The Biggest Decision: order or tradition
Nov 18, 2008 Uncategorized
My son will see the Star Wars movies in a couple of years and I am faced with the biggest question of my life. Do I have him watch them in their release order that I saw them in (episodes 4-6, then 1-3) OR do I show him them in their chronological order?
I am torn. Seeing the story of young Luke, Han and Leia was a nice introduction to Star Wars. Seeing them in their release order gives me a sense of continuity.
But the story is ultimately about the redemtion of the father by the son. Seeing the fall of Anakin gives greater meaning to episode 4. When you see grown Luke and Lea, and the anger filled Vader, you understand their history. You also empathize with Vader. He is driven by pain and anger. If you don’t know what he has been thru, then he is just the bad guy in the black helmet.
Any help is appreciated.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
My advice is 456123. That’s the order I saw it in, and, that’s also the order my sons saw it in.
I think that not knowing the full backstory actually *adds* to the drama of 456, leaves you with questions and thoughts and suspense. Things that he will want to try to parse and figure out, will talk with you about. And that is very cool for a kid to do. When he finally does see 123, it will be illuminating the previous movies, seeing them in a new light. That is all part of true storytelling.
Also, and let’s be upfront about this, the technology of film-making (special effects) had changed a lot from 1977-1983 compared to 1999-2005. So, it’s probably better to see the “older” (literally) stuff first…even with the CGI revisions that have been made since.
My dog speaks just like a Wookiee.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I just also want to add that, once you have made This Decision, the rest of raising the kid is a piece of cake.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Good points. I had forgotten about “Luke, I AM your father.” What a shocker. It would be different if you already knew.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Months later….
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Did you see this in Wired?
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http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2009/01/age-appropriate.html
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