Summary

• The Star Wars prequels were initially criticized but are now beloved by fans and actors, paving the way for newfound acceptance and positive .
• A new generation of fans embraced the sequel trilogy and experienced Star Wars differently, sparking hopes for a positive change in fan reception.
• As the Star Wars franchise evolves, anticipation builds for the new generation's perspective and appreciation of the sequels, mirroring the prequels' path.

I was a child of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and 24 years later, I'm watching history repeat itself yet again. While the Star Wars prequels are now revered as some of the franchise's most beloved additions, that universal love and appreciation was certainly not there when they first debuted. Every single part of it was torn apart by critics and fans alike, from Jar Jar Binks' clumsiness to the somewhat clunky dialogue. The prequels' focus on politics and the inner workings of the Jedi seemed to backfire completely at the time.

Thankfully, this is no longer the case, as the prequel trilogy - and all of its actors - are finally being given their due flowers. On top of that, fans are asking for more of the kind of content the prequels covered, which is reflected in the universal love they have for the gritty spy-thriller TV show, Andor. Still, however, I'm seeing this pattern of criticism continue with Star Wars' latest Skywalker saga addition: the sequel trilogy. As a child of the prequels myself, I'm excited to see how the more positive side of this Star Wars history repeats itself.

The Star Wars Prequels Defined My Childhood, Despite Criticism

These Movies, Shows, & Games Shaped My View Of Storytelling

Star Wars has been a part of my life since the very beginning, considering the fact that I was born just after Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was released. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones quite literally shaped my earliest childhood memories, and the first movie I ever seeing in theaters was Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. I was completely surrounded by the prequels as a child, thanks to my dad's life-long love for the franchise and my older brother's affinity for action figures and video games.

At the time, I was aware of the prequel trilogy's poor reception in some ways, but it wasn't important to me. Attack of the Clones was my favorite Star Wars movie, and Jar Jar Binks was my favorite Star Wars character. I learned my best Jar Jar impression and I played the original Star Wars: Battlefront and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga when I was only in kindergarten. But as I grew older, I came to realize just how vehement the opposition was to the prequels - and thankfully, I got to watch that change.

The Prequels Are Finally Getting Their Justice Now That We've Grown

Our Voices Can Finally Be Heard

I somewhat gave into the shame of enjoying the prequels as I got older, even once confessing to my local newspaper that I saw my love for Jar Jar as a "mistake." As the fellow children of the prequels have grown up with me, however, our voices of positivity have been heard more and more, which has allowed the prequel trilogy to get the justice it's always deserved. Considering George Lucas has said multiple times that he made this trilogy for kids, it's been extremely meaningful to see all of us praising the Star Wars movies that defined our generation.

For many years now, we have been able to be loud and proud about how fun and important the Star Wars prequel trilogy really was.

It never fails to make me smile when I hear actors such as Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman sharing how healing it's been to hear our voices now that we're older. No longer do I have to be ashamed that I would play with my Jar Jar action figure and sing Rock Band songs in his voice any longer; for many years now, we have been able to be loud and proud about how fun and important the Star Wars prequel trilogy really was. Now, there's a new Star Wars generation behind mine, and they're growing up fast.

The Star Wars Sequels Will Have A Generation Attached To Them, Too

These Movies Have Defined Other People's Childhoods

I was in a somewhat weird position when the Star Wars sequel trilogy began nearly 10 years ago with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as I was still a young teenager at the time. Despite this, I know that I belong to the prequel trilogy generation, even if I also enjoyed watching the release of the sequel trilogy. There's a new generation that has been defined by these new movies, kids who were either as young as I was during the prequels or just a little bit older - and experiencing Star Wars in the movie theater for the very first time.

These kids not only have the sequel trilogy movies to rely on, but also the experience of this story in a theme park. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened at Disneyland and Walt Disney World the same year that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker came out, and any child who's been able to visit has no doubt been impacted by that immersive storytelling. It's so different from what we had, and I can already imagine that these kids who got to meet heroes such as Rey and Chewbacca in person have created an even more meaningful bond with them.

I Can't Wait To See The New Star Wars Generation Grow Up

Hearing Their Voices Will Change Everything

Seeing as it hasn't quite yet been a decade since the sequel trilogy began, this generation still has a long while to go until they grow up like we have, but I can't wait until that time comes. Getting to see the sequel trilogy through their eyes will be such a delight, and I'm certain it will make me change my entire perspective on that story. Actors such as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Kelly Marie Tran who were initially treated poorly for their performances will finally be appreciated in the way they truly deserve, just like the prequel actors.

Now that the Star Wars sequel trilogy has gotten its wave of vehement opposition, it's almost time for that wave of positivity to arrive from the generation who was raised on these movies. The true renaissance of the prequel trilogy began around the time the sequels came out, which means that Star Wars' new theatrical era - beginning with The Mandalorian & Grogu movie in 2026 - could be the time when history starts to fully repeat itself. I can't wait until that day, one that will hopefully be ed in Star Wars history for a long, long time.