Which Star Wars Film Should You Start With: Rogue One or A New Hope?

Deciding whether to start the Star Wars saga with Rogue One or A New Hope depends on your viewing preferences and the experience you seek. Both films offer unique perspectives on the overarching narrative of the Star Wars universe, each with its strengths and weaknesses. This article explores both options and aims to help you make an informed decision.

Starting with A New Hope: The Original Experience

A New Hope, released in 1977, was the first film within the Star Wars saga. It introduces viewers to the entire Star Wars universe, its characters, and its themes. As the first installment, A New Hope sets the stage for the conflicts and adventures to come.

Classic Storytelling: The movie follows the classic hero’s journey, with Luke Skywalker as the protagonist. The story sets up the conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, providing a clear and accessible narrative for newcomers.

Pacing and Tone: The pacing and tone of A New Hope are straightforward and straightforward, making it an easier entry point for those new to the franchise. The film’s emphasis on adventure and mythology creates a nostalgic and alluring experience for viewers.

Starting with Rogue One: Contextual Setup

Rogue One offers a different kind of entry point into the Star Wars universe. Released in 2016, Rogue One acts as a lead-in to A New Hope, providing context for the Rebel Alliance’s efforts to steal the Death Star plans.

Darker Themes: Rogue One has a more mature and darker tone, exploring themes of sacrifice and rebellion. The film delves into the sacrifices made by ordinary people in the fight against oppression, offering a more nuanced view of the Rebellion.

Character Depth: Rogue One introduces a new cast of characters, providing a more detailed and complex perspective on the Rebellion. The film also offers a glimpse into the origins of key characters from A New Hope.

Personal Preference and Perspective

Ultimately, the choice between A New Hope and Rogue One comes down to personal preference and the specific experience you wish to have. If you are new to Star Wars and want to experience the saga in the order it was released, A New Hope is an excellent choice. It provides a clear and accessible entry point into the larger narrative.

However, if you are familiar with the franchise and want to see a more modern take that enhances the story of the original trilogy, Rogue One is a better choice. It offers a deeper context and a more nuanced understanding of events leading up to the iconic battles seen in A New Hope.

My Alternative Suggestion: Phantom Menace

While many argue for starting the Star Wars saga with A New Hope or Rogue One, I believe that The Phantom Menace offers a unique and insightful perspective. The Phantom Menace serves as an essential piece in the broader narrative, focusing on Anakin Skywalker’s journey to becoming the Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Master Plotline: The Phantom Menace is the only film that directly ties back to the overall Star Wars storyline. It shows Anakin’s beginning and sets the stage for the subsequent prequels and the original trilogy. The story of Phantom Menace explores Anakin’s growth and his eventual fall from grace, which is a central theme throughout the entire saga.

Theory on Qui-Gon Jinn: My theory is that the Chancellor sent Darth Maul to kill Qui-Gon Jinn because he knew that Qui-Gon’s training of Anakin would have made him untouchable. Once Qui-Gon was out of the way, Anakin could be more easily manipulated, leading to his eventual transformation into Sith. This theory adds depth to the narrative and offers a fresh perspective that ties back to the overarching story of the Force and power.

Conclusion: While both A New Hope and Rogue One are excellent starting points, The Phantom Menace offers a unique and crucial starting point to understanding the complete Star Wars saga. It sets the stage for the pivotal turn in Anakin’s life and provides a deeper appreciation for the themes and characters.