Star Wars Prequels - should I or shouldn't I?

dwk · « **on:** 20 Oct 2015, 06:35 pm »

With the release of 'The Trailer' I guess things are really ramping up on the Star Wars front. I'm probably rather unique in that I have never watched any of the prequel movies despite being the perfect age for the original Star Wars to be IT for me growing up.

So, my question is whether watching the prequels is likely to be a 'necessary' step if I'm planning to see the new movie. My instinct says I probably should in order to fill in all the background lore etc, even though they are pretty universally reviled. OTOH, the idea of going in blind is somewhat intriguing to see whether the originals hold up as sufficient background.

Whaddaya think?

RDavidson · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Oct 2015, 08:03 pm »

None of the prequels are great, but have their moments. They're not a complete waste of time. The first one is pretty awful, but still fills in some blanks. What's really funny about it is if they just edited out like 1/3 of the movie and changed a bit of dialog, it'd be much better. Just don't get the popcorn and snacks out and try and turn it into a "movie night" experience. Watch it when you have 2 hours to spare by yourself on a rainy day or maybe with a friend who has already seen it. No big whoop.

The good thing is that once you watch it, you've gotten it out of the way. The second one is MUCH better, which isn't saying a lot, but still...

I say watch them at least once. Revenge of the Sith is actually not bad and has some great action.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Oct 2015, 08:28 pm »

The first three is entertaining, the second three is not worth seeing. I was very disappointed.
The new one should be much better than 4-6.

londonbarn · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Oct 2015, 11:18 pm »

All I had to see was the choice of Samuel Jackson as a jedi master.... WHAT in the HELL were they thinking??????????? NOT believable in the least.... Much more believable just going with an unknown actor we have never seen before... Much more effective.... I bet Jackson was just dying to say.. "C'mon, feel the motherfing force!"...

RDavidson · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 12:57 am »

Quote from: OzarkTom on 20 Oct 2015, 08:28 pm

The first three is entertaining, the second three is not worth seeing. I was very disappointed.
The new one should be much better than 4-6.

Well...."4-6" are the prequels (so they're actually 1-3 in terms of story timeline), but we know what you meant. Then when people speak of "the trilogy" they're meaning the original 3 (which are actually episodes 4-6).

Odal3 · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 12:59 am »

Quote from: RDavidson on 20 Oct 2015, 08:03 pm

What's really funny about it is if they just edited out like 1/3 of the movie and changed a bit of dialog, it'd be much better.

+1 So true

Folsom · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 01:48 am »

I wish you could watch the original 3 as the original 3. There are some added digital moments that are fucking torture, gruesomely bad, that were added.

RDavidson · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 02:39 am »

Well....you can, but you need a VHS.

I share your disappointment on this issue, actually. But, with Disney at the helm, there could be new hope for A New Hope re-re-re-release and the others will follow.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminmoore/2015/09/22/is-the-original-unaltered-star-wars-trilogy-finally-coming-to-blu-ray/

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 04:16 am »

Quote from: dwk on 20 Oct 2015, 06:35 pm

So, my question is whether watching the prequels is likely to be a 'necessary' step if I'm planning to see the new movie. My instinct says I probably should in order to fill in all the background lore etc, even though they are pretty universally reviled. OTOH, the idea of going in blind is somewhat intriguing to see whether the originals hold up as sufficient background.

Whaddaya think?

You really need to see the first Star Wars, Episode IV, A New Hope. That movie is the basis for all of the other movies. The second and third movies, Episodes V and VI, are sequels to that movie. And thus the new flick is a continuation of that story, so to a lesser extent the sequels will fill in some blanks in the narrative. Movies 4 thru 6, Episodes I II and III, are prequels to the the first movie and would be largely irrelevant to this new movie, as well as being mostly unsatisfying as movies or stories.

Phil A · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 01:48 pm »

Quote from: RDavidson on 21 Oct 2015, 02:39 am

Well....you can, but you need a VHS.

I share your disappointment on this issue, actually. But, with Disney at the helm, there could be new hope that A New Hope re-re-re-release and the others will follow.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminmoore/2015/09/22/is-the-original-unaltered-star-wars-trilogy-finally-coming-to-blu-ray/

I still have the LDs. I don't think re-buy the blu-rays again unless it was re-mixed for the new surround formats and sounded really good. Actually, I liked Episode 5. It was tough to pull off the middle act of the trilogy and it gives you lots of info about the story line of the whole saga.

RDavidson · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 02:30 pm »

Lots of fans LOVE Empire Strikes Back (ep 5) the most. It really has a lot of epic moments both visually and in terms of story line. Classic!

JoshK · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 02:47 pm »

The worst part of EP I is Jar Jar Binks. His character makes me feel like I am watching a Barney show. Without him the movie would have easily gained an extra star or two.

Empire Strikes Back is the best overall episode on a stand alone basis. I have high New Hopes for the new upcoming EP VII.

dwk · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 04:17 pm »

I guess there is a bit of confusion on my original post. I have watched the OT (IV, V, VI) many many times, have the (adulterated) blu-rays etc. My question was strictly on watching the prequels (I, II, III) since I find myself rather suddenly and unexpectedly excited about 'The Force Awakens'. I knew it was coming soon and had seen the prior teasers, but seeing the full trailer really hooked me - I suspect it was John Williams music as much as anything .

Lots of opinions on the 2nd trilogy, as expected. I certainly wouldn't bother watching the prequels without Episode VII coming out - even the positive comments here mirror what I've seen elsewhere which is lukewarm praise at best. With limited movie time, they wouldn't make the cut over more deserving films.

I have to say though, that I'm considering the 'Machete' order idea. This is a blended sequence of the 2 trilogies which tries to make the best of a bad situation. Basically, the order is : IV, V, II, III, VI. Notice that I (Phantom Menace) is discarded entirely - the idea is that it really adds very little to the important story arcs and if you really want to watch it, do so afterwards as a 'background info/filler' exercise rather than as a core film (or just read a synopsis). The proposed order gets you to the cliffhanger in V, and then cuts to Anakin's backstory for 2 films before wrapping everything up with VI - this seems like a pretty reasonable idea and it (reportedly) does a decent job emphasizing similarities between the Luke and Anakin arcs. Plus, it reduces the Jar-Jar exposure to an absolute minimum.

I do agree with the general unhappiness with the 'special editions' and lack of available original versions. Apparently a fan-orchestrated set of pirate rips is available that tries to piece together a version that is as close to the originals as possible. I'm not sure I'm up to finding and pulling them down, but it's an interesting effort. I do agree with the general thrust of the Forbes article - if there is money to be made, Disney is likely to issue an unadulterated version. My guess is that it might be held in reserve until after the 3rd trilogy though - maybe as part of a full 'Star Wars Universe' release - since they will likely have no shortage of cash flow from the series in the next few years (assuming they don't blow this one too).

Phil A · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 04:48 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 21 Oct 2015, 02:47 pm

The worst part of EP I is Jar Jar Binks.

Many people find the character annoying

RDavidson · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 04:49 pm »

ALL people find that character annoying.

Phil A · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: RDavidson on 21 Oct 2015, 04:49 pm

ALL people find that character annoying.

I thought you were talking about me

Folsom · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 05:46 pm »

I doubt you need to know anything from episodes 1-3, in order to watch the new one.

RDavidson · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 06:42 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 21 Oct 2015, 05:32 pm

I thought you were talking about me

Well, if you go by the name Jar Jar Binks and are the worst character ever...then yes, I'm talking about you.

wilsynet · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Oct 2015, 10:02 pm »

There is no pressing need to watch the prequels, although if you must, and if you had never seen the original trilogy, then I think machete order makes the most sense.

If I were you, given you've already seen the original trilogy many times, maybe just watch Episode 3 so you can finally know how Anakin became Darth Vader.

charmerci · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Oct 2015, 01:13 am »

I say - movies aren't as good as they say and neither are they as bad as they say.

Nonetheless, the worst part of Ep. 1-3 was the acting of the two actors that played Anakin and Natalie Portman's acting[size=78%]. [/size]

Since episode one was so bad, I think this video will show you that something "good"

came out of it.