When watching Star Wars do you start with Episode I or IV?

Episode IV {A New Hope) being the "original" beginning of the movie series- Episode I (The Phantom Menace) being the actual beginning of the story. It was brought to the screen after Episode VI (Return Of The Jedi).

Just curious- I'm starting them tonight (with Episode I), and it just got me thinking, which is obviously extremely dangerous for me. :evilgrin:

I, of course, start with four, and then work my way forth and back. Or back and forth. Whatever: you know what I mean.

My kid, however -- and most of my teenage students -- prefer the numerical/chronological order.

She is planning on auditioning for the school play. She wants to do, in one minute or less, the whole climax of "Together we can rule the galaxy" and "You're not my real father!" from Episode Five. So maybe there's something to be said for the OT after all.

(Also, if you think about it, it's very Shakespearean in structure, with the climax coming precisely halfway through, and ROT being denouement. Then again, I'm an alcoholic... :evilgrin:)

For the initiated: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 (Jumping immediately from Anakin's fall to his redemption works wonders, so long as one can stomach the juvenile tone of ROTJ after the decidedly somber proceedings of ROTS.)

For newcomers: 1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 6 (The SW virgin's constructs of Anakin and Vader are sustained for four movies.)

End with VI

Skip I, II, and III.

III isn't bad, but I wouldn't feel much need to watch it again.

but VI wasn't as good as IV and V.

I hated the ewoks. I kind of liked the emperor - the new bad guy after DV went all soft and mushy. It's the bad guy that makes the movie.

I had to wonder why only the emperor could make purple lightning.

I like to see it chronologically.

YMMV.

Especially since that means that they're in for a surprise for the whole "I am your father" bit, which they won't be if they see Episodes 1-3 first. :)

If you're watching it for the first time (or, say, your kids are), then starting with Episode I kinda makes the "Luke, I am your father" line anticlimactic.
It's a mystery...

and pretend 1,2,&3 were never made.

If he had started with 1,2,and 3 he never would have gotten the $$$$ to make 4,5,&6