My Top 20 Favourite Animated Shows Part 2

10. Adventure Time
Like I said before; the late 2000s was a dark time for television animation, even Cartoon Network had it bad. The channel that used to show a variety of animated programming that many have grown up watching, was just not the same. The executives were making bad business decisions like replacing cartoons with live-action programming, yes there was a time where they really did that. Anything of significant value going for it had become a rarity, and because it was in such a mess, I too lost interest in this channel. But just when things were at their worst, the show 'Adventure Time' came in and sparked a light of hope.

A young boy called Finn and his magic dog Jake roam the mystical land of Ooo, in order to look for
adventure as the title suggests. They save town folks, fight villains and beasts and find artifacts of the different lands. Many episodes would have them interact with colourful characters or discover more of the mysteries of Ooo. Adventure Time was first pitched to Nickelodeon, but Cartoon Network took a chance on it, and the rest is animation history. When I first discovered this series I thought the character designs looked cute; so when I did see it, it not only surpassed my expectations but it showed me that cartoons can be just as good as the ones from my childhood. As the series went on; my love and admiration for it seemed to grow and grow, and I realised that it was more than just a bunch of cute designs and bizarre humour. Pen Ward really took a lot from the fantasy genre and made it his own, as he mixes in action, comedy and drama. Stories dealt with what goes on in character's lives to epic quests with ongoing plots. The world of Ooo is very intriguing; it's surrounded by talking animals, objects and other mythological beings. It's a land divided into many kingdoms that are made from different elements. We learn so much of the lore of Ooo; the world reveals its many layers with each passing season. In terms of humour, the writers were able to make a range of jokes out of the stories. The weird humour fits with the show's setting, these jokes would catch me off guard that I can't help but to laugh at the strangeness. There were even times where the show got so weird, it could get awkward. But it has a variety of comic relief, so it doesn't rely heavily on being random or surreal. In fact, Adventure Time can be really deep, touching upon philosophical themes and allegories. Can the stories be difficult to follow at times? That depends, but I'm glad to see a kid's show with much complex meaning. The art style seems very simplistic; the characters have noodle-like arms and dots for eyes, but what works about it here is how expressive these characters can be. The cute character design works here because they're well animated, the strong production values make the simple style much more charming. The backgrounds also maintain that stylistic quirk and contains vibrant colours, they add detail and finesse to this vast fantastical world. They're even some episodes that are animated in different styles, which made the series all the more experimental.

The show had a range of colourful and quirky characters. Finn is a young enthusiastic hero with a
passion for adventure, he's also has a strong moral code where he only fights those who are wrong and stop at nothing to defend those in need. We watch him develop as a character and grow as a warrior. Jake is Finn's best friend and sidekick, he has the ability to morph into different shapes and forms. He always gives Finn his words of wisdom but he's also very laid back and easy-going, he would rather eat a lot and not worry about anything. Princess Bubblegum is the ruler of the Candy Kingdom who Finn had a crush on, despite him being too young. She's a far cry from a damsel in distress; she actually has an interest in science. Though she is overprotective of her subjects, she cares about their well-being. Ice King is the comedic antagonist with ice powers who wants to marry a princess but is always foiled by Finn and Jake. But we learn that he's a more sympathetic villain. BMO is the little talking computer of indeterminate gender and has the cute factor. Lumpy Space Princess is a being from another galaxy. It was odd to hear her deep voice at first, but once I got used to her valley girl inflections, she became the funniest character on the show to me. Just her sassy attitude always cracks me up. Then there's Marceline the Vampire Queen, who went from a character I disliked to one I absolutely love. She may look dark and demonic but she turns out to have a radical personality, added with a deep back-story. All these characters have memorable personality traits and have multi-layered back-stories that give me something to like about them. They can also get real like the plots.

But what makes Adventure Time important to so many people; (including me) is that it gave us hope for Cartoon Network. If it weren't for this show, the channel would have continued to go into a downward spiral, so I'm grateful that CN took a chance on it. It put me out of that notion that cartoons weren't like they used to be, and proved that there are still imaginative people working in the animation industry. It made me realise that I can still like cartoons as an adult. This was a show we needed at the time, and it turned out to be even stronger than we thought it could be. Adventure Time has only been around for 8 years now, and I already rank it very high. Yes, I'm aware that the show is coming to an end pretty soon, I just hope it has a satisfactory and epic one. It really was great while it lasted, and boy has it lasted? It's clear to me that it has left behind an impact on the medium of animation. And even though there's a certain show that's detrimental to the network and won't go away, let's pray that the next wave of cartoonists will follow Adventure Time's influence as an example. So thank you Pen Ward, for creating a fun adventure of a series. It is most algebraic!

9. Arthur! and the Square Knights of the Round Table
In this 1960s reimagining of the fabled king of the Britons, we follow the comical misadventures of Arthur and the other colourful characters from his kingdom. Meanwhile, the dastardly Morgana Le Fay and her accomplice The Black Knight are always coming up with schemes to take over the throne and destroy Arthur. I have always been a fan of the tales of King Arthur, so when I first learnt that there was a cartoon about the medieval legends, my young mind thought that it would be an awesome combination. So I searched everywhere to find this artifact; and when I rediscovered it years later, I would appreciate what significance this one has in the field of 60s animation. This is the first animated series to be based on the Arthurian Legend, and compared to other King Arthur cartoons (though there are few) I feel this did justice to its source material oddly enough. It's a more comedic take on the legend; the jokes embody the tropes you see in other cartoons from its time. I was concerned that this would have aged like an old forgotten relic, but I found there's a certain charm. It could be dated, but it could also be clever and witty. Part of the appeal comes from the stories, that take from fairy tale fantasy but done in a cartoony manner. Expect some historic inaccurate jokes, for example, Merlin is able to create modern inventions. You don't need to know a lot about the Arthurian legend to watch this, it puts these well-known characters in its own plots, so this series can stand on its own. The animation also works with its limitations, as there's a sporadically to the character's movements. When it comes to child-friendly versions of mythology, this show proves that there's nothing wrong with medieval styled fun.

This series has become a rarity to find among a sea of obscure cartoons. If you could find any of the episodes, then give Arthur and the Square Knights of the Round Table some much-needed attention. They need to give the rest of the episodes exposure, so it won't be a variation of the Arthur legend that will be lost and forgotten to the mists of time. Hopefully, generations will remember the moment when Arthur was seen as the ring-a-ding-a-ling-ilest king of all the land. But one thing about this cartoon that always made me wonder, and that's why they call the knights the 'square knights'? Is it because of their design? Could anyone fill me in on this?

8. Arthur

Now we move on to another cartoon about a character named Arthur. Based on a children's book series by Marc Brown, Arthur follows the life of a young aardvark named Arthur Read. It also revolves around his family and the other kids set in a world of anthropomorphic animals. We get to know such characters like Buster, Arthur's best friend who's a rabbit with an interest in food and aliens. Francine, a girl orangutan who's an athletic tomboy that started off as a mean and bossy character, but she would become much more kinder and understanding as the series went on. Brain is the Martin Prince or Edd (Double D) of the show, meaning he's the intelligent one of the group. Binky is a school bully, but he actually has a sensitive and friendly side. Mr Ratburn, the teacher of Arthur's class who's known for giving tough lessons, but has other hobbies such as puppetry. He's not as strict as he may seem and is an overall jovial person. Then there's D.W, Arthur's bratty sister who's the bane of Arthur's existence. They're many other characters in the city of Elwood to work off from. As a child, I would always notice Arthur whether it be the books or the TV show. But the more I saw of the adventures of this aardvark and his peers, the more I was invested in it. Even when I got older, it managed to hold up really well.

When it comes to children's entertainment, Arthur has the best writing the edutainment genre has to offer. The stories are exactly like certain events that would happen to any child, so it manages to appeal to kids of all ages. The writers did a superb job to execute these stories, it would tell inventive and engaging plots, and give its own spin on them. This is an educational kid's show, but the lessons it applies still resonate with children to this day. Arthur would teach its viewers a variety of morals and subject matter, it isn't afraid to tackle themes such as friendship, dyslexia, cancer, Asperger's syndrome, violence and lots more. It manages to work its morals into the storytelling, and it has a great balance of both. It feels like a show older children can watch, that just happens to be educational. It doesn't talk down to its audience and it treats these lessons with dignity. The show is also good at humour; it genuinely has very funny moments. The animation really captures Marc Brown's original illustrations; it matches the special charm with the skipped outline inking and watercolour backgrounds. The show also has a range of fantasy sequences from the character's points of view, it really thinks of imaginative episode openings and sequences that coincide with the stories and illustrate what the characters go through respectively. Speaking of which, the characters were very relatable and distinct in their way. We see our young selves in these young characters and chances are they're just like ones we know; they just so happen to look like creatures. They have their own orientations, we understand the predicaments they're put into as they're episodes that focus on each one of them.

But the reason why I still enjoy Arthur to this day is because it does a great job making the lessons it teaches interesting. I could still remember these stories, much of them were akin to other childhood experiences. It respectfully approaches these lessons because it really respects its audience's intelligence. When it gets the morals right, it gets them right. Which explains why a lot of older people watch the show as well. The older I get, the more I appreciate how it tackles these plots in ways young viewers can understand. For those reasons, I consider it one of the best shows for children. Its been on the air for many years because Marc Brown treated it's devoted fan base with dignity; as long as it's on, it'll continue to enlighten young viewers with well-written stories and morals. It gives messages that come from the heart, and I'll continue to watch it no matter how old I get.

7. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)

As you may know, I'm a fan of 'Star Wars'. In fact, many people are into the epic space opera, which is why it's the biggest sci-fi franchise ever known. So with all its success, people have been making money from it by making countless variations and spin-offs, thus extending the Star Wars lore. One of these projects was 'Star Wars Clone Wars'. In this mini-series, we learn of the events that take place between Episodes 2 and 3. As a young fan of these films I was anticipating this show, basically, the idea of an animated Star Wars show made by Cartoon Network just got my attention. This series was directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, and he really adds his own touch to it. He heavily relies on the action than dialogue to tell it's segmented story, it chronicles the Clone Wars from different character's perspectives. These battle scenes have a balance of choreographed fight sequences and atmospheric moments; that let the battle scenes sink in. Thus it mixes Star Wars with Samurai Jack-esque action. The characters resemble their live-action counterparts, but their designs have a certain stylised finesse to them. The backgrounds capture the vast environments and worlds of the Star Wars universe with intricate detail that's as effective.

Now as someone who became a fan when the prequels were released, and considering my opinion on those instalments, I hold the 2D animated series in high regard. Around the time this aired, I was exploring the franchise. That's when I discovered the original trilogy, so Clone Wars was the incarnation I sank my teeth into. Clone Wars gives fans the chance to get insight into these Jedis' missions and tackle ideas and introduce foes that the prequels didn't get the chance to showcase. Now you're probably wondering what I think of this series compared to the CGI version; well while that one leans to have more story, and I like it just as much. The reason why I prefer Genndy's version more is because I appreciate how it's able to tell the story through its visuals. I can feel the massive scope, there's impact to these scenes that even I find impressive. As much as I believe that story is an important factor, I can see a lot more of artistry with the 2D version. I have to hand it to Genndy for allowing the action to convey the plot; it's quite an accomplishment. Though some fans would see that as an acquired taste. Even if you're one of those fans who were disappointed by the prequels, you might find a lot to admire in this series. As for me, I still adore it, and it reminds me why I became a fanatic. I go to the CGI series for the story, but I go to the 2D series for the aesthetics, the duels and to take in the atmosphere. So whatever series you like more, Genndy's Clone Wars captures the spirit of the epic space opera while trying to be its own thing. Like with all things Star Wars, choose your own side. The force is definitely strong with this one.

6. Testament: The Bible in Animation

The bible has been adapted many times to animation, especially on television. But for me, 'Testament: The Bible in Animation' is the incarnation that has perfected it. Made by Christmas Films; this is yet another animated anthology series that adapts stories from the Old Testament, in which each episode has a different animation style. I was exposed to this series when I was learning about religion at a young age. As I was intrigued by bible stories at the time, I was also captivated by this series. Seeing a series have a different animation style for each episode amazed me the first time, and each one looks gorgeous in their own distinctive way. It offers a wide range of art styles and techniques that does justice to these stories, the direction for each episode gives them a grand and epic scale. The visuals enhance the material in creative ways, many of these animated anthologies really inspire me, and this series is no exception. While the visuals are impressive, it's the writing and dialogue that really shine through, so it balances both aspects consistently. It also contains noteworthy interpretations of these biblical figures; the voice actors are able to portray them with charismatic and dignified performances. Even if you're not religious, you could still marvel at how it brings the bible to life. It really respects the source material, it isn't afraid to adapt certain integral parts of the biblical text and take liberties with it in a way viewers can get by.

However, this show didn't get as much recognition as it rightfully deserves. But if you could find the DVDs or watch it on YouTube, then please check it out. If you want to see Christmas Films adapt more bible stories, there's also the film 'The Miracle Maker' that tells the story of Jesus Christ. I believe this movie is a spiritual successor to Testament, though you can argue that it was intended to be a follow-up. If you haven't heard of it, then check that out as well; it's a great movie that's just as under-appreciated. But I digress. When it comes to adaptations of the bible, both Testament and 'The Miracle Maker' are artistic variations that manage to be very faithful. Those who are looking for adaptations that stay true to the bible might find a lot to admire in this series. It's a collection of holy interpretations that's a miracle to be held.

5. Spongebob Squarepants (The First 3 Seasons)
Everyone has a favourite cartoon from Nick, and it seems this sea sponge always has a place on their list, as for me I couldn't resist. You can't blame me for including Spongebob; this was a Nicktoon that slowly but surely gained popularity.

The show follows the life of our optimistic, childlike sea sponge. From living in his pineapple, his job at the Krusty Krab fast-food restaurant, to his relationships with a cast of memorable and colourful characters in the fictional town of Bikini Bottom. This show took the concept of anthropomorphic sea creatures living in a civilisation similar to ours and pulled it off as any wacky cartoon should. This was a cartoon that took whatever situation/storyline and has each character work from it in a unique way. It also knew how to use the underwater setting; a majority of the situations are based on ones people go through but written to be very comical. The characters could be put in any scenario that the audience can relate to and understand. It would incorporate mythological/supernatural phenomena, aquatic species as well as nautical design. It had some of the most surreal, well written and subversive gags and jokes, these were jokes that are still remembered to this day. The humour had many layers to it; which came from the character's traits and the reactions to their settings. Whether it was visual or verbal, the comedy was woven into the plot. Regardless, I would still laugh at how a joke caught me off guard. I could remember each one of these jokes; partly due to their repetition, which is why they were quotable among fans. I don't think I ever got tired of them. What also made this show stand out were its visuals, from the cartoony character designs to the hand-painted backgrounds. The animation showed a vast range of emotions, giving the characters wild and various facial expressions that have stayed in our memories as well. It contained juxtaposition of mixed media; having detailed still images and live-action, this use of experimentation made the visual gags all the more unexpected and funny.

The characters were especially memorable, as they had their own personalities to work off each other. Whether you liked Spongebob or not, you cannot deny his quirky, energetic naive personality. Patrick, Spongebob's best friend was dumb but it was a funny and charming kind of dumb. Squidward, the grumpy neighbour with a passion for the arts and cultures; but no matter what, he always has misfortune, which made me sympathise with him. Sandy the squirrel from Texas who lives in an air dome; she's not only Spongebob's friend from the land but she's also brave, smart, and acts as the voice of reason. Mr Krabs, Spongebob's greedy boss who basically has a love for money. Then there's the show's main villain Plankton; an evil genius bent on stealing the secret Krabby Patty formula to make people come to his restaurant, the Chum Bucket. All of them had exaggerated traits the audience can tell them apart, that even their homes and lifestyles you can distinguish. The voice actors also gave the right delivery to these lines. Even though it was a comedic series, it would take its time to let the atmosphere of the settings sink in (as well as the jokes for that matter). The Hawaiian soundtrack emphasised the underwater setting, it also included APM music to give the atmosphere a classic cartoon feel. It was a surreal, comical cartoon that anyone of any age could enjoy. Which is why I still find these episodes cleverly written and funny now as they were back when I first saw them; no matter how many times I have.

Now, why did I just put the first 3 seasons there; well after the first movie the show took a change in direction, which resulted in it turning off a lot of the fans. For a long time; fans have turned their backs on the sponge, saying that it should have ended 14 years ago and that it's become over-saturated. Others say they're trying to squeeze the franchise till it's bone dry; because of this, people were seriously not interested anymore, calling it a hollow shell of its former self. However, I'd be lying if I said I stopped watching this show. Now I'm not a blind Spongebob fan, I'm willing to admit when the show screws up. For example; some of my least favourite episodes are 'Stuck in the Wringer', 'Giant Squidward' and 'All That Glitters'. But it's nothing new for a show to have episodes that aren't on par with others; as long as the show was still on I would always check out what it had in store. If I ran into a dud episode I'd just nod and move on, hoping that the next one would be a different viewing experience.

You could say that the show ain't what it used to be, but I feel the show has always been changing. Think about it; at first, the show was trying to fit in with other Nicktoons at the time, however, it wasn't until the second season where the show found its identity. In the show's defence I think for every bad Spongebob episode, there are a few mediocre ones and a few good ones. Heck, I think seasons 4-8 had interesting ideas and concepts, it's just that most of their executions haven't live up to people's expectations. Modern Spongebob has pulled off some great stories like 'Dunces and Dragons', 'Ear Worm', 'Krabs A La Mode', 'Séance Shmeance'. Let's not forget the stop motion specials and 'Sponge out of Water'; both of which are the best things to come out of the franchise in a long time. Don't get me wrong; I know where people are coming from when they say they don't like the later episodes. I for one feel like they took certain aspects from the show and went too far. There have been times where it went overboard; like it's grotesque content, how Spongebob became an oblivious lunatic, Squidward's suffering became more mean spirited than funny, Mr Krabs cared more about money than the people around him, how Patrick comes off as an un-caring jerk. I'm not gonna defend all that. Some of the people who previously worked on the earlier seasons continued to stay on board; perhaps the problem was either too much or too little restraint. But it's the weaker moments of Spongebob that make us appreciate those earlier seasons more.

What I'm trying to say is that just because a show has passed it's prime, doesn't mean it isn't worth watching anymore. Yes, the sponge has become too over absorbed, but I think it's become a beloved success because those first 3 seasons were so great. Those are the episodes people associate with Spongebob the most, and I feel the same too. If you were to pass down Spongebob to any generation of children, they'd love it for those early episodes and what the characters were like back then. But to say that Spongebob turned bad is a huge generalization. Now with Stephen Hillenburg back on the show, I can safely say there's a bright future ahead for this series; sure the newer episodes aren't going to live up to the classic seasons, but they're the best way to ensure people that the franchise is gonna be just fine. Now that the series entered a new era; it actually feels refreshing for the show to take it's comedy and visuals to the next level, I hope it'll continue to use interesting stories and concepts and do wonders with them. Which gives me all the more reason to stick by the show until it ends, I mean if it does end. But when that day does come, people will look back on the series for the best it had to offer, not for those infamous moments. I for one can admire the early seasons for how much attention was put into crafting its humour. No matter your opinion of Spongebob as a whole, we have watched the sponge evolve and it'll live on in our hearts and minds. Now shut up, I mean next show.

4. The Cramp Twins

If you have read my blog, you'd know I talked about this show quite often, but that's how much I love it. Based on a series of graphic novels; Brian Wood's slice of life cartoon is about Wayne and Lucien Cramp, two un-identical twins who get at each other's throats due to how different they are. Wayne is a juvenile delinquent who's obsessed with junk, sugary treats and is very disobedient, while Lucien is a smart, peace-loving vegetarian with a fascination with nature. Wayne would always make his brother's life a living hell, while Lucien would make it his mission to foil him. While each episode would revolve around each/both of the brother's escapades, there was a cast of supporting characters who were just as memorable as the last. Characters like the twin's western loving father and cleanliness obsessed mother, Lucien's midget friend Tony Parsons, Wendy Winkle the rich brat who has a crush on Wayne, Lucien's neutral friend Mari, Miss Hissy the teacher with authority as big as her behind; and many more. But what was interesting about the show was how it took place in a city with one patch of swampland remaining, while the townspeople are consumed by the influence of the Haz Chem Soap Factory. Meanwhile, the C.E.O Mr Winkle has a secret past connected with the swamp and it's remaining swamp folks.

Out of the Co-European productions by Cartoon Network, this was the show I held onto the most,
as an adult I personally think it holds up very well. I've stated on many occasions why I genuinely regard it as one of my favourite TV shows of the 2000s decade, and a misunderstood one at that.
The writing has to be some of the best and smartest I've seen in children's television. Not only were the stories well-executed, not only was the dialogue strong and even quotable, but it had an underlying social commentary touching upon a lot of topics and themes. It actually knew how to integrate environmentalism without seeming preachy. The animation had unique designs that haven't been seen in a lot of animated series before (and since) with its very colourful palette; the lines around the characters give them a stylistic quirk. The humour was also well done with each joke being spot on; a lot of it comes from the character's expressions and how they work off each situation. I could never get tired of these jokes. It also knew how to appeal to adults, with the amount of innuendos that went over my head when I was young; even if it may have gotten into a bit of controversy. Like I said the show had a cast of memorable characters that were unique in their own way, with Lucien and Tony being both my favourites. It helps that the voice cast pulled off great performances, being a British cartoon with the distinction of an American/Canaidian voice cast. I can see why some would not like Lucien because he's not like other children, and why some would consider Wayne obnoxious and mean-spirited. But fortunately for us, he gets his comeuppance (like the other antagonists) most of the time.

With that said, other people didn't take kindly to it like I did. I understand that the Cramp Twins wasn't for everyone; but most people seem to hate this show, which is a terrible shame because I think there's more to it than they give it credit for. They say that it was "boring"; to which I respond, not all cartoons have to be surreal and off the wall. As much as I admire cartoons that are not limited to the boundaries of our reality, take advantage of the animation medium and act as a means for escapism. It's nice to have a slice of life show like this in contrast, to help us connect with and learn from; then the exaggerated parts are all the more appreciated. Another complaint this show gets is that they are put off by the character design; which is odd considering cartoons like Doug, The Simpsons and Adventure Time have similar aesthetics of characters with unusual skin colour and facial features. So how is this different from them? So I don't think these multi-coloured twins are deserving of such hate; I'll admit it's not flawless, but they can't all be masterpieces. Regardless; I'm unable to understand what everyone else dislikes about this show as a whole, and if you think that way that's fine. It certainly appealed to me at least; I'm not the only one who thought so, and I'm not gonna let anyone take that away from me.

To add injury to insult, there was the show's unfortunate cancellation. Now I wouldn't complain about how long it lasted, but I think the show had more story-potential and that there were stones left unturned. If Brian Wood had the chance to finish his creation with one more season or a TV movie to tie up the loose ends, I would have accepted and moved on, but that's not what happened, didn't it! But what makes it even sadder in this case; is that Brian Wood never went on to work on any other projects, animated or otherwise since. Or they might just be stuck in development hell; which is also a shame since he's a talented artist with his own unique style and sensibilities, whose work I want to see more of. Sometimes I wonder what happened to cause such a cruel fate, and what might have been. Maybe it would have gotten better, maybe it would have declined in quality; if the writers had more plans for the show, then why didn't they come to fruition? Who knows?
But for what it is, I admire it as not just a show I grew up with, but also a show that wanted to be different and make its mark on the industry.

Which is why I think this show deserves to have a revival, so what's stopping them? There must be a devoted fanbase that is demanding to see this show continue. Just as long as they get the original writers (including Brian Wood), voices, and animation crew, as well as some newer talent who understand what made the original series work in the first place involved. And most importantly it should continue where the original left off. And don't say it might alienate newer audiences, I think if they re-ran the previous seasons prior to this new season, then that would satisfy both audiences. Or at least put it on streaming. Once again I know I've talked about this show a lot; but that's how much I want to get it through to these network executives, they're basically sitting on a golden opportunity here. If you feel the same let them know that we want more Cramp Twins episodes; I don't care if it's a one-off special, we just want closure. But until that day, we still have the original episodes to enjoy, as well as an amount of fan service to keep this underrated gem from being forgotten. There's just one thing I want to say to Brian Wood and his brainchildren.............come back.

3. Shakespeare The Animated Tales

For those who may not know, I'm a fan of William Shakespeare. His works are an inspiration to my storytelling sensibilities and I've always been intrigued with the culture associated with him. If I have the opportunity to see one of his plays adapted to another art form; I'm always eager to see and they always turn out good, this series is no exception. Here's another anthology series based on classic literature, and in my opinion, it's probably the greatest one out of all of the shows in that category. This series not only helped me better understand the plays of the bard; it was also my earliest exposure to Russian animation. Like 'Testament' this anthology series adapts each play in a different animation style. It contains some of the greatest animation to come out of Russia; each adaption looks beautiful in design and crafted with such detail. The makers picked the right illustrative style to fit with the right play, as they've captured the majesty of Shakespeare's words. When it comes to television-quality animation, it still looks awe-inspiring and innovative to this day. I absolutely love the artistry that went into each episode; it allows the medium to illustrate certain scenes in creative and expressive ways. Of course, the plays here have been abridged, the makers were very selective with which quotes and which scenes to include or take out. Which made it worth conversation. It made it easier for younger viewers to consume the source material, while Shakespeare fans can admire what it did with it. The voices are provided by actors rather than voice actors, they do a splendid job portraying these classic characters. As you may expect they put the right amount of sophistication into their performance.

I regard Shakespeare The Animated Tales as one of the finest shows to ever be put on television. It's one of the contributing factors that made me fall in love with Shakespeare's works, it also made me fascinated with foreign animation at a young age. It's a perfect combination of both, that's the closest thing to a perfect TV series. I mean it when I say that it contains some of my favourite interpretations of the plays. It's on the levels of Disney in how it adapts such amazing stories. It's a series that gets better the older I become, I appreciate how it changed my perspective on animation in general. By all means, if you're a fan of Shakespeare or animation, then please watch this if you haven't already. Bottom line, Shakespeare The Animated Tales deserves to be honoured as much as Shakespeare himself. Now with how much I praised this show, you'd think it would be number 1 on the list. But if I had to pick a series with its own original premise and characters, my next two entries would be...........

2. The Simpsons
This animated sitcom is about a dysfunctional family known as the Simpsons, who live in a fictional
version of the town, Springfield. There's Homer, the dumb, lazy father who works at the nuclear plant. His wife Marge who's the stay at home mother, Bart is the troublemaking son, Lisa is the intelligent middle child; and Maggie, the baby who doesn't talk, but is always seen sucking her pacifier. What can I say about the longest-running animated show that hasn't been already said by everyone? Well, I first discovered it by seeing it everywhere; I would watch it at any opportunity, and I would want to watch more of it. Like many people I consider The Simpsons to be one of the funniest shows to ever air, as well as one of the most brilliantly written pieces of media. I mean it when I say that the show has some of the best storytelling I've ever seen in a sitcom, it takes on any storyline that you can name, and it does so perfectly. It gives its own unique take on a variety of plots, each episode would revolve around 1 or 2 of the main characters, it could put them in any setting or scenario they would do wonders with them. It touches upon many themes and topics in a satirical and thought-provoking manner through its narrative. It isn't afraid to depict society in a cynical light, addressing many of life's problems with its jokes. Many adult animated shows would include social commentary, but it was The Simpsons that did it the best in my opinion. But when the show isn't trying to depict our harsh pessimistic reality, it also includes emotional scenes that give it a balance of cleverness and heart. As a comedy series, the show offers many classic jokes that I continue to find smart and beyond humorous. Its humour is as well written as the stories; much of it comes from the character's personalities and how they work of their settings. These jokes are memorable, they're unpredictable and chances are you too found many of them funny. It contains so many comedic and profound lines that are so quotable, that they have been in-printed onto pop culture. The show is grounded in realism, but it also takes advantage of being in an animated world. Many of the situations are true to life, but when it contains gags that are much more exaggerated, then they become much funnier. The animation has its own unique look, there's a charm to Matt Groening's design that matches the tone of the writing. The characters have yellow skin and crudely drawn features, but it works because the movements are done so well, so the gags are also perfectly executed. The show would up the production values with each season; the makers would push the boundaries of their writing and visuals. So the simplistic style becomes appealing. While 'The Simpsons' is aimed at an adult audience; it still attracts people of many ages with its characters and its exaggerated jokes, so families can enjoy it as well (as if that's any wonder). I mean I was allowed to watch this show in my adolescence and although there were jokes that may have not been suitable for me back then, I could still get by the excellent blend of comedy and storytelling. It gave me an education on adult humour but also many ways to be funny. Many of us get our deliveries from this show; it's a show that has helped shape people's sense of humour. It subverts the conventions of the family sitcom, challenges past portrayals of the American family, which explains why it has become a landmark in television history.

But where would this show be without its characters? These are some of the most well written interesting and recognisable animated characters to ever be shown on television. Homer is an iconic

cartoon father; he may be stupid and incompetent at his job. But his actions and lines make him a hilarious character, he gets himself in disasters but he at least tries to be a good family man. From his love of food and beer to his short temper, his insane antics always leave me laughing. Marge is an ambitious housewife and mother, even though she may come off as a nag; she wants what's best for her family. You can tell she loves them despite all the things they put her through. She's the type of woman who reminds you of your own mom. Bart is a cheeky child who pulls pranks at any opportunity, he embodies every boy's inner rebel. Lisa is the intelligent vegetarian feminist one of the family, who is the character I like and relate to the most. She's the more sensible character, who has to put up with the stupidity of the people of Springfield. She acts as the show's moral centre, even though she can be pushed too far, she still stands up for her beliefs. Which makes her a great role model for young girls. Maggie is the youngest of the family and the silent character, but she is shown to have abilities that aren't typical for her age. The many supporting characters are also memorable and fully dimensional, many of their personality traits are exaggerated for comedic purposes. They're more than stereotypical portrayals; they're fleshed out characters that I've become attached to. The voice cast provides excellent performances with their wide vocal range.

From a young age, I devoted myself to watch it every single day; It's a tradition for me to always tune in for any new episode. It caters to my taste in storytelling and is one of the contributing factors that formed my sense of humour. It also made me learn certain aspects of life. The older I become, the more I admire and appreciate the earlier episodes for its impact on comedy. In case you're wondering; I don't just like the earlier seasons, I genuinely like the show in its entirety. You can say whatever you want about the show not being as good as it used to be; but if a show has gone on as long as the Simpsons has, it's bound to have episodes that are not up to snuff. As someone who got into it during the early 2000s, I believe the show still has its fair share of good episodes and concepts, that can be just as funny and superbly written as the past seasons. So I don't completely agree with the statement that it lost its way. Those who stopped caring about The Simpsons after season 9 should at least check out what its been doing recently, they might be missing out. It really depends on what you're looking for but judge it for yourself; maybe your experience with the show is different from others. It remains to be the longest-running animated show for good reason; it's phenomenal in every way, it shows Matt Groening and his crew practically put 100% into crafting the world of the Simpsons. Much like 'Spongebob' and 'Arthur', it's fascinating to see how the show has evolved. Even if the show will go on until the end of time, I for one am going to keep watching what the people of Springfield have in store. I'll continue to give each new episode a chance, no matter what self-entitled fan may think. Yes, the old Simpsons are classics; but I'm not ashamed to say I love it through each decade equally. I think we should all thank our lucky stars they're still putting out a program of this calibre after so many years.

1. Ed, Edd n Eddy

Anyone who knows me and seen the earlier list would have probably saw this one coming.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is about three young boys with the same name; who attempt to scam the other kids in their neighbourhood out of their pocket money so they can buy their favourite sweets, jawbreakers. Each episode would revolve around these boy's attempts to achieve their goals; in order to gain like/respect from their peers, but it would end with them failing one way or another. Ed is the big dumb one with an interest in monsters and chickens; he tends to mess up the scam with his foolishness. Edd (Double D) is the intelligent member of the group, who does the construction work in the operation. Then there's Eddy; the leader who comes up with the plans, he is driven by his greed and ambition so he gets short-tempered whenever things don't turn out well for him (emphasis on short). Together, they spend their days selling their own products, building rides and attractions from household objects for their moneymaking schemes.

This is not only my favourite animated show; it's one of my favourite TV shows in general. A lot of people would agree that this was one of the best shows from Cartoon Network, I'm proud to say that I was one of those people. As a child, I was an Ed, Edd n Eddy fanatic, and I still adore it to this day. But believe it or not, I didn't used to like it at first; in fact, whenever it would come on I would either turn off the television or go outside. I don't know, I guess I was more into the Hanna Barbera and Warner Bros cartoons at the time. But one day something about the show happened to catch my eye, and the more I watched the more I adored it. What makes Ed, Edd n Eddy so great is that it has all the right ingredients I love to see in a cartoon. The writing remains to be the best I've ever seen in a children's show. It puts these characters in a variety of scenarios; this leads to many well-written stories that have their own special flavour. It has stories that are like events from people's childhoods, but they were depicted in a cartoony manner. It thinks of a range of scams and concepts for the Eds to work from. It also fleshes out the characters and their setting, they become more intriguing when I become attached to them. The dialogue is also memorable, with its use of phrases and highly quotable lines. The humour would come from how the Eds would work off their predicament, and the lengths they'll go through in their pursuits. The makers pulled these jokes and gags off brilliantly, the amount of comedy it offers always make me laugh every time. Where this show excels at is physical humour. The characters would get hurt in unbelievable ways; the Eds would also cause trouble with their antics. We can't help but to laugh at just how naughty they can be because it appealed to our chaotic side. The slapstick had perfect timing; it wasn't afraid to use cartoon violence at the right moment. It was really an influence on my sense of humour, as well as storytelling.

The animation is also fantastic; what separates Ed, Edd n Eddy from other animated shows with kid characters is how creator Danny Antonucci made it reminiscent to the golden age of cartoons. It had some of the most expressive, energetic and exaggerated movements ever shown in a TV series. The show follows cartoon physics and logic, as the characters were able to pull off unbelievable feats, which made it visually hilarious as well. And each scene was executed to be beautifully wacky and never misses a beat. The artwork was highly distinctive; from the character design to the backgrounds, which showed a range of colour schemes. If you look closely, you'll see that the character's outlines are always jittery which emphasise the frames that are drawn. It's a nice aesthetic that I like; I would notice it as I became accustomed to it. The show also had a massive collection of sound effects, it would even re-use its audio, utilises it to make these scenes all the more funny. But there were times where the animation would take a break and let everything sink in. There were even moments where the show would be really sentimental, I think this made for times where it can also be beautiful and endearing even. It has a charm and atmosphere that's all it's own.

But the heart and soul of this show was its characters. It may only have a small cast of characters, but they were all that was needed. In a similar vein to 'the Peanuts' we only see the children characters. The 3 title characters had their own unique contrasting personalities that worked off each other perfectly. Their chemistry was very similar to 'The Three Stooges', they may get on each other's nerves but they still stick together like good friends should. Ed is another moronic character, whose stupidity is hilariously charming. He's just so passionate in his interests and his dialogue is comedically ludicrous. Double D is my favourite of the three, he uses his intellect to build the scams and assist the others to make these plans work. He acts as the voice of reason; he tries to be more logical and has a moral compass, though his patience can be tested at times. Eddy is a money-hungry leader with an inflated ego, who would do anything to get his hands on those sweet jawbreakers. He thinks of himself as this cool, big shot entrepreneur and wishes to be admired by everyone. But he just never catches a break. Just the way he gets into these over the top outbursts and misfortunes can often be a riot. We want to see how these three boys go through their endeavours, but the joke is that they end up facing the consequences of their actions. The other kids have traits that make them distinguished from one another, one example being Johnny, the strange boy who's always carrying a wooden plank as a friend. They could be relentlessly antagonistic in other episodes like Sarah, Ed's little sister who always gets angry and wants to get Ed in trouble. She's like a younger version of Vicky from 'Fairly Odd Parents', except less evil. But as memorable as these characters are, my absolute favourite is Rolf, the foreign boy. Just how he shares his customs and culture and how he expresses himself is a joy to watch. His lines and delivery always leave a smile on my face. Each character has their own unique interests and vocabulary, it helps that the voice actors bring these personalities to life with great performances. I suppose if I was to nitpick it though, I'd say it didn't always give consequences to the right characters (in which characters would get punishment when they didn't deserve it). But I have little to complain about.

The biggest reason why I love Ed, Edd n Eddy so much is because it truly represents childhood. It reminds you of those days where you would play outside, your experiences with other young peers, building up your allowance and the plans you made in the summertime. For many people, this show captures what it was like growing up; it did so with a perfect balance of engaging stories and great humour. Even when the show began to take place in school, it still maintained that stupendous quality. I don't know what my life would've been like if I never saw this series, I've watched these characters grow because I grew up with this show. Their mis-Ed-ventures are so close to real life, that it was like we were with the Eds themselves. There's really no show like Ed, Edd n Eddy, it was a one of a kind cartoon that I feel wouldn't ever be captured again. For those reasons, I hold this cartoon close and dear to my heart. I just want to thank Danny Antonucci for creating such a wonderful and special show that shaped mine and many people's childhood; it's more than just a children's cartoon, it's a show that is worth so much more than money can buy.

And those are 20 of my favourite animated TV shows. Now the chances are I'm probably going to change and re-arrange this list in the future; as I'll continue to discover more animated shows to get into, whether they're old or upcoming (I might even add some that I've may have not seen in years). But I guaranty a lot of these shows will keep their spots. So tell me if they're any cartoons on this list that you like personally, or address your thoughts on them. Don't feel bad if I didn't include any show you may like, it really goes to show the amount of outstanding programming the animation medium has to offer. Now if you'll excuse me I have a lot of cartoons to watch, I'll see you next time.

                                      1*2

In Defence of the Star Wars Prequels

"A long time ago in a galaxy far away.................... a young director by the name of George Lucas told a story of warriors, aliens, stormtroopers and robots. This story became a landmark in film history as it mixed mythology with science fiction, it created a futuristic universe that we became invested in for 4 decades, that story is Star Wars. A spectacular saga of motion pictures that told the tale of a young knight whose mission was to bring peace to a republic and to save his father from himself, these films touched the hearts of millions with its detailed stories, memorable characters, revolutionary effects, creative designs and thrilling action. They were not lying when they said this series was ahead of it's time, which is why it will forever be admired by generations and generations to come. But with all these things said, with all the impact it has brought to people's lives I just have one thing to say..............................................................................................how come the same isn't said about the prequels?"

As you can tell from that intro I'm quite a Star Wars fanatic, I just about adore a good amount of what this series had to offer. This is a franchise that literally changed my entire perspective on film as well as story-telling in general. What sets it apart from other science fiction films is how it takes a lot from different mythology and history and puts them in a galactic setting. As someone who was never into sci-fi as a child, I considered this a huge exception with how fantastic it was and can understand why so many consider it a remarkable piece of film history. So as you can imagine George Lucas decided to create 3 prequels to explain how the character's origins and their settings came to be; and as you can also imagined I've watch them too. But as I've grown older I've begun to notice that both fans and critics completely slam these prequels like they've ruined the original trilogy for them. People say that the prequels cannot live up to such a legacy and that George Lucas didn't know what he was doing anymore. Well from my point of view................I love them; but not in an ironic way, I genuinely love them as good films in general.

Hear me out, everyone has their own points of view on film; which is why they're free to express that, so why shouldn't anyone say anything positive about the Star Wars prequels. It's just that it baffles me; when people are so mad over a series of films that clearly have good film ascetics and do a good job at capturing the spirit of the original series, while also expanding on what made it so great. I don't mean to judge you but it still baffles me, I could understand if a few amount of fans didn't like them but a large majority! Most of what is said about these prequels is non-existing inconsistencies, nick picking and biased nonsense from one-sided fanboys who can't let go of their nostalgia and except some minor changes.........my point is I want to present a more respectable review that these Star Wars prequels deserve.

Let's start appropriately with what was intended to be the opening chapter to Star Wars, with The

Phantom Menace. The film begins with a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his master Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson), as they escape from the Trade Federation, after an unsuccessful attempt to end a blockade of battleships around the planet Naboo. They also rescue Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) through the blockade. They land on the planet Tatooine with the comic-relief Gungan character 'Jar Jar Binks' and 'R2D2' to tag along with them. When looking for parts to repair their ship, Qui-Gon and Padme meet a young boy called Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). Qui-Gon notices that Anakin is gifted with wisdom and talent, convinced that he could be the 'chosen one' unaware of his dark future. So after Anakin wins a pod race, the group takes him to the Jedi Council to train him as a Jedi. But the council along with Yoda believe he is vulnerable to the 'Dark Side'. So now Queen Amidala joins an alliance with the Gungans to defeat the Trade Federation.

I'll start off by saying this, growing up this was my introduction to Star Wars; and I can imagine this was many kid's early exposure to the franchise at the time. This is probably going to be one of my most controversial opinions but, this movie for me is the very definition of a movie I really like but everyone else hates. I personally don't see any problems with the story at all, I believe it contains the elements that make a great Star Wars film, as well as a good sci-fi film. It's got action, drama, unique robotic and alien designs, imaginative worlds, and an extension to its mythology; so why do fans consider this a "disappointment" to a well-loved film series. So there are plot points that involve political talks and negotiations, does it really distract from the action. I think one of the reasons why I do not get the hatred surrounding this movie, is because like any Star Wars film I believe there is plenty of action. A film needs to take it's time to stop and let the action parts sink in, it needs to build anticipation so the best scenes feel worth waiting for. It also needs time to establish the character's motivations and story, it should be able to have a balance of story and action and make some world building. If 95% of the movie isn't devoted to politics and debates, I don't see what makes the story convoluted and lacklustre. Also, the pod race scene is not the only good part of the movie; it's intense it utilises the sound effects extremely well and it's fun to watch. It shows what a major sports event would look like in a futuristic/sci-fi setting.

Being a 'Lucasfilms' product, The Star Wars prequels aren't technically bad in terms of visuals. On that note, the film looks as incredible as any Star Wars movie should. Everything is designed beautifully from the costumes, the technology, to the planets the characters inhabit in. They showed that you could create galactic environments and make it rich in civilisation. The best and strongest part of the movie would have to be the climactic last third, in which we see the war from 4 different perspectives. In my opinion this last third contains everything that makes Star Wars great, you have to admit these sequences are filled with suspense, thrills and great cinematography. We can all agree the battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and Darth Maul is terrific, John William's brilliant score matches perfectly with the intense imagery; I for one consider 'Duel of the Fates' to be his greatest score hands down; which is saying a lot. One improvement that the prequels have over the original are the lightsaber fights, they incorporate a lot more choreography, they have a much grander weight to them.

Like I said 'The Phantom Menace' was my first exposure to Star Wars, and I'm not ashamed of that. It's a film that I watched growing up and I have fond memories of it. You're probably saying that I should have grown out of it and that I'm letting nostalgia get the better of me. But here's the thing; I tried watching this with a more critical perspective and, I enjoyed myself. What I also find interesting about this film is the hype surrounding it, how fans lined up in anticipation. In fact, people did like this film when they first saw it, so what made them change their minds. If you actually look past some of the stuff like Jar Jar Binks (which I'll get to in a bit) you'll find that it's a really fun, well-written thrill ride.

The next film was "Attack of the Clones"; set 10 years after the events of Episode 1, the galaxy is on
the blink of civil war organised by former Jedi Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). Anakin (Haden Christiansen) is now the apprentice of Obi-Wan, Padme has become senator. So when they meet each other for the first time in years; Anakin is assigned to protect Padme after there have been attempts to assassinate her, which leads to them forming a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, Jedis aren't allowed to fall in love or have children with anyone. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is sent to investigate the identity of a bounty hunter. It's later shown that Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) made a decision to form a clone army; with Jango Fett (Father of Boba Fett) serving as genetic template, these would eventually become the storm-troopers. I remember when I was younger and I saw this in the theatres, and I enjoyed everything about it. But are these characters' adventures still as epic and action-packed as I remember?

With how many times I saw this one and after I knew what was coming, the impact of seeing Episode 2 for the first time has changed for me. That's not to say that I grew to dislike this instalment if anything I've grown somewhat of an appreciation for it. Fans often argue if 'Attack of the Clones' is better or worse than 'The Phantom Menace', in some cases they pick and choose which aspects of both films have it either way. But here's where I stand; much like the previous movie, I think the good outweighs the bad. Once again it has a decent balance of action and storytelling, there are characters that make more of an impact. For example, we actually see a Jedi called Mace Windu (Samuel L Jackson) and Yoda use their Jedi fighting skills. Admit it; you liked seeing Yoda duke it out, it shows how powerful and agile a creature he is despite his age and small stature. The scenes like the one in the droid factory and the battle on Geonosis are fun to watch, these were the scenes we ate up when we were young because there's so much to behold.

It's not on the same level as the original trilogy by any means, but as an action blockbuster filled with neat effects and a lot going on. I say it's worth a weekend watch; you can get enjoyment from it if you don't think about it.

And now last but not least; we come to the big turning point for the series, "Revenge of the Sith".

Of the prequels, this is the one where all we've known Star War for is established. Anakin's transition to the dark side, the fall of the Jedi, the rise of the empire and the birth of Luke and Leia. In this third part of the prequels, we finally learn of how the story of Star Wars came into place. After Anakin and Obi-Wan rescue Chancellor Palpatine from Count Dooku, Anakin starts to become more acquainted with the chancellor. He also learns that Padme is pregnant; it seems like wonderful news at first, till he has a dream that tells him that she might die when giving birth. Shocked with the fear of losing her, he confides to Palpatine for help. But could it be that Palpatine may have ulterior motives, and isn't he the person he claims to be? Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is sent on a mission to kill the Kaleesh cyborg General Grievous (Matthew Wood). If you have seen the original trilogy, you'd know how everything ends up, but I know you saw this film at the time just so you can find out how everything came to be, didn't you?

Out of the prequels, this is the one fans seem to like the most. Part of that comes from the amount of fan service it gives, as it gives throwbacks to the original. People also like it more because it has the most action scenes, and that it makes up for what they didn't like about the previous films. But in my opinion, the other films already had good action, drama and character development, this one decided to up the ante. I for one appreciate this film more and more as I think about it; it has a tight plot, strong visuals, developed characters, it has what I want to see in a good Star Wars movie. I could see how fans could consider Episode 3 as the more credible of the prequels, though they still take issue with it. It actually caught me off guard the first time I learned that Palpatine was the Sith Lord, which makes him look more diabolical. Once again this film offers an epic climax between the empire and the republic; the scene in which Anakin and Obi-Wan battle each other is particularly suspenseful, as we see their companionship fall apart.

The last third is hard to watch; not because it's so bad or poorly made, but for how intentionally tragic it is. We sympathise for Anakin and his plight, so to see what he becomes and the effect it has on the republic and the people who care about him is tragedy at it's finest. It's definitely the darkest in the entire series, as we see Anakin's transformation to Darth Vader. You can feel the pain and anguish these characters go through, with these turn of events. So if you're curious to know how everything turns out; I recommend you watch this, especially if you're into origin stories. You might enjoy as its own film, it has a tragic ending but it ends on a note that gives you a sense of hope.

Now that I've looked at all 3 of these films, I want to look at the criticism people have made with the prequels and offer my 2 cents.

The Writing is Awful
This is quite a debatable point, but I don't hate the writing in these films. As I said I think the stories are well written and add to the history of the Star Wars universe. The writing can make or break a story, and it's not as easy as it looks. George Lucas doesn't get enough credit these days, he knows how to tell a strong story like he did in the past. You could say that he had help writing the original, but I can't help but to admire his determination. People criticise the dialogue in these films, here's the thing though; not all dialogue has to be on the same level as Shakespeare folks. Granted the original series had very iconic and quotable lines that people still remember, that doesn't mean these films don't have memorable quotes and scenes. You might say that you remember them for the wrong reasons, but it's not like people didn't criticise the writing in the original. For me personally, all three of these tell strong plots that tie up well together, and in the third one, we can see how it bridges both trilogies.
I'll admit not all the writing is solid gold, but I can't help to be drawn to the character's dilemmas. So to say that the writing is bad is harsh in my opinion, it's not like you can do better?

The Acting is Wooden and Stilted

Is it, do all the actors and actress' do a bad job? There were some very talented people to portray these characters such as Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman, Samuel L Jackson, Brian Blessed and Christopher Lee. Even Frank Oz and Ian McDiarmid reprise their roles. What exactly makes their performance so dull? These actors have given good performances in other roles, so what makes it different here? They're doing the best they could with the script they're given, but they have to do it under the direction. Actors have to trust their director a lot, but is it good, depends who you ask.
Which leads to my next point.

Anakin is Whiney!!!

Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in cinema history, as well as one of the most threatening antagonists of the franchise. So fans were disappointed to learn what he was before.
Fans weren't so keen on showing Anakin as a child, but I actually like that they showed this part of his past. It shows that even villains can start off innocent and aspiring, so you feel more for him once you go through his backstory. They also were not fond of Jake Lloyd's performance, but looking back he wasn't so bad. But what's sad about this is how Episode 1 made Jake's life harder, and how he had to deal with being picked on for this role. It affected his life so much that he would quit show business.
It's one thing not to like a performance, but to put so much pressure on a child is taking it too far.

People put a lot the blame on the performance of older Anakin, stating that Haden Christiansen does a bland performance. I know his delivery isn't great when you look at it a few times, and he gives Anakin a monotone voice. But there are moments where he pulls off the strong presence and gives the proper emotions. Haden can actually act well once they let him express himself visually, and when Anakin turns to the dark side, he looks very intimidating. They also complain about how much of a stubborn drama queen he can be, that he just wants his own way. I think the reason why he's so emotionally charged; is that he cares about the ones he loves, and fears that he'll lose them. And like many young minds, he disobeys some orders because he believes it's a better way. Even if he gets a big head. So you can't blame these actors for trying to portray the past of this character, but they deserve more respect than they should.

There's Too Much CGI

As much as I favour practical effects than computer-generated imagery; and admire the craftsmanship put into building actual sets and animatronics, you have to move with the times when making movies. The original trilogy was made in the 70s so there were limitations, and the makers could only make do with what they had. Then technology started to become a lot more advanced, and filmmakers used it to create imagery that couldn't be done before. So George Lucas and his crew took advance of the technology to make things more realistic. I mean if you look at 'Episode 1' it still has a mixture of practical sets and animatronics, and when it did use CGI it was done in a way that still looks convincing now. As long as the filmmakers are using the computer as a tool and not to replace other components; like the story, and like many tools, it depends on how you use it. Sure the CGI does not have the same feel as the original creatures and robots, but you have to admire the work that went into making it believable. They were able to create a wide variety of worlds that have a larger scope to them, many of them are even beautiful to look at. They've managed to show these settings in great detail, giving us vast landscapes, cities and a huge galaxy of imaginative worlds to explore. They feel dynamic when you see them from multiple angles

So I don't see much of an issue for Star Wars to be using CGI; I'm all for good old fashioned makeup, but you can do a lot with computers.

Midichlorians

Okay, I have somewhat learned to understand where fans are coming from with this one. It was revealed that to know you're a Jedi, there are living organisms in your body that send information of the force. This angered many fans for how it contradicted what has established about the 'force', fans saw the force as this mysterious power that Jedi's used as an allegory for divinity. Fans feel like the addition of 'midichlorians' took away the magic and wonder of the 'force'. But you can argue this idea was somewhat inspired in some way. It has been proven that people with a spiritual essence and energy, have water in their blood that's affected. You could argue they were doing their own take on this belief; they wanted to try to integrate this to the film's mythology. In fantasy, however; it's not a good idea to apply logic to a supernatural entity. Everyone has an ability to a certain degree, and we draw comparisons to our abilities with the 'force'.

Jar Jar Binks
Since his first appearance, Jar Jar has been seen as every fan's least favourite Star Wars character. He's considered by many to be a clumsy incompetent buffoon with an irritating voice, to the point where he's also been deemed as an offensive stereotype. I actually don't mind him too much. Don't get me wrong, he's there just to make jokes and isn't good at being in assisting the Jedis on their mission. But Jar Jar doesn't make many appearances in the prequel trilogy. Yes, fans have a right to hate that voice of his. But Ahmed Best created that voice from trying to amuse his young niece and nephews. His clumsy and odd body language is played for laughs; sure we have CP30 and R2D2 for that, but I think George wanted to do different things with the comic relief. We can roll our eyes with the pooh jokes and all, the point I'm trying to make is that Jar Jar is downplayed for the rest of the trilogy. That and we're reading too deeply into his character; just to find more reasons to hate him.

How rude!

Bottom line; I don't get the hatred with the Star Wars prequels, I genuinely consider them well made films that are just as good as the original series. Sure the original trilogy is a lot to live up to; but for what these films are, they have plenty of entertaining scenes and strong production values. So they appeal to my taste in storytelling, and they're more than fans give them credit for. It's just that Episode 1 and 2 were my first exposure to Star Wars; and they're what got me to watch the original, so you can't fault me for that. I also can't help but to admire George Lucas for being able to take his creation in the way he wanted to, without anyone standing in his way. He was persistent in extending the lore and story of these worlds and characters; no matter what, and I respect that determination being an artist myself. He made these films with the intentions to make what he thinks is a great project, and I can see the good in them (even if others don't). I'll say once and for all that, they're not the "dark side of the franchise" and I'm not lost for thinking so.

If you don't like the prequels; that's perfectly fine, as long as you're not ostracizing anyone who thinks otherwise. You can criticise and compare them to the original all you want, I watched these films with scrutiny and I couldn't help but to enjoy them all over again. Don't take it so personally when younger fans like myself like both trilogies equally; I mean if kids like the prequels, it doesn't matter what you think. They'll discover the original trilogy and will grow to appreciate it like we did. Just remember that film like all art forms is completely subjective, so we have the right to think as individuals. Don't shove your opinion down other people's throats and act like it's a fact because that isn't the Jedi way. Sure there are things better off as they are, and you can't fix what's not broken, but things change. Don't feel bad that these prequels didn't live up to your expectations; but just be grateful for what they are, after all, they could have been worse. If it's wrong to like the Star Wars prequels, I don't want to be right. If having that opinion on them makes you think I'm a "nerf herder", then so be it. I'm going to stand by that opinion, no matter what.

But now that there's new films in the Star Wars series, let's pray that fans have stopped whining and complaining about the franchise. And let's also pray that "The Last Jedi" will be amazing (as I'm writing this, I've not seen it). If these latest instalments prove anything; is that this series we've grown up with is in good hands. Just remember that the makers won't make it to pander to your demands, but they're making what they consider worthy of a good film. So please tell me the reasons why you don't like the Star Wars prequels (besides Jar Jar Binks) just so I can get a better understanding of the controversy. Feel free to share your own opinions in great detail, because I'm ever so interested to know. Whether you agree or disagree with me; draw your own conclusion on a great space opera, and may the force be with you.