Star Wars Review Part 2 - Episodes I, II, III (2009)

I've already explained why the Star Wars trilogy is so important to me and the art of filmmaking, so here are my thoughts on the Prequel films and altered Remasters.
ORIGINALLY AIRED: MARCH 10TH, 2009
video originally edited by Mike
Get Cinemassacre shirts, games, and Blu-rays on RETROWARE:
swm.to/3hOzDyE
OR get our merch on AMAZON! (including Internationally)
"A Movie Making Nerd" Autobiography: amzn.to/3GqSw58
Nintendo Switch AVGN Game: amzn.to/3XarsNc
PlayStation 4 AVGN Game: amzn.to/3TJYmBE
AVGN BFG Collection: amzn.to/3U0RyzL
AVGN The Movie Blu-ray: amzn.to/3tC8CBl
Board James Complete Blu-ray: amzn.to/3V8A5WH
AVGN X Blu-ray Collection: amzn.to/3tKuzxP
Follow James:
/ cinemassacre
Follow Mike:
Web Links - linktr.ee/mikematei
Twitch - / mikemateilive
Twitter - / mike_matei
For everything else Cinemassacre:
cinemassacre.com/
#jamesrolfe #cinemassacre #starwarsreview #starwars

[@dragondaveltd1992]

"Films are never finished, they're Abandoned" - George Lucas "Just release the Despecialize Editions already" - The Fans

[@AndrewAmbrose]

"Well, that's not true because Police Story has 3 cuts and 4 different English dubs." - Pauline Senkowsky

[@anakinfan8]

“It started before any of us can remember, and it’ll go on until the end of time” is probably one of the best things James has ever said about a movie, let alone a franchise. That summed it up perfectly

[@Just_a_teddy_bear]

6:08 "How many times are these movies going to be changed?" The answer is maclunkey.

[@DeathMetalThrasher]

Episode 3 was the best of the three prequels hands down

[@Bubba-Fudd-bulletsmith]

nah episode 1 fool

[@DeathMetalThrasher]

@@Bubba-Fudd-bulletsmith ok jar jar

[@Steambull1]

@@Bubba-Fudd-bulletsmith Episode 1 actually looks good in many places, and thanks to mostly following one key character (Qui-Gon) through multiple locations/encounters, its structure has a certain Flash Gordon style sense of adventure. I'll take TPM over the other two any day.

[@kdusel1991]

Facts

[@dragondaveltd1992]

Definitely the best of the prequels (without some flaws and love dialogue is laughably bad)

[@pass_]

remember the days when the prequels were the biggest punching bag in nerd culture? funny how things have changed

[@aaron-n]

What changed?

[@suppengroove]

@@aaron-n the youth that grew up without the nostalgia for the og trilogy, but the new ones instead, are "now" old enough to dump their opinion into the world. happens in every franchise

[@aaron-n]

@@suppengroove exactly, nothing changes and history repeats.

[@CaptCovfefe515]

RedLetterMedia imo had a lot to do with that. The criticisms are valid but that doesn’t make the movies the worst things ever made. Despite Mike’s scathing indictments of the prequels I still thoroughly enjoy them, and I know I’m not the only one.

[@gyga100]

​@@aaron-nDisney made films that are worse....

[@SpringdayAutumnmoon]

It's funny to me how the originals felt like so long ago when the prequels were announced and then by the time the sequel trilogy was finished, the prequels still felt new.

[@darthmartinez]

The Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy are my favorite movies of all time.

[@MauricioLJ]

indeed they kick some serious a**!! Really love them too

[@PigeonHoledByYT]

I wasn't a fan of the prequels when they came out, however, Disney and the sequels made me appreciate them.

[@peeeons]

Is there anything better than classic cinemassacre videos?

[@Chrizinator]

Old Jontron?

[@kdusel1991]

@@Chrizinator Old Nostalgia Critic? I also like old JonTron stuff too! It's nice to watch when waiting for him to upload!

[@MikeSandersonVideos]

It's like old television, it's got that charm

[@KoiNoYokan37]

@@kdusel1991 Nostalgia Critic was never good.

[@NO-AH562]

Usually someones age will tell you how much you like the prequels. Im 23 and grew up watching both the OT and the prequels and I love them both. ROTS and ROTJ are my tied two favorite all time movies.

[@jeredalmeida1880]

Return of the Jedi will never be the same without Lapti Nek. Jedi Rocks almost ruined the scenes in Jabba's Palace. Fun Fact. Oola has a nip slip in the original when she's fighting with Jabba.

[@xxGojira54]

I'm gonna say this and people may hate me for this but I love episodes 1-6. After that 7-9 are Horrendous.

[@Bauglir100]

As much as I loved Rogue One and Solo, I'm sticking to the old Star Wars Legends continuity (1976-2014). All Disney did by shutting down the old Expanded Universe was make it easier to catch up on everything.

[@denmyos]

With all the digital enhancements, and they still kept the accidental topless shot. !😁

[@chodaboy566]

I can’t believe they changed the max reebo song in Jabbas palace, to me that was the biggest heart break. As an older guy who was fortunate to grow up on the OG version it was hard to deal with

[@MrRatchet12661]

Oh boy...2009. Now: a review of sequels. This one will be "fun".

[@kdusel1991]

This is where the fun begins!

[@mathinho1237]

Prequels only have one good movie, episode 3. Sequels only have episode 7. It's a draw.

[@dreamlandnightmare]

2:04 - He would have seen this footage before (as well as the actor who stood in for Jabba) had he watched "From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga" documentary.

[@aydenmarietta4906]

The prebowl will always hold a special place in my heart. They got me interested in Star Wars as a franchise and I always enjoyed all six of the films. Keep in mind I said SIX films. There’s been some projects like Rogue One that I absolutely enjoyed but obviously this is just one man’s opinion

[@dragondaveltd1992]

Revenge of the Sith is hands down, the best of the prequel trilogy!

[@DEADEYESTUDIO]

yassssss, i still rewatch that one. i love everything about it, the music, the designs and the tragedy.

[@kendallmoore4826]

The novelization of SW:ROTS is awesome as well.

[@johnmckinnon15]

Happy 25th anniversary to star wars episode 1 the phantom menace. May the 4th be with you always

[@benjaminfischer3229]

Hm… perhaps I may introduce these movies to my children perhaps in release order. I may tend to introduce the original trilogy on VHS. And during their early teen years, the prequels. And the sequels? Let’s just say… I’ll show them to my kids when they’re during or near their late teenage years.

[@KootenaiKing]

Ok so we need a 1:1 remaster of the originals. No changes, just remastered for modern screens.

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

11:32 11:55 Star Wars The Prequel Trilogy And The Original Trilogy Movie Poster

[@cameron398]

I watched them with my kids IV, V, VI, I, II, III. Something seems right with that order.

[@benjaminfischer3229]

I couldn't agree with you more about Attack of the Clones, James. I didn't care about the love plot either.

[@qwertyoscar]

Tell me wrong but the previous video should be called "Star Wars Review " and this should be called "Star Wars Review part 1", and the next one should be "Star Wars Review Part 3"

[@dreamlandnightmare]

I've always completely agreed with James on the "Jedi Rocks" sequence being the worst addition/alteration to the OT.

[@benjaminfischer3229]

Luckily, this year on May the 4th, I managed to watch the original unaltered version of Star Wars 1977.

[@WattsRaider]

You watch them in order.

[@Thoralmir]

Now Episode 1 seems like a masterpiece in comparison to The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker.

[@Vulpas]

As a prequel fan that's the only reason I'm grateful for the Disney slop lol

[@Nukarot]

You forgot The Force Awakens too

[@ajzeg01]

Last Jedi is great.

[@patriot428]

Haha. I Agree. Two thumbs up

[@kdusel1991]

@@Nukarot Force awakens is the only good sequel trilogy movie.

[@JoeyJ0J0]

Episode 3 is legitimately a great movie

[@Sebastian-hj4fu]

World building and character development is BETTER in the prequels. I love it, its all about design and relationships.

[@JM-pm1yb]

My greatest regret is selling my unaltered trilogy set way back in the day.

[@Hasieve]

So James.. Any thought about Obi Wan series?

[@kdusel1991]

He probably hasn't watched it yet. I don't even think he's finished the mandalorian either.

[@Soup-man]

It fucking sucked

[@WarpChaos]

I think the prequels are more liked now that we have worse films in the sequels.

[@aaron-n]

And people will say the same thing about the sequel trilogy after the next sequel trilogy comes out

[@WarpChaos]

@@aaron-n Depends if they actually have a plan this time.

[@youwayo]

@@aaron-nit’s like poetry.

[@ajzeg01]

No, it’s just the nostalgia cycle.

[@WarpChaos]

@@ajzeg01 And bad sequels.

[@georged7627]

These films will go down with the Egyptian pyramids 💪🏾🙏🏽

[@maxlarivee3663]

I'll show my children the new versions, but I will be showing them in release order (4, 5 and 6 before 1, 2 and 3).

[@Vulpas]

Don't show them the Disney crud

[@kdusel1991]

At least show them episode 7 and the good parts of TLJ. Skip TROS and show them the mandalorian.

[@Bauglir100]

I'd show the Original Trilogy (theatrical/pre-Special Edition versions), then the Prequel Trilogy, and then finally the Special Editions of the Original Trilogy.

[@youwayo]

@@kdusel1991The Force Awakens is the worst Star Wars movie imo :P

[@aaron-n]

@@Vulpasdon’t tell him what to do with his kids

[@zachdinga6496]

Always loved the prequels WAY before the sequel trilogy

[@michaelbachmeier5478]

I hate myself for this but I was 11 when phantom menace came out and I actually like phantom menace . The only prequel I don't enjoy is attack of the clones

[@senbonzakurakageyoshi662]

Chronologically obviously!

[@anakinsolo1183]

This new trilogy belongs to another multiverse

[@henrymockingbird9645]

9:50

[@mrgtmodernretrogamingtech6891]

Can't imagine how 2009 (before Ghostbusters 2016 scandal) James reacts if he'll see Star Wars 7,8,9 at that time...

[@JV-ko6ov]

The new disney movies make episode one look like fkin citizen kain

[@stephenhasty252]

As a father of a soon to be 6 year old girl and 4 year old boy, I personally shown them alot of my favorite 80s movies. They love the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth so being 36 and seeing them in mixed and unmixed order I can say that they will like the actual effects vs CGI.... deep thought and really enjoyed this James thanks nerd

[@thisistheendpt2]

It's crazy to think that we watched these movies around 8-10yrs old but kids today get to watch them earlier.

[@gavinlouks]

goog

[@kevinpalan1127]

start with the 456 no special ed then do 123

[@TheMovieDoctorful]

Love how James was ahead of the curve on the Star Wars prequel trilogy appraisal. He was calling Revenge of the Sith a "homerun" in an age where anyone else suggesting any of the prequels were good would put a bullseye on your ass.

[@archmage7813]

That's because the prequels were and continue to be awful.

[@TheMovieDoctorful]

@@archmage7813 thank you for your irrelevant opinion!

[@archmage7813]

@@TheMovieDoctorful hahahahah. Well it might be irrelevant to someone like you who clearly doesn't understand what a good movie is but in reality it's not an opinion, objectively these are terrible movies.

[@TheMovieDoctorful]

@@archmage7813 James called Revenge of the Sith a great movie multiple times and Attack of the Clones adequate popcorn fun. I guess he doesn't know what a good movie is either, right? What the fuck are you doing on a decade old video just to declare that him and people who agree with him are wrong? In "reality", you're "objectively" a loser who nobody likes.

[@wreckitralph4714]

These are the best Star Wars movies besides Rouge One.

[@aaron-n]

My faves are Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and Rouge One

[@ajzeg01]

Lol no

[@adam1984pl]

and Han Solo movie.

[@arthursnyder6935]

Especially since Rouge One takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope

[@kdusel1991]

Thanks for uploading this!!! I was waiting for this part! Wonder if James will revisit the sequel trilogy anytime soon.

[@napalmsanctuaryx4129]

The problems with these movies are 1) the idea that they are kids movies. Too violent for kids movies. 2) the execution. From what I understand, Lucas tried to get Kasden and Kershner on board. Had he been able to, they would have been golden. Lucas just isn't an actor's director. I believe he's admitted to as much. I love Hayden Christensen and ewen McGregor. Lucas just needed the band back together. I can't even watch ep 1&2. Barely episode 3. But I respect the hustle.

[@Bauglir100]

It's true that The Empire Strikes Back and Revenge of the Sith are very dark and mature compared to the other movies in their respective trilogies, but all the Star Wars movies are still pretty tame compared to other movies kids would be watching at the time. Lightsabers and blasters instantaneously cauterize the wounds they open, so that means no blood (unless you're an Aqualish like Ponda Baba); there's little profanity that goes beyond the occasional "hell" or "damn"; and they don't usually show the characters drinking explicitly alcoholic beverages or smoking onscreen. And even the romance is tame, with it not going beyond hugging/kissing.

[@MrOnilinked]

Ep 3 is peak

[@youwayo]

I wonder if James knew that the Prequel Trilogy (especially TPM) had lots of practical effects; they blended with a lot of the CGi.

[@happyllama2315]

If James didn't have KZbin he'd work at a fucking grocery store. The shit he knows could just about fill a shot glass.

[@TheFire1290]

A lot of practical effects being used isn't mutually exclusive with the idea that he used a lot a CGI that aged poorly.

[@branscombe_]

I enjoy James’ reviews just as much as the movies almost

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

The Lucas Star Wars have that special something, even the prequels.

[@zairman]

Originals, yes. Not the prequels.

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

@@zairman Not as much, but there is still some.

[@Bauglir100]

Yeah. It's called "effort". And perhaps "imagination" too.

[@RevanMartinez]

Prequels > Sequels

[@Jackfromshack]

baby duck syndrom

[@RevanMartinez]

@@Jackfromshack Wrong.

[@Beefnhammer]

Agreed. This doesn't mean the prequels are good, but they're a lot better. The original trilogy is still unmatched.

[@BlackenedLiam]

Both trash except for Episode 3.

[@i5jpi5jp84]

I hate the singing alien. Please give us the laserdisc versions on modern media

[@Bauglir100]

I'm happy I got the 2006 DVDs, since they include the LaserDisc versions on the bonus discs.

[@Leef853]

I saw phantom menace as a kid and didnt like it... and im tired of, everytime i say this, people tell me im brainwashed by the orher opinion. No, it just wasn't that good of a movie. I dont hate george lucas tho, nor jake loyd, or jar jar. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, NOT EVEYONE IS GONNA LIKE THE SAME THING YOU DO.

[@odotb9916]

Phantom Menace is better than James gives it credit for.

[@Vulpas]

Yeah but it is the weakest prequel

[@odotb9916]

@Vulpas maybe in your opinion but for me it's my favourite. I love the characters, the effects, the scenery/settings, pod race, the 4 endings going on at once, lightsaber duel with darth maul, duel of the fates! I could go on..

[@lukaskolisek2208]

@@odotb9916 And it has Brian Blessed.

[@Steambull1]

TPM doesn't get enough credit, while Sith gets way too much...

[@BlackenedLiam]

It really isn't.

[@WrinkledPlatypus]

So glad to hear praise for revenge of the sith. Gets more hate than it deserves due to it being a prequel, IMO

[@stopsign515]

welp time to rewatch

[@cheezburgah2786]

Hello

[@Vulpas]

The prequels are way underrated, Revenge of the Sith is actually the best film in the series. At the very least the prequels look like classics themselves compared to the new Disney crud.

[@DoubleBeast]

They are. The narrative that's formed against Episode 1 is bullshit. Does it cater to kids? Yes. Did it do it well? Hell yeah, Episode 1 is fucking cool. It isn't wack like the Disney trilogy and it doesn't have the crap the MCU rightfully gets flack for. It _is_ a good movie. The prequels were integral to shaping Obi-Wan and, even more importantly, visually crafting the greater Star Wars universe. People forget how basic the sequels' dialogue is and how the visuals didn't even hold up well 20 years ago lol. Alien is a sci-fi movie from the same period with the same budget as Star Wars (IV) that looks far less janky (with the exception being the rubber suit at the end lol). We gotta stand up to the bullshit narrative that's been peddled for decades. No meek placation. We are right.

[@ThunderDragonRandy]

Revenge of the Sith is also my favorite of the series.

[@zairman]

Problem is the dialogue is so horrible, I can't take any of it seriously or get emotional about any of it.

[@JordanFountain003]

.... And also with you James.

[@Stickers2Go]

i am 28 years old and never watched starwars.

[@ajzeg01]

Don’t

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Sad to say , but these are better than the sequels.

[@nickm5419]

what sequels? Luke defeated the Empire

[@metaluigi423]

This review aged like milk on a hot summer’s day.

[@TheMovieDoctorful]

How? It's one of the few mostly positive prequel reviews of that time.

[@anotheryoutubeaccount5259]

Most irrelevant comment

[@symorebutts2137]

Any chance Jim'll have time to review the sequel trilogy? 🤔

[@joelwallenius2877]

... always.

[@scottwilson3741]

I showed my gf in release order. Otherwise she would've already known that twist was coming

[@mattwolf7698]

The scene about Vader being Luke's father? That's been parodied so much that even a lot of people who haven't seen anything Star Wars would know that though. I knew that before watching Star Wars due to Toy Story 2 parodying it.

[@scottwilson3741]

@@mattwolf7698 I don't think she did. She's never been into that kind of thing. Never even seen Spaceballs. Had the same reaction I did in the theater, turned to me & sd is he lying?

[@morgankingsley8711]

I'm sorry, but Clones is way worse than Menace.

[@BlondeManNoName]

The prequels are utter crap, but at least Episode 1 had some redeeming qualities to it.

[@Just_a_teddy_bear]

Revenge of the Sith has some highlights too. -The battle between Obi Wan and General Grevious. -The opera scene with Anaking and Palpatine. -The scene where Palpatine becomes the senate. -The final scene with Vader in his suit observing an unfinished Death Star alongside Tarkin and the Emperor. Those where not many highlights I admit, but their still there.

[@TheMovieDoctorful]

Not only are they not crap, but Episode I is the weakest one by far, get off the crackpipe.

[@Dr.W.Krueger]

these are still solid gold compared to the recent Disney schlock

[@bencrites6305]

If you want to see good star wars stuff watch the robot chicken episodes

[@jtukko]

I love the prequels almost as much the originals. I don't care if others don't like them.

[@mathinho1237]

Just another entitled brat

[@nicolasribeirodossantos6082]

0:39 yeah before this rereleased trilogy became a trend, like, EVERY YEAR we get THE. SAME. VERSIONS of THE SAME MOVIE! with THE SAME CHANGES ALL OVER AGAIN! IT'S GETTING REPETITIVE!

[@ceroenblanco]

Clone Wars was the best thing ever!!!

[@colonelquack]

I prefer the prequels. Context: I'm a Trekkie, didn't see any Wars until my twenties, and I'm pushing 40.

[@smithjohnson1206]

Attack of the clones is absolutely terrible

[@tomderry7295]

I might get hate for this, I need to say it. Rogue 1 is the best Star Wars movie.

[@AxleMyths]

The sequels are almost as old now as the prequels were when he made this video...

[@generalesdeath5836]

The ultimate order to watch is 4, 1, 2, 5, 3, 6.

[@Bauglir100]

Start with the Original Trilogy theatrical cuts, then the Prequel Trilogy, then rewatch the Original Trilogy Special Editions so you can rewatch them with the added context of the prequels. Whether you check out the Legends or Canon stuff afterwards is up to you.

[@kennethmatthew9638]

Star wars is dead and social justice has killed it. Thank you Kathleen

[@chrissyboy7047]

I think the best way to watch these is in the original release order. You get to experience the big reveal but then I think it makes episode 3 all the more tragic

[@willznuts]

I disagree with the Nerd here, Episode I The Phantom Menace ROCKED!! Sure it had Jar Jar and riddled with dated digital effects, but it objectively, it still had the most charm. Episode II and III sucked balls, with III getting way too much credit.

[@Vulpas]

I agree E1 rocked but I still find it the weakest of the prequels, no way did E3 suck lol. The Anakin vs Obi fight is the best of any fight in the entire series.

[@willznuts]

@@Vulpas I respectfully disagree, Mate. I think the Darth Maul battle from Ep 1 Buffalo Diarrhea Poops on it, IMO.

[@spacejam8765]

The CGI on Yo in Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith looks like shit. I absolutely hate it. I loved seeing him in Empire and Returns because he is a puppet. So seeing him again as a puppet in The Last Jedi made me cry with joy. 😢😊

[@zairman]

Just remember, it wasn't Disney that started ruining Star Wars. It was George. Disney just continued it. xD

[@gyga100]

disney perfect the ruining that Lucas started...

[@ShinSeikiEvan]

Yes. George even hired Kathleen Kennedy as his replacement. Then she stabbed him in the back. He should have known better.

[@dustinneely]

I despise George Lucas.

[@joshoshea3194]

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. Yeah, have you watched it lately? It's pretty unwatchable. Just binge watch Andor instead, or The Mandalorian season 1 & 2.

[@Bauglir100]

Or you could play the KOTOR games. They're not canon anymore, but they're still the best thing Star Wars has produced since the Original Trilogy.