This is Ramakandra’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

The Star Wars prequels are just as good as the originals.

That’s right. You read correctly. The Star Wars prequels are just as good as the originals. So many people have decried, insulted, attacked and derided the films – including Chris Pirillo himself. I am here to give you the top five reasons why those people are wrong – and why these films are incredible pieces of cinema.

Reason number one: you know when Dr. Phil says that couples don’t fight about what actually upsets them? Instead they just choose topics to fight over, like clothes on a floor, or doing the dishes? Does that remind you of anything? People argue over topics, when talking about the prequels. Not the movie itself.

• “The acting is no good.”
• “The scripts were terrible.”
• “Jar Jar Binks is annoying.”
• “I don’t like the CGI.”

They find any justification for dissatisfaction, but what they are really upset about is their own inability to enjoy the movies like they did as kids (on an innocent, awestruck level). They want their youth back. And when Star Wars doesn’t provide that, they get angry – angry at themselves. You don’t see seven year-old’s moaning and wailing about the quality of dialogue. They just enjoy the movie. Just like so many of you did as youngsters. You ignored the flaws in the original Star Wars films because you enjoyed them. George Lucas was never the world’s greatest wordsmith, and never claimed to be. Episodes 4, 5, and 6 don’t exactly read like Shakespearian sonnets, but people willfully ignore as much when bashing the prequels.

Reason number two: real Jedi. Not old men past their prime, or half-robots, with all their spirit sucked dry by the Emperor – or sissies from Tatooine who started their training when they were thirty. Real Jedi. Qui-Gonn Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi at their best. A ballet of lightsaber wielding protectors of peace and justice, who dispense of Sith and all the other troubles of the Old Republic. Nobody is looking at those battles and doubting their impressiveness, and if you are: you’re lying. This is what the romance of the Old Republic was all about. Before the dark times. Before the Empire.

Reason number three: the story. I don’t know how many times i have heard the “bad story” excuse. That doesn’t hold water with me. It’s a different kind of story than the originals – a political story of subtleties. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad… just different. And it has plenty of action and romance to sustain the duration of the exposition. This brings me to the next bone of contention.

Reason number four: the love story. Common criticisms include…

• “I don’t believe they are in love”
• “They seem so awkward together”
• “That dialogue is so phony”

What, you mean like… every other teenage romance film on the face of the planet?! Throughout the entirety of human existence?! These were kids in love! The awkwardness is intentional. The naievity was well thought out, and the consequences of their immaturity clearly explained. Its not a plot hole! It enriches the story four-fold!

And finally, my fifth reason. The prequels tie the entire saga together. They explain why the events (of the movies you claim to love) happened. You should be thankful that George Lucas still cares about his creation when so many other filmmakers would have lost all interest. The deleted scenes indicate that George wanted to go more into the creation of the rebels, since he didn’t have time for it the first time around (Territory that will likely be covered in the live action TV show, which will most likely be somewhat like the Young Indiana Jones show). This provides more story for those who want it – but if you don’t want it, you don’t have to watch it.

Star Wars is one of the greatest sagas in cinema history.

So, don’t sour the experience for the kids who haven’t seen it yet – with your negativity and bitterness because it didn’t turn out the way you wanted. Because, in the end, this is George’s story – from his imagination. That is what made you love it in the first place.

• Star Wars Has Gone to the Dogs
• LEGO AT-AT Fun
• My Birthday Present: Building the LEGO Death Star
• LEGO Unboxing
• Happy Birthday Video
• Toledo Vader
• Red and White Darth Vader Figures
• The Road Not Taken (with Yoda and a Dog)
• The Force is Strong with this USB Hub
• Corey Vidal and Me

It is a period of barking war. Puppy spaceships, striking from a hidden bowl, have won their first chewtoy against the evil Galactic Dog House.

During the battle, Puppy spies managed to eat secret plans to the Dog House’s ultimate weapon, the BREATH STAR, an armored treat station with enough yum-yums to destroy an entire planet.

Pursued by the Dog House’s sinister agents, Princess Lei-around-all-day-a races home aboard her blanket, custodian of the eaten plans that can save her puppies and restore freedom to the neighborhood….

• Star Wars Prequels vs. the Original Trilogy
• LEGO AT-AT Fun
• My Birthday Present: Building the LEGO Death Star
• LEGO Unboxing
• Happy Birthday Video
• Toledo Vader
• Red and White Darth Vader Figures
• The Road Not Taken (with Yoda and a Dog)
• The Force is Strong with this USB Hub
• Corey Vidal and Me