I am a Star Wars fan who grew up in the 80s in the era of  Empire Strikes Back sheets and Kenner Action figures. And I have a confession: I don’t hate the Star Wars prequel triolgy.

I’ve you’re a fellow Gen X-er, you might be screaming NOOOOOOOOOOO like Darth Vader in Revenge of the Sith. Don’t worry, I still think it’s all Jar Jar’s fault. I saw all three of the prequels in theaters and I found them entertaining. I even saw some of the twice. 

I’ve been  getting ready for May the Fourth by watching all the Skywalker Saga movies before so that I can watch The Rise of Skywalker on Disney Plus. (Saw that movie three times in the theater.) And while yes, there are terrible things about the prequels, there are still things that are fun and even badass.

I credit Chris Taylor’s book How Star Wars Conquered Universe* for helping me see some of the light in the black hole. For instance, he writes about the Machete Order, which is an interesting way to frame Anakin/Vader’s story. Try watching the episodes like this in your next marathon: IV, V, I, II, III, VI, VII, VIII, IX.  (*affiliate link)

So here nine things I like, appreciate and enjoy about the first three movies.

1. The real stars of the Star Wars prequels

Let’s star with this: Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen are horrible. Natalie Portman shows no signs of the amazing actress she is. The real stars of these movies are Ewan MacGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Sam Jackson, and Christopher Lee. George Lucas is an infamously laid back and detached director, and these veteran actors didn’t need coaching like the younger cast mates did. 

2. Yoda and his lightsaber

I could just watch those scenes. They’re awesome. Lots more light saber scenes overall and I can’t complain about that: Windu vs Palpatine, Obi Wan vs Grievous, Anakin vs Obi Wan, Qui Gon vs Maul.

3. The worlds

Chris Taylor talks about how you could watch these movies on mute. The planets are really cool to look at from the deco vibe of Naboo to the city planet of Coruscant. It’s pretty exciting visually. 

4. Quotable moments

There are some really cringy lines no doubt. Especially every convo between Padme and Ani. Qui Gon’s mansplaing of midicholrians.  Everything that Jar Jar or those Trade Federation dudes say.

But there are some good nuggets. My favorite line is Obi Wan’s: “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to be the death of me?”

Some other faves:

• “So this is how liberty dies… with thunderous applause.” – Padme
• “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.” – Yoda
• “He became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power…which, eventually of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew. Then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic. He could save others from death…but not himself.” – Palpatine
• Obi Wan: “I was beginning to wonder if you got my message.” Anakin: “I retransmitted it to Coruscant, just as you’d requested, Master. Then we decided to come and rescue you.” Obi Wan: [looks at his handcuffed hands]  “Good job.”

5. Padme’s wardrobe

Padme Amidala got to wear some seriously gorgeous outfits and insane hair styles. I got to see some of the looks on display in an exhibit a few years ago at Discovery Times Square.

6. Mace Windu

Samuel L. Jackson got to pick his own lightsaber color. His purple weapon just wins.

7. Creature creations

There are some pretty cool looking aliens and creatures in the prequel trilogy including Darth Maul, Watto, Sebulba, Dexter Jetsetter, General Grievous, all those Roger, Roger battle droids, and the creepy long-necked Kaminoans.

8. The music

The contributions of John Williams are strong in this trilogy. There are nods to the original score, but it gets dark, really dark and dramatic. So much more feeling in the music than anything else in these films.

9. The Clone Wars

The Clone Wars series is really the best thing about the prequel trilogy. These cartoon characters are more real than anything in the movies. Hail the maker Dave Filoni for creating this series that has character chemistry, unseen worlds, emotional depth, and Ahsoka Tano. 

Is there a perfect Star Wars movie? 

I was watching A New Hope and I cringed at Leia’s British accent and that sibling smooch in Empire. I know a lot of people don’t like Return of the Jedii’s Ewoks. Not me. I love those furballs. (I totally believe Barney Stinson’s Ewok theory from How I Met Your Mother.) And I really don’t like George Lucas’s tweaks to the movies and all the who shot first changes.

The newest trilogy has also been polarizing. Fans have been so cruel about Rose Tico. (You haters are the worst kind of Siths.) Some people thought Force Awakens was too derivative of the originals and Rian Johnson’s Last Jedi turned it all upside down and made even more holes that the Rise of Skywalker didn’t explain.

George Lucas has always said Star Wars is for kids. I think there’s so much more to the Force and it inspires me everyday. While I love the movies, some of my favorite things about Star Wars are The Clone Wars, Rebels, the Doctor Aphra comics, Timothy Zahn’s novels with legacy characters like Mara Jade and newer ones that brought Thrwan into the new canon, Marc Thompson’s audio performances of the books, the Star Tours rides, the Lego sets, Baby Yoda memes, Funko Pops, the clothes, the fan art, and collectibles. 

It’s a really big galaxy far, far away. If it’s not you’re thing, we can still be friends! May the Fourth be with you. 

Comment below and let me know how you’re celebrating Star Wars Day. Share and pin this post if you enjoy the prequels.

Robin Cabana loves to nerd out about Star Wars, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Disney and so much more. She has a pug named Penny and lives in New Jersey.