Fans of the Star Wars franchise have been outspoken and passionate about their views of the prequel trilogy (and everything else, really). At the time of their release, fans only had their connection to the original three films. However, since the acquisition of LucasFilm by the Disney Corporation, there has been a slew of Star Wars content for a new generation of fans. With the fanbase growing through multiple generations, each can gravitate towards one era of the franchise. With that, a growing appreciation for the prequel trilogy has made its way towards the mainstream.

Episodes I, II and III have been at the forefront of much controversy in Star Wars fandom. From certain characters to dialogue choices, there have been many critics of the trilogy who have nitpicked elements of these films. The prequel trilogy was abjectly hated by many Star Wars fans at the time, with original reactions to the movies ranging from melancholic disappointment to apoplectic rage. However, these films are essential to the Star Wars story and the Skywalker Saga. In addition to the crucial elements of these films that establish the entire storyline for major characters of the original trilogy, the prequels also opened up opportunities for new stories that fill in gaps of time. A variety of elements from the series have become more and more appreciated and accepted from fans, making it more loved each day.

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George Lucas’ Pure Vision

     Lucasfilm

Like the original Star Wars movies, each of the films in the prequel trilogy is directed by George Lucas, who is the creator of the entire franchise. There is something special about that connection to the audience. Lucas is one for poetry, and he creates these mirrors from one trilogy to another. It all feels like one continuous story from The Phantom Menace through Return of the Jedi. There is an established threadline that connects each film to one other, which is something fans have complained about during the sequel trilogy. Fans are starting to appreciate that threadline in the story of the prequels and voicing their love for that story structure.

Disney+ and Star Wars

     Disney

The streaming juggernaut Disney+ is the primary reason that the Star Wars prequels have received growing praise. Disney has cataloged the Star Wars content in a way that is very user-friendly. The readily accessible films, primarily in the prequel era, can be viewed over and over again for fans who grew up during that period. There is also an opportunity for original Star Wars content, including series, that can showcase more stories during that time period.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

     Disney+

While Sir Alec Guinness introduced audiences to the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor fleshed his backstory out entirely. Obi-Wan was near the center of all three prequel films, and established the friendship with Anakin Skywalker that audiences fell in love with. Obi-Wan Kenobi, his own series, capitalized on the growing appreciation for the prequel trilogy and gave fans more of what they loved from those films. The dynamic between Obi-Wan and Anakin was explored in the aftermath of the underrated Revenge of the Sith, and how the events of that film plagued the rogue Jedi.

The Disney+ series also felt like it was a part of the prequel era. Each trilogy has their own look and tone to it, corresponding to the time period in which it was made. Obi-Wan Kenobi was able to bring the new generation of fans growing up in the Disney+ era of Star Wars to a previous era of the franchise, when the prequels first arrived. The character of Obi-Wan primarily exists in the prequel era, where he acts as one of the most powerful Jedi. Seeing him in these films is a highlight to the entire trilogy. As his antithesis, his apprentice Anakin Skywalker’s rise and fall is the most prominent element of the prequels that should not be overlooked.

Anakin Skywalker, the Tragic Hero

The fall of Anakin Skywalker is a story that relates more to a Greek tragedy than that of a science fiction narrative. It is a tale of how one’s own fatal flaw and hubris could overpower the fates. Anakin chose power over the way of the force, and his tragic ending before turning to the dark side is one of the most powerful moments of the entire saga. There is also an importance to seeing the man underneath the mask in the original trilogy. When Star Wars initially premiered back in 1977, audiences had no real idea of the story that existed beforehand. The prequels added a whole new layer to Darth Vader and realized his motivations towards the dark side. Without that, he would not have that extra compelling layer to his character. The prequels actually make the original Star Wars films better by fleshing out characters like him.

John Williams’ Star Wars Score

     Lucasfilm / Disney

Of course, any score helmed by John Williams will be a grand symphony or a compelling series of motifs. But within the prequels, there are many pieces by Williams that are arguably the most powerful in the franchise. While the opening theme and the Imperial March are incredible pieces of music, the three prequels have explosive scores. In Episode I, audiences heard The Duel of the Fates theme towards the end of the film, a brilliant musical companion piece to the duel taking place. In Episode III, Anakin vs. Obi-Wan accompanies the clash between good and evil. Williams’ Star Wars music perfectly accompanies the explosive visuals, which were often more captivating due to enhanced technological advancements in computer generated images that the original trilogy did not yet have.

Growing Technology and CGI in Star Wars

     Lucasfilm Ltd.

Episode I featured a highly intense pod-racer sequence with incredible sound design and realistic visuals. However, the prequels also saw some of the most intense lightsaber duels in the entire saga. With the growing technology in this era, some more explosive lightsaber sequences could be possible.

Fans of the saga get to see Yoda actually duel a Sith Lord which, during the time of the original trilogy, was not possible. Some of the biggest complaints of the sequel trilogy were that the lightsaber duels were not as intense as the prequels, which featured highly choreographed sequences of stylistic action and dialogue exchanges. The duels in all three prequel films have a certain powerhouse quality to them that are unmatched by any other film.

The Audience of the Star Wars Prequels

     20th Century Fox

Perhaps the largest reason the Star Wars prequels have gotten so popular and beloved by fans, is that the fans who grew up with these films are old enough to voice their opinions on social media. The growing technological space for voicing opinions is becoming the hub for Star Wars fans to come together and share their appreciation for the films (or harass and hatefully attack people). This medium was not available to the kids who grew up with Episodes I, II and III back in the early 2000s. Now that they are all grown up, they have this nostalgia related to the films, the kind that filmmakers have been tapping into and exploiting recently for films and television series. The popular CGI series The Clone Wars is one of the most beloved Star Wars stories of all time, and it takes place in the era of the prequels. In addition, the 2-D animated version of The Clone Wars from 2003 has a growing cult following.

Ultimately, the prequel era has become one of the richest in the entire Star Wars pantheon, something many series, books, and films have tapped into.