For many, the Star Wars prequels represent at best a departure from their original vision of the Saga and at worst a perversion of everything they hold dear about the franchise. There are complaints about the acting, dialogue, an over-reliance on special effects, and of course racial stereotyping (and that's just Jar Jar). But seriously, as someone who introduces Star Wars to adolescents on a regular basis, I can honestly say that those without any prior attachment to the OT are much more likely to embrace the PT. I would also argue that for all the reverence the OT rightly receives, they are not perfect films either (but Empire comes mighty close). Time and nostalgia have clouded our minds to their shortcomings--such as they are. The Prequel Trilogy enjoys no such advantages and could only pale in comparison next to perhaps the most beloved film trilogy of all time.
Instead of focusing on what the Prequels are not--namely the Originals--we should turn our attention to all the wonderful things they gave us. Palpatine's rise to power. The creation of the Empire. The fall of Darth Vader. The Clone Wars in its many incarnations. Jedi in their prime. An exploration of the Sith. Podracing. "Duel of the Fates" played over epic lightsaber battles. Qui-Gon Jinn. And yes, even the controversial midichlorians as part of a further examination of the Force.
But most of all, the Prequels gave us a context, a deeper understanding of the role of Luke Skywalker in the OT. By seeing his father fail and pay the price of a living death as the puppet of Palpatine, we can finally get a true sense of how bad things could've gone for Luke. Not ready for the burden was he. Seeing the burden portrayed on the big screen only solidifies why.
They're great stories, these Prequels, regardless of the qualms some might have with them. And ultimately they serve to make the already great OT a richer and more complex tale of good vs. evil.
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