The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy has its fair share of haters. Since bad critical reviews began instantly from its first press showings in 1999, George Lucas’s return to his Saga has been the go to whipping boy when it comes to movie disappointments, leading on to a whole stock of go to negativity when it comes to the prequel trilogy’s place in the Star Wars legacy. Well I say ‘pah’ to all that (I would say something stronger but I’m not allowed to).
From 1999 to 2005 I loved watching the prequels. I loved what they added to the original trilogy and the extra layers they generated. It wasn’t just Revenge of the Sith that bridged the gap between the trilogies it was the whole run of three films. Lucas loves mirroring events and changing the outcomes or outright playing out the same outcomes when it comes to the Skywalker journeys. I very much feel the saga works as a six episode saga as opposed to two three episode accounts where embittered fans can choose to ignore sections because they’ve convinced themselves Jar Jar Binks in his supporting role was enough to destroy everything they loved about Star Wars or that Jake Lloyds acting abilities really made a difference to how they felt about Darth Vader.
Starting with Phantom Menace (the other prequels will come in later articles), I want to have a look at the knock on effects the prequel had; how it helped strengthen a whole lot of elements in the Original Trilogy and how some of these themes might carry forward into the new Star Wars trilogy as we head towards Episode VII.
We are currently seeking Star Wars contributors on WhatCulture. To find out more about the perks of being a Star Wars contributor, click here.
37 Comments
The prequels rightly get their share of criticism, but for me the big let-down was how it changes the very nature of “The Force”. In my mind, the sequels classify The Force as being similar to the harmony of yoga/meditation, it’s a spiritual state-of-mind that gains greater understanding of life (like a Tibetan Buddhist Monk).
The prequels paint a very different story and The Force is basically ‘Hogwarts without wands’. A jedi’s ‘power’ should be proportional to his/her understanding of the harmonious state of mind, not whose hands can create the biggest lightning bolts (don’t forget Luke doesn’t need the force to defeat the Emperor).
Put another way….if Jedi’s and Sith’s alike can create forces of energy from their fingers and move massive rocks with their minds, how come 20 years into the future all differences have to be settled with a Light Sabre?
The Prequel trilogy did almost ruin the saga. Terrible screenplays and stories, bad acting… the movies are just bad.
The prequel trilogy plus all the ‘improvements’ since ’97 have twisted SW into an unrecognizable mess to me. The memory of what I watched as a kid is now buried under all this garbage. And with the very business like decision to hire jj abrams for the new trilogy (hard to believe that TESB and ROTJ were independent movies), I think Star Wars, for some people, will be lost for good. But those first 20 years were awesome.
“Put another way….if Jedi’s and Sith’s alike can create forces of energy from their fingers and move massive rocks with their minds, how come 20 years into the future all differences have to be settled with a Light Sabre?”
That’s not really the case. The force powers aren’t all that different between trilogies. It’s all down to lack of Jedi really. Luke is learning the force so isn’t exactly fully functioning and Vader uses it to a certain degree against luke in Empire but that’s more of a test of what Luke can take. There’s no real call for force powers in the OT situations.
Marcus, I take your point but surely referring to The Force in the same sentence as “powers” emphasises what I’m trying to say. All the original battles (barring Palpatine’s torture of Luke in ROTJ) are done with a light saber.
Obi-Wan realises that Alderaan has been destroyed because of the disturbance of The Force, the inter-gallactic harmony was disrupted. This seems very different to Yoda and Palpatine using The Force to hurl balconies from the Senate at each other.
Luke and Vader throw things about in fights as well. I agree, the use of the force is a lot more ‘power based’ in the prequel trilogy but we’re dealing with fully trained Jedi/Sith in a time of full on war. In the OT, it comes down to Luke and Vader and neither really want to kill each other. I still feel The use of the force is pretty well balanced across all six films (way more balanced than it will be if Ep7 is influenced by modern games and the EU approach to The Force) and as mentioned in the article, the approach to The Force seems to have shifted due to the events in Eps I-III.
I still will never ever get over how Obi-Wan spent all this time with R2-D2 and C-3PO in the prequels but then wouldn’t recognize them when R2 seeks him out and Luke meets him in A New Hope. I know. I’m crazy.
Obi-Wan doesn’t like droids. He treats droids like machines. He certainly goes on to remember R2 and 3PO but it doesn’t fit the story for him to interrupt and say “oh yeah I remember you now”. Also Obi-Wan is “a crazy old hermit” he’s been living alone waiting for Luke to get his act together for a long time. He’s gone a bit nuts. The important thing for Obi-Wan is Luke, the droids are a weird coincidence that is the will of the force.
After the prequels, I’d say Obi-Wam did know who R2 was in New Hope. His line about ‘never owning a droid’ is still true “from a certain point of view”. C3PO I can undersntand him having no real connection with as they share very little time together but even if he does he may also be aware that his memory has been erased.
I’m not trying to defend the prequels (believe me!) but I think there’s a simple explanation for why Obi-Wan claimed to never have owned a droid: he lied. He probably didn’t want to reveal too much about himself and the past to Luke before he was ready to hear it.
Well done. It takes guts and devotion to try and make excuses for those films.
I can’t empathise with you though. Those films are sh1t. I won’t go in to why because it’s all been said before and too many times.
I have divorced them from my own personal Star Wars universe. I get more enjoyment out of trying to imagine what happened before Episode 4. Like I did when I was a kid. The story I’d built up in my head had flaws, but not nearly as many as thoes horrible movies.
Great article. You’ve hit many points I’ve been making for years with my friends. It’s pretty obvious the other commenters didn’t bother to read the article and are simply falling back stock prequel bashing comments.
Thanks for that.
The biggest problem is Lucas. He wrote them at different times, he shouldve sat down adnn wrote them all together, indtead of doing per episode.
I’ve been saying this for years now, the prequel story simply was not a story you could write on the fly as per each episode-in-the-making, it really needed to be plotted out in detail in advance, then with Lucas bringing in an outside screenwriter to help shape a strong and dynamic screenplay – something he clearly didn’t have the time for himself – plus bringing in an outside editor (NOT a paid full-time Lucasfilm employee), someone like Walter Murch, to shape a considerably tighter and more focused final cut than the (largely) bloated and meandering cuts that ended up onscreen.
Had Lucas done the above, I fully and firmly believe people would be stunned at just how better those films would’ve been; it wasn’t the story or the ideas (the whole ill-considered Midichlorian plot thread notwithstanding… what was he thinking?) that were the problems in the prequels, it was how said story and ideas were executed, and a real pity too, there was everything in place for one damn good trilogy, alas…
I think the problem is that after the original trilogy many people began to build up their own ideas about the star wars universe so when Lucas came and told them what actually happened they got annoyed because it didnt match up with their own personal version.
I personally enjoy the prequels and am looking forward to the next star wars movies.
Lucas may not have a firm grasp on screenwriting but the man knows how to tell a story the Star Wars way, which is a big concern going into Ep7 and beyond.
Nice read.
Personally, I love Episode I – III.
Every aspect has been touched in these movies and the story is told through every element of the picture – architecture, design, night/day, lighting, music, costumes, camera angle…everything.
I also like Lucas’ courage to insert a lot if political subtext and plot into the films.
And I’d like to applaud the author for his courage to write posive and insightful articles about Star Wars Ep. I – III. Because whatever you write, you will have to face mindless hate mails in this case.
Thank you.
Ahhhh thanks for the kind words. Glad to see there are more out there that get more from the prequels and appluad the stuff Lucas did right with them as opposed to just focus on the negative.
I disagree with you about the Midis. They actually make a lot of sense, and are excepted wholesale in many circles (it’s just the haters drown them out). Also, I personally think Leia’s “fiestiness” comes more from Ani than Padmé.
Otherwise, I think this is a fantastic piece. Especially now, we need far more positive I-III related articles. Why don’t you check this place out if you haven’t already: http://starwarsprequelappreciationsociety.wordpress.com/
Hey, thanks for the great read, I look forward to your views on II and III. I tend to agree with just about everything, and you make a great case for everything you say. I’ve loved all six films since I was a kid and I really don’t understand a lot of the hate. Personally, I could have done without Jar Jar, though I don’t hate him, and I think there must have been a better choice of actor than Hayden for the lead role, but gripes aside, these films are still a huge part of my life.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately actually, and I feel like a huge amount of hate comes largely from the older crowd of viewers that, like some commentors here mentions, made what happened before IV in their imaginations and were disappointed by Lucas’ take. This leads me to have zero understanding of people my own age, 21, hating on the original trilogy, though some of that may simply be posing as if it’s cool to hate on them. What makes me worried, though, is what I’m part of the new generation of irrational haters of Star Wars, post VII-IX? What if those are great films (which I’m optimistic for), but they don’t meet my expectations or are not like what I think of as what would happen after the movies? I’ve delved a little into the extended universe, but largely more in the pre-movies, old republic side (KOTOR, Darth Bane books [WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND]), but I still have my own ideas of what happens next. I don’t want to hate Star Wars because of nostalgia. And yes, I except that some people have their “fair criticisms” of the newer films, but a lot of what they have to say is really drawn from nostalgia and nothing else. Ya, some of the screenwriting is not the best, and a lot of the dialogue and some of the acting is not great, but an objective look at the original trilogy reveals the same problems with those films.
Anyway, great article, excited for more!
I agree that the Prequel Trilogy made STAR WARS a better saga . . . at least for me. And the ironic thing is that it was easier for me to embrace the PT than it was for me to embrace Original Trilogy. I’m not saying that either trilogy was better than the other. Personally, I don’t think so. Both trilogies have its virtues and flaws. Actually, the virtues and flaws seemed similar with both trilogies. But it took me longer to love the OT than it took for me to love the PT. And I don’t know why. I can’t explain it.
One of the pleasures I have in watching the entire saga is that in the end, it is a family saga . . . and a solid historical account of an entire saga. My only regret is that there are no movies set between the two trilogies – between the PT and the OT.
I don’t see Darth Maul as the ultimate apprentice. I don’t think Maul could have handled the Separatists during the Clone Wars the way Darth Tyrannus did. Even Anakin as Darth Vader possessed a talent for leading men on Sidious’ behalf. I never saw that potential in Maul.
Possibly but then looking at Clone Wars Maul is pretty good at organisation. Sure Dooku gives the Jedi a known villain to side against so it works more drama into the conflict but I think Maul would have fit into the Clone Wars like Vader fit into the Empire post The Clone Wars. He’s sort of there, working with generals and such.
everything you have stated in your article is purely coincidential because of the fact that these are star wars films it doesnt make them good unfortunately these films should be erased from the star wars universe or remade maybe now that george is no longer at the helm that may happen
I wish anyone taking on Star Wars in the future the best of luck but I have to say, the lack of George going forward worries me. For all anyone claims he’s done wrong, he’s done more right in my book. Also, even the slightest mention of ‘remakes’ makes me shudder. it’s the scariest thing in this Disney deal.
FINALLY, an explanation for midichlorians that actually makes them make sense. I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the fact that the Jedi are not such complete clear-cut good dudes (especially given the backstory of the original order in “Dawn of the Jedi”, and the fact that a lot of their Sith problems were of their own making), and the idea of them using this quantifiable measurement to “streamline” how they do things and measure The Force, and thus are losing sight of what’s important, is quite good.
Thanks Dee. I think the view towards the force changes because of the situation the Jedi are in. Recently a friend of mine emailed me regarding the articles and summed up his thoughts on the midichlorians pretty well too:
He said “I’ve always just seen them as the science behind The Force. The reason The Force works, or the physical quantifiable manifestation of The Force. The same way you can measure the wind, or break down water, or how there’s a scientific reason behind love, or how we’re made of atoms. Simply put, ‘the how’ behind The Force. That culture is advanced enough that they’ve just figured out the atom like element underneath The Force. Just because we’re made of atoms it doesn’t make us any less amazing.”
also he went a bit further:
“Also, another Midichlorian thing which I forgot, which is obviously pretty obvious, but incredibly important to the whole saga, yet far enough away from Episode I for people to miss, is the fact that they explain why Vader isn’t as powerful as he used to be. Because Lucas ties The Force to your cells, when Anakin loses the best part of 4 limbs, understandably he’s going to be much weaker than he used to be. He has way fewer cells making up his body now. Without Midichlorians there’s no explanation whatsoever as to why he’d be less powerful as Vader than as Anakin. Yeah he’s got robotic arms and legs beneath the knee and elbow but that’s only going to limit his ability to move, and only slightly. Look at Grievous. His robotic limbs hardly limit his ability to fight, plus because he’s pretty much just some lungs and a pair of eyeballs, you never see him using the Force. At all. So I think Lucas used them for what he needed to in Episode I, but they’re essentially a reason for establishing why Vader is less powerful than Anakin”.
It’s a fine argument between the nature of man vs machine and life vs artificial life don’t you think? In the SW Saga you can build machines was more powerful than humans but the force gives a person their power. So it makes sense that it’s cellular, right?
Really liking your articles a lot. I think more and mroe these kind of things are going to be in the minority sadly enough. But I do think that a lot of fans still don’t understand the relevance of the Naboo Occupation. They’re still dismissive of the Trade Federation and not understanding that they’re patsies. That the trade dispute isn’t impportant in and of itself but how Sidious uses it to attain the Chancellorship. James Luceno’s Darth Plagueis novel goes into this brilliantly, I highly recommend reading it. I can sadly see these being remade very easily and losing a lot of the thoughtful nuance for high spectacle to make them “cooler.”
Tallgent
Yup, that’s true. All the attention was on “the crawl doesn’t make sense” or there’s too much politics.
Precisely. I would love to see what George R.R. Martin would have done with this. This is right up Westeros’s ally.
Precisely. I would love to see how George R.R. Martin would have tackled the prequels, because this is right up Song of Ice and Fire’s alley. If they’re going to be remade that’s where I’d turn.
Tallgent
Precisely. If they decide to have another go at the prequels, I would love to see George R.R. Martin take a stab at it. The framework is right up Song of Ice and Fire’s alley.
Please delete the double posts.
I realize this is an old post, but I just came across it and wanted to throw in another note of support for this ideology.
I personally believe much of the prequel nerdrage was the result of a deeper psychological regret on the part of many fans… regret over letting go of their childhoods, and over the discomfort of being an adult. The realization that Star Wars was no longer “for” them made it painfully clear that they should no longer care about it so passionately… and yet, that fact made them care that much more passionately.
That’s offensive to so many people, and would be met with hate if this thread were any more recent… but I know it firsthand. I’m 25, so I got the Special Editions when I was 9, The Phantom Menace when I was 11, and Attack of the Clones when I was an awkward 14. Then, Revenge of the Sith was pretty good anyway, despite me being 17 and “over it.”
I scorned the prequels like my older friends did, purely due to peer pressure. I retconned my own past, pretending that I was a snobby enough 9-year-old that I actually cared whether Han shot first. I acted like I had good enough taste at 11 that I could already see The Phantom Menace’s flaws. That was ridiculous and pretentious, though; I was just trying to be cool. It was a part of my childhood, as much as the OT was for those older than me.
As it happens, I’ve since gotten married, settled down, and become a bit nostalgic. I went back to Star Wars… ALL of Star Wars… and I love it more than ever. It’s fantasy escapism at its finest.
So, it happens. We grow up. We begin to appreciate art in cinema, and suddenly we think everything else is supposed to grow up with us. We think, “I’ve got good taste… I must have always had good taste. Unless someone claims otherwise, those things I loved as a kid must have just as much integrity as that which I’ve grown to love in my adulthood.”
But Star Wars was never high art. That idea is a retrospective illusion, formed out of the dense nostalgia of the series, a mirage in those fans’ minds. What truly makes it what it is—what always made it what it was—is that it appeals to your inner child.
I think those who accept that are the ones who accept the franchise as a whole. The ones who don’t need to force “good taste” or “adulthood.” It can’t be enjoyed selfishly, but only through a certain lens, based on the understanding of what it is meant to be: a simple morality tale for young people.
We thought we grew up with Star Wars, but if Star Wars had grown up with us, present generations would be denied that same experience that it gave us… and to want that, to insist on keeping that to ourselves, to have it appeal only to our own adult nostalgia, and not the real childhood experiences of a new generation of kids… well, that would be utterly maniacal.
Great (later) post.
I think there’s a good argument for age when it comes to the prequels. For both sides of the discussion, older and younger SW crowds have a lot to overcome when it comes to the Sagas enjoyment. Whether it’s understanding the film’s origins or being new enough to it all that it just doesn’t matter. Personally I was born in ’78, so really my first wave of real love for SW was ROTJ, though I had seen the others before ROTJ rocked my world.
I agree that there is a big thing about what Star Wars was and what it is now, and I think a lot of fans struggle with it. Through all the changes, “improvements”, tweaks and realligning of the stories we thought we knew, Star Wars is still Star Wars to me. I don’t need HD versions of the untouched OT to be happy (though it would be nice), I don’t have any more a problem with Jar Jar Binks than I do C-3PO and Lucas making money off of merchandise doesn’t grind my gears, it gives me something to buy. At the core, the Star Wars movies and the story they tell is awesome. It has layers for all to enjoy, whether techincal or character based or just plain movie history and I wish there were more franchises like it.