Star Wars...Why should I see it?

[Naeo]

Cases for seeing the movies:
1. They are widely considered to be the original/earliest really good incarnation of the space and sci-fi genres. It's worth seeing them if for no other reason than to see what spawned an entire genre of copycats and an entire creepy, sticky subculture.

2. They're actually pretty good movies. Not the best things ever made by any stretch (prepares flame shield) but definitely good, entertaining movies.

3. Chewbacca. That is all.

Cases against:
1. You don't have any interest. And...that's really it for this section.


Ultimately, if you don't want to see them, don't. It's a worthwhile watch, though, if only because it's considered by most people to be the greatest early space epic/sci-fi movie and it did create a massive ripple effect in popular culture.

 

[Wolfenbarg]

Unless you can get the older versions pre remaster don't....HAN SHOT FIRST LET IT BE KNOWN!

No he didn't. In order to shoot first, they both would have had to shoot. Greedo didn't shoot at all.

As for why you should see them...? If you have to ask that, you really probably wouldn't like them one way or the other. They are formula writing in their purest form about a heroes' adventure to defeat evil. They were made popular by an interesting setting, great one-liners, power presence of characters, and amazing special effects. They aren't going to change the world when you see them, but if you do see them, you'll understand why they created such a phenomenon.

 

[Caliostro]

Why should I watch these movies I hold no interest in?

If you have no interest in them, why would you watch them?

If you want a reason to watch them, the original trilogy are timeless epic classics with a very good narrative and characterization, despite the occasional "woopsy".

The "other" trilogy, Episodes I, II and III, you shouldn't watch. Ever. You'll be better off for it.

 

[Drakulla]

Because its better than episode 1-3.

 

[Breaker deGodot]

Watch the original trilogy as a history lesson of how movies have changed before and after. Just skip the prequels.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Well, what have you got to lose? Besides, the have a big influence on pop culture so they're probably worth watching so you can pick up on in-jokes.

 

[spartandude]

watch the original trilogy, it is amazing

the prequal trilogy however.... you could be forgiven for skipping it

 

[Marik2]

Cuz lightsabers are cool.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

First of all, it's "should have". Second of all, watching the story in chronological order makes sense.

That's true i agree. Hey OP play Knight of the Old Republic which takes place 400 YEARS before Ep1. Just kidding

OT: Star Wars set the bar for how imaginative and thorough a sci-fi world can be. It was mostly responsible for lifting the genre from the cliche of "the future is the present; but shinier" and made it a plausible contender of Fantasy fiction. Plus they were some DAMN good movies
If ANY of that interests you one bit, watch Star Wars.

 

[Temple of Dregs]

I'll start with my own opinion. I like the original three movies, they're good not great. I first saw them when the "updated" versions hit theaters back when I was maybe ten. The most recent three movies were not THAT bad but I personally felt they missed out on a lot of potential awesome.

So, why should you see it? JUST BECAUSE. Really.

The films are classic. While most of the story is pretty much one cliche after another, with no real dramatic twists, they're done well enough that it still feels unique enough to enjoy the ride. If you're into science fiction at all you might find yourself thinking "Hey, Such-and-such made a reference to that" which by itself is worth sitting through the movies at least once for me.

Also:

(I didn't like The Godfather)

Really? I thought I was the only one.

 

[Byere]

Why should you watch movies you hold no interest for? Yes... why should you?

On the other hand, you might find them very interesting indeed when you watch it. I've found some of the most fantastic films and games that I thought I'd hate by doing so...

Unless someone is forcing you to watch it on threat of death, if you really don't want to, don't bother as you won't enjoy it.

 

[k-ossuburb]

You don't have to, but if you need someone to give you some reasons then here's my attempt:

They're essentially part of a culture and, if anything, will help you to understand that culture a little better. Plus, you're not losing anything by watching them; if you hate them at least you can give an educated reason for it, if you like them then you'll be glad you watched them.

And even though we all pretty much know how they go by now they're still worth watching. It's like watching a movie based off of a book; it's more about the experience and how much it immerses you in the world its set in. I knew how LOTR ended, but I still enjoyed those movies, same goes for Star Wars. Plus, it'll help you to see where most of modern science fiction cinema got its inspiration from and it might also draw you into the movies that Star Wars drew its inspiration from (Westerns, Samurai movies, various novels, etc.).

If it's not your thing then it's not your thing, but by watching it you'd at least know why you don't like it and can state it confidently. So, if nothing else, watch it for that reason.

 

[kouriichi]

Is there a reason NOT TO?
I mean, sure. You know whats going to happen. Sure, everything is spoiled.
But its one of the main staples for modern day sci fi. Anything that can compete with Star Trek is good for a reason.

The acters are good. The script is great. The characters are likeable. Theres no reason to not see it. Im not saying go out and buy the collectors edition pack or anything, but give it a rent.

 

[ServebotFrank]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxKtZmQgxrI
I've posted this before but I couldn't resist. This is advice on why you should avoid the prequel trilogy.

 

[Whitenail]

Because all three basically play out as one magnificent, timeless space-opera which shows influence from everything from Greek epics to Akira Kurosawa films and everything in between. The adventures are epic (a word that's over-used but this time I mean it), the characters are extremely memorable and well-acted, the effects are timeless and the imagination which went into everything is astounding...the trilogy really is a monument to film-making and geek culture (but considering escapist culture it's cooler to disregard them and read Scott Pilgrim for the umpteenth time).

But that stuff's been said a thousand times over, just go into them with an open-mind and if you don't enjoy them you've lost nothing and you never ave to touch them again with a credible reason as to why.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Well, no one's forcing you to. I really enjoyed them, and would recommend them to anyone, but if they don't interest you, don't watch them.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Unless you can get the older versions pre remaster don't....HAN SHOT FIRST LET IT BE KNOWN!

This is the kinda bullshit fanboyism that scares me away in the first place.

WHAT SIGNIFICANT PLOT POINT WAS CHANGED IN THE REMASTERED VERSIONS BY HIM NOT SHOOTING FIRST THAT GETS YOU ALL SO RILED UP?!

 

[elbrandino]

I'd say watch the Original Trilogy at least because, if nothing else, they're good movies. Not to mention the whole "cultural phenomenon" thing. If you don't like them that's fine. I personally love the movies but I'll admit they're not the greatest movies ever. But they do capture the imagination and ought to be entertaining to you, at least a little.

 

[Murlin]

For future reference.

 

[Grey_Focks]

Unless you can get the older versions pre remaster don't....HAN SHOT FIRST LET IT BE KNOWN!

This is the kinda bullshit fanboyism that scares me away in the first place.

WHAT SIGNIFICANT PLOT POINT WAS CHANGED IN THE REMASTERED VERSIONS BY HIM NOT SHOOTING FIRST THAT GETS YOU ALL SO RILED UP?!

It's an important part of Han's character. It's the difference between him killing in self-defense, to him just killing someone who gets in his way. It really does make an impact on the way you (should) look at his character. That and a lot of other little (or not so little) things they changed in the remastered editions, while not changing the plot, do really have an impact on the movie(s) as a whole. It's admittedly hard to explain to someone who has never seen star wars, but I have seen DVD collections at Best Buy that include both the remastered and original versions of the films. I'd say watch the original versions first, and if your interested check out the remastered versions.