prequels Archives - Scissortailguild Level up your Game Sat, 27 Jul 2024 08:07:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://scissortailguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-scissor-tail-guild-high-resolution-logo-32x32.png prequels Archives - Scissortailguild 32 32 Why the Star Wars Prequels are Good and Deserve Recognition https://scissortailguild.com/why-the-star-wars-prequels-are-good-and-deserve-recognition/ https://scissortailguild.com/why-the-star-wars-prequels-are-good-and-deserve-recognition/#respond Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:12:12 +0000 https://scissortailguild.com/?p=80 Core fans of the Star Wars franchise can be quite passionate about their views on the series. And perhaps no single argument embodies that idea ... Read more

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Core fans of the Star Wars franchise can be quite passionate about their views on the series. And perhaps no single argument embodies that idea more than whether or not the Prequel films are actually good. In fact, many go so far as to say there are only three true Star Wars movies, meaning the Originals. And though sometimes a bit tongue-in-cheek, the sentiment isn’t far from how some fans feel about the second trilogy. Moreover, the negative critiques of these films aren’t specific to any age group. So, some younger fans are just as dismissive of the Prequels as others who have been there from the beginning. However, there are also many who argue for why the Star Wars Prequels are good. And like those who hate the films, these fans are new and old alike. So, nostalgia isn’t the only fighter in the ring.

Now, admittedly, I was raised on the Prequels. The first Star Wars film I saw was The Phantom Menace. And yes, when I was five-years old, I thought Jar Jar was hilarious. But as an adult, having spent the vast majority of my life absolutely breathing in everything Star Wars, my reasons for loving the Prequels have similarly matured. At least, I like to think they have. So, from providing a cultural-political backdrop for the series to laying the groundwork for other great stories, the Prequels have much to offer. Even if the main payoff from the films isn’t the trilogy itself.

Why Don’t People Like the Prequels?

Why Don’t People Like the Prequels?

Disdain for the second Star Wars trilogy is nothing new. Apparently, Marcia Lucas, the ex-wife of George Lucas, hated TPM so much she cried while editing the film. And in large part, it seems much of the dislike comes from the point of comparison. The Original trilogy was so cinematically groundbreaking that the latter films simply didn’t live up to the hype. At least, not for most fans. And even as someone who can appreciate the Prequels, this fact seems indisputable. Objectively speaking, the second trilogy is not as good as the first. But that’s also from the viewpoint of overall impact. The dialogue doesn’t flow as well. There are lengthy sequences that do little to progress the story in a tangible way. And at least one character annoys fans to the point of near madness. But the movies arguably do other things extremely well.

Of course, there are other reasons beyond mere comparison why someone might completely disregard the Prequels. They relied heavily on CGI elements that failed to age well in some instances. The depiction of certain characters and species had semi-racist undertones. And the chemistry between the characters was often awkward at best. But what the Prequels lack is made up for by their contribution to the story at large. Are they cinematic masterpieces? No, probably not. But are they essential parts of the Star Wars story? Arguably, yes. And at least in this regard, they serve a much grander purpose. Because while they’re telling a story, they’re also crafting a universe.

So, it might be true that the Prequels aren’t as good as the Original trilogy. But that in and of itself isn’t a reason to hate them. After all, in a franchise with eleven major films, some inevitably have to be worse than others. And moving beyond the films, the era of Star Wars the second trilogy inspired provided some of the richest content to date.

What the Prequels Did Well

Choreography

Image Credit: LucasFilm, Disney

There are plenty of superficial reasons why the Star Wars Prequels are good films. If nothing else, the fight choreography is the best the series has to offer. And that’s including the more recent Sequel trilogy as well. In fact, the duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin in RotS holds the title for longest sword fight in cinematic history. Comparatively speaking, the short battle between the same characters in A New Hope is relatively lackluster. But the length of the duel is inconsequential when paired with the rigor of the fight itself.

The fights might not have as much of a thematic impact as those in the Original trilogy. There’s no jaw-dropping instance of revelation, such as when Luke learns Vader is his father. But the magnitude of the battles kept them from growing stale. Maul was the first to wield a saber staff. The Geonosis arena gave fans the chance to see hundreds of Jedi fight alongside each other. And no character had ever tried to wield four sabers at once until Grievous. So, what the battles lack in emotional depth is made up for by the sheer magnanimity of the action.

Visuals

Jedi starfighters flying through different ships at the Battle of Coruscant, Star WarsImage Credit: LucasFilm, Disney

For Star Wars, CGI seems to be a double-edged sword. It works extremely well in some instances, and in others it falls flat. One of the last shots in Attack of the Clones shows thousands of troopers standing at order, ready for war. And what should be an overwhelming moment that foreshadows the rise of the Empire is laughable. Because the animated Clone Wars show has better CGI than that scene of the film. Contrastingly, the opening sequence in Revenge of the Sith is a masterpiece of CGI. The audience feels like they’re right there in the midst of battle, surrounded by shrapnel and exploding starships. Consequently, the Battle of Coruscant is one of the most memorable space skirmishes in the franchise. It’s exciting, it’s fast-paced, and it looks great.

So, it’s perfectly understandable why some fans complain about the overuse of CGI in the Prequel films. However, it must also be remembered that some of these elements were completely new to cinema at the time. Practical effects were largely used up until this point. And while the transition was clunky at best, some of the end results were beautiful and magnificent. The graphical difference between Episodes II and III demonstrate this well enough.

Breathing Life Into the Galaxy

City of Theed, Naboo at Sunrise, for the funeral of Padme Amidala, Star WarsImage Credit: LucasFilm, Disney

Another laudable aspect of the Prequel trilogy is its shift away from a narrow view of the galaxy. The Original trilogy is completely engrossed in military conflict — and it portrays it well. But one downfall of this narrow focus is that it fails to introduce audiences to the larger world. Because the Rebel Alliance is constantly on the run, the galaxy feels somewhat empty. Sure, Mos Eisley has a spaceport, and the rebels befriend the Ewoks on Endor. But in Cloud City, where one would expect to see more of a populace, it still feels lonely. Tatooine is desolate, Hoth is a frozen wasteland, and the Death Star is a cold, metalic construct. And perhaps this is genius on the part of the filmmakers. Because this lonely isolation must be what it feels like for the Rebels.

But from the very start of the Prequels, fans get the sense that this galaxy far, far away is full of exciting places and people. Theed, the beautiful Nabooan city, is a stark contrast to the bleakness of space so often seen in the Originals. And Coruscant, the capital of the Republic, is a bustling cityscape with no end in sight. It’s vibrant, it’s chaotic, and exciting. From the Boonta Eve Podrace to the fall of the Jedi Temple, the Prequels work immensely to bring Star Wars to life.

Part and parcel with world-building is the massive expansion of Star Wars lore in the second trilogy. Things which were only hinted at in the Originals are given flesh in these films. The Jedi Order, the Clone Wars, even the lineage of the Sith. And without the Prequels, these aspects of the Star Wars universe would be nonexistent. At least, not the way we know and understand them today.

The Inspiration

Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars, holding two white lightsabers in a battle stanceImage Credit: Disney

In my mind, what the Prequels inspired is without a doubt the best aspect of the trilogy. The films themselves will always have a special place in my own love of the franchise. But they aren’t necessarily the best part of that era of Star Wars. Countless books, video games, shows and other mediums tell stories that are introduced through the Prequels. For example, the animated Clone Wars is potentially one of the most expansive additions to the franchise. It introduced Ahsoka Tano, the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. And she’s played a major part in the universe ever since. It brought back Maul and gave him a much more integral story than his brief appearnace in Episode I. And Clone Wars arguably portrays Anakin’s fall in a much more emotionally devastating way than even Episode III.

Though not considered canon now, the book Plagueis is a fantastic look into the world of the Sith. And it stems completely from a few sentences uttered by Chancellor Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. And don’t get me started on Darth Bane. Because you won’t hear the end of that once I get going.

From characters and places to events and magnificent stories, the Prequels are responsible for so much of Star Wars as it stands today. And without these films, which some consider worthless, the galaxy would be far poorer.

Are the Star Wars Prequels Actually Good?

Honestly, I could go on for days if not months. The Prequels are what I grew up with, and yes, I’m fairly nostalgic when it comes to defending them. But I sincerely believe they deserve a better assessment than many fans give them. They might not be the best Star Wars films, and they definitely have several noticeable flaws. But for fans of the series who can appreciate the larger scope of the universe, this trilogy is indispensable. It takes the narrow focus of the Star Wars franchise and blows it outward to the edges of the known galaxy. But ultimately, the Prequels aren’t as praiseworthy for their cinematic value as what they represent. They signaled the continuation of a beloved franchise. But more importantly, they paved the way for countless other fantastic stories to be told.

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Star Wars Timeline Explained-The Prequels https://scissortailguild.com/star-wars-timeline-explained-the-prequels/ https://scissortailguild.com/star-wars-timeline-explained-the-prequels/#respond Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:14:30 +0000 https://scissortailguild.com/?p=101 Star Wars has one of the most expansive and complex timelines in popular culture, spanning over 60 years of storytelling across films, TV shows, books, ... Read more

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Star Wars has one of the most expansive and complex timelines in popular culture, spanning over 60 years of storytelling across films, TV shows, books, comics and video games. However, it all started with the prequel trilogy of films that kicked off the Skywalker saga – Episodes I to III which cover the fall of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader and the Empire. In this article we talk about The Main Star Wars Timeline: Explained The Prequels.

The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)

This film kicks off the timeline, set 32 years before the Battle of Yavin and the events of the original 1977 Star Wars film. We are introduced to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan (apprentice) Obi-Wan Kenobi, who are sent as ambassadors to negotiate a peace treaty between the Trade Federation and planet Naboo. However, they soon discover the Trade Federation has set up a blockade and invaded Naboo on orders from the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

The two Jedi escape and rescue Queen Padmé Amidala, fleeing with her from Naboo to the desert planet Tatooine. There, they meet 9-year old slave Anakin Skywalker. Sensing Anakin is strong with the Force, Qui-Gon helps secure his freedom and brings him with them to Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic. However, Darth Sidious dispatches his apprentice Darth Maul to track down the Jedi.

On Coruscant, Qui-Gon asks the Jedi Council to train Anakin but they refuse, concerned about the fear and anger in him. Returning to Naboo, Anakin helps the Queen’s forces defeat the Trade Federation army. However, in a climactic lightsaber duel, Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan then kills Darth Maul, and takes Anakin on as his own Padawan learner, as Qui-Gon requested. With Naboo liberated, there is celebration – but Senator Palpatine is elected Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious himself manipulating events from behind the scenes…

Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)

Set 10 years after The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker are tasked with protecting Senator Padmé Amidala from assassination attempts, believing them to be politically motivated. After another attempt, Obi-Wan sets out to track down the bounty hunter behind it, Jango Fett, which leads him to discover an army of clones being created for the Republic on Kamino.

Meanwhile, Anakin travels with Padmé to Naboo, and they soon fall in love. Anakin starts having visions that his mother Shmi is in danger back on Tatooine. Defying Obi-Wan’s orders, Anakin travels there but discovers Shmi has been abducted by Tusken Raiders. When he finds her, she dies in his arms. Overcome by rage, Anakin massacres the entire Tusken camp.

Receiving a message from Obi-Wan, Anakin travels to Geonosis where he discovers Separatist forces are preparing for war. Captured by Dooku, the leader of the Separatists, Anakin and Padmé are sentenced to death but saved at the last moment by an army of Jedi and the new clone army, marking the start of the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Separatists. In a lightsaber duel, Dooku defeats Anakin and cuts off his arm but is then forced to flee by Yoda. The film ends with Anakin getting a cybernetic arm and marrying Padmé in secret, while Palpatine oversees the clone army mobilizing for galactic war.

Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)

The third and final prequel film is set 3 years after Attack of the Clones, in the midst of the Clone Wars between the Republic and Separatists. Anakin is now a Jedi Knight and hero of the Republic. After rescuing Palpatine from General Grievous, the new leader of the Separatists, Anakin discovers that Palpatine is in fact the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

Though conflicted, Anakin informs Jedi Master Mace Windu, who confronts Palpatine. However, fearing the loss of Padmé who he has visions will die in childbirth, Anakin intervenes to save the Sith Lord, allowing Palpatine to kill Windu. With nowhere left to turn, Anakin pledges himself to Palpatine and becomes the Sith Lord Darth Vader. On Palpatine’s orders, Vader leads the 501st clone battalion to kill everyone in the Jedi Temple and wipe out the Jedi Order.

Padmé meets Obi-Wan and informs him of Anakin’s turn to the dark side. Devastated, Obi-Wan stows aboard her ship when Padmé travels to the volcanic planet Mustafar to try and turn Anakin back. Instead, Anakin believes she has betrayed him and uses the Force to choke her into unconsciousness. Obi-Wan engages Vader in an epic lightsaber duel across the lava rivers of Mustafar, eventually defeating his former apprentice by severing his legs and arm.

Badly burned, Anakin is rescued by Palpatine and encased in black armor kept alive by machinery and his rage, completing his transformation into Darth Vader. On Polis Massa, Padmé gives birth to twins Luke and Leia before dying. Bail Organa adopts Leia while Obi-Wan takes Luke to live with his aunt and uncle on Tatooine. Yoda orders Obi-Wan into exile until the time is right to challenge the Empire. The Republic has fallen, Palpatine reforms it into the first Galactic Empire with himself as Emperor, and Darth Vader leads his forces to wipe out any remaining Jedi. This brings the Star wars prequels timeline to a close, directly leading into the original 1977 film set 19 years later.

Themes and Story Arcs

George Lucas deliberately mirrored events and themes between the original and prequel trilogies. The prequels showcase the fall of Anakin from a prophesized hero of the Jedi to a tragic villain, lured to the dark side out of a desire to protect his love Padmé. It is the inverse of the original trilogy which follows his son Luke’s journey to becoming a hero by staying true to the light.

By showing the steady corruption of the Galactic Republic into Palpatine’s dictatorship, the prequels also act as a warning about how democracies can turn into tyrannies when citizens become complacent and willing to give up liberty for promises of security. Lucas explored ideas about morality, redemption, prophecy, political decay and more across the sweeping narrative of the six films.

Legacy and Impact

The prequel trilogy brought groundbreaking new digital effects to Star Wars, with extensive use of CGI allowing for epic scenes of planetary battles and cityscapes with countless visual effects elements that would not have been possible in the 70s and 80s. Each film was a worldwide box office smash hit on release.

However, the prequels have a mixed reputation among fans compared to the beloved original trilogy. While praised for their visual spectacle and mythic storytelling, they were also criticized for clunky writing and acting. Nevertheless, over time reassessment has warmed opinions somewhat and their worldbuilding contributions remain hugely influential on all Star Wars media that has followed. From the Clone Wars and Jedi Order to planets like Coruscant and Kamino, concepts introduced in the prequels now define what Star Wars is.

So while controversial, the prequel trilogy is an integral part of the Star Wars tapestry that together with the original films and sequels makes up the bold, operatic 40+ year Skywalker saga with its timeless themes about good vs evil, fathers and sons, hope and redemption. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this “The Main Star Wars Timeline Explained The Prequels” article.

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