The PREQUEL Trilogy | A STAR WARS Complete Retrospective - 2

It’s time to reinvent how movies are made.

Almost two decades after the conclusion of the original Star Wars trilogy, George Lucas returned to the big screen with Episodes I, II, and III.

Films that were both technologically revolutionary, and also incredibly controversial at their time for a whole host of reasons. The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy changed the entire universe for better and for worse.

So take a journey from 1993 to 2005 to witness the creation, triumphs, defeats, and release of the fascinating second trilogy in the Star Wars saga.

This is… STAR WARS: A COMPLETE RETROSPECTIVE - PART TWO

MAIN SOURCES:

Episodes I, II, and III DVD special features
‘Light & Magic’ on Disney+
RedLetterMedia's Plinkett Reviews

THE COMPLETE TIMELINE:

00:00 - The Digital Revolution
00:04:54 - 1993: No More Pretending You’re Dinosaurs
00:06:19 - 1993: The Star Wars Hiatus
00:07:32 - 1994: The Prequel Trilogy Announced
00:08:57 - 1995: The Beginning
00:10:03 - 1996: Creating the Special Editions
00:11:03 - 1997: THE SPECIAL EDITIONS
00:17:40 - 1997: Pre-production on Ep. I
00:20:07 - 1997: Casting Ep. I
00:24:28 - 1997: Filming Ep. I
00:28:44 - 1998: Post-production on Ep. I
00:31:20 - 1998: Episode I Reshoots
00:32:24 - 1998: Episode I Title Reveal
00:33:24 - 1998: The Phantom Menace Teaser Trailer
00:36:00 - 1999: John Williams Returns
00:37:30 - 1999: Phantom Menace Trailer 2
00:38:46 - 1999: The Phantom Menace Marketing Invasion
00:42:15 - 1999: The Final Push
00:44:10 - 1999: THE PHANTOM MENACE
01:09:06 - 1999: Reception to The Phantom Menace
01:14:23 - 2000: Toys Go Bad?
01:16:05 - 2000: Episode II Begins
01:19:24 - 2000: Casting Ep. II
01:21:09 - 2000: Filming Ep. II
01:24:54 - 2001: Post-production on Ep. II
01:28:52 - 2001: Episode II Title Reveal
01:29:50 - 2001: Phantom Menace on DVD
01:30:29 - 2001: Attack of the Clones Teasers
01:32:34 - 2002: The Big Push
01:33:50 - 2002: Attack of the Clones Trailer 2
01:35:07 - 2002: Marketing Episode II
01:38:03 - 2002: ATTACK OF THE CLONES
02:04:29 - 2002: Reception to Attack of the Clones
02:07:26 - 2003: Episode III Begins
02:08:58 - 2003: Casting Ep. III
02:10:30 - 2003: Filming Ep. III
02:15:32 - 2003: STAR WARS: CLONE WARS - Season 1
02:16:47 - 2004: STAR WARS: CLONE WARS - Season 2
02:18:18 - 2004: Post-production on Ep. III
02:22:17 - 2004: Episode III Title Reveal
02:23:27 - 2004: Episode III Reshoots
02:24:17 - 2004: The Original Trilogy on DVD
02:26:50 - 2004: Revenge of the Sith Teaser Trailer
02:28:07 - 2005: Revenge of the Sith Trailer 2
02:30:13 - 2005: STAR WARS: CLONE WARS - Season 3
02:32:02 - 2005: Episode III’s final push
02:33:20 - 2005: Marketing Episode III
02:36:03 - 2005: REVENGE OF THE SITH
02:58:26 - 2005: Reception to Revenge of the Sith
02:59:47 - Trilogy’s End
03:03:13 - STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS / Conclusion

Outro Music: Running in the 80s 1.5x speed

[ThePrimeTheater]

A COUPLE QUICK NOTES:

1) Yes, there are similarities between this video and the Plinkett reviews. Those videos were without a doubt foundational to criticism of these movies over the years, and some of their ideas worked their way into my head as ear-worms over time. For the most part though I can assure you that a lot of the similarities were unintentional. It has been years since I've rewatched those videos, and a lot of the opinions expressed here are genuinely my own. If they are similar, they are coincidental.

EXCEPT FOR... the Anakin dating advice bit. I did lift that from those reviews, but I wanted to try and find a new way of approaching it that wasn't 1:1 with what those videos did. And I also wanted to hang a lantern on it by directly referencing the original gag at the end of this video. However, since a couple comments have pointed it out, I obviously didn't do enough, and that's my bad. I could've twisted the idea further or even found another way to tackle it, and for that I'm sorry.

ALSO, for the sake of utmost clarity, other influences on this video are: The Cosmonaut Variety Hour, Mr. Sunday Movies, Patrick H. Willems, and a little bit of r/PrequelMemes. My observations and thoughts have been informed and influenced by all of them, and Plinkett, over the years, so I want to make sure that I properly credit them for all of that when making this video.

2) This is just a minor correction: The Phantom Menace was in fact NOT the very first movie to utilize digital previsualization. That honor goes back to Clear and Present Danger (1994) and perhaps even further back with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). So it'd be more accurate to say Phantom Menace was ONE OF the first to use digital pre-vis, but not actually THE first. So that's a mistake on my part.

3) Another correction: The Plaza de España is in fact NOT located in London, it is in Seville, Spain. That was just a complete misreading of information on my part.

4) I don't know exactly when Part 3 of this video is going to come out, because it's still in the copyright gauntlet. BUT I am working on it, don't worry.

In the meantime I hope this doesn't sully your enjoyment of the video too much, and I hope you enjoy watching : )

[IronBeagle]

The Prequels are flawed, sometimes even downright awful when you think about it. But these are what got me into Star Wars, how I was introduced to this series.

Hayden Christiansen and Ewan McGregor are the absolute highlights for me.

Fantastic video as always, Prime!

[daveydat]

Long time viewer, first time commenter.

Just wanted to say, there's something incredibly special about the way you recap the histories of these franchises from development right through to reception.

I don't think I have the correct vocabulary to express it beyond that, special. It's rare I get goose bumps or any kind of second-hand excitement when watching YouTube videos, and while the goosebumps may have been minimal, the excitement was real.

Just wanted to say keep doing what you're doing. I haven't seen anyone do it in quite the way you've been before, and it's something special.

[TheBasilGuy]

I don't think a single one of these retrospectives you've done has gone by without me cackling in my chair with joy whenever there are clips like fans in the theater for The Phantom Menace screaming in excitement at the title card. The breakdowns of the general public's reception and anticipation (or dread) is easily my favorite part of these. People have said it in the comments before but it reeeeally puts you in the headspace of that time and what folks (or yourself if you were around) were feeling in those moments. Pure bliss.

[forcechanneltocomment]

It is truly amazing how many movie firsts, innovations, and general technological advancements these movies made. And if you hate Jar-Jar, just remember that without him, Gollum might not look the way he ended up looking.

[hugocastilla]

I hate you. In 20 years I never noticed the digital zooms in AotC and now, because of you, I can't unseen them😫

[JDot]

As someone who was only old enough to become a hardcore Star Wars fan after all 6 were released, these retrospectives have been so great. Seeing all the anticipation before TPM gave me so much context as to why I grew up listening to tons of prequel hate (Which I never understood until now since the prequels were what interested me in Star Wars to begin with). I also didn't realize just how revolutionary George Lucas and ILM were for pushing the ENTIRE film industry forward through Star Wars. Overall, amazing videos 🔥🔥

[apexd]

I don't care if phantom menace is bad or whatever. I'll never forget getting to the drive in at 930am. Yeah, we sat in that car until it got dark.

We didn't have much money but my dad saved a little extra to pay the guy off and made damn sure we had a spot in the very front and when that opening hit, people were on top of their cars cheering. And I looked back seeing it all and was proud to be there. I was 8 at the time and have never been happier. My dad was freaking out.

So we watch it together every summer and talk about that night. What a core memory. I got the tickets framed. Thanks dad. ❤

[blue_wolfproductions]

2:41:24
The reason why there are three villains is because they are three components of Vader. As Maul is Vader as a monster. Dooku is represents how Vader is a fallen Jedi. And Grievous shows how Vader is a cyborg

[Shaunybuckets]

I agree with most of the points made in the video except for the one on Yoda. Palpatine took over the republic, had all the other Jedis killed, took over the Jedi temple, and then beat yoda in a force battle. What could Yoda have done? He had no back up, and an entire army searching to kill him, running away was all he really could do in that moment

[Monarch]

I'm sure this comment section will be perfectly civil!

[Cyberleader]

(Not trying to start an arguement. Just thinking outloud)

A lot of people say the sequals will eventually get the same treatment as the prequals because the kids that grew up with them will see it as their definitive Star Wars. But what I think people forget is a lot of the reasons Prequal kids see it as definitive was because the franchise did everything in its power to make it definitive. When i was growing up i didn't just have the movies, I had two cartoons, comic books and multiple video games all Prequal focused. I think the OT is miles better than the PT but when i think of Star Wars as a brand the first thing that comes to mind is the Prequal era because it was impossible to escape it.

The Sequals on the other hand have from the very beginning had to share the limelight with a ton of other media that is not Sequal focused. A popular cartoon that not only is set in the OT but pays major respect to the prequal era. Other movies that are also OT focused. Most games aren't Sequal focused and none of the new shows coming out are either. Why would kids today see the Sequal era as definitve Star Wars when they've been exposed to so much more content from other eras?

[blue_wolfproductions]

I know that a lot of people had issues with the prequel trilogy, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. They are what really got me into Star Wars.

[claycollins]

Man, I remember these days fondly. The anticipation and excitement for episode 1 was almost unbearable. I was 21 when it came out. All my friends were Star Wars fans to varying degrees. I would've called myself a fanboy but I had friends that were heavily into it. My friend Ben was a walking Star Wars encyclopedia. Opening night at the first midnight showing, he was there, dressed as a Jedi. Tents and sleeping bags. The whole nine yards. I look back and wish I would've done it with him. But I couldn't. I had work. Saw the pics and videos he made of them before and after they saw it. Looked like a blast. My first viewing came two nights later. I was at a party over at my friend's, Pat and Tom's apartment, when my buddy Mike and I decided to walk to the gas station to get some smokes and junk. There was a guy out front selling what he said were bootlegs of the Phantom Menace. Now, I don't care what was on that tape, if there was a chance that episode 1 was on it, I was buying it. Five bucks. VHS. Went back popped it in the vcr and there it was, Lucasfilm and then the crawl. We freaked out with joy and a bunch of us huddled around the TV and were so happy with finally seeing the movie. Like a week later I went and saw it in the theaters. Both viewings were awesome. I have my issues with the sequels but it still made it a great time to be alive. What are yalls first episode 1 stories?

[Dylanisgay]

I've been a massive fan of the prequels ever since I was a kid. While I don't think they're the best Star Wars movies, I think they're my favorite:)

[anthonyjamesvasquez]

14:40 You're the first person on YouTube I've seen who says he actually prefers "Yub Nub" over the new celebration music. Personally, I never liked "Yub Nub" even before the SE came out. So when the music was changed, I was absolutely thrilled.

[lordaethelstan]

great video! never noticed the digital zoom 😅 appreciate all the details about the music as well. Nice work!

[slim..reaper]

Love your long videos like this bro! I grew up with the prequels so they are special to me. Episode 3 is probably my favorite movie of all time. The whole clone wars era of Star Wars is unbeatable imo

[TheRelaxingRide]

following a tradition i seem to have stumbled into this in the middle of the series -- well worth the time investment as a star wars fan. who needs nostalgiaberries in new films when you can have actual nostalgia on youtube!

[Benjahmin]

2:40:57
That’s the point. If you combine all three villains you get Darth Vader. It shows that he’s the perfect apprentice that Palpatine could hope for.