The “Star Wars” franchise wouldn’t have a whole new group of first-generation fans if it wasn’t for the prequels.
The prequel trilogy consists of “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (1999), “Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones” (2002) and the best “Star Wars” movie of all time, “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” (2005).
There is so much unbearable controversy surrounding which trilogy is the “best” but despite all the flaws, the prequels deserve that title.
The biggest reason is they have one single vision and story.
Anakin Skywalker was the solution to finding a satisfying way to tell an antagonist’s backstory and it wasn’t just satisfactory- it was heart wrenchingly wicked, evil and fun.
Obi-Wan Kenobi was always a wise, good-natured character but these movies made him quirky and not afraid to get into trouble and break the rules in adventures with Anakin.
The prequels helped expand the Star Wars universe into much more than three mediocre movies, unlike what the sequels did.
“Obi-Wan” is a series coming to Disney+ this year, with Ewan McGregor returning to the role he played in the prequel trilogy.
Not to mention, the entire “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series is set during the years between Episode II and Episode III.
Without a doubt, the prequels’ lightsaber battles are superior. The original trilogy’s battles were slow and awkward. The sequel trilogy gets the balance right but Disney ruined the powers of a lightsaber.
The prequels’ combat is intense, innovative and full of emotion. The final battle of the prequel trilogy between Anakin and Obi-Wan is exactly what the audience waited for and it’s over lava.
The emotions are at an all-time high with an enormous background set that adds to the high stakes at hand, no pun intended.
When the end of the brawl hits and emotions are dwindling to sadness, Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he was like a brother, saying “I loved you” as Anakin burns on the side of the rock as a sentimental orchestra score plays in the background.
Nothing can top that scene. I can’t even fathom how anyone could argue that the other trilogies did better.
When anyone thinks “Star Wars,” they think of lightsabers. How could you have a Star Wars movie where the fights are boring and anyone can use anything? The sequels answered that question.
The first three movies built the world, the next three expanded the world to a universe and then the last three racked up bucks as blockbusters.
Despite flaws including chalky dialogue and crazy innovative CGI, Episodes I, II and III did an amazing job at worldbuilding.
To this day I remember what it feels like to watch the end of “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” for the first time and it still feels like I’m in the mesmerizing world of “Star Wars” every time.
