Star Wars viewing order

A very important question was raised on kottke.org last week –

Let’s say you’re a new father and a movie fan. When your child is of an appropriate age to start watching movies, in which order will you show him/her the six Star Wars movies? By original release date (Star Wars, Empire, Jedi, Phantom Menace, Clones, Sith) or according to the intra-movie chronology (Phantom Menace, Clones, Sith, Star Wars, Empire, Jedi)?

In the comments section, Jeffrey Veen gave what was arguably the best answer:

Actually, I guess I do have a preference for order: Show him Episodes 4 and 5 together and let him know that “They find Han – he was ok.” Leave it at that. Let him experience the later disappointments as we did – all grown up.

Amen.