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‘The Prequel Trilogy, A Graphic Novel’ review: Many pros and a couple of cons

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As a gamer with a heart for epic tales, I found myself reminiscing about the days when Star Wars prequels graced our screens, making me feel like I was right there amidst the galaxy far, far away. Fast forward to today, and I stumbled upon Lucasfilm Press’ graphic novel adaptation of the trilogy, penned by Alessandro Ferrari.

At eighteen years old, I was captivated by the release of the initial Star Wars prequels, and what really drew me in was the grandeur of the visual narrative from the get-go. If I had been around during Ancient Greece, I’d have been one of those people mesmerized by Homer’s epics. For me, films are all about fueling my creative visual mind. So, when I stumbled upon “Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy, A Graphic Novel” by Alessandro Ferrari at the library, I immediately sought it out to check if the storytelling could maintain its appeal in a static format.

WAR!

What I found particularly impressive about this film version was its clever management of battle scenes using minimal page space. Despite the iconic John Williams’ score still echoing in my ears, the liberation of Naboo in The Phantom Menace felt more intense and surprising, as the droids effortlessly overpowered the Gungan forces. The assault on the droid command ship resulted in a significant loss of ships. In Revenge of the Sith, the intricacy of the opening battle is skillfully conveyed through both densely packed action scenes and graphics showcasing fewer subjects but effectively focusing on individual Jedi navigating the chaotic storm to save the Chancellor. The portrayal of Order 66 remains my favorite part.

The one element that left me wanting was Geonosis. This is a pivotal and game-changing battle for the Republic and the Jedi Order. The adaptation showed a few Jedi fighting off battle droids, but none of the desperation and defeat. One of the most sobering moments of Episode II for me was Obi-Wan Kenobi stopping to check the pulse of a fallen Jedi as Count Dooku gloated over his inevitable destruction. If you’ve only read the graphic novels, you would think that very few casualties happened in that arena. Those who fell really deserved more.

Ready for a Close-up

In these comic adaptations, the artists skillfully choose when to magnify certain facial expressions and utilize body language effectively. They sometimes use artistic liberty to portray Anakin Skywalker’s simmering resentment towards Obi-Wan’s criticism, as dialogue alone cannot convey this emotion. The developing relationship between Anakin and Padme Amidala in the second storyline is particularly well executed. This level of quality is maintained in Revenge of the Sith, and one of the most impactful scenes depicted is Mace Windu’s relentless focus while killing Jango Fett.

Conversely, it appears that certain characters were omitted from this version, as previously noted. The majority of the Geonosis task force did not make an appearance. Additionally, Captain Tarpals, who played a significant role in contrasting with the character transformation of Jar Jar Binks from clumsy to general, seems to have been excluded.

I don’t get the reference

With so many positive aspects to the adaptations, I only have one major complaint. The prequels lost their personality in the process. The scenes were curtailed to further the storyline, which really helped at times. But George Lucas’ projects have always relied on some humor and wry irony.

Setting aside the lack of memorable scenes, it weakened the overall dramatic tension. Padmé sarcastically comments about intense negotiations, yet we never witness the encounter where Anakin explains these. Obi-Wan lacks the close bond with the clone troopers he leads. Crucially, there’s less emotional depth shown during their confrontation on Mustafar.

Absolutely, I strongly endorse these modifications; however, they might prompt you to revisit the films to refresh your memory about the elements that initially captivated you with the tales.

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2024-08-13 00:51

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