I get that... Doesn’t change that Lucas’ intentions were for younger audiences from the beginning. I agree he leaned into harder as the series went on. I also stand by my statement that the parents of the era, who were most likely in their 30s and 40s, thought the whole thing was silly from the beginning. And the grandparents? I remember my grandfather falling asleep in EMPIRE!!
There are only a few areas I think went too far. Ewoks, Jar Jar, and young Anakin. The rest of the prequels’ problems are unrelated to being too childish.
I think with young Anakin he was going for a Macaulay Culkin/Home Alone angle. Something that related to little kids while still being cute to adults. I’m not saying it was executed well.
Jar Jar and the Gungens in general are the worst offenders of ridiculous cartoon characterizations.
As for the Ewoks, anyone who saw that movie while under the age of 10 who says they always hated them is a flat out liar. The Ewoks were so popular they had 2 TV movies and Saturday morning cartoon that lasted 2 seasons (The toys to the cartoon are still some of the most sought after of that era). When Disney MGM first launched the old Star Tours ride back in the late 80s they picked Endor as the back drop so they could trot out Ewoks around the park. People retroactively hate on Ewoks. Personally I loved them as a kid. Hated them in my teens and 20s. Came back around to accepting them in my 30s. Whereas Jar Jar and young Anakin have been basically reviled since day 1.