You almost have to watch this clip from The Daily Show, which aired right before Mr. Lucas came on, to understand what they’re talking about when they refer to having that child’s sense of wonder. It’s very true, nostalgia plays a big part in people these days loving the original Star Wars trilogy and loathing the newer prequels. I think there were definitely elements in the prequels that I found awesome (podracing, Darth Maul) and others that I didn’t but Lucas has a point: Kids loved JarJar Binks! Kids love the Clone War series on Cartoon Network! And who am I to tell a kid he can’t love something that makes him laugh? I don’t know, I just kinda side with Lucas on this one and give him credit for what he ultimately did: Entertain two generations of children with his films. Oh yeah, and I guess the dude from Modesto has some new book out or something.
Childhood nolstalgia is EVERYTHING. All the prequal haters fail to remember, it seems, that the original trilogy they love so much is full of, well, stupid moments. Aliens playing instruments in a cantina, a big slug-gangster named Jabba, or a monster living in a garbage disposal are all images that come to my mind. None of them seem to be more "intelligent" than Jar Jar Binks, who actually had several crucual roles in the overall Star Wars arc (especially that one scene in Episode II.)
No, I'm not attacking those who hate the prequals. I'm just saying that childhood nostalgia is everything, and can radically change our perception of a motion picture. Why am I so sure about this? I was 13 or 14 when Phantom Menace came out, and I remember that film fondly. Nothing can make me hate that film. Even Jar Jar Binks, (who I didn't think was THAT bad.)