Escape to the Movies: The Phantom Menace 13 Years Later

[templar1138a]

Will you be my new best friend?

I've never had any problems with the prequels that I didn't have with the original trilogy. Seriously, the writing and acting in those weren't that great either. And I'm indifferent to the CGI Clone Wars stuff. I won't watch them under my own volition, but I'll accept whatever's established as canon.

My stance these days is that all the Star Wars movies are my favorites ever made, but not because of the movies themselves. They're my favorites because of the universe they've opened up. I've read some of the novels. I've played many of the video games, from X-Wing to TOR. I've made attempts at fan fiction and am contemplating a screenplay for a fan film.

What I love about the Star Wars universe is that it is just that. A universe. You can come up with stories about practically anyone and it has the potential to be interesting, whereas if you tried to make OC fan fiction of, say, the DC or Lord of the Rings canons, it's difficult and fairly uninteresting to make a worthwhile story about an original character. The Star Wars universe has a long history, most of which doesn't have anything established except on a broad scale. Plenty of room for creativity.

And as for the fans who are still putting effort into their grief, I just have five words for them: It's canon. Get over it.

 

[Gatx]

I totally agree. Episode I is a guilty pleasure of mine if only because of the glimpse you get the wider, non-conflict ridden Star Wars galaxy. Once Episode II gets rolling everything is just a visual callback to the original trilogy, and everything centered around the Empire and Rebel military stuff. In Episode I you actually get to see what other stuff looks like, and what people do other than fight in conflicts on a galactic scale.

Also I did see it when I was a kid (before I turned 10 I think?) but also after I watched the entire trilogy on VHS (it was during the 90s "remastered" theatrical run) and so I didn't mind the Gungans, like at all. If you really think about, compared to the Ewoks they are sooo much better.

I hope even more people watch the Plinkett reviews now thanks to you

I tried too, but just like Jar Jar, I could not stand his fucking voice... oh by spongebob, I could not stand his awful, awful, stereotypical voice.

I listened to at least 7 minutes, and he made sense... But that could not keep his voice away.

Please do a cover of it, haha. ^^

I agree about the voice, also could've done without the supposed to be funny but also just kind of disturbing psycho intermissions.

 

[Da Joz]

I have to agree with Bob, just distance yourself from it. I did that not only with the movies but anything star wars in general. I refuse to watch any of the movies or shows, play any of the games or read any of the books.

 

[Satosuke]

The one big thing I noticed first off when it comes to the prequels is that it tried to really put the sci-fi into the series, the biggest (and most controversial example) being midichlorians. I don't think adding the concept of midichlorians was a bad thing, it was just highly unnecessary. It would have been a better explanation if they didn't connect one to the force, but rather they were just force-sensitive microbes; a tangential rather than direct measure of force sensitivity in a higher being.

The other aspect, and one I actually really defend, are the highly choreographed lightsaber fights. people seem to forget that the blade part is an energy beam. IT'S WEIGHTLESS. Fighters using a weightless blade would probably have a starkly different battle style than someone using a material sword. That, and force users likely have advanced perception of their bodies and their surroundings, making a very up close, high risk style of fighting actually feasible. I'd expect psychic acrobats wielding weightless laser swords to have very fast-paced, in-your-face, visceral battles as opposed to slow, controlled duels with heavier weapons.

Now, this doesn't take away from the lightsaber battles in the original trilogy, as the participants in those battles are older and/or physically handicapped, changing their fighting style. Obi-Wan vs. Vader was an old master vs. an slightly less old master in a life support suit. Luke vs. Vader I was a novice, vs. a crippled yet still formidable fighter. Luke vs. Vader II had Luke not only as his physical peak but now far more experienced.

Actually, thinking this way does detract from the prequels, as it turns Yoda jumping around like a monkey into a gaping plot hole, which does highlight the biggest problem; the glaring lack of consistency between the two trilogies. Sure, I didn't hate midichlorians and I liked the new lightsaber fights, but to institute those causes huge cohesion and consistency problems, a good example of how good ideas can turn horribly wrong if not implemented correctly.

Trying to explain things and put the sci-fi into Star Wars didn't work beause Star Wars is science fantasy. Explanations are unnecessary.

 

[SnakeoilSage]

My only issue is that George keeps releasing updated versions of the original trilogies packed with parts from the prequels. No one asked for a Hayden Christianson cameo in Jedi. I was already sick of the added CG and extra scenes that do nothing for any of the films.

 

[Aptspire]

The Corsair!
The only thing I noticed during the whole review
[link]http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Corsair[/link]

 

[Mahorfeus]

I forgive the Phantom Menace on the principle that it has the single most badass lightsaber duel in the entire series, with an awesome soundtrack throughout the entire fight.

I'll be terribly honest here; as much as I hate Jar Jar, Luke and Threepio will always be more annoying.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Of course Episode 2 is the worst one, although in its defense sand IS annoying.

 

[Crimson_Dragoon]

Let me start a slow clap in your honor, Bob. That was a hell of retrospective on a truly mediocre movie. Sure, I hated too, especially as a Star Wars fan, but it never quite deserved the hate it got.

Also, why did you have to bring up the Eragon movie? Now that is a horrid piece of crap that doesn't need to be mentioned ever again.

 

[Hungry Donner]

Honestly it's the 4-6 enhancement that's bothered me more than the prequels. The prequels were not handled well, but then there is no one forcing me to watch them. However if I want to watch the originals remastered for DVD I'm out of luck - it's either low quality or goofy CGI and lots of little Lucas tweaks. (This despite the footage being remastered in preparation for the enhanced edition, so most of the work has already been done.)

 

[Vegan_Doodler]

Thank you Bob for keeping a level head on this one, I have just got back from watching the Phantom menace my self and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, I have never seen any of the Star Wars films in a cinema (god knows why *shakes fist at god*) so the sceptical alone was awesome and me not existing when the originals came out meant that the prequels are what got me into Star Wars as a kid so I guess I have the same nostalgic view of them that older fans do...... I forgot my point, cheers Bob for reviewing it fairly. On a side note I hope cinemas make a more regular thing of re-releasing films, BTTF, then Jurassic park, now Star Wars, I am very much enjoying this.

 

[anian]

WHAT THE HELL!?

Why the "preaching" that is too late to the party by more than 13 years, you could've wrapped it up in 2-4 minutes tops "It's mediocre but nostalgia makes it worse". Yes there are other reviews of the film on the net and this is not the other rant show but a review show. I don't always agree with your reviews but I use it to judge/evaluate if I might like a movie.

What I did want is to know what they did to the 3D (you know the part that they're presenting/selling/exploiting now) - and what did you say about that - NOTHING. Not even "3d looks ok", you said "3d" once maybe. Let me judge a movie that I already seen, but tell me if it the 3d is crappy or interesting or ANYTHING.

I also understand what you're a saying, even agreeing on most points, but seriously there was nothing about the addition of 3d. It might not be that important, in fact it isn't, but at least a mention would be nice.

 

[Lieju]

I never hated the prequels, but on the other hand I never was much of a fan of the original trilogy.

I saw them as a kid, but never got into them. I liked my scifi scientific, and fantasy fantastical, I just didn't like the magical space setting. I preferred Star Trek.

So there weren't any major positive or negative feelings I associated with them.

The prequels had nice art, and cool action-scenes.
But in general, they weren't that good. Not really bad either.

Phantom menace: I was bored

Attack of the clones: This is my least favourite. I was just so confused at it. I think during the first movie I was bored so I didn't notice how little it made sense. During the second one there were many instances during which there was a lot of action and I was just so confused as to why things were happening...

Revenge of the Sith: My favourite of the prequels. It was funny, and I could enjoy it on the 'so-bad-it's-good' level. Also it helped I saw it with my friend who agreed with me, and we were laughing our asses off during it.

But I'm far more angry at this 3D release, because I HATE 3D, and I fear this will drag out the trend. Then again, maybe it will flop horribly and have an opposite effect.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Oh, I want to add my two cents. It is Star Wars after all!

This would be the one out of the prequels that I would go see if I had to see any. Even when it first came out, Phantom Menace to me was never that bad. And that lightsaber fight at the end--oh man that was epic. The Mediclorians or however you spell it a simply view as Qui-Gon coming up with something to make a child understand something he is too young to understand. And to get Anakin to leave him alone for a few minutes (yes I know that Yoda and Obi use the term too, but maybe they thought Anakin was listening. Be quiet!)
Now, Attack of the Clones...ugh. Boring. Too much lovey-dovey stuff. That huge battle at the end was cool, but to have to slog through the rest of the movie just to get to that was painful.
And then there's Revenge of the Sith. I can no longer watch that movie without shaking my head. So much wasted potential. So much canon shot in the head. That one, while not as boring as Attack of the Clones, is the worst out of the three for me. It is fun to watch with a group of friends and all discuss how it could have been better though.

Fully intend to see the originals when they come out, and I like both of the cartoon shows.

 

[Mantonio]

I liked the droids.

I love the prequels because of the Clone vs Droid scenes.

That space battle at the beginning of Ep3? That was an awesome bit too!

 

[Right Hook]

Wow, this has been what I've been saying myself for a while! I got over hating the prequels a long time ago, it's great to hear that Bob agrees, that is the closest thing to proof that I'm right I'll probably ever get.

 

[esperandote]

I must have clicked the wrong link because i thought i was going to watch Escape to the movies and I ended up watching The big picture.

Is that some kind of space race?

 

[LadyDeadly]

i remember seeing it when i was a little, it didn't really wow me then, and it still doesn't now.
Though i am more interested in the costume design now.

 

[XDravond]

People hated it? Ok good for them.
Me well whilst not seeing it as "the greatest movie ever" I watched back then and thought it was OK rather fun, at the time I saw it, and well it was a Star Wars movie AND I didn't see the first Star Wars back in '77, because for some reason I wasn't born yet... So I where somewhat less "tainted" by feelings...
And there will always be people who where born to see the "original" movie and then see the new and think it's crap because time changes. Does some peoples broken dreams about reliving childhood make the new movie bad? No. But let does people (fanboys/girls) whine whilst we continue living our lives like "normal" people do.