MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Watch a prequel first? Which/why?

Watch a prequel first? Which/why?

posted 2 years ago by Nanook (1937)
29 replies | jump to latest

I see questions like this asked all the time: "Should I wait for/watch the prequel to _____ before I watch ____?" but have never seen a satisfactory example given. The very term obviously implies a story taking place prior to an already released work of fiction but written afterwards. I can't think of a single example where it would be a good idea to watch a prequel before the spawning work, as a prequel's very nature is to appeal on fan service merits, and one can't be a fan of a work they haven't seen yet.

Can anyone provide an example where watching a prequel first provides a more satisfactory viewing experience and why?

[–] TexasJack (12516) 2 years ago

That's a really interesting question. I can't think of an example myself. A few years ago, The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II (half of which is a prequel) were edited together with scenes from each film appearing in chronological order. I liked it because the producers added a lot of new footage but I still wouldn't say that watching Part II first is better.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

It's been a while, but I rated The Godfather Saga (1977) (TV Mini Series) as well as the first two films. Not sure if I'd recommend it be someone's first viewing of the book adaptations. Regardless, this broaches the distinction between backstory/flashbacks and prequel. Cheers!

[–] actionkamen (23176) 2 years ago

Star Wars

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Oh you!

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Well played...

[–] db20db (17235) 2 years ago

I recently watched the 2011 prequel, The Thing on tubi. Days later, an opportunity arose to rewatch the 1982 classic so I did, just to see how well they would sync, and I thought they did beautifully.

[–] Kowalski (75520) 2 years ago

OOOH...YEAH..THEY SYNC OK...BUT THAT 2011 THING IS STRAIGHT TRASH.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

As a huge fan of the original, I was in the minority that didn't hate the premakequel, but did it provide a *superior* viewing experience? Especially for a first time viewer? I found it more fan service for lovers of the 1982 film.

[–] db20db (17235) 2 years ago

I had already watched the 1982 version several times. With that back to back rewatch, I felt it seemed to add a layer of depth to the story, so in that sense it was a superior viewing experience for me.

[–] capuchin (3182) 2 years ago

I can't.

Usually the interest in the prequel is because it fills in a back story or a piece of 'lore' or shows us a well-liked character at an earlier stage of their lives or otherwise relies on familiarity with the original.

I'm sure there are exceptions where fictions just happen to have been created out of sequence and it'd therefore be better to watch them in 'story order' rather than production order... but, nope, none spring to mind.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Same here. I'm always down for peak entertainment and informed debates about such, like which is really the best order to watch episodes of The Prisoner (1967) but that's not prequel territory.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77356) 2 years ago

Possibly Star Wars.
Looking back on most of the franchise certain relevant questions are answered piecemeal over subsequent sequels and streaming series.

If I were a little kid or just never saw any of it I’d watch all the films and shows in order of storyline.

[–] capuchin (3182) 2 years ago

But isn't the main interest in the Star Wars prequels that it's the story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader?

Imagine you've lived in a pop culture free bubble and you never even heard of Darth Vader, let alone watched the original trilogy... and you go into that prequel trilogy blank? Does it work as it all builds up to him getting into the suit?

I mean, doesn't watching it in story order mean you get no impact from the revelations about who is related to whom when you finally get to the original trilogy? 'Yeah, we knew that already. Just watched three films about it....'

I dunno. I'm just floating the questions. I'm sure there's no right or wrong answer on this one.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77356) 2 years ago

Your question is legit, it is hard to say.
I just remember a lot of fans always debating why the Death Star had such a fatal flaw, specifically how the rebels got the plans in the first place, or why Darth was the way he was, etc.

You really could go either way on this, fair point.

[–] Joogle83 (4472) 2 years ago

yeah but Ben Solo/Kylo Ren is a better version of Anakin/Vader more nuanced

[–] capuchin (3182) 2 years ago

Wouldn't know. Only saw The Force Awakens. Didn't care for it. Felt like somebody else's nostalgia trip so I didn't bother with the rest of that trilogy.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Honestly, I can't objectively answer this 100%, but I suspect if episode one was my intro to the series, I might not bother continuing. If I did, Vader might have been forever reduced in my eyes to the "Now *this* is pod racing!!" kid...

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77356) 2 years ago

The prequels certainly had their problems…much of the dialogue was silly, some of the acting was very dispassionate, Jar Jar Binks was simply annoying…

I get what you’re saying, Vader was an evil mystery in the OT but in the prequels he’s a petulant kid.

[–] FentonMeiks (1349) 2 years ago

jeez. i cant think of one.
maybe the tvshow spartacus' second season? though thats due to the illness/death of the actor not just some cash in like the vast majority of prequels

i didnt realize the thing 2011 was a prequel. i intentionally avoided it because i thought it was a reboot. i might finally check it out now.

[–] db20db (17235) 2 years ago

Actually, the 1982 version is the reboot. Here's the original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxbl1IE4n2I James Arness as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke portrayed The Thing.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Actually, as I'm still in S01 of Spartacus, that very Blood and Sand vs. Gods of the Arena debate was a big inspiration for this thread.

2011 Thing is more of a "premakequel." Set expectations to stun and it's not bad. And the 1982 classic more of a re-adaptation of the source novella: https://moviechat.org/tt0084787/The-Thing/5e2f5dd64f56f40685220e68/another-remake-happening?reply=62d3d66e99a7f25ea3713672

[–] FentonMeiks (1349) 2 years ago

spartacus was great fun for me. everyone at my work talked about it the next day after airing. that was our show.

yes, re-adaptation/imaging is better. like Scarface 1983. they're too different from the original to be "remakes". even Manhunter 1986 and silence of the lambs 1991 feel so different that its difficult to say there "connected" and its only 5 years difference.

now we have "premakequel"?!! which is probably a smart way to go. tie-in to a classic's universe but be your own original movie. i think Rogue One did a good job with its tie-in..... Prometheus not so much.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

I'm at S01E06 and I gotta say the first several episodes were a slog. Never got in to Xena or Hercules, so the cheese and cheap factor was tough to get past at first, but it's only been in the last couple where the writing and characters have shined enough to steal my focus from the massive overproduction and start to believe the masses singing its praises.

As a huge Donnie Yen fan, Rogue One might be my favorite, but after adulthood kicked in, all of SW kind of lost its luster for me. (braces for shitstorm). And as a genre fan, I tend to grade horror/fantasy/sci-fi on a curve, and as long as I compartmentalized Prometheus, I kind of liked it.

[–] 102000 (6248) 2 years ago

I would rather have seen Better Call Saul before Breaking Bad because I've forgotten some things in BB and now I will probably have to watch it agin.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Can't make an informed comment on this as I never got in to BCS. On my very long watchlist.

[edit] Buuuuut, imo it's a tough sell to place the blame of a viewer not remembering stuff on the shows' producers or network schedulers...

[–] 102000 (6248) 2 years ago

I really like Saul better than BB - especially this last season - it's been so good.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Been a Bob Odenkirk fan since The Ben Stiller Show, and as great as much of BB was, I get lots of grief for not including it in my "best ever" lists, so that's great to hear. Plus, Mike was a favorite character.

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

I think not. Most prequels assume that you know who some of the characters are and why you should care about them.

FYI a Star Wars nut at work married another Star Wars nut, and they're having their kids watch the whole shebang in the order of internal events - which means that the kids will have to see "Obi-Wan" and "Rogue One" before they see "A New Hope: The Real Star Wars", if not all of "Clone Wars"! Maybe I'll let you know what the kids think of it all.

[–] Nanook (1937) 2 years ago

Prayers up for those kids. :D