The prequels definitely tried some interesting things (watch the History doc “The Legacy Revealed” if you haven’t) and there were a lot of really compelling ideas bubbling under the surface. Ultimately, though, sometimes what they were trying to do can’t overcome how they were doing it. Even if you have a good idea, if you can’t effectively tell it, then the idea might as well be moot. Remember the phrase “a good story, well told.” George Lucas is undoubtedly a visionary but ultimately his skills as a filmmaker were somewhat lacking.