Why Do People Hate the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy?
- Thread starter VulcanMindBlown
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Since art is largely subjective, I suspect you'll not find the objective consensus you're looking for.
But, I think the general lack of identifiable characters, beyond superficial means (clothes, lightsaber, etc). as well as the general lack of humor the series has. But, again, that strays in to the realm of subjectivity, as humor is very subjective. But, I think the overall tone of the series, as well as the characters, could not support the story GL wanted to tell.
Objectivity is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with mass-media entertainment or art. It is best not to argue on that level. Good is what I like and bad is what I don't like. I don't like boring characters played by bored actors lacking chemistry with their cast-mates, I don't like obviously computer-generated environments that make those actors look out of place, I don't like leaving important plot information to ancillary media, I don't like imbecilic protagonists (or antagonists) with inscrutable motivations, I don't like out-of-place childish humor, I don't like "small-world" storytelling, I don't like stilted and cheesy dialogue, I don't like obvious pandering, I especially don't like it when it involves lazy attempts at evoking nostalgia, I don't like weightless and obviously choreographed action that looks more like dancing than fighting, I don't like plots being entirely dependent on a lack of communication between the heroes, I don't like unfocused and overly busy spectacle, I don't like the use of effects to "show off" rather than as a tool to tell the story, I don't like retcons...
I don't like a lot of things. A lot of those things are in the PT. I imagine a lot of people also don't like those things to varying degrees. Thus, why a lot of people seem to dislike the PT.
And a lot of people like the films.
Why not just admit that none of our opinions are the last words on how good or bad any movie - including the Prequel Trilogy? Any of us can state on how much we like or dislike a film. But I never understood why so many people believe that their personal opinion is an actual fact on how good or bad a movie is? And I'm not just talking about moviegoers, but film critics, as well.
Why not just admit that none of our opinions are the last words on how good or bad any movie - including the Prequel Trilogy? Any of us can state on how much we like or dislike a film. But I never understood why so many people believe that their personal opinion is an actual fact on how good or bad a movie is? And I'm not just talking about moviegoers, but film critics, as well.
Of course they do. I think they're wrong to, but they're free to disagree.
Because most people will agree that complex, evolving characters are better than static or undefined ones. Most people will agree that motivated characters and the conflicts between those motivations make for better storytelling. Most people will agree that a compelling, convincing, consistent world is better to have than not. People are free to disagree; but for the enthusiasts, the connoisseurs, the critical-thinking audience, these things are necessary for getting as close as one can to an objectively "good" movie.
And that is not something you should be doing. This isn't an absolute, therefore shouldn't be projected as one.
Who I feel watch way too many films with a critical eye and become jaded because if it. Those I've met can't enjoy a movie. They can only tolerate a movie and then classify it as "good" or "bad" based on what other connoisseurs have said in the last 100 years or so of film making.
You can think a movie is good and still recognize its flaws. You can think a movie is bad and still recognize its high points and praise its achievements. I dislike Rogue One for some relatively objective reasons, but mostly because of entirely subjective reasons. I recognize it is a very well made film(minus the editing), I recognize its technical achievements, and I still resent the creative choices the filmmakers made in crafting it and the overwhelming feeling that their primary objective of many sequences was to stroke the, erm, fanboy flames of the audience. I like The Force Awakens but still groan at the "This was the Death Star..." scene and I roll my eyes at the apparent proximity of the destruction of a planet system in the sky above our heroes, but the strengths of it outweigh those blemishes. The Prequels have, in mine (and many other's) eyes, far fewer of such high-points to appreciate, and far more defects and weaknesses to begrudge them.
One thing that is telling for me are a couple of things. One is that fans have liked the new Abrams movie's. To to me show's that fans are not going to be negative just to be negative when it comes to new "Star Wars" stuff. If the prequel had been really beloved by the public we would not have seen the level of bile that has been directed towards it. Also there has been no letup over the years. Usually if movie's are good or even average people usually soften on them over the years. That's why you see movie's that were flops when released sometimes become classic moive's like "Blade Runner" or "The Big Lebowski."
Jason
Jason
Indeed. The PT has several strengths going for it, not the least of which is the sheer scope of the effects, both practical and computer generated, which gave rise to an entire generation of new effects. It also presented new stories in the Star Wars universe that really had not been explored in the way Lucas presented them.
However, the weakness of the characters is something that sticks out to me, and, as odd as it sounds, the friends that I watched the film with. No, we didn't go in to it expecting to hate it-quite the opposite. But, the fan group that I was a part of all walked away from ROTS with this kind of weird sadness about them. Only later did we kind of unpack the sensation that the characters really didn't carry the full weight of what was a tragic story.
I'm aware that many like these films, and that's fine. But, in my experience, the vast majority of people that I have met and discussed these films with do not regard them positively and have a preference to TFA over the PT. I wouldn't expect a universal opinion, on anything, but I have seen one that is fairly consistent.
We're in complete agreement!
This is totally a matter of opinion. You mean, you find them boring, and don't like the chemistry. Just because you change your wording to "I don't like" doesn't mean you still aren't posting your views as universal facts.
What computer generated environments? Please explain
The rest of this is exactly what I was talking about. You've not given examples. You've stated all of these as objective facts and then just tacked on "I don't like." Like "whoaaaa, who would like such things?!"
Instead of making a long rant filled with generalizations, and deciding for the rest of us what the movies are like, why don't you pick a few topics, AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF. No offence...
You're still doing it. None of the colorful adjectives you keep using to characterize the films are anything more than your personal opinion. This is all nonsense.
Whether or not the "flaws" ARE flaws IS the subjective part
Ahhh, yes. Thank you for reminding us how much more sophisticated you are. Your cliche generalizations and frequent hyperbole make for some really complex critical discussion(insert sarcasm).
Last quote, I promise. This one is the most asinine of all. You think they're wrong to like something you don't? WHAT!? Say again!?
TFA has had a much larger backlash than the prequels ever did. There are literally hundreds of lengthy, sometimes well put together, but very negative reviews for TFA on youtube, let alone written ones on the internet.
Well everyones experience is different. I was a SW fan back in the 90's(back when SW wasn't cool) I Saw all the prequels in the theatres, when with friends, etc. I never heard anything bad about them until like 2010, or sometime around there, when I came across some stuff on Youtube. I was never on any forums in the early 2000's, but I'm guessing that's where negative fan feedback was mostly to be found.
If you watch these movies with kids, they love them(If you allow them to watch them without coloring their expectations in any way)
My daughters don't love them, and get bored within 5 minutes of starting the films. No, I don't predisposed them in any way.
Personally, I love the exotic, spectacular, "weightless," dance-like duels of the PT. This is one area where wuxia films had a leg up on Hollywood action movies for a long time, and it was great to finally see something different. Jedi in their prime relying fully on the Force should really look superhuman, as the Force is basically magic. This was finally evident in the PT.
My thought is that their diminished ability to use the Force was intentionally caused by Palpatine's dark side manipulations.
Kor
My thought is that their diminished ability to use the Force was intentionally caused by Palpatine's dark side manipulations.
Kor
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I was under the impression that it was accepted Canon (both pre-2010 and post-2010) that the Jedi's ability to use the Force was a direct result of Sidious/Palpatine manipulating it to hide himself from them.
What positive should we derive from their mistakes?
In a narrative, even if the hero is flawed, which is becoming more and more common in contemporary storytelling, there are positive features that can be exemplified or considered to be a role model. So, what is it about the Jedi that make them so?
Follow up question, if there isn't something about them that makes them role models, or "the good guys" as presented in OT, then why should we want them to return?
^ I think I've figured out what lies at the heart of your comments about the Jedi: a misunderstanding about what (or rather, WHO) the "return" part of Return of the Jedi is a reference to. It's not a reference to the Jedi returning as a faction, but rather to Anakin Skywalker's "return" at the conclusion of the film when he kills the Emperor.
Presumably, Something better would come. There's no returning to the old Republic or the old Jedi order. Luke forged a new path.
The old was tired, complacent, and had grown detached. The Sith came and brought destruction of the old society. The Jedi and their allies defeat the Sith, then the Republic is reborn anew. Everyone rebuilds
It's the cycle of civilizations.
The old was tired, complacent, and had grown detached. The Sith came and brought destruction of the old society. The Jedi and their allies defeat the Sith, then the Republic is reborn anew. Everyone rebuilds
It's the cycle of civilizations.
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