Since the dawn of time (c. 1977) Star Wars fans have been known as the most opinionated humans on the planet. Truly, there’s nothing that brings the Star Wars community together like a good debate. There are so many different topics: who shot first, what order to watch the films in, why are all the main characters human, who has the worst “sci-fi” name… (I’m looking at you, “Count Dooku.”)
It’s a tale as old as time.
Now, every Star Wars fan also has one hot take that they will defend with their life. For example, here’s mine:
The Star Wars Prequels are Objectively Better than the Original Trilogy
This is a hill I will die on, and honestly, it’s…probably a pretty nice hill to die on, all things considered.
Probably not too crowded, nice views, etc.
Now, because of many factors (mainly TikTok edits) this opinion isn’t such a hot take anymore. I can’t begin to tell you how many people have told me they want to watch the prequels because of seeing an AnakinxPadme (of all the couples…) edit on TikTok. A win is a win, I guess.
Anyway, when I was first planning this blog post, it was going to be more of a persuasive piece about why the prequel trilogy is better than the originals. But then I realized I would have to watch all the Star Wars movies again and do a bunch of research and, well, it’s Saturday, and I’m posting this on Monday.
So, instead, because it’s May the 4th, I’ve decided to dedicate this blog post to the Star Wars Prequels: why they are awesome and why I, personally, love them.
Ok! Here we go!
Reason Number One why I love the Star Wars prequels:
Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin is the best (Skywalker) main character out of all the trilogies (between Anakin, Luke, and Rey). We actually get his whole story, from when he was a child, to becoming a Jedi, to (spoilers, I guess, if you’ve lived under a rock) becoming Darth Vader. And, we even see him get redeemed in the OG trilogy (or the tril-OG, as I like to refer to it).
Anakin is more relatable than Luke. Luke is your classic “good guy” character. He always does the right thing, is willing to make the sacrifice, and successfully defeats and redeems the “bad guy.” I think a lot of people like the idea of “being” Luke, or the “good guy.” We like to think that we’re always going to make the right choices and take the moral “high ground,” (hehe) so to speak.
Anakin, however, wavers. He starts out as a “good guy.” In the first movie, he’s a cute kid who cares about his mom and wants to become a Jedi to help protect her. But what’s interesting with Anakin is that instead of seeing him become the “hero” he was always meant to be, we see him fall into the traps of the Dark Side. Mwahaha.
In one of my writing classes, we learned that the difference between the protagonist (the main character/good guy) and the antagonist (the villain/bad guy) is that they are faced with the exact same choice, they just make the opposite decision.
When Luke learns about the Force, he learns that there is a “light side” and a “dark side.” He can either use the Force to help others or just help himself. Luke chooses the light side, chooses to help others, and joins the Rebellion to free the galaxy from the Empire.
When Anakin discovers he can use the Force, he’s told he is the subject of the prophecy and that he can “bring balance” to the Force. Instead, he chooses to use his power to protect himself and himself only (and still ultimately destroys himself…very Voldemort-coded).
When faced with ultimate power, Luke and Anakin are presented with the same choice: selfishness or selflessness. And as much as we would like to think that we would choose to save the galaxy, I think we can all identify a little bit with Anakin’s self-interest. And seeing his descent into becoming a Sith is more real because we can see all the tiny choices that lead up to it. We’re forced to admit that the line between “light side” and “dark side” is thinner than we’d like it to be.
Reason Number Two why I love the prequels: The Story
My number one complaint about the tril-OG is that it is So. Slow. There’s like, an extended scene in every movie that is either unnecessarily long or has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Think the ice storm scene…and that time where they have to escape a giant sand monster…
Runners Up include Yoda training Luke, and every scene with Jabba the Hutt. I fall asleep during these parts every time my family watches these movies, which is usually when we’re introducing them to one of my younger sisters.
(Side note–my family treats the viewing of all major fandom movies or TV shows like rites of passage. Once you come of age, you must watch Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the Marvel movies. My youngest sister, Bethany, is now 11, and so far we’ve gotten her through Star Trek and Harry Potter, and apparently now she’s on Phase Three: Star Wars. She’s becoming a nerd, just like her sister before her, and her sister before her, and her sister before her, and her sister–)
Anyway, I will admit that the prequels do have one, one unbearable plotline, and that is the pod race from The Phantom Menace. The only thing that saves this storyline is that there are actually some stakes and, like, a reason why Anakin has to win the race.
Otherwise, the prequels actually have a pretty tight story. Unlike with the tril-OG, there’s an actual plan for the ending of the prequels: Anakin becomes Darth Vader. And the process of seeing him slowly slip into the Dark Side, even though you know it’s coming, is actually very compelling. Every time I watch the prequels, I think, “Maybe this time he won’t turn evil.”
So far, this hasn’t worked, but I’ll keep hoping.
I usually despise prequels because it’s hard to see the point in a story where you already know the ending. But in this case, knowing the ending is part of what makes the story good.
Of course, there are other reasons why this story is good. Allow me to introduce you to my (and everyone’s) favorite character:
No, wait, not that guy–
Yeahhh that guy.
Obi-Wan Kenobi. One half of the best friendship duo to ever grace the big screen. If there was a platonic version of “grumpyXsunshine,” it would be Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Friendship duos are always my favorite character trope (Eugene and Lance from Tangled the Series, Shawn and Gus from Psych, Chris and Ben from Parks and Rec…the list goes on and on). But what I like about Anakin and Obi-Wan’s friendship is that we get to see it evolve from mentorship, to friendship, to brotherhood. So, when Anakin makes the ultimate betrayal, and Obi-Wan is forced to fight him and leave him for dead, we feel that pain.
And, just another note on Obi-Wan, I also always love a character that can jump between being both intensely serious and also the comic relief. Because what do you mean the same character who says this:
is also incredible meme-able:
And now, for the final point of why the prequels are awesome, may I introduce you to the greatest love story ever told:
Just kidding. Actually, this might be the weakest aspect of the series.
I mean seriously, between Luke trying to date his sister and Anakin falling in love with someone twice his age, I can kind of understand why the Jedi aren’t allowed to get married/be in relationships. When it comes to love, the Skywalkers don’t have the best track record.
And as long as we’re talking about counterarguments, I do also have to bring up one more character:
Highly regarded as the most annoying character to ever appear in a feature film. However, I’d just like to argue that one annoying character is no reason to say that an entire trilogy is unwatchable. And, there’s absolutely no way he’s worse than this guy:
But meesa digress.
So…what’s the point of this blog post? Well, honestly, I think I just like talking about Star Wars, and there were favorable conditions for a Star Wars post (I needed an idea for a post…May the 4th was coming up…I really didn’t have a choice when you think about it).
It’s like when there’s favorable weather for a tornado, but instead of a tornado watch there was a, like, fandom watch. Which is just as dangerous (you should always be alert on the major nerd holidays: Back to Hogwarts, First Contact Day, etc).
So, I guess all I’m trying to say is that the prequels are awesome, maybe even more awesome than the tril-OG, and if you like angsty characters, best bud friendship duos, problematic love interests, and also thoughtful and intellectual story themes, then you should definitely give these movies a chance.
Yes, I love the Star Wars prequels, and while I do like to joke and say that they’re “objectively” better than the Original Trilogy, I can admit that that’s probably not true.
However, there is one fandom, one series, that IS objectively better than the Original Star Wars Trilogy, even better than the Star Wars PREQUELS:
Star Trek.
But that’s a post for another time.
Happy Star Wars Day. May the 4th be with you Live Long and Prosper 🖖
