I grew up with the Originals and loved everything Star Wars. I was very much looking forward to the Prequels, but when they arrived I was very mixed on them. I loved some parts and absolutely hated others. Clone Wars and The Clone Wars were released, and I didn’t like the animation style or the expanding of the Prequels. I had a very specific idea of what Star Wars was and this was not it. It was a difficult time for me because Star Wars was important and I didn’t like what it was becoming.
Rebels was released and even though I still didn’t like the animation style, it was more like the Originals. I liked seeing the Rebellion against the Empire get started and everything from the ships to the sounds had the feel I wanted.
Then came The Force Awakens. This was the start of everything changing for me. It was somewhat closer to the Originals, but very far from everything I disliked about the Prequels. My Star Wars joy soared to the heights of my youth! Content I enjoyed! Suddenly everything seemed possible again and Star Wars wasn’t locked into a style I didn’t like.
By this time, the Clone Wars had become immensely popular among Star Wars fans. I decided to give it another try. Now that Star Wars was under new management I saw things differently. The option of having something other than Prequel era and style made me less critical and more appreciative of not just The Clone Wars, but the Prequels themselves. I saw them more as a unique product of their own time. The parts I didn’t like seemed to not matter and I could just enjoy the parts I did because I had other new Star Wars again that was completely different.
My idea of what Star Wars was had changed. I knew Star Wars would only get wider and we’d be seeing all sorts of different things. Each generation would have their own take on it. I’d always have my beloved Originals, but I could also enjoy seeing new things too. All of this was a good thing. It’s why Star Wars would live on.
This mindset is probably why I didn’t have a problem with The Last Jedi or The Rise of Skywalker. I don’t think every criticism of those movies is valid, but I certainly see flaws. The older me now acknowledges many flaws in the Originals as well. Star Wars remains very important to me, I’m just more forgiving. I think embracing more variety combined with the large amount of content on the horizon has just made me feel all of Star Wars is enjoyable to a varying extent and it’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan.