I'm about the same age as you, Damon (19), so I can kind of relate to the ages you were when you saw the original trilogy as well as the prequel trilogy. In some senses, I agree with you that the prequels are underrated. The overall story they tell is a good one, and those three movies do have some good points to them. I think it's the execution that's flawed. I think about the story and am captivated by it. It's when I start thinking about certain specific moments that it doesn't come across as impressive, whether it be bad dialogue, bad acting, or too much CG. I was 13 when Phantom Menace came out. I bought my tickets far in advance for it. And I enjoyed it somewhat. I knew it wasn't as good as the originals, but I was along for the ride. I bought it as soon as it came out on tape (it's the only Star Wars movie I don't currently own on DVD... except for the O-OT... grr...). I was 16 when Attack of the Clones was released, and I enjoyed it much more. The Phantom Menace seemed miles away from the backstory that was talked about originally with the Qui-Gons and the Jar-Jars and this happy little Anakin. It seemed to be related to the originals by name only. So I liked Attack of the Clones more because it seemed a little closer to what I'd imagined. I finally got to see the Clone Wars, which I'd always wondered about. Obi-Wan seemed more like Obi-Wan. There was some occasional Anakin anger. I was even able to relate to the Anakin/Padme romance thing (although I'm ashamed to admit it). I hated the CG Yoda, but, eh, we can't have it all. I got that on DVD the night it was released. And now I'm 19 and Revenge of the Sith is out. And, maybe it's because I'm older, and maybe it's because I'm now a Theatre major and can point out bad acting and am interested in film enough to know when something's not handled as well as it could be. The prequels were never my favorite, but I don't like them even as much as I used to. I thought Revenge of the Sith was the best of the prequels, but, the second time I watched it, I laughed at so many parts that I probably wasn't supposed to. I know I'll get that DVD when it comes out, and I know I'll watch the prequels at some other point in time and enjoy them, but, eh, they'll still make me laugh when they're not supposed to. All I really care about now is for Lucas to get his head out of the ground and release the original original trilogy like we want him to!