Why The Star Wars Prequels Aren't As Bad As You 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.