Here is an experience from a newish Star Wars fan that started with TPM and had no idea where the story would go. Many of us older fans hate the PT and feel that we got the better experience seeing the OT first. But I think this post from another Star Wars forum shows that the PT is just as important as the OT, and can change a persons life as well.
I didn't know.
It was heartbreaking.
A lot of people rag on the Chosen One prophecy, but for people who start with the PT, it's a great misdirection technique because it makes you believe that no matter what, Anakin will save the day and defeat the Sith. So when everything goes to hell, it messes with all your expectations. I thought everything that had come before Anakin's turn -- like the Tusken slaughter or Anakin killing Dooku, was just Lucas "misdirecting" us so to speak. Trying to make us believe that there was the possibility that Anakin would turn so that when he finally did the right thing and saved the day, there would be loads of dramatic effect. NOPE.
I still remember how I felt when Anakin chopped Mace's hand off. I was as shocked as he was. And then…when he knelt before Palpatine. The children…christ, the children. I was just stupefied for that entire sequence. People will make fun, for instance, of the "younglings" line, but I was just watching everything unfold in total disbelief.
But even then, somehow, I thought things would turn out alright. When Padmé went after him, I thought she would get through to him. I figured, having done something so terrible like killing the children, that Anakin was likely going to die by that point. But I thought he would team up with Obi-Wan and sacrifice himself to do the right thing, in the end. NOPE. He chokes her instead and he and Obi-Wan fight to the death. And then Anakin burns. I can't even begin to describe how shocking it is to watch him burn, even knowing how much he deserves it. It really takes your breath away -- like being punched in the gut. Granted, I was a lot younger when I watched it and it's just a movie, but still. I just didn't expect something like that. AT ALL.
I mean, I went into this series seeing sweet, little nine-year-old Anakin…and by the end, I'm watching him burn alive, screaming in pain, after murdering children and choking his pregnant wife. It just unsettles you terribly. To have your expectations so completely overturned. Padmé dies. Obi-Wan goes into exile. Palpatine wins. And Anakin…well, Anakin would be better off dead.
Now, granted, I was a bit older than most when I watched Star Wars for the first time (young teenager) but it still hit really, really hard. To this day, it's still among one of the most unexpected narratives I've ever watched, especially because Star Wars is generally such a fun, family friendly series.
I still remember that it was the first film I ever watched the special features for -- my family had rented the film and usually we didn't bother with the extras. But that night, after everyone else went to bed, I snuck down and watched the "Chosen One" documentary by myself because I was upset and I wanted answers.
It's why I always advocate watching the prequels first, because I don't think any twist in Star Wars, not even "I am your father," can come close to matching that.
