logo Sign In

The Prequels - my personal opinion

Author
Date
Author
Time
Post link
First off, you all need to know that I'm 18 and was not around when the original trilogy launched into theatres, so that may be one of the reasons why I view the trilogy differently than the original fans. It also needs to be known that I prefer the OT to the PT....but I believe the prequels have been LARGELY underrated:

When Episode I came out, I was 12 and simply loved it like any child would. By the time Episode II came out, I had matured and had realized that Episode I was not nearly good enough as the originals and I thought EII was also less than pleasing. Before the release of EIII, I had a very negative view on EI and a somewhat moderate view on EII. However, EIII, I adored.

My opinion on the PT changed the moment Padme delivered the line, "So this is how liberty dies - with thunderous applause." I got more chills during the delivery of that line than when I first heard Darth Vader breathe through his mask for the first time. That line sums up what the entire series is about and is the very reason for the entire story...and that's when I really understood the value of the PT and how well-crafted it really was.

While most fans probably went home and watched the OT after watching EIII, I watched the PT again. I must say that for the first time I had a huge respect for EI and EII for the films that they were. I believe their contribution to the series is great and really helps advance the story and allow fans to view the OT in a different sense. Yes, the PT is overdone in terms of special effects and CG animation, but the central core...the story including the corruption and fall of a government, the republic, and the Jedi can be compared to the fall and collapse of so many governments before the democracy of the free world today. Being able to watch as a government slowly becomes corrupt and falls to the whims of the Emperor is something that was done brilliantly.

I must say that the original trilogy can never be replaced....they are a set of films that will forever be cherished my fans and film lovers for all time. Those are the movies that we all fell in love with and are what made us Star Wars fans. But I believe that original fans have not given the PT the credit it deserves. My two younger brothers who watch Star Wars soley for the action and prefer the PT because it's much more technologicaly advanced and they don't care about the story - like most of the modern-day teenagers who like Star Wars. I, however, am not someone who can be dragged into a movie just for its special effects...I need a story to keep myself happy and I believe the PT had one of the most captivating and unique stories in recent years.

Although still not as highly viewed as the OT, the PT are almost just as good in my opinion. I ask that the original fans, now that you've seen all 6 films, view the PT with an open mind and see them for the great work they are. You can still hate the PT if you want, and this is only my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own, but I would hope that original fans do accept them for what they are, even if they don't like them.
Forever a Star Wars fan!
Author
Time
Post link
Bravo damon bravo, couldnt have said it better myself.
Author
Time
Post link
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!

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

Author
Time
Post link
Damon, I am the same age as you, and I had the very same experience. Episode 3 probably saved the series for a lot of people. there's still some bad dialog, but i can forgive that now. hey, i learned to enjoy the OT's flaws after hundreds of viewings, and i'm even beginning to like JarJar.

Now, if only George could stop doing those bad things to the OT...
Author
Time
Post link
haha it seems more and more fans are coming to their senses.
Author
Time
Post link
Well, if you mean "coming to their senses" by just excepting the films for what they are, fine. But if you think some miraculous epiphany has overcome Star Wars fans, thinking the prequels are wonderful films, well ... that's another story.

I liked episode III quite a bit, actually. The dialouge between Palpatine and Anakin, the conflict within Anakin being torn between the Republic and the Jedi Council, him thinking he's doing the right thing, and his love for Padme and wanting to save her life being the deciding factor. I thought it was all pulled off very well.

Anyway, I'm glad you like the film, Damon.

In the end that's all that matters, really. We can bitch, bitch and bitch some more, but the films are what they are. The debate seems never ending, get over it, and move on. Once people realize that, maybe we can all get back to enjoying Star Wars, fans of the orginals and prequels.
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Seiji
Well, if you mean "coming to their sense" by just excepting the films for what they are, fine. But if you think some miraculous epiphany has overcome Star Wars fans, thinking the prequels are wonderful films, well ... that's another story.

I liked episode III quite a bit, actually. The dialouge between Palpatine and Anakin, the conflict within Anakin being torn between the Republic and the Jedi Council, him thinking he's doing the right thing, and his love for Padme and wanting to save her life being the deciding factor. I thought it was all pulled off very well.

Anyway, I'm glad you like the film, Damon.

In the end that's all that matters, really. We can bitch, bitch and bitch some more, but the films are what they are. The debate seems never ending, get over it, and move on. Once people realize that, maybe we can all get back to enjoying Star Wars, fans of the orginals and prequels.


yes that is what i mean, there not complaining anymore there saying yeah the OT was better but hey look on the brightside this was kinda cool, and this helped this along etc. we all know that the PT had its faults but people like those above have accepted them and are moving on with there lives. as apposed to those that are like, THE PT NEVER EXISTED in my eyes, i never saw them. that denial and thats not a good thing. hahaha
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
haha it seems more and more fans are coming to their senses.

People "coming to their senses" as you put it, is just your perception that your opinion is the only correct one. The more people that agree with you, the more it re-enforces your feelings of correctness. It's an ego boost. No one's opinion is wrong, kid. I don't have to watch anything I don't want to watch. I don't have to accept the revised past. I don't have to listen to Lucas lie about what he wrote 30 years ago. I don't have to "come to my senses". If I choose to watch only one of the films, I can do just that. It's not about denial - it's about not having to listen to someone tell me one thing and then they deny it decades later and try to cover up the past while telling me "what they really meant to do was..."

Go watch your 6 films. I'll watch my 1. We'll both be just fine. Really.

Look on the bright side, kid - your Star Wars marathons last about 10 hours longer than mine.

Forum Moderator
Author
Time
Post link
I like Anchorheads posts so far. "Come join me and together we can bash Lucas and the PT and rule this forum..." LOL!
"Drink the Kool-Aid. Wear blinders. Cover your ears. Because that's the only way you can totally enjoy Revenge of the Sith -- the final and most futile attempt from skilled producer, clumsy director and tin-eared writer George Lucas to create a prequel trilogy to match the myth-making spirit of the original Star Wars saga he unleashed twenty-eight years ago. Fan boys, of course, have convinced themselves otherwise. So have several critics, if you go by early reviews."
Author
Time
Post link
a couple of things from the desk of greencapt....

1) Welcome Damon! I'm always glad to see new blood that is capable of well written, well thought out posts!

2) The rift here at OT.Com seems to be growing wider and wider in some forums, especially in the 'General SW Discussion' area. This saddens me. I've found a new community of 'friends' here and hope people will continue to be able to talk about things with depth, humor and sometimes sheer silliness without resorting to the 'you suck... no YOU suck mentality of oh so many other forums.
Author
Time
Post link
I agree completely GreenCapt. I was reading that Xbox live is filled with such profanity, narrowmindedness, etc. that for many ruins the experience. I read on the next-gen Xbox360 they will have a rating system similar to ebay.com. I say this because I would love to see this on message boards so people couldn't get multiple names under the same IP, post a slew of negative simple-minded comments and like the above example ruin the experience for many. The other board members could rate you. People treat each other much better on ebay because of the incredible importance of their rating system.

I guess I get frustrated to when you start a thread with an intelligent question to get dialog and initiate conversation and some hijacks the thread with a "that sucks" or something along those lines...WHY POST THAT??? WHY?? I takes up space, is negative, ruins the train of real responses and often is a thread killer.

Damon, not to discourage you at all. I too, welcome you and love the fact that you took time to write a post (that isn't just increasing a post count) that was well thought out and something that you feel. That is not wrong, and it is not to be discounted. Even if your opinion isn't my opinion I will always welcome it when it is wrote out in that manner. Instead of "the PT sucks ass!!!!!!" etc.

There certainly is a variety of opinions, Anchorhead, not only doesn't like the PT, but EP. V and VI too. Which is cool, for him the only one is the original, some here only like ESB, some only like the OT, some say the new OT is 3,4,5...some like the PT over the OT (a bit odd considering the name of the forum)...again its cool. As long as you right respectful posts and don't trash people who disagree with you. Again it kills threads, wastes scrolling/reading time, and pisses good people off.

So welcome aboard Damon, keep posting and like the movie, saving star wars, one way or the other...Lucas gave us something to talk about and his saga, for better or worse is the reason we are here. Even the great work Magnolia has done...it all starts with Lucas. I am angry at Jar-Jar, Gungans, Ewoks, the greedo and Jabba thing, that awful song in ROTJ, and killing Darth Maul...but there are so, so many things that are cool and exciting. If only on a technical level they are fun to watch...The sounds, the imagination, the worlds, the art, the music. BTW, damon, I love that line from Padme too.
16 years I wait and this is what I get???
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: fans own the trilogy
I like Anchorheads posts so far. "Come join me and together we can bash Lucas and the PT and rule this forum..." LOL!

My hate has made me powerful.
Forum Moderator
Author
Time
Post link
great post damon! i'm a newer member too.

i respect everyone's opinions, and appreciate that everyone has their own view of what is great about star wars, which films are great, etc.

BUT...

i am a little sick of people saying "if you really watched them, you'd like them more," or suggesting that anyone who dislikes the PT on the whole is somehow being ignorant, intolerant, closed-minded, etc.

we're not, i assure you. i know i'm not. i've given these films their chances, and they've failed me. not so much ROTS, but definitely the other two.

so i think if i did try to give them another chance and watch them again, it would probably end with large objects thrown at a perfectly good tv. your mileage varies, which is what makes this forum great--we can all discuss stuff and share ideas without (or at least, with very rarely) descending into the mindless fanboyism of "you're WRONG, no you're WRONG," etc.
Pop Geek (my blog)
Entertainment Geekly
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: DarthAstuart
great post damon! i'm a newer member too.

i respect everyone's opinions, and appreciate that everyone has their own view of what is great about star wars, which films are great, etc.

BUT...

i am a little sick of people saying "if you really watched them, you'd like them more," or suggesting that anyone who dislikes the PT on the whole is somehow being ignorant, intolerant, closed-minded, etc.

we're not, i assure you. i know i'm not. i've given these films their chances, and they've failed me. not so much ROTS, but definitely the other two.

so i think if i did try to give them another chance and watch them again, it would probably end with large objects thrown at a perfectly good tv. your mileage varies, which is what makes this forum great--we can all discuss stuff and share ideas without (or at least, with very rarely) descending into the mindless fanboyism of "you're WRONG, no you're WRONG," etc.



That is EXACTLY the point I was trying to bring across DarthAstuart! You've watched the PT with an open mind and decided in the end that you didn't like them and that's what I was trying to bring across in my post. It's my wish that original fans can at least give them a chance where as so many original fans I know in person saw EI and were immediately turned off by the PT. Like I said earlier, I don't mind if original fans end up not liking the PT, as long as they give it a chance and realize what it's all about.

I didn't mean to start an argument, so I apologize to those fans who think I have done so, but I do hope at least a few people took notice of the post and decided to give the PT another chance even though they want the OOT preserved in its entirety as the ONLY Star Wars trilogy (at least in their minds). Once again, everyone is allowed to have their opinion and I don't discourage it in the least. And thanks for posting your views everyone, they are what makes this world full of unique people and proves how fans of a certain franchise can still be so unique and different despite their love for the same story, being Star Wars.

Forever a Star Wars fan!
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
haha it seems more and more fans are coming to their senses.


I think you meant "are being seduced by the darkside"

Welcome to the forum Damon. Sorry, I watched EPI with an open mind, I wanted the PT to be as good as the OOT, sadly it is not (in my opinon). The magic just isn't there in the PT like it is with the OOT. Sorry I but I've got to call it as I see it. Although I will say EPIII was much, much, better than the first two(in the PT). I as well liked the line "So this is how liberty dies".

Quote
Originally posted by: Obi-wonton

Anchorhead, not only doesn't like the PT, but EP. V and VI too.


I...can't believe it! Someone actually doesn't like Empire Strikes Back?!? You have the right to your opinion, but.....why Anchorhead? why?

Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Warbler
Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
haha it seems more and more fans are coming to their senses.


I think you meant "are being seduced by the darkside"

Welcome to the forum Damon. Sorry, I watched EPI with an open mind, I wanted the PT to be as good as the OOT, sadly it is not (in my opinon). The magic just isn't there in the PT like it is with the OOT. Sorry I but I've got to call it as I see it. Although I will say EPIII was much, much, better than the first two(in the PT). I as well liked the line "So this is how liberty dies".

Quote
Originally posted by: Obi-wonton

Anchorhead, not only doesn't like the PT, but EP. V and VI too.


I...can't believe it! Someone actually doesn't like Empire Strikes Back?!? You have the right to your opinion, but.....why Anchorhead? why?


its not the dark side, its the right side. there is no dark or light there just is right.
Author
Time
Post link
to the right, ever to the right, never to the left, forever to the right....


I'll bet you'll never guess where that quote comes from.
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Warbler
to the right, ever to the right, never to the left, forever to the right....


I'll bet you'll never guess where that quote comes from.


Hmmm ... I believe that was in "Nasty Nymphos #17"

Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Warbler<br
I...can't believe it! Someone actually doesn't like Empire Strikes Back?!? You have the right to your opinion, but.....why Anchorhead? why?


I discussed it here; ESB discussion

Forum Moderator
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
i donno monty python.


no.

Quote
Originally posted by: Seiji


Hmmm ... I believe that was in "Nasty Nymphos #17"


no.
Author
Time
Post link
Quote
Originally posted by: Warbler
Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
i donno monty python.


no.

Quote
Originally posted by: Seiji


Hmmm ... I believe that was in "Nasty Nymphos #17"


no.


no your wrong
Author
Time
Post link
Warbler, please, why don't you just tell Shimraa, so we can end this?

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.