15 reasons why the Star Wars prequels are better than you remember

8. Incredible Lightsaber Duels

Whether it’s Episode 1’s Duel of the Fates or Episode III’s Battle of Heroes, the Prequel Series has, arguably, the top two lightsaber battles in all of Star Wars. That’s without even mentioning the epic battle of flippery and confusion that occurs between Dooku and Yoda in Episode II, or the Mace Windu vs Palpatine strangeness in Episode III. They’re everywhere!

That’s what makes the prequels so great. The fighting in these battles is often to the death and it tends to pit two opponents who are or were friends against one another, raising the stakes sky-high. Say what you want about the prequels, but you can’t deny that Anakin vs Obi-Wan is one of the most legendary showdowns in all of cinematic history.

9. Shakesperean Dialogue

Okay, sure: I’ll admit that the prequels have their fair share of eye-roll-worthy dialogue. BUT, I also think some of the more commonly mocked lines are products of the very specific, larger-than-life  writing style George Lucas has always employed in Star Wars. 

It may often feel melodramatic, but characters in Star Wars always say exactly what they’re feeling. We’re in an epic, grandiose, space opera; of course they’re going to say things that no real person would ever say. Sure, Anakin explaining all the reasons why he hates sand is kind of silly, but that’s what Star Wars is: he’s letting his emotions get the better of him and they are taking control of his words. Even though it’s silly, it’s powerful and true to what the genre is meant to be.