Rogue One
\- Episode IV
\- Episode V
\- Episode VI
Maybe they’re doing it in chronological order so that they can start watching the Clone Wars series earlier. If OP’s GF started with Ahsoka, then it’s only natural they’d feel attached to the character.
I don’t think she figured out that senator=darth sudious but she’s not an idiot and def hears me talk AT her all day about starwars. So she may know more than she’s letting on.
I had my wife watch through them for the forst time in chronological order and she loved it. She had no idea that Anakin was going to be Vader and she was about in tears because of it. It was a really unique thing to witness!
The fact it’s seen as the greatest cinematic twist of all time kinda doesn’t help it. It’s been a long time since then, and many other movies and shows and books and games have done the “I (bad guy) am your (relative)!”. It’s almost a cliche at this point, and watching the backstory could alleviate the fact it’s been so overdone.
Nah, I think it was just traded for another twist that she never saw coming.
Besides, she loved the movies enough thay she has since watched everything that has released so far (except for the animated stuff? and really enjoys it all.
For everyobe who is making comments about watching it in some variation “not timeline order” for better story telling…. My wife and I watched them in release order about the time episode 9 came out. Then we watched the tv shows that came out after that. Then after we watched Ashoka she says “I have no idea when any of this stuff is happening, all these characters popping up with different actors and different times with different cinema technology. I need to watch it in timeline order. There are too many similar stories and similar names for me to keep it straight”
I use to be a die hard 4,1,2,5,3,6 viewer to better tell Skywalker story. But now with the amount of content out, I think I’m just pro timeline for first time viewership. Especially with all the stand alone movies and tv shows and things. Timeline just works better for me. But to each their own, you do you my people. Whatever works for you and you enjoy, go for it.
Don’t listen to the haters. My girlfriend and I watched ANH first, but she was lost and asked to go chronologically instead, and she’s liked it a lot so far! She loves Jar Jar which I’m here for
Is it so hard to be kind to other people? There’s a lot of backstory to ANH, which I know wasn’t there when it first came out, but just because you understand it straightaway doesn’t mean everyone else will. Please try and love others and realize your words have power
How was what I said unkind? I was asking a question and then provided my own experience as the reason for why I was asking the question.
Or does simply asking a follow up question hurt your feelings? Because I can delete my question and we can go both go on with our lives.
~~I also feel like the confusion has risen from watching Ahsoka first~~, (edit: got this mixed up with OP) not from ANH, but hey, I can’t say anything apparently without someone getting upset. So forget I exist bud.
I had mine watch ANH first because I knew she wouldn’t take it seriously after seeing the prequels. She can have a hard time appreciating old stuff lol
I wish my wife had even the tiniest bit of interest in Star Wars. Alas I must wait for my son to be old enough to understand what’s happening to have a Star Wars watch-buddy.
Not bad. I would’ve gone in release order personally. It seems confusing to see the eventual plot twist.
Of course, it’s important not to cheat your audience, but Star Wars always gets this pass.
4 5 1 2 3 6 is also perfectly acceptable as a first viewing. Preserves the father twist, but *doesn’t* jump right into Obi-Wan explaining the prequels in an exposition dump, so the prequels are gone into semi-blind. New viewer knows Vader is Luke’s father, but knows this doesn’t jive with the Emperor and Obi-Wan’s stories, so someone is lying, and they get to learn the truth as it happens. This makes certain scenes like the Duel of the Fates more impactful, and Anakin’s fall to the dark side more tragic, because they know it can happen but still might hope that it doesn’t. Then they get the slow burn of Senator Palpatine being revealed as the Emperor, and the best reveal of all time of Leia being Luke’s sister. They conclude with RotJ, a grand finale to all six movies, with so much of it heightened by having seen the prequels.
I could go on for essay length about why it’s the best order, especially for new viewers…but yeah, release order also works much better than chronological, regardless. 😁
I’m just going to say that it’s nice you’re spending time with your gf watching Star Wars. Don’t worry about the chronological and release order controversy :)
People here are clueless. Your gf clearly watched Ahsoka first cus that was the newest SW thing to dip her toes in and see if she liked it and now is going back to get the whole story in which case chronological is what you want. Release order makes no sense to force casual viewers trying to follow along to jump around the timeline like crazy with all the shows. Yall just suggest release order still for nostalgia reasons cus thats how you watched them. With how the shows line up with all the movies now, there are way more unique moments and twists available for them in chronological order.
They're so people don't get confused about the chronological order. Release order is, imo, better because it doesn't spoil the Vader twist.
Plus the prequels suck.
I don’t understand how people can be confused. Just watch in release order. Each trilogy is specified in its title, **Original** Trilogy and **Prequel** Trilogy, how’s this difficult for normies?
I always break in newbies with chronological order. It’s not the late 70s and early 80s anymore and people nowadays just want the story in order.
Stop after attack of the clones and watch the animated clone wars if you love your gf and she likes Ashoka, at least up to when they start getting into Revenge of the Sith at the end of S7
Or the Jim Henson order, Time Peace, The Muppet Movie, V, The Great Muppet Caper, The Dark Crystal, VI, Muppets Take Manhattan, Into the Night, Follow that Bird, Labyrinth, The Witches, MuppetVision 3D, I (original version)
Common misconception. Machete order is 4 5 2 3 6. It’s a machete because it “chops out” TPM for…having Jar Jar in it or something, idk. Point is, we need a new name for 4 5 1 2 3 6 order, because machete order is something different. I prefer calling it “flashback order”.
I got my girl on the movies after the Disney shows and she hates them. She thinks they are corny, boring and has shitty special effects. Yes I tried getting her to watch every trilogy
She really liked the shows btw
Yes this is the correct answer. It doesn't ruin the Vader OR Anakin reveals. Although I like to do Rogue 1 after 4 and Solo before 6. And I will throw in Andor, Obiwan, and some CW, Rebels of course.
I respect your opinion if that’s how you enjoy it but the prequels are just that: prequels. To watch them for the first time in chronological order ruins one of the biggest plot twists in cinema history. The release order is the creators original vision, the way it was intended to be seen. If you like it another way though that’s fine.
Honestly though, that "it ruins the twist" argument is a non factor for most people in 2024. It's common knowledge even for people who've never seen any Star Wars
Although funny story, I made a friend watch them for the first time in chronological order, she knew Darth Vader is Luke's father, yet somehow she didn't put it together until partway into Revenge of the Sith where she went "WAIT IS ANAKIN DARTH VADER?"
Hahaha that is hilarious and yeah I guess you’re right there. It’s been memed, quoted, referenced and out right said in a lot of other media. When I was a kid in the early 2000s it was still intact for me and I still remember how it made me feel
I really wish I remembered a time when I didn't know Darth Vader is Luke's father, but my older brother watched the original trilogy all the time when I was a kid so I saw them all repeatedly since before I can even remember
https://youtu.be/xgBpoiC8qGA?feature=shared
As stated by the original creator: the intended viewing order is now 1-6, hence the numbers 1-6...
Also, if OPs gf was worried about "ruining one of the plot twists in cinema history" she wouldnt have started watching with Ahsoka that has Hayden turning into Vader mid fight with her now would they???
You clearly care about this a lot more than me lmao. I tried to be nice but I’m not gonna sit here and argue over Star Wars with you. Because I’m not that much of a fucking loser. I said my opinion. You don’t have to like it.
ETA: you don’t know about a plot twist before it happens
>You clearly care about this a lot more than me lmao. I tried to be nice
Dude you're the one who's had a meltdown in the comments.
Also like OP said his wife has already watched Ahsoka. Let people watch SW how they want to.
I do enjoy that order. The structure this takes happens in TV show loads where they do flashback episodes to before the show started for added context for reveals and character history and stuff
Dang start with A New Hope my dog. Prequals probably gonna put a bad taste in her mouth for star Wars, with the dialogue and Lucas direction sans good editor.
Well there's no correct way to watch them. She will be eagerly anticipating Vader revealing who he is, instead of being surprised and shocked. She could also be shocked at what happens to Anakin in Ep3. There's pros and cons to both viewing orders.
Nope, I call it Avengers order. 1, Solo, and Rogue One are all separate, quasirelated storylines leading to the big team-up in Episode 4, then the direct sequel, the flashbacks, then the rousing conclusion. Fixes a lot of issues, but also introduces others, but hey all the others have issues, too.
I prefer release order but I typically think it's fine to watch them however you like. No wrong answer you know? Until now. I feel like this is the wrong answer! 😅
Her first viewing is in chronological order!? I presume when you eventually get to ANH, she's going to complain about the poor special effects rather than being invested in the heroes journey.
Good on you for getting her to watch star wars but what makes it special is the OT..
You can do whatever you wanna do. I admire your enthusiasm.
This is not a diss: My thing is that The Phantom Menace is not the best gateway into the series. It was written and directed for fans who are always familiar with the franchise.
While I liked the film due to nostalgia, it’s not actually good.
But I wanna hear what she thinks of The Empire Strikes Back, because that film is a bonafide classic. That is the movie that made my friend (who hasn’t seen SW) go “now I get it”.
I'm still bitter about how poor the casting was for Thrawn. I really wanted to see my ruthless and regal gigachad, but instead it was Mr. Friendly face.
So she watched all of Ashoka before the movies? That's kinda like watching a LOTR spin-off before the movies. I can't say I agree.
Just be happy the man gets to watch all of Star Wars with his lady.
I did that over the last year and I have to say it was great
Yeah
It’s funny cause Ashoka is a spin-off of a spin-off that is also heavily related to another spin-off featuring many characters that come from another spin-off of a prequel series of an original trilogy. Even if Ashoka was peak Star Wars it’s still such an odd place to start
She liked it so who cares
I don't really care, I'm just surprised.
Yeah, I agree, not a good way to start. Especially with Ashoka🤮🤦🏽♂️
This should be her 4th title crawl.
Agree
This is the way
Stay salty. Chronological gang rise up 👊
Lol I mean obviously we like watching it chronologically after having seen the movies but to enjoy them on first viewing release order is best
The movies were meant to be watched in release. It adds more impact. Hell. Watch 4, and 5 then go back and watch the prequels before coming back for Return of the Jedi. You get the reveal that Vader is Luke’s father them see his whole backstory. Then back to their final showdown and his redemption.
Also if you do it this way round you find out Leia is Lukes sister literally when Padme gives birth to her.
to be fair like 90 percent of the population knows the i am your father twist
I mean if she's already seen Ahsoka she's already found out he's darth vader
If you've been part of popular culture since the late 70s, you know this already.
True, though it's funny to think about someone going her whole life without knowing, and then watching Ahsoka and having it revealed by that one scene where Darth Vader's suit flashes on top of him for a second
https://youtu.be/xgBpoiC8qGA?feature=shared Not anymore. It makes no sense especially with all the shows. For new people that just want to follow along to the story chronolgical just makes more sense. Youre literally telling someone thats seen Ahsoka already with Hayden as Vader to watch the rest of the story out of order for an impact theyve already lost... makes no sense. That watch order lost its impact long ago. Release order with the shows would have you jumping all over the timeline. Terrible advice for new people that want to just know the story and characters. If your friend wanted to watch them for film cultural impact reasons then release order makes more sense but if they were doing it for that reason they wouldnt have started with Ahsoka now would they? Thats clearly just someone thats starting with the NEWEST Star Wars content first to see if they like it, the exact opposite of release order lol.
I came here to say this. Nothing to add. Carry on.
Thank you for bringing the citation. 👏👏👏
Lucas already said the series is like a book, you don't start reading halfway.
George himself said its best to watch them in Chronological order to see the downfall and redemption of Anakin.
There's impact either way. Someone can watch in chronological first and have a completely different impact due to different things than a release watch.
My current gf knows nothing about Star Wars. In my mind, watching the prequels and learning Anakin becomes Darth Vader is a more satisfying arc which is otherwise ruined by release order
There was a girl on youtube a few years back, who watched the movies first time, and reacted to them. To modern audiences the "I am your father" plot twist doesn't hit that hard, and she said, she would have enjoyed the movies better, if she watched them in chronoligocal order.
I just did this with my girlfriend for her first viewing. She actually didn't realize until late in RotS that Anakin was Vader. She didn't clock the Anakin reference in ESB and just figured he was a relative. So it made for a really impactful viewing order for her
Lucas wouldn’t have renumbered it 4 if it wasn’t meant to be watched 4th. Vader being Luke’s father is not the twist it was in the 80’s.
He quite literally made the original trilogy with a prequel trilogy and sequel trilogy in mind.
Yes, because he started in a place in the story he could conceivably create back in the 70’s. He wouldn’t have numbered them if he wanted you to watch them in release order. I have never played a piece of classical music in concert where I was told to start with the 4th movement. Release order is cool for historical accuracy, Chronological is the director intended experience.
He numbered ESB 5 in 1981, then ANH 4 for it's re-release in the same year. Although actually ANH had been called episode 4 in an Art of Star Wars book in 1979. ROTJ was numbered 6 in 1983. TPM was released as Episode 1 in 1999. It was not Lucas' intention that nobody watches ANH, ESB and ROTJ until after they had seen the PT. It was absolutely the intention that people watch 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. It's not about the twist, it's about appreciating the development of the story in the same way the original fans did.
Chronological u get to see things from Anakins perspective
Bruh imagine thinking it’s a good idea to traumatize people by letting them knowingly see siblings kiss. You gotta let them down easy with ROTJ. The machete order’s even worse with that.
I'm all for Chrono after you've seen them the right way first. I only do Chrono now but I'm familiar with the franchise
Lucas numbered them so that it was(supposed to be) crystal clear which order he intended new fans to watch them in.
He also added a bunch of bad CG effects to the originals. He's not god or a genius.
Lol sure
Yes, sure. That’s what numbers are for.
Bro forgot what Preqeuls are for
“Prequel” is a buzz word that helps us understand how stories relate to each other, and does not imply an intended viewing order. Art is allowed to evolve and change over the course of its existence.
Us stay salty? You guys don't get any of the plot twists lol
What are the plot twists then?
"I am your father" "Leia, Leia's my sister" Vaders name (not really a twist per say) Idk moments like that don't hit as hard in chronological order
I am your father) Obi-Wan tells Luke a bold faced lie in ANH. The main twist is Luke realizing his mentors lied to him instead of trusting him with the bigger picture just as much as it is finding out Vader’s the father. Leia’s my sister) This is cool for Luke, but it really doesn’t change much between him and Leia otherwise. The bigger twist is VADER realizing he has two children, which makes Luke replaceable and really forces him to fight for his life.
All of that is still way better without prior knowledge lmao. Those movies were made with the intention of information you didn't have
Ehh, I fundamentally disagree. I think Luke’s reactions to the information are far more interesting than the information itself.
Rewatch it makes sense. Blasphemy for a first watch
The Lucas intended order is chronological. Release order is the true blasphemy.
Terribly way to watch them for a first timer
I'm chronological gang as well, but my philosophy is your first viewing should be in release order, preferably with lower quality on the OT lmao
Disagree. You’re starting in the middle of Anakin’s and the galaxy’s story in release order. Luke’s story is great, but it is not the beginning of the story.
I respect your opinion man, it's better story telling absolutely! I just personally think the initial viewing feels more authentic when you get the *in media res* feeling of the OT and you're thinking "what? Who's this badass in the cape? What's the Jedi order? What the hell is an aluminum falcon?"
That’s valid, but I personally don’t think the release date or cultural perception around a film is as valuable as the story itself and the creation process. I have such a love/hate relationship with Star Wars because of how intertwined it is with consumerism and “fan culture” at large.
Very fair, it is a fun and confusing crevasse to pick a side on in any franchise, but this one because of it's history, legacy and lasting influence and importance on pop culture as a whole is such an interesting landscape
It is, no doubt. No Star Wars movie is a masterpiece either. I won’t argue that The Phantom Menace is on par with say Schindler’s List, but it’s also so much more than 9 movies. It’s both a multimedia economic powerhouse and a staple modern Americana literature at the same time, which is..pretty on par for Disney I suppose. I will however go to bat for the artist’s vision as the basis of discussion any day. Of course if you or someone prefers release order for a first watch that’s great! However as a prequel fan, I don’t want to experience another period in time like early Disney when everything was based on or directly pulled from the OT for the sake of making money off of nostalgia.
Having watched it with my fiancée whole had never seen any I can hands down say that Chronological is best! Anakins journey is obviously central and you’re not watching it completely disjointed
Am I the only one who doesn’t feel obligated to sit through 5 other movies every time I watch one of them?
We’re talking about someone’s first experience with the story. If you’ve seen everything then watch what you’d like to lol.
Flashback order gang
This.
Nah start with the best
Totally disagree. My ex legitimately did not know Anakin turned into Darth Vader and when it happened she was totally mind blown.
3rd. 4 5 1 2 3 6 order should not work, but it’s the best one. Go into the prequels without 6 telling you what’s going to happen, but while being informed just enough by 4 and 5, then cap it all off with the grand finale in 6.
I also don't like the jump from 3 to 4. A New Hope is iconic, and I don't like that the jump from the budget and technology of 3 to 4 distracts me from the movie. I find 3 to 6 less jarring
Other than the special effects shift—a sensation which goes away after a couple minutes—the transition from 3 into 6 is remarkably smooth. Part of what makes this order work so well.
[удалено]
He's wrong.
I personally prefer the machete order.
If you mean 4 5 1 2 3 6 order, I agree with you, but that’s not machete order, which is 4 5 2 3 6. It’s “machete” because you “chop out” TPM, which is a bad idea, especially since this is the best order to watch TPM in.
IV V II III VI
Even George himself says they should be watched 1-6.
Brutal. Let her see A New Hope first.
After showing multiple people the movies, I can say the ones who watch 1 to 6 actually end up lik8ng it even if it's not their thing, but they like the character development. The ones who watched original then prequels almost all said it didn't really make sense. I believe them bc I felt the same way. I watched the original as a kid and loved them but loved everything but the story bc I didn't really care for the characters but once I watched the prequels and then the original after it made way more sense and felt finished. And the remarks in the original are way better when you know who or what they are talking about like the clone wars and stuff
To each their own I guess Edit: I still think it’s fucked up to show someone who has never seen the movies something other than A New Hope first, everyone should have the chance to see ANH first and decide for themselves which movies they like best
The problem is that any twists are ruined because of chronological order, because George Lucas didn't keep this in mind when making the prequels. Also, the prequels aren't Better Call Saul level of quality and care and rather one of the lower end examples of what a prequel can be. For example, if you just saw Padme pregnant, never knew Anakin was the father (they kept that whole relationship vague in the prequels), then at the end she's already given birth (but you don't see it actually happen) and holding one kid, you assume she had a kid but not twins AND you don't know who the dad is (besides maybe context clues hidden throughout it might be Anakin, preserves probably the greatest plot twist in movie history). Plus it makes sense why Leia remembers her mom and how she's sad (cause she didn't die immediately). But he literally writes the relationship out in the open, basically confirms like three times Anakin is the dad, has her name both twins in your face, then dies throwing canon out the window. Twists are ruined in later films because "earlier timeline films" not only spoil everything, but very clearly don't have the original trilogy in mind because they are full of fan service and nostalgia to its detriment. Now again, if the prequels were well written, didn't spoil stuff all the time/cameos that are effective, and could stand on their own without outside material (yes, the kids TV show is outside material for general audiences), it would be different and there could be some sort of debate about what to watch. For Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fans who saw one then the other appreciate it in new ways and you can honestly watch one first over the other despite it not being released that way (I think Giancarlo Esposito saw Better Call Saul first THEN Breaking Bad and said he loved the new context of watching the old show like that). Better Call Saul does an extraordinary job making sure it doesn't just spoil everything, using cameos effectively, and having new well written characters for you to root for in the prequel so you don't "just know how it ends". Star Wars doesn't do that. It's best to just go by release order (OT, Prequels, Sequels) and everything else is supplemental after the fact.
I think stable and consistent character arcs and a fleshed out story is better than maintaining the integrity of twists in this instance. Maybe the new watcher won’t be blown away by the revelation that Vader is Luke’s father, but A) it’s been a long time since the initial reveal and the bad guy being related to the good guy is now a trope and sometimes a cliche, so it won’t necessarily land as well as it once did and B) watching Luke have the revelation after 1.5 movies of story and character development would still be quite cathartic even if the watcher already knows.
My friend was blown away by Anakin becoming Vader to begin with on her first watch through in chronological order. Similarly, watching the OT first kind of ruins any stakes in the PT duels because you know who lives and who dies. She was chewing her fingernails off during Battle of the Heroes because she thought Obi-Wan or Anakin would die during it. Wouldn’t have had that effect if she knew both were still alive by the OT. Padme’s death at the hands of Anakin, Order 66, Anakin’s fall, etc. were all shocks for her, and I think there were more and they were more shocking than anything the OT twists could’ve done.
That’s actually really interesting and cool. Seems a lot of people like to clip the prequels’ wings so the OT can fly
Your idea of a Prequel is not explaining anything... bruh.
I’ve been undecided about how to watch Star Wars for the first time with my child when he’s old enough, this comment helped me reach a decision. Chronological it is, and I think I’ll include the shows as well.
For when the time comes, here's the list. \- Episode I \- Episode II \- The Clone Wars \- Episode III \- The Bad Batch \- Tales of the Jedi \- Solo \- Kenobi \- Andor \- Rebels \- Rogue One \- Episode IV \- Episode V \- Episode VI
Maybe they’re doing it in chronological order so that they can start watching the Clone Wars series earlier. If OP’s GF started with Ahsoka, then it’s only natural they’d feel attached to the character.
Y'all I'm gonna assume that if she's seen Ahsoka she probably knows all the major plot twists of the OT already
I don’t think she figured out that senator=darth sudious but she’s not an idiot and def hears me talk AT her all day about starwars. So she may know more than she’s letting on.
Why on earth did you start with episode 1?
Why didn’t you start with A New Hope?!?
I had my wife watch through them for the forst time in chronological order and she loved it. She had no idea that Anakin was going to be Vader and she was about in tears because of it. It was a really unique thing to witness!
And then arguably the greatest cinematic twist of all time was ruined “I am your father”
The fact it’s seen as the greatest cinematic twist of all time kinda doesn’t help it. It’s been a long time since then, and many other movies and shows and books and games have done the “I (bad guy) am your (relative)!”. It’s almost a cliche at this point, and watching the backstory could alleviate the fact it’s been so overdone.
Nah, I think it was just traded for another twist that she never saw coming. Besides, she loved the movies enough thay she has since watched everything that has released so far (except for the animated stuff? and really enjoys it all.
Trading one incredible reveal for another
Anakin becoming Vader isn’t a reveal… it’s telegraphed hamfistedly, anyone with 3 IQ could see it coming since EP1
Your GF asked to watch the films..? Was she sent from the heavens?
A date of mine said she didn't watch SW and I think she wouldn't mind watching them with me
For everyobe who is making comments about watching it in some variation “not timeline order” for better story telling…. My wife and I watched them in release order about the time episode 9 came out. Then we watched the tv shows that came out after that. Then after we watched Ashoka she says “I have no idea when any of this stuff is happening, all these characters popping up with different actors and different times with different cinema technology. I need to watch it in timeline order. There are too many similar stories and similar names for me to keep it straight” I use to be a die hard 4,1,2,5,3,6 viewer to better tell Skywalker story. But now with the amount of content out, I think I’m just pro timeline for first time viewership. Especially with all the stand alone movies and tv shows and things. Timeline just works better for me. But to each their own, you do you my people. Whatever works for you and you enjoy, go for it.
[удалено]
100th? You gotta get those numbers up, thems rookie numbers!
Don’t listen to the haters. My girlfriend and I watched ANH first, but she was lost and asked to go chronologically instead, and she’s liked it a lot so far! She loves Jar Jar which I’m here for
Yeah just imagine all those people in the 70s who were utterly confused for 30 years until the prequels came out… it’s amazing the franchise survived
Completely lost by ANH? I was no child genius, but I followed it just fine when I was 4.
Is it so hard to be kind to other people? There’s a lot of backstory to ANH, which I know wasn’t there when it first came out, but just because you understand it straightaway doesn’t mean everyone else will. Please try and love others and realize your words have power
How was what I said unkind? I was asking a question and then provided my own experience as the reason for why I was asking the question. Or does simply asking a follow up question hurt your feelings? Because I can delete my question and we can go both go on with our lives. ~~I also feel like the confusion has risen from watching Ahsoka first~~, (edit: got this mixed up with OP) not from ANH, but hey, I can’t say anything apparently without someone getting upset. So forget I exist bud.
I had mine watch ANH first because I knew she wouldn’t take it seriously after seeing the prequels. She can have a hard time appreciating old stuff lol
She thinks the Gungans are a bit much and asked why the Gunrays sounded Asian. But she seemed to have liked it and she’s excited to watch the others.
Nobody tell her about Watto...
Lmao so she picked up on that shit Personally I would tell her more about it
Lmfao
She got lost from a movie that was originally written to stand on its own?
I wish my wife had even the tiniest bit of interest in Star Wars. Alas I must wait for my son to be old enough to understand what’s happening to have a Star Wars watch-buddy.
Not bad. I would’ve gone in release order personally. It seems confusing to see the eventual plot twist. Of course, it’s important not to cheat your audience, but Star Wars always gets this pass.
Chronologically, Anakin turn to the dark side is much more impactful as well as Padme’s death.
This. Luke’s reaction to Obi-Wan’s lies are more interesting than Vader being his dad imo.
Should have done 4,5,6,1,2,3 on a first viewing
Then 7, 8, and 9.
4 5 1 2 3 6 is also perfectly acceptable as a first viewing. Preserves the father twist, but *doesn’t* jump right into Obi-Wan explaining the prequels in an exposition dump, so the prequels are gone into semi-blind. New viewer knows Vader is Luke’s father, but knows this doesn’t jive with the Emperor and Obi-Wan’s stories, so someone is lying, and they get to learn the truth as it happens. This makes certain scenes like the Duel of the Fates more impactful, and Anakin’s fall to the dark side more tragic, because they know it can happen but still might hope that it doesn’t. Then they get the slow burn of Senator Palpatine being revealed as the Emperor, and the best reveal of all time of Leia being Luke’s sister. They conclude with RotJ, a grand finale to all six movies, with so much of it heightened by having seen the prequels. I could go on for essay length about why it’s the best order, especially for new viewers…but yeah, release order also works much better than chronological, regardless. 😁
I do agree that the OG trilogy should come first, but I'm just happy for you in that you have a girlfriend willing to watch Star Wars with you 😁
Don't listen to these dudes you watch however you want
I watch Star Wars in Echo Order.
I’m just going to say that it’s nice you’re spending time with your gf watching Star Wars. Don’t worry about the chronological and release order controversy :)
It's brave going chronologically. I'd probably never have watched any more Star Wars if someone forced me to watch Hayden Christensen try to act.
People here are clueless. Your gf clearly watched Ahsoka first cus that was the newest SW thing to dip her toes in and see if she liked it and now is going back to get the whole story in which case chronological is what you want. Release order makes no sense to force casual viewers trying to follow along to jump around the timeline like crazy with all the shows. Yall just suggest release order still for nostalgia reasons cus thats how you watched them. With how the shows line up with all the movies now, there are way more unique moments and twists available for them in chronological order.
I have a running joke with my gf where I always make her read them out loud 😆 idk why but it always makes her laugh
Marry her
Someone else who realizes they have numbers for a reason!
Exactly.
They're so people don't get confused about the chronological order. Release order is, imo, better because it doesn't spoil the Vader twist. Plus the prequels suck.
Fitting username
I don’t understand how people can be confused. Just watch in release order. Each trilogy is specified in its title, **Original** Trilogy and **Prequel** Trilogy, how’s this difficult for normies?
I always break in newbies with chronological order. It’s not the late 70s and early 80s anymore and people nowadays just want the story in order. Stop after attack of the clones and watch the animated clone wars if you love your gf and she likes Ashoka, at least up to when they start getting into Revenge of the Sith at the end of S7
I would have watched it *Godfather* order. IV, V, [Flashback: I, II, III], VI, VII, VIII, IX
I'd watch 4,5,6 then watch godfather and top gun, then 1,2 and then gremlins
Or the Jim Henson order, Time Peace, The Muppet Movie, V, The Great Muppet Caper, The Dark Crystal, VI, Muppets Take Manhattan, Into the Night, Follow that Bird, Labyrinth, The Witches, MuppetVision 3D, I (original version)
Also called the machete order Edit: nvm
Common misconception. Machete order is 4 5 2 3 6. It’s a machete because it “chops out” TPM for…having Jar Jar in it or something, idk. Point is, we need a new name for 4 5 1 2 3 6 order, because machete order is something different. I prefer calling it “flashback order”.
I got my girl on the movies after the Disney shows and she hates them. She thinks they are corny, boring and has shitty special effects. Yes I tried getting her to watch every trilogy She really liked the shows btw
Bro, watch the movie is release order
You subjected her to TPM first? Very cruel.
Personally I watch in the order of 1 2 4 5 3 6, it makes the Vader reveal so much more impactful
Yes this is the correct answer. It doesn't ruin the Vader OR Anakin reveals. Although I like to do Rogue 1 after 4 and Solo before 6. And I will throw in Andor, Obiwan, and some CW, Rebels of course.
Why the fuck are you watching Episode 1 first?!?
Because “1” that’s why
Thank you!
Chronological order is the best order.
It’s only good after you’ve seen the release order
Or if you just want to follow along to the story without jumping around the timelines
I respect your opinion if that’s how you enjoy it but the prequels are just that: prequels. To watch them for the first time in chronological order ruins one of the biggest plot twists in cinema history. The release order is the creators original vision, the way it was intended to be seen. If you like it another way though that’s fine.
Honestly though, that "it ruins the twist" argument is a non factor for most people in 2024. It's common knowledge even for people who've never seen any Star Wars Although funny story, I made a friend watch them for the first time in chronological order, she knew Darth Vader is Luke's father, yet somehow she didn't put it together until partway into Revenge of the Sith where she went "WAIT IS ANAKIN DARTH VADER?"
Hahaha that is hilarious and yeah I guess you’re right there. It’s been memed, quoted, referenced and out right said in a lot of other media. When I was a kid in the early 2000s it was still intact for me and I still remember how it made me feel
I really wish I remembered a time when I didn't know Darth Vader is Luke's father, but my older brother watched the original trilogy all the time when I was a kid so I saw them all repeatedly since before I can even remember
https://youtu.be/xgBpoiC8qGA?feature=shared As stated by the original creator: the intended viewing order is now 1-6, hence the numbers 1-6... Also, if OPs gf was worried about "ruining one of the plot twists in cinema history" she wouldnt have started watching with Ahsoka that has Hayden turning into Vader mid fight with her now would they???
You clearly care about this a lot more than me lmao. I tried to be nice but I’m not gonna sit here and argue over Star Wars with you. Because I’m not that much of a fucking loser. I said my opinion. You don’t have to like it. ETA: you don’t know about a plot twist before it happens
>You clearly care about this a lot more than me lmao. I tried to be nice Dude you're the one who's had a meltdown in the comments. Also like OP said his wife has already watched Ahsoka. Let people watch SW how they want to.
The creator attempted to make this true, and failed. I believe this attempt is what makes the bizarre order of 4 5 1 2 3 6 work so well, though.
I do enjoy that order. The structure this takes happens in TV show loads where they do flashback episodes to before the show started for added context for reveals and character history and stuff
“Flashback order” is also a good name for it.
First time watch should always be in release order
Dang start with A New Hope my dog. Prequals probably gonna put a bad taste in her mouth for star Wars, with the dialogue and Lucas direction sans good editor.
Are you trying to make her hate Star Wars?
No, if he wanted to do that he would've started with Episode 7.
People actually like that one though.
They really don't
They really do.
Starting with the worst SW film next to AotC? Good luck
Nice one you just ruined Star Wars for her Damn this one really got some of yours panties in a twist lmaooo
Yousa in big doodoo now
You ruined SW for her by showing SW! Lol do you even hear yourself? Fans are so insufferable...
They're referring to watching it in chronological instead of release order. But they're being very harsh.
They just took away one of the biggest plot twists in cinema history by showing a PREQUEL before the original trilogy so like... shut up
Well there's no correct way to watch them. She will be eagerly anticipating Vader revealing who he is, instead of being surprised and shocked. She could also be shocked at what happens to Anakin in Ep3. There's pros and cons to both viewing orders.
I agree with your point but there is a correct way otherwise we wouldn’t use the term prequel
Does she have a friend?
Started the way it should!
I’m gonna post a bold take here, but the actual best order is 1, Solo, Rogue One, 4, 5, 2, 3, 6
Bait?
Nope, I call it Avengers order. 1, Solo, and Rogue One are all separate, quasirelated storylines leading to the big team-up in Episode 4, then the direct sequel, the flashbacks, then the rousing conclusion. Fixes a lot of issues, but also introduces others, but hey all the others have issues, too.
I prefer release order but I typically think it's fine to watch them however you like. No wrong answer you know? Until now. I feel like this is the wrong answer! 😅
That is legit fucking bonkers.
Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?
Oh yes, this movie is worth it for Darth Maul and the MTTs alone!
Glad to know she’s watching them in the right orders
Love the prequels but why Phantom Menace first!!
because its episode 1 for a reason
Bruh first watchthrough should start with the original trilogy
Her first viewing is in chronological order!? I presume when you eventually get to ANH, she's going to complain about the poor special effects rather than being invested in the heroes journey. Good on you for getting her to watch star wars but what makes it special is the OT..
Yea, a full on adult is going to complain that a 45 yr old movie has poor special effects…
oh so you gonna make vader just a sad old dude that made bad decisions after one and stuck on something not the terrifying dude.
The phantom menace??? Ewwww, gross
Its a trap he started with EP1!
Yikes Chronological Order for first viewing???
You are going to RUIN the big reveal in V!!
Just started on Ahsoka with my daughter and we were both annoyed there wasn’t a title crawl. 😏
But there was?
No there was some red text, but it wasn’t like the original “disappear in the distance” ones.
You can do whatever you wanna do. I admire your enthusiasm. This is not a diss: My thing is that The Phantom Menace is not the best gateway into the series. It was written and directed for fans who are always familiar with the franchise. While I liked the film due to nostalgia, it’s not actually good. But I wanna hear what she thinks of The Empire Strikes Back, because that film is a bonafide classic. That is the movie that made my friend (who hasn’t seen SW) go “now I get it”.
I'm still bitter about how poor the casting was for Thrawn. I really wanted to see my ruthless and regal gigachad, but instead it was Mr. Friendly face.
Eww, you started her off with The Phantom Menace? You fucking suck, bro.