As another 90s kid that watched the prequels in theatres as they came out: I enjoyed the originals, even though I was only about half your age at the time. Probably worth noting that my mum made sure that I watched the original trilogy before Phantom Menace. And I’m sorry but the acting in the PT is supposed to be better than in the OT? What? No. Nothing against the actors because a lot of it was due to writing (especially for Anakin and Padmé’s shared scenes, especially especially in II where Anakin is such a fucking creep) and direction, but no.
As yet another 30-something year old I’ve never even seen a cheque. Is that a USA thing?