Poll: In which order should you show someone the Star Wars films?

[Moloch Sacrifice]

I have a friend who was recently watching the entire Star Wars series with his girlfriend. He, like myself, is very familiar with the series, but she has somehow managed to never see it, even to the point of not knowing major plot moments (we actually referenced "I am your father", and were met by a blanker face than if we'd said it to a sheep).
However, I was surprised to learn that he was going to lead with the prequels, then follow with the original trilogy. His reasoning is to "get the worst out of the way", but I'd worry if it spoils the pacing of the original trilogy, or worse yet puts her off.

What do you think? Original trilogy first or Prequels first?

 

[Thaluikhain]

Original trilogy, then don't bother. If you must, then the prequels.

 

[Zontar]

Original trilogy, then don't bother. If you must, then the prequels.

Basically this. The movies are enjoyable, but if you watch the Prequels first then what you're getting set up for isn't a good sci-fi fantasy story but a special effects fest. Hell, I'll even say stick to the theatrical versions if you can, keeps ep 5's opening nice and 6's better.

 

[Drummodino]

Original trilogy first. You don't want to ruin them for her with the god awful prequels.

 

[Carnage95]

Like many have said, the Original Trilogy first. Don't even bother with the prequels, especially since they ruin the plot twist/reveal in The Empire Strikes Back.

 

[JoJo]

I'd do it in an order I read about on a blog: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6. Best of both worlds, starts with the strong 4 and 5 and doesn't ruin the twist in the latter, treats the prequels as an extended flashback to show how 4 and 5 were set up and finishes with the final showdown between the Rebels and the Empire in 6. 1 can also be dropped if the episode isn't to your taste, since it adds very little to overall storyline, but it's among my favourites so I included it.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Original trilogy yo. Wouldn't bother with the prequels. Maybe show them Phantom Menace just to scare them off.

 

[Moloch Sacrifice]

I'd do it in an order I read about on a blog: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6. Best of both worlds, starts with the strong 4 and 5 and doesn't ruin the twist in the latter, treats the prequels as an extended flashback to show how 4 and 5 were set up and finishes with the final showdown between the Rebels and the Empire in 6. 1 can also be dropped if the episode isn't to your taste, since it adds very little to overall storyline, but it's among my favourites so I included it.

That... that is actually a pretty good idea. I only included the other options in the poll for the lulz, but this way really has some benefits. Not only does it help keep the tension up for episode 6, but it also times the reveal of Darth Vader's backstory perfectly, where he would otherwise be an elemental force of evil, and difficult to empathise with. It also allows you to watch the prequels before the climax, without setting up the expectations of glorious CG coming out of every orifice. Of course, whether you would actually want to watch the prequels is a matter of personal taste.

 

[Barbas]

I would also only bother with the original trilogy. There's just something about stop-motion animation and those old characters. Han and the crew are just more interesting and easier to get along with.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

Lead in with the Christmas Special, and then Caravans of Courage, and finish on a high with Blackstar Warrior

In fact, everyone needs to watch this now:

 

[Auberon]

I don't suppose your friend has an option of the proper 1977 cut where Han shoots Greedo in self-defense, without the latter missing point-blank? It keeps IV at very least more consistent.

 

[Pikey Mikey]

4-5-6-1-2-3 Just because if you show them the prequels first, the whole plot-twist with Darth Vader won't have any impact. Although I don't know how valid that is anymore, Star Wars is so well known that even a person that doesn't know what the hell Star Wars IS, at least knows that Darth Vader is Luke's father.

Captcha: Roommate Agreement... Seems oddly fitting =P

 

[sanquin]

Some of the plot points from the original movies rely on you not knowing about the plot of the prequels yet. So definitely the original ones first.

 

[1066]

There's an order I've heard about. I believe it's called the Machete sequence, or somesuch. Either way:

Remove Episode 1 from the order entirely and/or go back to it later.

Then: 4,5,2,3,6.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I opt for option C: Gift them Knights of the Old Republic via steam. They can grab Sith Lords after on their own if the interest is held.

Seriously though, original trilogy followed by the Knights of the Old Republic games (if they're into that kind of game anyway). I would skip the prequel trilogy and go back to the Darth Bane books. Just WALLOW in Old Republic books and lore while it's still available.

 

[Leemaster777]

A friend recently asked me this exact same question as well (same setup with the girlfriend as well). I went with the original trilogy, then the prequels. Well... at least episode 1. Not a fan at ALL of episode 2, and I never bothered with 3.

I'd do it in an order I read about on a blog: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6. Best of both worlds, starts with the strong 4 and 5 and doesn't ruin the twist in the latter, treats the prequels as an extended flashback to show how 4 and 5 were set up and finishes with the final showdown between the Rebels and the Empire in 6. 1 can also be dropped if the episode isn't to your taste, since it adds very little to overall storyline, but it's among my favourites so I included it.

This... is actually a good idea too. If I ever decide to do an all-day Star Wars marathon, I'll give this a try. Seems like an interesting way to view it.

 

[Saltyk]

I'd do it in an order I read about on a blog: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6. Best of both worlds, starts with the strong 4 and 5 and doesn't ruin the twist in the latter, treats the prequels as an extended flashback to show how 4 and 5 were set up and finishes with the final showdown between the Rebels and the Empire in 6. 1 can also be dropped if the episode isn't to your taste, since it adds very little to overall storyline, but it's among my favourites so I included it.

As others have said, this is a great idea. I would have just said originals than the prequels, personally. But this is a rather intelligent set up.

For the record, I rather enjoyed the prequels. Mostly for the fights and music and the fact that I love Star Wars way too much. I basically grew up with it. Wasn't a fan of whiny emo Anakin in Episode 3, though. That's the only thing that really annoyed me. Fight between him and Obi-Wan was still pretty good, though.

 

[Hero of Lime]

Originals then the prequels. If she really enjoys the first trilogy, then I would like to know what she thinks of the prequels without having the notion that they somehow killed her childhood.

I definitely prefer the originals, no question, but I have a sneaking suspicion that since she didn't have any prior exposure to the series, she won't mind the prequels that much.