Star Wars: Prequel Trilogy
Creator: George Lucas
The Dark Side of the Force surrounds Long-Time Fans of the Star Wars Saga
Ranking: 5 stars
Why do long time Star Wars fanboys bash the prequels and George Lucas so much?! These films were the foundation of my childhood. I would spend hour after hour watching these films when as a boy, and I would always pretend to be a Jedi slashing up battle droids! People always complain about these films. Fans accuse them of ruining the Star Wars franchise; they now call Lucas a monster because of their existence, and whenever I've mentioned them to other people, they instantly associate the movies with Jar Jar Binks (even Episode III; if you don't believe me, just surf the web. You won't believe all the hate-attacks I've seen directed towards Lucas and these films). Seriously, I think the old time fans need to calm the heck down! In the words of the Scarecrow from BATMAN BEGINS just before he sets a gasoline doused Batman ablaze, "My opinion, you need to lighten up!"
Okay I'm rambling, lets just get on with the review.
If you haven't noticed by now, yes I am a Star Wars fan. Both the original and prequel trilogies were major sources of entertainment for me as a child and will continue to be for the rest of my life. I'm not alone, as the Star Wars saga has become a phenomenon of American culture. The first of the series to be released, STAR WARS (later renamed EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE) helped revolutionize the film industry through its ground-breaking special effects, innovative storyline, and its unforgettable cast of characters including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader. The success of A NEW HOPE led to the release of EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, which was not only one of the few successful sequels of the time, but also it brought a darker tone to the series, introduced Yoda, and revealed that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker's father. The original trilogy was then concluded with EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI, finally ending the conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, as well as the redeeming of Darth Vader, aka Anakin Skywalker. The three original Star Wars films are now regarded as timeless classics that will live forever, like the force itself. However the prequels, which were released nineteen years later, have been a constant target of criticism and hate-attacks from fans of the original trilogy. I admit that this bothers me more than it should, because these were the Star Wars films that I grew up with and cherished. Of course, now I realize that they did possess a couple of flaws in their creation, but it's still no excuse for fanboys to constantly whine and complain about the prequels or call Lucas the “Hitler” of the film industry. Of course, my review won’t be able to counter all of the evils fans have placed on these films; it will bring a new perspective onto the most prominent ones I have seen over the internet. Criticism is one thing, but downright hateful bashing towards the movies and their creator is an entirely different story.
STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE:
Acting as the beginning of the saga, the plot of Episode I revolves around the invasion of the peaceful planet of Naboo. As the turmoil over taxation routes engulfs the Galactic Republic, the Trade Federation blockades Naboo with an armada of deadly warships to halt all trade towards the small planet. When two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are sent by the chancellor to force the federation out of the system, the greedy Viceroy Nute Gunnray is ordered by the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, to launch an invasion on the planet, and eradicate the Jedi. After evading the federation's battle droids, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan help Naboo's Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) escape the planet, but their starship is unable to make it to the Republic capital of Coruscant after having their hyperdrive destroyed while fleeing the blockade. Forced to land on the small planet of Tatooine, it is here where the group meets a young slave named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who has an unusually strong connection to the force and is believed by Qui-Gon to be linked to a prophecy that speaks of a Jedi that will help bring balance to the force. But while on Tatooine, the true motives behind the invasion are revealed to be more than just a tax dispute as a mysterious new antagonist reveals the existence of the Sith, practitioners of the dark side of the force, who seek the destruction of the Jedi order and the light side of the force.
Many people consider THE PHANTOM MENACE to be the worst film of the franchise, criticizing the directing of the storyline, the dialogue between characters, Jar Jar Binks (probably the most hated character of the Star Wars universe), as well as citing it as an excuse to show off CGI special effects and market toys to children (I’m referring to Binks here). I disagree, however, as while the critics have valid points in their argument, there were many innovating aspects of this film. I particularly enjoyed Liam Neeson’s performance as Qui-Gon Jin, as while he did die prematurely, his role as Obi Wan’s master was sensational, as he endows his apprentice with the morals soon make him a great jedi, and he helps Anakin begin his path which determines the course of the saga. I honestly don’t understand why people are so harsh towards Jake Lloyd’s role as the young Anakin Skywalker. He was just a kid when this was filmed and didn’t deserve all of the derogatory comments he’s received.They’re quick to denounce his character, protesting that they see no signs of him eventually becoming Darth Vader and that he’s just an overly excited, cheerful brat. Again I have to disagree, as Anakin was only nine in this film, so it’s unlikely he exhibited any signs of the dark side in him, and I enjoyed Lloyd's performance. I found his status as a slave to be a perfect background for him, as it gives the audience his reasons for wanting to become a Jedi, and his cheerful personality is likely because he strives for a better life than that of a slave and is ignorant towards the hardships Jedi life will bring him. As I am defending TPM, you all knew I was going to have to give my diagnosis on Jar Jar Binks, but I’m going to make this part as brief as I can (I’d rather not receive hate-messages from whiny fanboys). Although most Star Wars fans instantly hate this character, I honestly never held any contempt against him, and although he can be a tad bit more annoying now that I’m older, I still find a few of his moments in the film mildly humorous. Another subject of criticism is that the Trade Federation invades Naboo because of a tax dispute with the galactic senate. While I myself am not a fan of overusage of political themes, keep in mind that the tax embargo was simply a cover that allowed the Sith to place themselves in a position where they could begin their plan to take over the galaxy (Qui Gon himself mentions “there’s something else behind all this”).
While these aren’t the only criticisms I’ve seen directed towards THE PHANTOM MENACE, I believe that this film received negative attention that it doesn’t deserve. I can understand why nostalgic fanboys believe this film didn’t match the greatness of the original trilogy, I felt the film offered many great innovations to the Star Wars Universe. Anyone who could hate Darth Maul wielding a double-bladed lightsaber, or a desert pod-race that reflects BEN HUR is clouded from the true nature of the force in my point of view.
STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES:
Taking place ten years after the invasion of Naboo, the galactic republic is now on the verge of division. Countless star systems have begun to secede from the republic, leading to the development of a separatist alliance led by former jedi, now sith lord, Count Dooku. In the wake of this crisis, Senator Padme Amidala, former queen of Naboo, has returned to Coruscant to fight against a bill that would allow the creation of a republic military, in the hopes of avoiding war. However, once she arrives her ship is destroyed in an attempt to claim the young senator’s life. Having survived only through the use of a decoy, Padme is placed under the protection of jedi master Obi Wan Kenobi, and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker. After preventing a second assassination attempt, the two jedi capture the assailant, but before she could reveal who hired her, she was shot with a poison saberdart. Obi Wan uses the dart to track the murderer to the stormy planet Kamino, where he learns that the planet’s inhabitants have been manufacturing in secret, an army of clones for the galactic republic. Meanwhile, Anakin is assigned by the Jedi Council to watch over Padme back on her home planet Naboo, where the two slowly begin to form a romantic relationship. However, their actions go against jedi lore, as attachment to earthly matter is forbidden.
ATTACK OF THE CLONES doesn’t match up to the grandeur of the other five films, but I still found it to be a good movie that retained the same elements that are the Star Wars. Although it wasn’t criticized to the extent that TPM was, fanboys of the original trilogy constantly bash this film as if it ruined their childhood. The element of ATTACK OF THE CLONES that is criticized the most is the romance between Anakin and Padme. Fans and critics alike have claimed the dialogue between the two lovers to be wooden and cliched, having no emotion or believability to it whatsoever. As a child watching these films over and over again, I was unaware of the criticism they were receiving so I was completely surprised that a majority of people hated Anakin and Padme’s romance. In my perspective, I view their relationship as a “Romeo and Juliet” type story. While the jedi are encouraged to love unconditionally, attachment is forbidden as if one were to lose the object of their desire, they would be plagued by despair and vengeance, making them susceptible to the dark side. I know that some people believe that this makes jedi by definition, emotionless, contradicting Luke’s spirited attitude in the original trilogy. Keep in mind, however, jedi are required to be compassionate to others, and Luke’s feelings for his sister Leia nearly brought him over to the dark side in RETURN OF THE JEDI. The forbidden love between Anakin and Padme works well for the story in my point of view, as it helps set up the story for Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader in REVENGE OF THE SITH. I admit that some parts of the romantic dialogue were cheesy, but I felt they actually brought a Shakespearean tone to their love, enhancing the “Romeo and Juliet” feel of the story (it still baffles me to why no one else has commented on this type of chemistry in their love). The other prominent criticism I’ve seen that nearly ties with the romance is Hayden Christensen’s role as Anakin. Fans claim him to be a whiny brat with flat dialogue, and an undeveloped character. Again I have to disagree as I don’t view Anakin’s outbursts as whining, but rather as arrogance that results from his superior prowess as a jedi. One of the few truths in this world (or the galaxy) is that all men with power simply want more power. Lucas decided to have Christensen play Anakin in this manner as he wanted to have a character who exhibits early stages of the dark side within him. Christensen executes such a role expertly, as Skywalker feels like the jedi are holding him back from gaining power or experiencing emotional love, and he slaughters an entire tribe of Tusken Raiders that killed his mother.
In my personal opinion, this film is the weakest of the franchise, but I still found it to be an enjoyable film that again, like THE PHANTOM MENACE, receives a large amount of negative criticism that it doesn’t deserve. The romance between Anakin and Padme, in my opinion, should’ve been seen as a Shakespearean influence rather than a cliched acting (maybe it wasn’t, but that’s how I see it), and Christensen’s Anakin has been labeled as a whiny complainer when he is really a troubled young man who feels the jedi ways are pushing him away from everything else he holds dear. The best aspect of the film is Ewan McGregor’s incarnation of Obi Wan, as he displays total confidence in battle and provides humorous dialogue and one-liners (his “Oh blast! This is why I hate flying” line while being shot at by Jango Fett’s ship through an asteroid field was my favorite). Also the clones provide the backstory for the stormtroopers, and the droid factory and jedi fight in the battle arena on Genenosis provide some of the best visual effects the series has seen (they’re pure eye-candy)! AOTC is not my favorite of the series, and while the film’s not perfect, fans need to catch a hint that their hateful bashing is making them the real whiners, and not Christensen’s Anakin (what hypocrites...).
STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH
Three years into the clone wars, Anakin Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight, and Obi-Wan Kenobi rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the elusive cyborg General Grievous, who daringly kidnapped the chancellor during a surprise separatist invasion of Coruscant. After Anakin kills Count Dooku and returns Palpatine to safety, he learns from his wife Padme that she is now pregnant with twins (who we know to be Luke and Leia). Soon afterwards, Anakin experiences a nightmare of Padme dying during childbirth, and fears that it will become a reality just like the dreams he had about his mother did. As the clone wars near their end, the Jedi Council assigns Anakin to act as a double agent for Palpatine, as the jedi fear that he won’t give up his emergency war powers once Grievous is eliminated. As Anakin spies on Palpatine, conflicted between his loyalties to the jedi and the republic, Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is in reality the dark lord of the sith, Darth Sidious, as he knows the ways of the force, and that the dark side can grant one the ability to prevent others from dying. Wishing to save his wife, Anakin is eventually seduced by Palpatine who promises to teach him the power to overcome death itself. Known reborn as Darth Vader, young Skywalker exterminates the jedi order and the Separatist leaders, allowing Palpatine to convert the republic into the galactic empire. With only Obi Wan and Yoda surviving the Jedi Purge, will they be able to bring down Emperor Palpatine and his new apprentice, or will the Sith accomplish their goal to rule the galaxy?
My defensive critique for this film is going to be short, as the final film of the prequel trilogy (and my personal favorite of the saga as a whole) has been widely praised in stark contrast to the previous two installments, and has been considered to be the best Star Wars film since THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (and my personal favorite of the saga). Of the few negative comments I’ve seen directed towards Episode III, the most prominent ones I’ve seen are again towards Hayden Christensen's role as Anakin, as well as the love scenes with Padme (which I’ve already critiqued). One criticism that is reviled on the internet for reasons I don’t understand is Darth Vader’s “NOOOO!!!” when he realizes he killed Padme. People claimed that one line ruined the film, but I disagree as while I still found it a little too dramatic, I could feel Vader’s pain as he realizes he killed the one he loved the most. High points of Episode III include McDiarmid and McGregor's performances as Obi Wan and Palpatine, Christensen’s dark and serious development into the classic Darth Vader, General Grievous and his simultaneous wielding of four lightsabers, and the final climactic battle on Mustafar.
I’m fine with people rationally criticizing films or books for flaws in their creation, but whenever it escalates into constant hateful bashing towards both the film and it’s creator, it really irritates me. Long time fanboys continuously accuse the prequels of ruining their lives, and that George Lucas raped their childhood by creating them (anyone who actually believes that needs to see a shrink if you ask me, and you won’t believe how many fans I’ve seen use that phrase). I personally feel that there are boundaries to how far criticism should go, and these whining fanboys have surpassed that limit. Lucas and the prequels don’t deserve all the hate they’ve received, as these films provide innovating plots, entertaining characters, and awesome CGI special effects. They’re not perfect, but fans need to realize that they’re only movies, and need to move on with their lives instead of constantly complaining about them. Not only has it become annoying, but it also ruins the reputations of the films for those who have the potential to enjoy them.
For those who do enjoy the prequels, the force will be with you, always.
