Watch A New Hope (IV) first. One of the most quotable movies of the series second only to the Empire Strikes Back (V).
You guys are missing out. I don't know if you aren't watching out of spite or the genre really doesn't interest you. You should really give it a try.
I'll be making my way through the series as well. I have never seen the originals, however I do believe I made my way through a couple of the prequels.
I gave it two tries, once when I was 13 years old another time when I was 22 years old. Both times I binge watched IV, V & VI, and I still don't know the plot. I don't know what it is about the movies that I just can't remember plot details. I can remember scenes but have no clue of their context.
The problem with the prequels were character development. All of the characters were stiff with little or no personality. They completely screwed up Anikan Skywalker IMO by not giving him more of a Harrison Ford type of Swashbuckling personality but he was always so serious with a very brooding yet vanilla personality. They had the perfect reason to make his personality different then the other Jedi just because he started his training so late. The relationship between him and Padme was also bungled pretty bad. The special effects were awesome and the bad guys were fine as was Obiwan. The original trilogy had a much more romanticized plot. Rebels trying to overthrow corrupt empire. There was a live story between rebel and princess. There was the mystery of the Jedi that everyone thought was extinct. The story was just superior. And then there was the big mystery about Darth Vader. It was just a superior story with superior character development and characters with a lot more personality.
Agree with this order. And if you want to watch all 6 then: 4,5,1,2,3,6. 4 starts it. 5 is the turning point and 6 is the end. Until 7 ;-)
I didn't care about Star Wars at all growing up. I never really 'got it' watching on TV personally. But I was seriously wowed when they had a re-showing of the original trilogy in theaters. While I'm still not a die hard fan or anything, I get why it resonates with a lot of people. It's on the shortlist of movies (IV, V, and yes, even VI) I remember walking out of the theater amazed. There's something very simple and classic at it's core IMHO even with the sci-fi trappings. IV in particular is a very complete movie if it had to stand on it's own for kids and adults alike. If they do a marathon for the originals at your local theater leading up to VII, I highly recommend checking them out.
I thought the special effects looked like ****. Everything seemed to lack texture, was sterile and superimposed.
Saw the first one when it was re-released in theaters a while back. Rather watch Rockets lose 10 games in a row then sit through that boring garbage again.
You have to keep in mind that the movie was made in the 70's. The universe that the original trilogy created is deep and amazing.
You know it's a good movie if they made a pr0n version of it. oh.. and that Chewie is one naughty giant ewok. Spoiler
I guess I would be one of the few to advise to watch them in order. It seems silly to start a story in the middle and then go back to the beginning. I wouldn't read a book that way either. Look at it this way. It's a lot like Breaking Bad. Every season got better and better until you reach Season 5 where it drops off slightly but is still damn good.:grin:
Except that I, II and III completely blow the plot twist in V. And that plot twist was one of the most mind blowing surprises in cinema when watched without prior knowledge. I agree with a few others here. Machete order: IV, V, II, III, VI Phantom Menace is practically irrelevant to the overall story unless you just really really need to see Darth Vader as a 7 year old boy who wins pod races and yells "YIPPEE!!!"
Honestly, if you're not going to watch all the prequels, at least watch Episode III. I think it gives you a good flavor for the whole "I will finish what you started...." stuff you hear from Kylo Ren in the previews for Episode VII. It sets a lot of context for the foundation of who and what Darth Vader was...and what the Emperor was trying to accomplish with him.
So I "Purchased" the complete saga on Blu-ray. I'm hearing 4, 5, 2, 3, 6 is the way to go, and skip 1 completely because it sucks. Thoughts?