I guess I should be thankful I got to see the original trilogy in the theater as they were originally released. I can't imagine only experiencing these on VHS tape and Laserdisc. I also can't imagine seeing the series in order from I to VI as George Lucas suggests. I seriously doubt that "Phantom Menace" would have drawn me back to the theater to see it again, or to see any sequels had it shown first. Really, would the revelation of Darth Vader being Luke's father in ESB have meant anything if you had already seen the first three episodes? For three years, I eagerly awaited ROTJ to see if Vader's statement was really true, or if he was just trying to deceive Luke. Anyway, I just don't believe I would have been such a fan had I not seen "Star Wars" in a theater first.

"Star Wars" is really the only movie of the series that can stand completely alone. "The Empire Strikes Back" is probably the best sequel ever made, especially considering "Star Wars" was made with no expectation of a sequel (despite what Lucas might say to the contrary now). "Return of the Jedi" ties up the loose ends of ESB, although in some ways it's not as strong as the previous two, it's still a great movie.