This.
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So I Want To Get Into Star Wars
- Thread starter OraleeWey
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This.
That's what ROTS should have been on paper, but since the previous two films failed so hard on making you attached to basically any of the characters, there's almost no emotion present whatsoever. Several prominent people die and you feel pretty much nothing since they were cardboard cutouts to start with. The takeover of the old Republic as well as Anakin's turn are just so thin and poorly plotted that you're just like "Well, ok."
MilkyJoe
Member
Yeah it's not like they change the tone of the film and shit...
Now, if you want the originaL theatrical but the Harmy route is too much bother, then you can always buy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000K9KVYQ/
Spiritreaver
Member
So many agendas.
Just watch them by release order. If you come out of them ready to put on a Jedi robe or a blaster holster. Have fun with the plethora of shit to dive into after. Whether it's the canonical shows/books, Plinkett reviews, legacy material, comics, toy collecting, video games, etc.
You can see how the advice in the thread is all over the place. Not every Star Wars fan is the same.
Just watch them by release order. If you come out of them ready to put on a Jedi robe or a blaster holster. Have fun with the plethora of shit to dive into after. Whether it's the canonical shows/books, Plinkett reviews, legacy material, comics, toy collecting, video games, etc.
You can see how the advice in the thread is all over the place. Not every Star Wars fan is the same.
If you can watch the theatrical cuts of the film instead of the remastered versions, obviously go for that. Some of the changes/additions Lucas made are fairly harmless, like letting Ewoks blink, but some of the other ones are unnecessary and ruin scenes (Vader in ROTJ is all I'll say)
Inferno313
Banned
Fuck that. A New Hope is a superb film, and Lucas was making strong films before it. His output post A New Hope shouldn't diminish the fact that he was doing great things when he made it.
Lets not ignore the fact that A New Hope (or Star Wars, for the older folk) was saved in editing by people not named George Lucas. I think calling A New Hope a fluke is a perfectly valid thing to say.
Inferno313
Banned
While it's true the film had a troubled production, and the editors did a great job. The idea that Star Wars is unique in this is a bit of a myth. I'm a video editor myself, and the editing is often what makes or breaks anything. Every movie starts in a rough state and gets more and more polished as editing continues. I'm sure every director has a story of a project that they were worried about that ended up being "saved" in the edit room.
Duane Cunningham
Member
Thanks for doing this! I'm actually going through it all myself (I've seen all the films a million times, but haven't touched anything else on the list), and reading the film novelizations where the films go on the list.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
No, George Lucas also helped edit the film. Its not like he wasnt there as his Oscar winning 3 person edit team went to work.
Its a "fluke" in that no one thought his goofy kids movie would be the single biggest film of all time (for awhile)
BFIB
Member
As many others have said, just shut your mind off to all the negativity and enjoy the ride. Especially since your seeing it for the first time, a lot of the changes probably won't bother you any.
Go 4,5,6, then 1,2,3. Just expect a dip in quality on Episode 2.
But its a damn fun ride!
Go 4,5,6, then 1,2,3. Just expect a dip in quality on Episode 2.
But its a damn fun ride!
Lionheart1827
Member
Yup, my Dad was just telling me the other day about when him and my Mom were seeing the commercials for Star wars back in the 70s and were thinking "WTF is this shit? What is that a talking dog? This is gonna bomb so hard!"
Then they saw it and it exploded in popularity.
To OT, watch 4, 5, and 6, and then watch 1, 2, 3 to formulate your own opinions on the series. The prequels aren't as good, but they're action packed and have excellent John Williams scores.
This. Sometimes I think GAF is just full of grumpy old men that truly hate stuff with all their hearts. Star Wars is a fun ride on all 6 movies. It's a set of movies directed primarily to kids, with some pretty heavy and dark scenes (Expecially in the prequels).
"Do not watch da prequels, son! You won't like what I don't like and there's no way you could have a different opinion!"
Fuck that noise. Star Wars is one of those series where you just turn off your brain and enjoy the ride. All 6 movies are good.
Ugh, no, you really shouldn't do that. I can understand where some people are coming from when they say that people should not bother with the prequels but it is never a good idea to just turn off your brain when you are watching movies.
darkazcura
Member
Buy blu-ray set. Find a way to get the Despecialized edition and go from there.
graffix13
Member
Agree.
I would say watch the movies as they were released. However another good way to watch might be: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6.
JimtotheHum
Member
I will be honest with you, deep down I don't even think Lucas felt the prequels worked.
Two characters: Jar Jar Binks and Syfo-Dyas.
Jar Jar was meant to be a main character throughout the prequels, but Lucas realized what a thoroughly annoying character he created, and pushed him to the background.
Syfo-dyas was the big one though. Everything Obi-Wan did in episode two came back to this character. He was pivotal to the mystery of the clone wars. Guess what? Episode 3 came along and not a mention. I think Lucas realized that he had done such a poor job setting up that mystery that no one gave a shit, so he completely axed one of the main narrative threads of Episode 2.
You can see Lucas realizing his screw-ups and trying to right a sinking ship throughout the prequels.
Two characters: Jar Jar Binks and Syfo-Dyas.
Jar Jar was meant to be a main character throughout the prequels, but Lucas realized what a thoroughly annoying character he created, and pushed him to the background.
Syfo-dyas was the big one though. Everything Obi-Wan did in episode two came back to this character. He was pivotal to the mystery of the clone wars. Guess what? Episode 3 came along and not a mention. I think Lucas realized that he had done such a poor job setting up that mystery that no one gave a shit, so he completely axed one of the main narrative threads of Episode 2.
You can see Lucas realizing his screw-ups and trying to right a sinking ship throughout the prequels.
gutter_trash
Banned
Syfo-Dyas.??? who dat? I watched the prequals and have no idea who this character is?
is the writing that bad that a character slipped mass audience?
Bobby Roberts
Banned
This really shouldn't be a 6 page thread, full of arcane instructions.
It's not like Star Wars is hard to get into.
"I want to get into Star Wars."
Buy the box set. Start with the one that came out in 1977. Go forward from there.
Either you'll get into Star Wars, or you won't. There's no secret to it. There's no real catch. Everything else is a matter of degrees past that point.
plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett
It's not like Star Wars is hard to get into.
"I want to get into Star Wars."
Buy the box set. Start with the one that came out in 1977. Go forward from there.
Either you'll get into Star Wars, or you won't. There's no secret to it. There's no real catch. Everything else is a matter of degrees past that point.
plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett
JimtotheHum
Member
Syfo-Dyas was the one that ordered the Clone Army to be made. The person that Obi Wan was seeking out in Episode 2.
The fact that you have no idea who he is proves my point. Haha
The fact that you have no idea who he is proves my point. Haha
FaintDeftone
Junior Member
I say just grab the BluRay set, start with Episode 4 and do not start the prequels until after you finish Return of the Jedi. The films are better without the changes, but they're not that big of a deal if you ask me. The BD set is easily accessible so I say just grab it and enjoy.
gutter_trash
Banned
oh shit! a name dropping in Episode 2 then everyone shrugs it off as a name drop lol
poor Lucas, he so bad at writing
This really shouldn't be a 6 page thread, full of arcane instructions.
It's not like Star Wars is hard to get into.
"I want to get into Star Wars."
Buy the box set. Start with the one that came out in 1977. Go forward from there.
Either you'll get into Star Wars, or you won't. There's no secret to it. There's no real catch. Everything else is a matter of degrees past that point.
plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett plinkett
"I want to get into Star Wars", isn't the focus of this thread. I'm asking, how to do it.
By popular suggestions, should be Blu-Ray set, watch 4,5,6 first, then my choice of either watching 1,2,3 or not (will give it a go). After that go from there. Lots of members here gave me great info, so I will come back to this thread for "canon" after I watched it for the first time.
DontBeThatGuy
Member
This. Sometimes I think GAF is just full of grumpy old men that truly hate stuff with all their hearts. Star Wars is a fun ride on all 6 movies. It's a set of movies directed primarily to kids, with some pretty heavy and dark scenes (Expecially in the prequels).
"Do not watch da prequels, son! You won't like what I don't like and there's no way you could have a different opinion!"
Fuck that noise. Star Wars is one of those series where you just turn off your brain and enjoy the ride. All 6 movies are good.
Are you a special human, with the ability to shut out all thought while watching a film? Teach us thinking mortals this magic, you wizard. I guess If the prequels weren't consistently smacking you in the face with ridiculous dialogue, questionable storyline developments, boring action, and terrible acting oozing no charisma and chemistry, it might be possible to suddenly become a braindead zombie to enjoy these movies. As an adult.
I just want to interject and plug these excellent fan-made documentaries. If OP or anyone wants to dig more into the making of the original movies after watching them, check these out. They're culled together from all the existing documentary and behind-the-scenes footage, images, etc.
Star Wars Begins
Building Empire
Returning to Jedi
Star Wars Begins
Building Empire
Returning to Jedi
Indeed,
I find them super annoying and the stupid rape act and "jokes" is retarded.
I prefer http://confusedmatthew.com/star-wars-prequels.html for fun reviews.
maquiladora
Member
No need to overthink it. Just watch the original trilogy on blu-ray. If you become a big fan then sure go back and rewatch the different versions and compare the little changes here and there. But no need to stress over that on your first viewing.
For something to be "emotionally important", you have to actually feel something toward what is happening, which requires emotional investment in the characters and their fates. I care about what happens to Luke and gang, I want to see them succeed, and don't give a damn about anyone in the prequels.
Make the stakes in a drama as big (or small) as you want – it only matters to the extent you care about the characters.
Well, he wasn't really a character in the movie.
Since it is mentioned that Syfo-Dyas died many years ago, I think most people thought it was just another alias used by Sidious.
Dreams-Visions
Member
fixed.
the only people who suggest watching 1-3 are people who were like 7 when they came out (as that was about the target audience considering the awful characters and character development, poorly-aging CG, weak storyline and weaker acting).
avoid the prequels if you enjoy 4-6. 1-3 offer nothing that you couldn't have inferred by watching 4-6 and the things that did happen don't actually add any real value to the overall story. the small fillers they offer to the background story aren't worth the degradation in overall value to the franchise itself or your perception of it.
the end.
watch 4-6, and watch them at high volume levels. The musical score is literally half the experience for those 3 films. If you have surround sound, I recommend getting a copy with DTS surround sound. Avoid the CG-infested "enhanced" editions that came out a few years back. For the original trio, I'd recommend getting your hands on this edition:
http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/18/6030725/star-wars-hd-despecialized-edition
Best available right now.
Natureboy99
Banned
Watching prequels first
will give you surprises too. The events of epidode 3 would be pretty shocking through and through. Great build up to episode 4.
MilkyJoe
Member
And ruin Episode 5
Dreams-Visions
Member
No, absolutely not.
They ruin the surprise/cliffhanger relationship reveal at the end of Episode 5.
What is wrong with some of you people. I'm pretty close to concluding that half of you recommending this guy watch the Prequels are trolls.
Exactly.
Make something as grimdark as you want, it just comes off as silly if there's no emotional investment.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
I suggest watching 1-3 because one might end up liking them whereas I overall didn't. But just because I didn't doesn't mean it won't click with someone else.
The need to type people based on their opinions on movies is weird. I can suggest a movie without being a "certain kind of person," and I can prefer one movie over another (while still not actually really enjoying EITHER movie) without it being the pat, immutable answer to a contrived equasion that "explains" what's "really going on" with my decision-making process.
We're just talking Star Wars here.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
Watch them 4 5 6. Then 2 and 3.
Then buy a fifth of whiskey and watch episode 1.
The prequels are garbage at story telling but they're still a good time and pretty good with world building, so if you love star wars for the universe and not just the characters the prequels actually have some great stuff.
Then buy a fifth of whiskey and watch episode 1.
The prequels are garbage at story telling but they're still a good time and pretty good with world building, so if you love star wars for the universe and not just the characters the prequels actually have some great stuff.
Dreams-Visions
Member
No, you're with the 90% of adults who watched them and saw 1-3 for what they were: shit, through and through. Bad acting performances, bad storylines, bad character development, bad character concepts. Even the CG is looking hella dated. They fucked them up the same way the fucked up the last Indiana Jones movie: by forgetting what made them enjoyable in the first place and failing to reproduce the formula.
All of the above are easy for children to digest, but hard for adults with any sort of discriminating taste. Only thing good about the prequels was Duel of the Fates and John Williams' score.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
Rewatch the duel of the fates, it's really fucking bad. It just gets out of hand so quick and lasts wayyyyy too fucking long. There is awesome suspense as the beginning and at the end but like 80% of it is just "oh uh I guess now they're rope swinging over magma?"
Natureboy99
Banned
Since most of us never experienced them in 1-6 order, we think 4-6, 1-3 is the most dramatic and shocking. Episide 3 was ruined by 4-6 if you think about it. And there are A LOT more things going on in 3 that would be shocking vs just the 1 thing that's shocking in 5 and 6.
Episide 3 shocks without seeing 4-6:
Palpatine is the sith lord
Anakin going dark side, does many dark things
Jedi getting obliterated
Padme dies
Obiwan defeats Anakin
Anaking turns into the monster Darth Vader
Yoda is defeated, flees into exile
Anakin going dark side, does many dark things
Jedi getting obliterated
Padme dies
Obiwan defeats Anakin
Anaking turns into the monster Darth Vader
Yoda is defeated, flees into exile
Episode 5, 6 shocks without seeing prequels
Vader is Lukes Father
Luke and Leah are siblings
Luke and Leah are siblings
Inferno313
Banned
Isn't Dual of the Fates the musical piece that plays over the Darth Maul fight?
You can be an adult and enjoy the prequels. I bet you if you went and asked all the adults at celebration this past weekend the overwhelming majority would tell you they like the prequels.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
You know what, I change my mind I think 100% agree with you.
Watching them in 1-6 order really makes the whole series feel like Anakins journey. Not Lukes journey with a backstory.
Also it changes the tone of a lot of the Tatooine scenes in episode 4 to be less mysterious and a bit more grim to think about.
I thought it was both used as the title of that song and the name of the episode 3 duel. So yeah my bad lol.
ActuallyHulk
Banned
Yeah, and to be fair parts of it did play during that final battle. However the music playing during that specific part was different but quite similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzVBqBosf5w - Duel of the Fates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pcSHcCYtaI - Pretty Spoilery Song Title (this is what plays during most of that fight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIl7-rDOuTM - This also played during that fight.
Chezzymann
Member
Eh, they come pretty close. Some of the character interaction scenes look like a TV movie on Nickelodeon.
RPGCrazied
Member
Yeah, definitely watch 4, 5, and 6 first. The prequels aren't bad, but the first one is all sorts of wrong. I didn't like it, to jar jar, to the annoying little kid playing Anakin. The Darth Maul fight was the saving grace for the whole movie.
No need to be a jackass. It's not like the OT is some sort of ultimate cinema experience. Let's not forget the originals have plenty of dumbass moments, bad acting and idiotic situations.
[Han: "Hey! Open up the door to the shield generator! I'm one of you, I swear!"
Guard: "Sure! I don't even have to ask you for identification. You covering half your face clearly says you are one of us!"
Han: "Yes, the rebels are all dead. I swear to God."
Guard: "Okay! Let's allow this guy into the Death Star shield generator!"
Guard 2: "What's his name again? What's his Unit number?"
Guard: "Who cares. He said the rebels are all dead."
Guard: "Sure! I don't even have to ask you for identification. You covering half your face clearly says you are one of us!"
Han: "Yes, the rebels are all dead. I swear to God."
Guard: "Okay! Let's allow this guy into the Death Star shield generator!"
Guard 2: "What's his name again? What's his Unit number?"
Guard: "Who cares. He said the rebels are all dead."
Some people take Star Wars just waaaay too seriously, and the OT gets a fuckton of free passes by purists and fanboys. All 6 movies have serious issues. That doesn't mean they are not fun.
And let's not forget the absolute idiotic moment of Han chasing away the Stormtroopers. Fanboys can make all the mental gymnastics they want about this scene ("They were leading them into a trap!"), but it was just stupid. If this scene was on the prequels instead, it would get massively shat upon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raF9wfPxir8
Bullshit. At this point in time there is no one who doesn't know that spoiler anyways.
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