Ready to geek out? I knew you were! What’s the best order to watch the Star Wars movies in?

This dude Rod Hilton claims to have solved the puzzle.  And you know, I think the man makes sense.

His solution: 4, 5, 2, 3, 6.  This combine two ideas:

  • It keeps the Vader reveal, and deepens it with a two-movie backstory.  Two movies about Luke, two about Vader.   The cliffhanger at the end of 5 works even better.
  • Bag 1 entirely.  None of it turns out to be necessary, and you lose the most annoying parts of the series (Jar-Jar, midichlorians).

He admits that 2 isn’t very good, but it’s necessary to understand 3.

Now personally I’d go with: 4, 5, 6.  Then go play KOTOR.  If you’re insomniac in cable hell some night and 3 is on, watch it, drinking some J.D. from the little fridge, otherwise leave the prequels alone.  But if that seems too severe, follow Hilton’s advice.