Current Events > What order should I next watch for Star Wars

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What would you say is a good order to watch Star Wars (not as someone who hasn't watched it before, just as a way of watching all of them before Ep 8)

I've seen this order which intrigues me:

Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 1 (optional)
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 6
Episode 7

Episode 2 and 3 basically act as a flash back in this scenario after ESB. And where would you place Rogue One?

Or

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Rogue One
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7

Release Order of course

Episode 4-6
Episode 1-3
Episode 7
Rogue One

What other variations would be interesting to watch all 8 films before Episode 8?
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I would watch 1 through 6 first. that way you get Anakin's full story

(people will tell you that episode 1 isn't important. they're wrong - it's necessary to show him at his most innocent for his full character arc to be realized)
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Machete order is garbage and needs to never be mentioned again

I say just watch the OT and TFA. If you must watch the prequels watch them in episode order so you can get through that garbage as quickly as possible.

averagejoel posted...

I would watch 1 through 6 first. that way you get Anakin's full story

(people will tell you that episode 1 isn't important. they're wrong - it's necessary to show him at his most innocent for his full character arc to be realized)

Oh, I'm not one who hasn't seen the story before, I've seen the films. Just wondering what others may suggest for ways to watch it now that Episode 7 and Rogue One are in the mix.

So with your suggestion of Ep1-6, would you put Rogue one after 3 and before 4, or would you do it after 6?
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Release order.

Almost always the right answer.
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TheDarkCircle posted...

Machete order is garbage and needs to never be mentioned again

I say just watch the OT and TFA. If you must watch the prequels watch them in episode order so you can get through that garbage as quickly as possible.

Have you watched it in Machete order?
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TheDarkCircle posted...

Machete order is garbage and needs to never be mentioned again

I say just watch the OT and TFA. If you must watch the prequels watch them in episode order so you can get through that garbage as quickly as possible.

I agree, it's a stupid ass order to watch in
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AlCalavicci posted...

averagejoel posted...

I would watch 1 through 6 first. that way you get Anakin's full story

(people will tell you that episode 1 isn't important. they're wrong - it's necessary to show him at his most innocent for his full character arc to be realized)

Oh, I'm not one who hasn't seen the story before, I've seen the films. Just wondering what others may suggest for ways to watch it now that Episode 7 and Rogue One are in the mix.

So with your suggestion of Ep1-6, would you put Rogue one after 3 and before 4, or would you do it after 6?

I could go either way honestly.

are we including Clone Wars and Rebels in this? because those change things too
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averagejoel posted...

I would watch 1 through 6 first. that way you get Anakin's full story

(people will tell you that episode 1 isn't important. they're wrong - it's necessary to show him at his most innocent for his full character arc to be realized)

Personally, and I know I'm in the minority in this, I'd say Epi 1 is probably the best of the prequels. It has practical sets and effects which just look better than II and III. CERTAINLY better than episode II which is just a massive eye sore.

It has solid acting. Well directed, cleanly shot action scenes. Real choreography to the lightsaber duel, and the pod race scene is still fun. It terms of aesthetic it's the one that "feels" the most like the OT. Even if the costumes and ships and stylings are different.

It's problem is it's really boring for long stretches and Jar Jar is the worst. Kid Anakin is silly but overly criticized. It's not a great movie, but it's capably made. More than I can say for episodes II and III imo.

averagejoel posted...

AlCalavicci posted...

averagejoel posted...

I would watch 1 through 6 first. that way you get Anakin's full story

(people will tell you that episode 1 isn't important. they're wrong - it's necessary to show him at his most innocent for his full character arc to be realized)

Oh, I'm not one who hasn't seen the story before, I've seen the films. Just wondering what others may suggest for ways to watch it now that Episode 7 and Rogue One are in the mix.

So with your suggestion of Ep1-6, would you put Rogue one after 3 and before 4, or would you do it after 6?

I could go either way honestly.

are we including Clone Wars and Rebels in this? because those change things too

I've never seen Clone Wars or Rebels, and was not considering it part of the discussion. I guess I mainly mean theatrical.

I never got around to watching the show and feel like it's too large of a time commitment to do so.
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AlCalavicci posted...

TheDarkCircle posted...

Machete order is garbage and needs to never be mentioned again

I say just watch the OT and TFA. If you must watch the prequels watch them in episode order so you can get through that garbage as quickly as possible.

Have you watched it in Machete order?

yeah. Honestly, the machete order only exists because AotC and RotS suck and PT apologists are trying to find a way to make it connect to the OT even tho it very clearly fails to do so outside of using the SW branding imo

I personally enjoyed watching the films in machete order, although I had already seen everything in release order (and the original trilogy numerous times) before watching the films that way.

Release order always works.

If you want to tinker, I would say 4-5-2-3-6-RO-1-7.

tiornys posted...

I personally enjoyed watching the films in machete order, although I had already seen everything in release order (and the original trilogy numerous times) before watching the films that way.

Release order always works.

If you want to tinker, I would say 4-5-2-3-6-RO-1-7.

That's a strange order. What's the argument for that order?
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Tbh I like chronological order the best
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AlCalavicci posted...

tiornys posted...

I personally enjoyed watching the films in machete order, although I had already seen everything in release order (and the original trilogy numerous times) before watching the films that way.

Release order always works.

If you want to tinker, I would say 4-5-2-3-6-RO-1-7.

That's a strange order. What's the argument for that order?

yeah i'd be interested in that argument as well. If did include RO in a machete order (even tho I admit to hating it), it would probably make sense to do it:

RO-ANH-ESB-TPM*-AotC-RotS- ROTJ-TFA

TPM being optional

Rogue One is a prequel to 4, but (as with many prequels) is arguably best watched after watching the original film. The logic of machete order treats episode 1 the same way in regards to episodes 2-3. 7 last because it's the start of a completely new story arc that will be continued in 8.

tiornys posted...

Rogue One is a prequel to 4, but (as with many prequels) is arguably best watched after watching the original film. The logic of machete order treats episode 1 the same way in regards to episodes 2-3. 7 last because it's the start of a completely new story arc that will be continued in 8.

So it's basically treating RO and Ep 1 as a footnote to Machete order, and then bringing it back to Ep 7
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AlCalavicci posted...

So it's basically treating RO and Ep 1 as a footnote to Machete order, and then bringing it back to Ep 7

That's a good way of putting it, yes.

I think that's a strong point that RO should be watched after Episode 4, unless you just did a watch through of all the movies right before another watch through, or if you just know Ep 4 like the back of your hand. Whether you are new to the series, or just haven't watched the movies in a while, watching RO after Ep 4 gives you a better appreciation of what's included in RO imo.
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just watch em in timeline order
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Release order is always best even if you've already seen it unless it's just for shits and giggles.
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3
7
1
4
2
6
5
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4
5
6

then play the jedi knight games
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What is machete order?
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blahblahfatbomb posted...

What is machete order?

It's basically watching 4, then 5, then 2, then 3, then 6. 1 is optional to watch between 5 and 2.

The idea is that you watch the first two movies of the OT, then with the "downer ending" of ESB, you watch 2 and 3 as a flashback to "flesh out" the store of Anakin and how he became Vader. Then you close out the series with 6.
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blahblahfatbomb posted...

What is machete order?

If you're interested in the creator's thoughts: http://www.nomachetejuggling.com/2011/11/11/the-star-wars-saga-suggested-viewing-order/

I used to be a fan of machete order, and I still think it's a decent way of experiencing the Star Wars saga as a first time viewer, but now I personally think release order is definitely the best way to go. Episode 6 still gets some of its twists spoiled by viewing the PT first. Plus it just feels a lot more cohesive as a whole when you watch the respective trilogies together.

Machete order still has its merits though, like ending the saga on a high note with RotJ. In NO way does watching it chronologically (1-6) should be done on a first time viewing. It's fine on future rewatches, but it's a HUGE disservice to have a newbie watch the PT first before the OT. ANH introduces the universe so much better than TPM, and for obviously having the plot twists in ESB and RotJ being completely spoiled.