The Outclassing Critique: Why Star Wars Prequels Deserve a Second Look

Star Wars enthusiasts have an abundance of media options available to them nowadays. Whether it's The Clone Wars or Ahsoka, there is no shortage of fresh Star Wars content to be found on Disney Plus or in literature. This marks a significant departure from the state of the galaxy far, far away just a decade or two ago. Regrettably, it appears that every new undertaking is connected to the prequel era of Star Wars. It's almost as if Lucasfilm believes it must continually compensate for the flaws of the prequel trilogy.

A conclusion to The Clone Wars was undoubtedly necessary, but Dave Filoni's affectionate homage to the franchise within Bad Batch was not. This is not to imply that none of it is remarkable. A narrative can be exceptional even without being essential. The point is that Star Wars projects should have the strength to stand on their own merits without relying heavily on fan service and connections to the prequels. At present, Star Wars is grappling with an issue concerning its prequel era.

There's an Imbalance

The prequel era of Star Wars undoubtedly had a significant impact on shaping the rebellion era. While it is important for characters to reference events from this era, there comes a point when it can become excessive. Lucasfilm introduced a whole new era of Star Wars, yet it seems to be receiving minimal attention from the production company. Regardless of whether fans enjoy the sequel trilogy or not, there are countless untapped stories within that time period waiting to be explored. Unfortunately, the next project set in that era, The New Jedi Order, does not have a confirmed release date.

Instead, fans are witnessing the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens being filled, which has the potential to enhance the sequel trilogy as The Clone Wars did for the prequel trilogy. However, it is worth noting that at least The Clone Wars took place during the prequel trilogy timeframe. On the other hand, the only TV series set in the sequel era, Star Wars: Resistance, lasted for an insignificantly short period of time. While some comics have delved into Ben Solo's fall to the Dark Side, these efforts seem underwhelming when compared to the vast amount of content related to the prequel era.

From The Clone Wars to Tales of the Jedi, there has been great attention given to the prequels, not only on television but also in numerous books, comics, and other types of media. Additionally, there exists a significant gap between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, offering a prime opportunity for Filoni, Favreau, and other creators to explore. By delving into this period, it is likely that the sudden appearance of Palpatine could be better understood, potentially altering the perspective of The Rise of Skywalker in a more positive manner.

Furthermore, there is the untapped potential of the High Republic era, which is currently only showcased in novels and some comic books. While the Jedi: Survivor game mentioned the High Republic, individuals who are not avid readers remain unaware of this era. It appears that Lucasfilm intends to make the High Republic the next major focus, and therefore should concentrate on doing so. This new era would offer a refreshing change from the abundance of prequel content, allowing the prequel era to be left in the past.

Darth Vader/Anakin is Cool, But...

Darth Vader, undeniably one of Star Wars' greatest characters, is a tragic figure who fell prey to the manipulations of the Dark Side solely out of love for his cherished ones. Unlike Sheev Palpatine, Vader did not seek power for domination. Revealing his profound tragedy, the prequel trilogy showcased how his heroism within the Galactic Republic was sabotaged, and The Clone Wars further delved into his backstory. However, it is now time to captivate fans with other characters.

Dave Filoni has wholeheartedly accomplished the task of establishing Grand Admiral Thrawn as a formidable adversary. Thrawn has been an exceptional character deserving a live-action portrayal long before Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. Surprisingly, filmmakers still rely on featuring Anakin and Vader to attract viewership, despite their presence being unnecessary to the project's overarching narrative.

Rogue One provides a prime example of this. The scene in which Vader mercilessly slaughters a rebel platoon is arguably one of the film's finest moments – perhaps even the most iconic in the entire franchise. However, his inclusion in the movie ultimately fell short. Conversely, in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Vader's role propels the plot in a way that would have been impossible without him. Conversely, his appearance in the Jedi: Fallen Order game feels superfluous. His addition to the game was solely for the purpose of pleasing fans; the presence of the Inquisitors was more than sufficient. It is not necessary for every aspect to include Vader in order to enhance it. Characters and storylines should have the ability to thrive independently. Filmmakers and writers should strive to create narratives that excite fans without relying on fan service.