Makes me laugh when I see YouTubers and the new influx of vocal fans saying we’d have been better off served with a George Lucas approved sequels. He’s an absolute legend but the prequels are the evidence we need where he wanted to give us something different each time. New Planets, new spaceships and yes, new villains.
The biggest issue with the Prequels was having a new main villain each film. Had they stuck with Maul it could have been amazing, however Dooku was okay if a little LOTR esque. But General Grievious wiedling toy lightsabers whilst Ewan McGregor balances against a green screen to wield against nothing before hopping on a computer generated lizard where the only real element is his head.
I want to enjoy it I really do and there are good moments but time hasn’t been kind. Plus with Vader murdering a load of Jedi kids…being a parent myself it kinda makes his redemption touch to acknowledge now. So don’t bother with the prequels if I can help it.