10 Cringiest Moments In The Star Wars Prequels

by Danny Meegan

1. Anakin REALLY Doesn't Like Sand

Star Wars Attack Of The Clones Anakin Padmé
Disney

Attack of the Clones reaches the pinnacle of Star Wars cringe, mainly thanks to a moment that has since become one of the most-memed lines in movie history.

Early on in the second chapter of the prequel trilogy, Anakin is tasked with protecting Padmé and the two retreat to Naboo, where - shortly after arriving - the troubled young Skywalker attempts to flirt with his charge by hitting her with this ridiculous, immortal line:

"I don't like sand. It's coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere."

Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse, creepy Anakin rears his head once again, momentarily biting his lip before stroking Padmé's exposed back.

The fact that George Lucas thought this was how people speak and act - even the frustrated, awkward teenager he clearly wanted Anakin to be throughout Attack of the Clones - is perplexing. This is what happens when you give someone hundreds of millions of dollars, and almost no oversight.

Star Wars Quiz: Can You Match The Anakin Skywalker Quote To The Correct Movie?

Star Wars Attack Of The Clones Anakin Padme
Lucasfilm

1. "You're Asking Me To Be Rational. I Know That Is Something I Cannot Do."

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Danny has been with WhatCulture for over ten years, and is currently Doctor Who Editor and WhoCulture Channel Manager, overseeing all of WhatCulture's Whoniverse coverage. In 2022, he took charge of WhoCulture and has grown it into the biggest Doctor Who channel on YouTube, and one of the biggest Doctor Who communities on the web full-stop. He has been writing and video editing since his early teens, and first got a taste for content creation after making his own Doctor Who trailers, off the back of a burning obsession with the Matt Smith era of the show. Like many his age, he first got into Doctor Who with the 2005 revival, but has since gone back and fallen in love with the classic years too. If you need someone to recite every Doctor Who episode in order, or to give you a random factoid about the making of Gridlock, Danny is the person to ask!