Star Wars prequel trilogy: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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The '''''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy''', colloquially referred to as '' the prequels'', is a series of [[Epic film|epic]] [[space-opera]] films written and directed by [[George Lucas]]. It was produced by [[Lucasfilm Ltd.]] and distributed by [[20th Century Fox]]. The trilogy was released from 1999 to 2005 and is set before the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]] (1977–1983), chronologically making it the first act of the [[Skywalker Saga]]. Lucas had planned a prequel trilogy (as well as a [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequel trilogy]]) before the release of [[Star Wars (film)|the original film]], but halted major ''Star Wars'' films beyond the original trilogy by 1981. When [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI) had advanced to the level he wanted for the visual effects he wanted for subsequent films, Lucas revived plans for the prequels by the early 1990s. The trilogy marked Lucas's return to directing after a 22-year hiatus following the original ''Star Wars'' film in 1977, as well as a 16-year hiatus between the [[classic]] and prequel trilogies.
The trilogy consists of ''[[Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999), ''[[Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002), and ''[[Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005). The films follow the training of the powerful youth [[Anakin Skywalker]] as a [[Jedi]] under the tutelage of Jedi Masters [[Qui-Gon Jinn]]{{efn|In [[Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace|Episode I - The Phantom Menace]]}} (1999), [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]{{efn|In [[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones|Episode II - Attack of the Clones]] (2002) and [[Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith|Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]] (2005)}} and [[Yoda]],{{efn|In [[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones|Episode II - Attack of the Clones]] (2002) and [[Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith|Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]] (2005)}} his fall to the dark side of [[the Force]] and rebirth as Darth Vader. The trilogy also depicts the corruption of the [[Galactic Republic]], the annihilation of the Jedi Order, and the rise of the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]] under [[Palpatine]] (secretly the [[Sith]] lordLord Darth Sidious). The first two films received mixed reviews, while the third's reception was more positive. However, allAll three enjoyed box-office success.
==Background==
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===''Episode I – The Phantom Menace''===
{{Main|Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace}}
32 years before the events of [[Star Wars (film)|the original film]], (13 years before the creation of the Galactic Empire), two Jedi Knights—[[Qui-Gon Jinn]] and his apprentice [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]—discover—are thatsent to negotiate with the corrupt [[Trade Federation]] who has formed a blockade around the planet [[Naboo]]. Naboo's senator Palpatine—who is secretly the [[Sith]] Lord Darth Sidious—has covertly engineered the blockade as a pretext to become Supreme Chancellor of the [[Galactic Republic]]. With the help of Naboo's fourteen-year-old queen, [[Padmé Amidala]], and accompanied by a clumsy native named [[Jar Jar Binks]], Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escape the blockade. They land on [[Tatooine]] to repair their starship and meet a nine-year-old slave named Anakin Skywalker. Believing him to be the prophesied "[[Messiah|Chosen One]]", Qui-Gon takes Anakin to be trained as a Jedi.<ref name="star wars 1">{{Cite video|title=[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|date=2001|medium=DVD}}</ref>
The prequels were originally planned to fill in history tangential to the original trilogy, but Lucas realized that they could form the first half of one long story focusing on Anakin.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|pp=299–300}} This would shape the film series into a self-contained saga. In 1994, Lucas began writing the screenplay for the first prequel, initially titled ''Episode I: The Beginning''. Following the film's release, Lucas announced that he would be directing the next two.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Star Wars Insider|title=Star Wars Insider|issue=45|page=19}}</ref>
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The films have been made available on many home video formats, most notably on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]]. Like the "Special Edition" re-issue of the original trilogy, Lucasfilm has [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|altered the films]] with each release, although these additional changes are minor.
A [[3D film|3D]] theatrical re-release was planned for the then-six-film franchise beginning with ''The Phantom Menace'' in February 2012. However, following Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm, the subsequent releases were canceled to focus on the [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequelssequel trilogy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 'Star Wars' We'll Never See |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-star-wars-well-never-see |website=GQ |access-date=August 20, 2019 |date=February 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820060756/https://www.gq.com/story/the-star-wars-well-never-see |url-status=live }}</ref>
The trilogy was made available for streaming on [[Disney+]] upon the service's launch in late 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whitbrook |first=James |title=The Mandalorian Will Premiere on Disney+ November 12 |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/amp |work=io9 |access-date=April 11, 2019 |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412063838/https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/amp |url-status=live }}</ref>
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===Critical response===
{{See also|Star Wars fandom}}
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! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]''
| 52% (5.90/10 average rating) (237242 reviews)<ref name="rotphan">{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace// | title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=JanuaryJuly 73, 2024 | archive-date=August 10, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810085309/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace | url-status=live }}</ref>
| 51 (36 reviews)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/starwarsi?q=star%20wars| title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace : Reviews| publisher=[[Metacritic]]| access-date=December 16, 2015| archive-date=January 30, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130145053/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/starwarsi?q=star%20wars| url-status=live}}</ref>
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The prequel trilogy received mixed reviews, generally improving in critical reception with each installment. Common criticisms surrounded the over-reliance on [[computer-generated imagery]], wooden dialogue (including scenes of romance between Anakin and Padmé), slow-paced political scenes,<ref name="King5KING-TV Prequels">{{cite web |last=Lawler |first=Kelly |title=Why I love the 'Star Wars' prequels (and you should too) |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-now/why-i-love-the-star-wars-prequels-and-you-should-too/465-5e8a23af-3974-48a1-bd65-11fae8e3d540 |website=King[[KING-TV]] |access-date=August 9, 2019 |date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810065447/https://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-now/why-i-love-the-star-wars-prequels-and-you-should-too/465-5e8a23af-3974-48a1-bd65-11fae8e3d540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keith|first=Tamara|date=December 15, 2015|title=Why The Politics Of The 'Star Wars' Universe Makes No Sense|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/12/15/459812699/why-the-politics-of-the-star-wars-universe-makes-no-sense|access-date=August 10, 2019|website=NPR|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725033015/https://www.npr.org/2015/12/15/459812699/why-the-politics-of-the-star-wars-universe-makes-no-sense|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Inverse Prequels">{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Alex |title=Star Wars' Sequel Trilogy Changed How We Talk About the Prequels |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/star-wars-sequel-trilogy-changed-perception-prequels |website=Inverse |access-date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520121802/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/star-wars-sequel-trilogy-changed-perception-prequels |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |date=May 18, 2024}}</ref> and the comic relief character of [[Jar Jar Binks]], whose role was reduced after the first film.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite news|last=Okwu|first=Michael|date=June 9, 1999|title=Jar Jar jars viewers, spawns criticism|work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9906/09/jar.jar/index.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111150744/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9906/09/jar.jar/index.html|archive-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref>{{efn|The character was so disliked, even by fans, that actor [[Ahmed Best]] said he contemplated suicide.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newbold |first=Mark |title=Ahmed Best: That Moment I Opened Up About Suicide |url=https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/ahmed-best-that-moment-i-opened-up-about-suicide/ |website=Fantha Tracks |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601071104/https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/ahmed-best-that-moment-i-opened-up-about-suicide/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Several alien characters introduced in ''The Phantom Menace'' have been subject to accusations of racial stereotypes. Jar Jar is asserted to caricature a stereotyped [[Jamaicans|Jamaican]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harrison|first=Eric|date=May 26, 1999|title=A Galaxy Far, Far Off Racial Mark?|work=L.A. Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-26-ca-40965-story.html|access-date=30 October 2021|archive-date=May 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527005126/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/26/entertainment/ca-40965|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=|date=May 17, 2002|title=Jar Jar Less Conspicuous in 'Clones'|url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/jar-jar-less-conspicuous-in-clones-57201914/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613050240/http://www.hollywood.com/general/jar-jar-less-conspicuous-in-clones-57201914/|archive-date=June 13, 2015|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Hollywood.com}}</ref> while the Gungan species at large has been said to suggest a primitive African tribe.<ref name="edition.cnn.com" /> The greedy [[Neimoidians]] of the Trade Federation have been noted as resembling East Asian stereotypes<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pianka|first=John Paul|date=May 2013|title=The Power of the Force: Race, Gender, and Colonialism in the Star Wars Universe|url=https://www.cdt-pv.org/media/upload/The_Power_of_the_Force-_Race_Gender_and_Colonialism_in_the_Star.pdf|journal=Office of Graduate Studies, Wesleyan University|type=Thesis|pages=1–93|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017214726/https://www.cdt-pv.org/media/upload/The_Power_of_the_Force-_Race_Gender_and_Colonialism_in_the_Star.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> with some deliberately given [[Thai language|Thai]] accents,<ref>{{cite news|title=Silas Carson: Hero with a Thousand Faces |publisher=Lucas Online |date=30 May 2002 |author=Lucasfilm |url=http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/indexp4.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103130737/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/indexp4.html |archive-date= 3 January 2008 }}</ref> and [[Watto]]'s mannerisms and hooked nose appearance were based on footage of [[Alec Guinness]] as the Jewish character [[Fagin]] in the 1948 film ''[[Oliver Twist (1948 film)|Oliver Twist]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Silberman|first=Steve|date=May 1999|title=G Force: George Lucas fires up the next generation of Star Warriors|url=http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.05/lucas_pr.html|url-status=live|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|volume=7|issue=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410184952/http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.05/lucas_pr.html|archive-date=April 10, 2014|access-date=July 12, 2009}}</ref> leading some to assert that the slave-owning character is a [[Jewish stereotype]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Brooker|first=Will|date=April 2001|title=Readings of Racism: Interpretation, stereotyping and The Phantom Menace|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/713657758|journal=Continuum|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|pages=15–32|doi=10.1080/713657758|issn=1030-4312|s2cid=143763901|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128233540/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/713657758|url-status=live}}</ref> Lucas denied all accusations of racial stereotypes.<ref name="edition.cnn.com" /><ref>{{cite news|date=July 14, 1999|title=Star Wars: Lucas Strikes Back|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/394542.stm|url-status=live|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929002301/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/394542.stm|archive-date=September 29, 2009}}</ref>
Many expressed their disappointment with the trilogy's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, particularly calling the writing weak and the dialogue wooden,<ref name="King5KING-TV Prequels"/> although Hayden Christensen's performance in the third film was more well-received.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dixon |first=Chris |title=Reevaluating the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy |url=https://medium.com/@CatoMinor/reevaluating-the-star-wars-prequel-trilogy-346e23d51c27 |website=Medium |access-date=August 10, 2019 |date=January 14, 2017 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811062322/https://medium.com/@CatoMinor/reevaluating-the-star-wars-prequel-trilogy-346e23d51c27 |url-status=live }}</ref> Contrarily, Ewan McGregor's portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, following in the footsteps of Alec Guinness, has been generally praised.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mangione |first=Nick |title=Defending the Star Wars Prequels: Were They Really That Bad? |url=https://www.geek.com/movies/defending-the-star-wars-prequels-were-they-really-that-bad-1698562/ |website=Geek.com |access-date=August 10, 2019 |date=May 4, 2017 |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822030442/https://www.geek.com/movies/defending-the-star-wars-prequels-were-they-really-that-bad-1698562/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Natalie Portman has expressed her disappointment with the trilogy's negative reception, saying that "When something has that much anticipation it can almost only disappoint." She also acknowledged that "With the perspective of time, it's been re-evaluated by a lot of people who actually really love them now."<ref>{{cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |title=Natalie Portman: Star Wars Prequels Backlash Was 'A Bummer' |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/natalie-portman-star-wars-prequels-backlash-bummer/ |website=Empire |access-date=August 10, 2019 |date=May 3, 2019 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917014808/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/natalie-portman-star-wars-prequels-backlash-bummer/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The trilogy has also received some criticism for clashing aesthetically with the original trilogy. While the older films feature rough and aged technology, the prequels depict relatively sleek and new [[industrial design]]s.<ref name="King5KING-TV Prequels"/> Some have criticized this design choice by saying that it makes the earlier time period appear to depict a more advanced civilization, although ''Revenge of the Sith'' brings the design closer to that of the original trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Asher-Perrin |first=Emmet |title=Watching the Star Wars Prequels on Mute: An Experiment |url=https://www.tor.com/2013/01/16/watching-the-star-wars-prequels-muted-an-experiment/ |website=TOR |access-date=August 9, 2019 |date=January 16, 2013 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806004640/https://www.tor.com/2013/01/16/watching-the-star-wars-prequels-muted-an-experiment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas has called the choice clever, as it illustrates the halt of technological innovation in a [[Galactic Civil War|time period of civil war]].<ref>''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' DVD featurette</ref>
Conversely, some argue for the prequel trilogy's positive elements, including its handling of political issues, especially involving the rise of [[fascism]].<ref name="KING-TV Prequels"/> This includes ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' director and writer [[Rian Johnson]], who also praised its [[visual effects]] innovations. Jar Jar Binks has been regarded as the first fully CGI character in a live-action film, and perceived as paving the way for [[Gollum]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agar|first=Chris|date=2020-06-29|title=Rian Johnson Explains Why George Lucas' Star Wars Prequels Are Great|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-prequels-good-why-reason-rian-johnson/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111155329/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-prequels-good-why-reason-rian-johnson/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Placido |first=Dani Di |title=Looking Back At The 'Star Wars' Prequel Trilogy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2016/12/15/looking-back-at-the-star-wars-prequel-trilogy/#2e9a9c8f2a9c |website=Forbes |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814150645/https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2016/12/15/looking-back-at-the-star-wars-prequel-trilogy/#2e9a9c8f2a9c |url-status=live }}</ref> [[KING-TV]]'s Kelly Lawler complimented the lightsaber battles as "sleeker affairs with better choreography and more athleticism" compared to the original trilogy.<ref name="KING-TV Prequels"/> [[J. J. Abrams]] praised the acting of [[Ian McDiarmid]] as Darth Sidious, stating that the scene where he recounts the tragedy of [[Darth Plagueis]] is the best of the trilogy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url = https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/26/jj-abrams-favorite-star-wars-prequels-scene/|title = J.J. Abrams reveals his favorite 'Star Wars' prequels scene|magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date = August 13, 2020|archive-date = June 6, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200606074737/https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/26/jj-abrams-favorite-star-wars-prequels-scene/|url-status = live}}</ref>
George Lucas has responded to the negative criticism by saying that, like the original films, they were intended "for 12-year-olds", while acknowledging that fans who saw the originals when they were young had different expectations as adults.<ref name="Brooks">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dan |title="All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-oral-history |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mancuso |first=Vinnie |title=George Lucas: 'Star Wars' Is a 'Film for 12-Year-Olds' |url=https://observer.com/2017/04/george-lucas-says-star-wars-is-for-12-year-olds/ |website=Observer |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=April 13, 2017 |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722005531/https://observer.com/2017/04/george-lucas-says-star-wars-is-for-12-year-olds/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Brooks">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dan |title="All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-oral-history |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref> The prequels have been noted as retaining a dedicated fanbase, primarily composed of [[Millennials]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Leadbeater |first=Alex |title=When Did The Star Wars Prequels Become Cool? |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-good-popular-underrated/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=June 8, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918050814/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-good-popular-underrated/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Generation Z|Gen Zers]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-09 |author=Caitlin Chappell |title=Star Wars: Gen Z Has Turned Revenge of the Sith Into a Cult Classic |url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-gen-z-turned-revenge-of-the-sith-into-cult-classic/ |access-date=2021-03-31 |website=CBR |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119040131/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-gen-z-turned-revenge-of-the-sith-into-cult-classic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> who were children at the time of their release.<ref name="DoG Prequels">{{cite web |last1=Blair |first1=Andrew |title=The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Helped the Prequels Age Surprisingly Well |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-sequel-trilogy-prequels-age-better/ |website=[[Den of Geek]] |access-date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326141925/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-sequel-trilogy-prequels-age-better/ |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |date=March 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="TR Prequels">{{cite web |last1=Charity |first1=Justin |title=The 'Star Wars' Prequel Renaissance Has Begun |url=https://www.theringer.com/star-wars/2022/5/26/23142799/star-wars-prequels-renaissance-obi-wan-kenobi-show |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |access-date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526144443/https://www.theringer.com/star-wars/2022/5/26/23142799/star-wars-prequels-renaissance-obi-wan-kenobi-show |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> Since the late 2010s, the prequels have amassed a [[cult following]] via [[meme]]s on social media,<ref name="TR Prequels"/> with Neel Patel of [[Syfy Wire]] attributing this to the internet being a "paradise of irreverence, just like George Lucas' scripts."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Patel|first=Neel|date=2020-07-05|title=The Star Wars prequels are finally beloved because they were made for the internet|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-memes|access-date=2021-06-06|website=[[Syfy Wire]]|language=en|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606191117/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-memes|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, both the animated series [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'']] and [[Disney]]'s sequel trilogy has been noted to have retroactively improved the perception of the prequel trilogy among fans.<ref name="Inverse Prequels"/><ref name="DoG Prequels"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Shane|date=2020-01-28|title=How The Clone Wars Fixes Anakin's Star Wars Prequel Arc|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-clone-wars-anakin-skywalker-prequels-story-fix/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716030527/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-clone-wars-anakin-skywalker-prequels-story-fix/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DoG Prequels"/><ref name="Inverse Prequels"/>
''[[Screen Rant]]'' favorably compared the way the prequels ended the saga compared to the sequels, writing, "Amidst the bad execution of the story, the fact of the matter is, the prequel movies tell one coherent narrative, with a clear through-line between movies – this is something sorely lacking in the sequel trilogy."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dumaraog|first=Ana|date=2020-08-07|title=Rise of Skywalker Gave Star Wars Sequels A Worse Ending Than The Prequels|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-revenge-sith-ending-comparison-bad/|access-date=2020-08-08|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928141845/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-revenge-sith-ending-comparison-bad/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, ''Den of Geek''{{'}}s Andrew Blair wrote that the prequels were "enjoying a deserved reappraisal" following vocal discourse surrounding the sequels. He considered the prequels to be the superior trilogy as, in contrast to its successors, the films had "consistency" and "the product of a singular vision."<ref name="DoG Prequels"/>