------------
I'm watching the Star Wars movies (again) and have come to a problem: what order to watch them. Should I watch them in episode order or chronological order?
Episode order is starting with Episode 1 and following with 2, 3, 4, 5, and (wait for it) 6. The problem with this order is that it removes the suspense of the biggest cliffhanger (and also the most misquoted line) in movie history: "No, I am your father."
Chronological order is the order in which they were released: 4, 5, 6, then 1, 2, and 3. The issue with this order is there is no tension in the newer trilogy. We already know how the story ends.
Now, before I go further, it should be noted that I am a fan of the original trilogy, but not so much of the newer. Too much CGI, too much love story, too much Hayden Christensen. Yet, the new trilogy is a part of George Lucas' vision for the story, so as a true Star Wars fan, I put up with it. But back to my original question: viewing order.
I've recently found online an order which disposes with the problems stated above, and highlights a few items that are not apparent with the other viewing orders. It's called "Machete Order". The reason for the name will become apparent in a moment.
Machete Order is this: Episode 4, 5, 2, 3, and 6. No, I haven't missed anything. Read that order again. I repeat, I haven't missed anything. Episode 1 is not there. It's been cut out (like with a machete... get it?) Why?
Episode I: The Phantom Menace tells of Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kinobi discovering a young Anakin Skywalker. They also meet up with Padme Amidala, queen of Naboo. They also find out along the way that the Sith (the ancient bad guys who practice the dark side of the Force) have returned. So how can I just get rid of this film?
None of the plot points in Phantom Menace are necessary to the overall plot of the series. Anything that is important is introduced again (sometimes even better) in the other films. We don't need to know that Qui-Gon Jinn was Obi-Wan's master. We don't need a love story between a 14 year old and a 9 year old. We don't need to have a half hour of pod racing. We don't need Jake Lloyd. (Don't know who that is? Google is your friend.) We don't need Jar Jar Binks.
Now, you can watch Phantom Menace after you've watched the others. See it as bonus material: cool, but not necessary to the story.
So, now that we've cut out over 2 hours of movie to watch, that leaves us with the order of the others. George had it right when he filmed Episode 4: A New Hope first. It's has the strongest story that is able to introduce the characters. In my opinion, Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back is stronger, but would be a difficult place to start. So, you watch them back-to-back, which then ends with the infamous cliffhanger. Where to go from here?
To a flashback, of course. To Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. It introduces us to Anakin as a cocky, whiny teenager (much like Luke in Episode 4). Also, we see Padme as an old friend of Anakin's. Their age difference isn't as shocking here as it was in Episode 1, so the thought of them being an item isn't creepy.
This leads directly to Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. We see Anakin fall to the dark side. Luke and Leia are born, which is a big reveal in itself. Padme dies. Yoda fails to defeat Emperor Palpatine. Obi-Wan goes into exile in order to protect the children of Anakin.
So, now we finish to story with the film that ties everything together: Episode 6: The Return of the Jedi. We see Luke as a fully-trained Jedi, dressed in black, just as his father had. In his dealings with Jabba the Hutt, Luke seems a bit ruthless, as if he is using the dark side of the Force. In fact, that possibility is made stronger now when the Emperor urges Luke to use his anger to kill. Yoda also tells Luke "do not underestimate the Emperor." Now that we've seen Yoda fail in his fight with Palpatine, this statement has more meaning.
I could get deeper into this topic and go longer (a lot longer), but I'll just stop here. Are there problems with this order? Sure. But there are more positives here than negatives, which can be passed by with little effect on the story. Let's just say that this seems like a much better order for the story than either chronological or episodal.
Now, where do I fit my copy of the Holiday Special?
Now, before I go further, it should be noted that I am a fan of the original trilogy, but not so much of the newer. Too much CGI, too much love story, too much Hayden Christensen. Yet, the new trilogy is a part of George Lucas' vision for the story, so as a true Star Wars fan, I put up with it. But back to my original question: viewing order.
I've recently found online an order which disposes with the problems stated above, and highlights a few items that are not apparent with the other viewing orders. It's called "Machete Order". The reason for the name will become apparent in a moment.
Machete Order is this: Episode 4, 5, 2, 3, and 6. No, I haven't missed anything. Read that order again. I repeat, I haven't missed anything. Episode 1 is not there. It's been cut out (like with a machete... get it?) Why?
Episode I: The Phantom Menace tells of Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kinobi discovering a young Anakin Skywalker. They also meet up with Padme Amidala, queen of Naboo. They also find out along the way that the Sith (the ancient bad guys who practice the dark side of the Force) have returned. So how can I just get rid of this film?
None of the plot points in Phantom Menace are necessary to the overall plot of the series. Anything that is important is introduced again (sometimes even better) in the other films. We don't need to know that Qui-Gon Jinn was Obi-Wan's master. We don't need a love story between a 14 year old and a 9 year old. We don't need to have a half hour of pod racing. We don't need Jake Lloyd. (Don't know who that is? Google is your friend.) We don't need Jar Jar Binks.
 |
| George's biggest mistake. |
So, now that we've cut out over 2 hours of movie to watch, that leaves us with the order of the others. George had it right when he filmed Episode 4: A New Hope first. It's has the strongest story that is able to introduce the characters. In my opinion, Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back is stronger, but would be a difficult place to start. So, you watch them back-to-back, which then ends with the infamous cliffhanger. Where to go from here?
To a flashback, of course. To Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. It introduces us to Anakin as a cocky, whiny teenager (much like Luke in Episode 4). Also, we see Padme as an old friend of Anakin's. Their age difference isn't as shocking here as it was in Episode 1, so the thought of them being an item isn't creepy.
This leads directly to Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. We see Anakin fall to the dark side. Luke and Leia are born, which is a big reveal in itself. Padme dies. Yoda fails to defeat Emperor Palpatine. Obi-Wan goes into exile in order to protect the children of Anakin.
So, now we finish to story with the film that ties everything together: Episode 6: The Return of the Jedi. We see Luke as a fully-trained Jedi, dressed in black, just as his father had. In his dealings with Jabba the Hutt, Luke seems a bit ruthless, as if he is using the dark side of the Force. In fact, that possibility is made stronger now when the Emperor urges Luke to use his anger to kill. Yoda also tells Luke "do not underestimate the Emperor." Now that we've seen Yoda fail in his fight with Palpatine, this statement has more meaning.
I could get deeper into this topic and go longer (a lot longer), but I'll just stop here. Are there problems with this order? Sure. But there are more positives here than negatives, which can be passed by with little effect on the story. Let's just say that this seems like a much better order for the story than either chronological or episodal.
Now, where do I fit my copy of the Holiday Special?
No comments:
Post a Comment