The prequel trilogy received mixed reviews, generally improving in critical reception with each installment. Common criticisms surrounded the over-reliance oncomputer-generated imagery andgreen screens, melodramatic and wooden dialogue (including scenes of romance between Anakin and Padmé), slow-paced political scenes,[1] and the comic relief character ofJar Jar Binks, whose role was reduced after the first film.[2][a]
Several alien characters introduced inThe Phantom Menace have been subject to accusations of racial stereotypes. Jar Jar is asserted to caricature a stereotypedJamaican,[4][5] while the Gungan species at large has been said to suggest a primitive African tribe.[2] The greedyNeimoidians of the Trade Federation have been noted as resembling East Asian stereotypes[6] with some deliberately givenThai accents,[7] andWatto's mannerisms and hooked nose appearance were based on footage ofAlec Guinness as the Jewish characterFagin in the 1948 filmOliver Twist,[8] leading some to assert that the slave-owning character is aJewish stereotype.[9] Lucas denied all accusations of racial stereotypes.[2][10]
Many expressed their disappointment with the trilogy's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, particularly calling the writing weak and the dialogue wooden, although Hayden Christensen's performance in the third film was more well-received.[11] Contrarily, Ewan McGregor's portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, following in the footsteps of Alec Guinness, has been generally praised.[12] Natalie Portman has expressed her disappointment with the trilogy's negative reception, saying that "When something has that much anticipation it can almost only disappoint." She also acknowledged that "With the perspective of time, it's been re-evaluated by a lot of people who actually really love them now."[13]
Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi Master partnered with his apprenticeObi-Wan Kenobi. Tasked with protecting the Queen of Naboo,Padmé Amidala, Jinn discoversAnakin Skywalker as a slave on the desert planet of Tatooine. Known for his unconventional methods (that have cost him a seat on the Jedi Council), Jinn implores the Council to allow him to train Anakin despite already having an apprentice in Kenobi, and Anakin being too old to begin the training. When Amidala returns to Naboo to liberate her people from the Trade Federation blockade, Jinn is mortally wounded in a lightsaber duel againstDarth Maul. With his dying words, he tasks Kenobi with training Anakin.
The character was portrayed byLiam Neeson inThe Phantom Menace, and archival audio is heard asYoda meditates inAttack of the Clones.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi Master and former student of Qui-Gon Jinn whose training is completed by Master Yoda. Kenobi trains Anakin Skywalker to be a Jedi per his former master's dying wish. The two form an extremely close friendship despite Skywalker's penchant for breaking the rules.
The character was portrayed byEwan McGregor in all three films.
Padmé Amidala served as the queen and later senator for Naboo. She secretly marries Anakin Skywalker, and following his turn to the Dark Side, she dies in childbirth with twins- Luke and Leia.
The character was portrayed byNatalie Portman in all three films.
Anakin Skywalker is a powerful Jedi Knight believed by some to be the "Chosen One" who will bring balance to the Force. While headstrong, he forms a close friendship with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Skywalker descends towards the Dark Side of the Force after his mother is killed by Tusken Raiders, and he begins having dreams that something similar will happen to Padmé, whom he secretly married. Skywalker is manipulated by Palpatine (actually the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious) into becoming his apprentice, Darth Vader.
The character was portrayed as a child byJake Lloyd inThe Phantom Menace, and as a young man byHayden Christensen inAttack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith.James Earl Jones returned to voice Darth Vader once the character is entombed in the life support suit following the duel on Mustafar.
Palpatine is a senator from Naboo who ascends to become the Chancellor of the Republic following thevote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum during the Naboo crisis. However, his true identity is the Sith Lord called Darth Sidious. As both Chancellor of the Republic and master to Count Dooku (leader of the Separatist factions), Palpatine puppeteers a never-ending war between the two factions to consolidate power. When Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi discover his true identity, Palpatine successfully manipulates Anakin into becoming his apprentice, but not before becoming heavily deformed by Mace Windu. Palpatine uses the attack to declare himself Emperor and reorganize the Republic under his Imperial rule.
The character was portrayed byIan McDiarmid, reprising his role from the original trilogy.
Shmi Skywalker is the mother of Anakin Skywalker, who tells Qui-Gon Jinn that there was no father. She is later married to Cliegg Lars before her death at the hands of the Tusken Raiders.
The character was portrayed byPernilla August in the first two films.
Count Dooku is the former master of Qui-Gon Jinn before he left the order, citing the corruption of the Jedi. He then becomes Palpatine's second Sith apprentice, and he leads the Separatist Alliance against the Republic.
The character was portrayed byChristopher Lee inAttack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith.
Bail Organa is the senator from Alderaan, and one of the leading voices to resist the growing consolidation of power by Chancellor Palpatine, laying the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance. He is married to Breha Organa, the Queen of Alderaan.
Fodesinbeed Annodue (Greg Proops andScott Capurro) – also known asFode & Beed, the Troig celebrity podracing announcer
Owen and Beru Lars (Joel Edgerton andBonnie Piesse) – Anakin's step-brother and sister-in-law following Cliegg Lars' marriage to Shmi Skywalker; entrusted with the care of Luke Skywalker following the death of Padmé, the fall of Anakin, and the rise of the Empire
Cliegg Lars (Jack Thompson) – moisture farmer and father to Owen Lars, freed Shmi Skywalker from Watto and eventually married her
Sebulba (Lewis MacLeod) – a Dug podracer who frequently antagonizes young Anakin
Aurra Sing (Michonne Bourriague) – Palliduvan bounty hunter who frequents the podracing tournaments on Tatooine
Watto (Andy Secombe) – a Toydarian mechanic who owned Anakin and his mother Shmi on Tatooine
Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) – Neimoidian executive and politician leading the Trade Federation
Rune Haako (Jerome Blake, James Taylor, Alan Ruscoe, Chris Truswell, Sandy Thompson)[clarification needed] – Neimoidian official who worked closely with Viceroy Gunray
San Hill – Muun Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan
Shu Mai – Gossam Presidente of the Commerce Guild
Poggle the Lesser (portrayed byMarton Csokas, voiced byErnie Fosselius) – Geonosian leader who controlled the battle droid factories and oversaw the preliminary designs for the Death Star
Wat Tambor (Chris Truswell) – Skakoan Foreman of the Techno Union and Executive of Baktoid Armor Workshop before and during the Clone Wars
