I grew up with the prequels. I like them. Are they great, no. Are they the best movies of all time, not by a long shot. But they were mine. I’ve grown up with a generation above me that hates something that I love so passionately that growing up I was inclined to believe them. But as I got older my love for my childhood consisted of the horrible lines in TPM and the ridiculous fight from AOTC.
I understand from a completely objective viewpoint that the prequels pail in comparison to the OT, especially the UOT. But the thing is I grew up with those too. I had the UOT on VHS and watched them as often as I was able. I spent hours and hours pouring over the OT and memorizing its lines and complexities. The OT is vastly superior to the PT. But that’s not what this is about…
I’m beginning to see that there are a generation like me who just don’t like it when the things we love are bashed upon. That’s why it took me so long to join this forum. I have great respect for the OT and I love them to death. I’ve created my Despecialized boxset by hand (Based on ron’s). I’ve participated in the hype for revisited. I’ve watched some of Hal 9000’s prequel edits. I get it.
But… I like Jar Jar, he’s stupid but I like him. Anakin duel wielding was dumb and looked terrible, but I used to draw that seen as a child. Anakin’s turn to the dark side was too fast, but it still made me feel terrible loss and pain.
I want to be a part of this forum more, I love the OT, and I wish that they would come back. I love the way the OT was made with the models and the rubber suits and the lived in look. I remember the watching from Star Wars to Jedi, I remember the Empire of Dreams. I remember the original Star Wars toys from 78 that my friend had. The nostalgia is real. Yet it feels like somehow my nostalgia for the PT is not respected the same way as your nostalgia for the OT. And if I’m honest, it sometimes turns me off to being apart of this community that was done so much for Star Wars.
I hope this made sense, I tried to be sensible. No one in their right mind can say the PT is better than the OT. But honestly, there are people like me who are just so tired of getting hated on just for loving those movies.