A New Way to Watch the Saga

There has always been a debate in what order “Star Wars” fans should watch the films or even those who are new to the franchise as a whole.

"The Empire Strikes Back" scene with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader (Google Images).

Many fans even suggest that the order that George Lucas planned out should be replaced with the machete order.

But what is the machete order? It’s intended to start with “Episode IV: A New Hope” and not “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”

I have to admit every time I watch the “Star Wars” movies and want to have a movie marathon I do start with “The Phantom Menace” because I do find it enjoyable. However, by being able to watch the films starting with “A New Hope” is what many fans already have done.

So what’s the difference?

After watching “A New Hope” fans are then supposed to watch “The Empire Strikes Back.” Then after ‘the big surprise’ fans are supposed to watch the prequels- “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” then finish with “Return of the Jedi.”

The Machete Order Timeline (Google Images).

Rod Hilton, a blogger and programmer who lives in Colorado, wrote about the machete order in 2011 on his blog, Absolutely No Machete Juggling.

Hilton told CNN that watching in this order allows for an enjoyable ending.

"Putting the prequels in the middle allows the series to end on the sensible ending point (the destruction of the Empire) while still beginning with Luke's journey" Hilton writes.

But what about Episode One?

Hilton said that skipping the first episode allows for viewers not to miss anything important.

"The opening crawl of Episode II establishes everything you need to know about the prequels: a bunch of systems want to leave the Republic, they are led by Count Dooku, and Senator Amidala is a senator who is going to vote on whether the Republic is going to create an army," the post asserts.

Battle of Geonosis in "Attack of the Clones" (Google Images).

As I said above, I am currently in the process of watching the films in this order and I do find it interesting. Starting with “A New Hope” was refreshing for a change and being able to then watch the prequels is something that I look forward to.

Something that I can agree on when I watch the “Star Wars” films every time is that I do learn something new when I watch the films- no matter in what order. Whether that is seeing something in the background or really analyzing what a character says, it never gets old to me.

But what are your thoughts? What is the best way to watch the “Star Wars” films? By release date? Episode order? Or the machete order?

Below is a video explaining the machete order if you would like some more information about watching the films in that order.

Either way, the “Star Wars” story is told in the most accurate way no matter what order you decide to watch it in and the films will always be there. So watch them any way you would like.

As always, may the force be with you!