The difference between those films and the Prequels is I cared about the characters. I couldn't empathize with Anakin that much, and once he slaughtered those kids, I was counting the minutes to the lava.

For whatever reason, I never got emotionally invested in any of the prequel characters the way I did for Luke and the gang. Whatever I felt for Obi Wan, Yoda, or the droids was from seeing those old friends again.

Whether you love or loathe the Clone Wars, the Anakin Skywalker I see there is actually a likeable guy.