A Star Wars superfan’s guide to watching all 6 episodes
In three short days, the Force will be with us digitally. For the first time ever, all six Star Wars movies will be available for digital download. Kiss your latest paycheck goodbye, because even though you probably own the movies on DVD (and in some cases, VHS) you’re still going to need to add this to your collection.
On April 10th, you can go ahead and purchase individually — or together as a set — A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith on iTunes, Google Play, VUDU, Amazon, Xbox Video, Playstation Store, and Verizon Fios. And as the official Star Wars press release reminds us, “viewers will have the Rebel forces at their beck and call across their favorite devices anywhere – sunbathing at the beach, relaxing in their living room with friends, or waiting to board a flight to Endor (or elsewhere).”
Of course, these releases come packed with special features, which is really what Star Wars fans live for after all this time. They’ll be Q&As with those who brought the saga to life, along with a wide range of different documentary features, deleted scenes, and of course, bloopers.
If you’re new to this whole Star Wars thing, this might be the perfect time to jump right in, considering we’re now only 8 months away from the NEWEST Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens. So, how exactly should you digest these six movies?
1. Don’t watch them in numbered order
This idea will be debated again and again, but don’t start with Episode 1 — start with Episode 4. Watch A New Hope, Empire and Jedi, and then go back and start binging the prequels. I’ve also heard the argument that you should watch Episodes 4 and 5, and then watch Episode 2 and 3, and then finish with Episode 7, but we could spend all day on this. Just watch A New Hope first, OK?
2. Know it’s OK to be confused
The idea behind Star Wars is super simplistic when you break it all down — a hero has to go save the princess, meets a pirate, and together they save the day. Sounds easy enough as it is, but put it in a world with all sorts of made up words and creatures and it might not make total sense. Just roll with whatever Star Wars is throwing you. It’s easier to accept that Han Solo is the only one who can understand Chewbacca than try to figure out why.
3. Pay close attention to Anakin’s journey to Vader
Anakin Skywalker isn’t a bad guy, just lots of bad stuff happens to him and that’s what turns him to the dark side of the Force. Also, it’s really hard trying to be the guy who’s supposed to bring balance to the Force, so let’s cut him some slack. But, in all the movies he’ll make either little call backs, or foreshadows, to things that either have happened, or will happen, and it’s a fascinating to journey to watch.
4. Love the droids
Aside from Anakin/Vader, C3PO and R2-D2 are the only two characters to appear in every movie. They’re also great. C3P0 is a total worry-wart and R2 is fearless. If I ever need to save the galaxy, I want them with me through all of it.
5. Invite friends over to binge
Star Wars is best watched with friends. Even though you might not have seen any of the movies, more than likely a lot of your friends already have, and some of them might know how to speak Aurebesh. If you’ve got someone watching with you who knows the suns of Tatooine inside and out, it’ll make for a crazy viewing party full of trivia, and maybe some faux light saber battles.
