George Lucas and the Prequels: A Critical Analysis

When George Lucas reflects on his work, the prequels to the original Star Wars trilogy, he has been somewhat defensive. Despite some criticisms, Lucas has continued to make changes and even sought assistance in improving certain aspects. This article will delve into the reasons behind Lucas’s perceived defensiveness and analyze whether the prequels stand up to scrutiny.

Lucas’s Defensiveness and Criticism

Lucas has always been somewhat critical of his own work. For instance, he did not initially believe that the original Star Wars would be a significant hit, leading him to make several special edition changes and later updates on DVDs and Blu-Rays. However, with the prequels, Lucas has seemed more defensive. This is not surprising, given the intense criticism the prequels have received. In the documentary The Phantom Menace, some footage shows Lucas expressing that “he might have gone too far” with the pacing and editing, but it is unclear if this was the final cut. It’s important to note that Lucas is not a fan of film critics, which could explain his defensiveness. Despite this, he made a few changes in later films, such as bringing in John Hales for AOTC and Tom Stoppard for The Sith, and reducing the role of Jar-Jar. These changes could suggest some sort of reaction to criticism.

Assuming the Best Intent

Assuming that Lucas tried his best, it’s worth noting that both the original and prequel trilogies thrive best independently. They do not work well together, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

George Lucas’s Vision and Execution

The original trilogy is widely regarded as a groundbreaking achievement. It pushed the boundaries of filmmaking by creating a vivid, imaginative universe, blending a mystical religion, a family story, and a thrilling adventure. Practical effects were also experimented with, leading to innovations that were heralded at the time. However, the prequels faced challenges that doomed them from the beginning. They had to create a complex world filled with political intrigue and action, which was a daunting task. Overextension in world-building seems to be a common criticism, as there was just too much to do, leading to a cluttered narrative.

Lucas attempted to push digital technology forward, similar to how the original trilogy pushed practical effects. However, the pioneering efforts brought to light some of these technologies' limitations. For example, having regular actors interact with completely digital characters proved challenging, as Peter Jackson also faced difficulties with this in his The Hobbit films. Additionally, with an entire generation growing up analyzing his films, his storytelling became less innovative. Critics pointed out issues with dialogue and the handling of the mystical aspects, like midichlorians which garnered negative fan reaction. The family story arc, featuring Anakin and Padme, was also problematic. The relationship between the characters was overly poetic and not grounded enough to feel real. Characters became overly idealized, lacking nuanced development due to time constraints.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Despite these challenges, each of the prequels is still a commendable achievement. However, with the standards of the film industry advancing over time, what was once considered good may now be seen as merely satisfactory. It’s important to recognize that the original trilogy has influenced the film industry immensely, and the prequels, while not groundbreaking in the same way, still offer numerous positive elements. Whether or not Lucas’s vision aligns with contemporary audience expectations is debatable, but it’s clear that his efforts towards innovation and world-building merit acknowledgment.