Why The Star Wars Prequels Aren't As Bad As You Remember
We may have been too harsh.
Considering fans queued for months outside movie theatres to ensure they were the first to see Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, it's safe to say it was the most hyped film of all time. Many devoted fans genuinely believed George Lucas' sci-fi prequel would be a masterpiece, the most successful movie ever, and end world hunger.
Of course, the average moviegoer knew there was no way the latest Star Wars instalment could possibly live up to expectations.
And it didn't. In fact, it wasn't even close. The atrocious acting. Entire scenes dedicated to discussing trade laws. Jar Jar stepping in poo. Even though the original Star Wars was regarded as the most beloved trilogy in cinema, the prequel trilogy quickly became the most reviled series in the eyes of many.
But after the disappointment of the recent Star Wars sequels, many viewers have revisited Episode I ,II, and III, only to learn there are many things the prequels did right. Although no one is going to pretend these instalments are perfect, they are definitely not as bad as we remember.
10. You Appreciate Some Of The Performances More
Acting in Star Wars has always been a mixed bag. Even though Alec Guinness and Harrison Ford are mesmerising, Mark Hamill is a pretty weak lead, especially in the first movie. Carrie Fisher's performance and accent as Princess Leia is so inconsistent, the actress even joked about it herself in her stand-up.
But against all odds, the acting in the prequels was worse. The ensemble is lifeless to the point where they make the original cast look like a group of Daniel Day-Lewises. The dialogue is so weak, Oscar winners like Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson couldn't avoid coming across as bland and monotonous.
But that doesn't mean the prequels don't have some fine performances. Liam Neeson fits into the role of the stoic mentor like a glove. Ewan McGregor feels like he was born to play a younger Obi-Wan. Ian McDiarmid's reprisal as the Emperor is an utter delight. Christopher Lee is so commanding as Tyranus, it's easy to forget how generic the character is written.
However, one person who deserves far more credit is Pernilla August as Anakin Skywalker's mother, Shmi. Her dialogue always sounds sincere and heartwarming, even when the person she's acting across is giving her nothing to work off.