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The new Star Wars trilogy gets a lot of flak for not living up to the original. Complaints include the addition of too “kid-friendly” and over-the-top Jar Jar Binks, wooden acting by both actors portraying Anakin Skywalker, corny dialogue and too much focus on making money. However, with all the faults the original trilogy may or may not have had (give Hayden Christensen some slack: you wouldn’t sound any better reading from his script), Star Wars fans, and humanity in general needed Episodes I through III. Because regardless of George Lucas’ scriptwriting abilities, the man knows how to tell a damn good story. Listed below, in no particular order, are a few of the (I’m sure) many reasons why it was worth seeing Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III, and how they gave us goosebumps like the original did.

1. Jedi at the pinnacle of power: In the original trilogy we were introduced to two bon-a-fide Jedi: Obi-wan Kenobi and Yoda, and they were both old and crotchety and completely irrelevant to the rest of the universe. In the modern trilogy, and most noticeably in Episode II: Attack of the Clones, we see the Jedi for what they are: an army badass policemen.
   Goosebump moment: Seeing lightsabers light up all around the stadium in Geonosis before seeing the Jedi charge a massive mechanized army.
2. Lightsaber battles: While we’re on the topic, there’s one category in which the modern trilogy is unquestionably superior to the original: lightsaber duels. Looking back at A New Hope, Obi-wan’s duel with Darth Vader was nothing more than a lame shuffle between two old men. Emotional though it was, action-packed it was not. Luke provided a bit more athleticism and excitement to a lightsaber duel but it still pales in comparison to the modern trilogy.
   Goosebump moment: While each Episode attempted to out-due the lightsaber battle of it’s predecessor (and probably succeeded), Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace ushered in the new era of Star Wars with Darth Maul’s double-edged lightsaber. With one swift, sexy move, Darth Maul officially blew our minds.
3. Yoda: There’s a little overlap here, but Yoda is one of the most famous characters in any medium, period. Episode II: Attack of the Clones saw him get a digital face lift. Whether or not you liked Yoda’s new look (you have to admit, they did a pretty good job… just look at the whites of his eyes, the weaving of his robe… he was almost real), the ends justified the means, because we got to see him kick ASS. It took five movies before we got to see the universe’s greatest Jedi fight someone. I’d say it was worth the wait.

Goosebump moment: Yoda uses the force to pull out his lightsaber and turns it on.

4. Formation of the Empire: It’s poetry… and most definitely a space opera. For nearly the entire modern trilogy, the Republic is the shining star of the galaxy. It represents good, as do our main characters. The Separatists are evil, and the main characters do battle against them. And yet, through the complacent allowance of the corruption of power, we see the Separatists in a different light. Were “we” wrong? Was the Republic what we thought it was? [For those Star Wars fans who also enjoy the NFL, see here.] Suddenly the roles of good and evil are reversed in such an epic way, it’s almost beautiful to stand back and look at the transformation of galactic government over the course of the six films. Jar Jar Binks and lightsabers aside, that’s some pretty heavy stuff when you think about it.
   Goosebump moment: Not as easy to pinpoint as the others on this list, but seeing the clone troopers for the first time, and Palpatine taking center stage of the Senate “as” Lord Sidious are a couple of great scenes.
5. Villains: The original trilogy had one main bad guy: Darth Vader. And though he was, and still is considered one of the greatest villains ever, he wouldn’t really cut it if Star Wars came out for the first time this year. The modern trilogy introduced us to three distinct villains each with something new to bring to the table. Darth Maul, as was mentioned previously, had dual-sabers and a seriously menacing face. Episode II: Attack of the Clones had Lord Dooku, Yoda’s old padawan who flashed a snazzy little curved saber and proved he could go toe-to-toe with the most powerful Jedi in the universe. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith trumped the previous five films with one of the coolest villains ever with some of the most badass potential possible. I say potential because the film didn’t really do this dangerous killing machine. His fighting prowess didn’t get nearly enough screen time, especially given the sneak peek Star Wars fans got with the animated Cartoon Network miniseries The Clone Wars.
   Goosebump moment: Each villain came with their own, but seeing General Grievous whip out four lightsabers has to be at or near the top. If Maul’s two sabers were good… four is twice as good no?

Regardless of your feelings towards George Lucas, Jar Jar Binks, the new animated Clone Wars film, or the TV series set to come out, deep down you all know the prequels had redeeming qualities.  Deep down you all know there were a few moments that made you feel like a kid again.