Article By: Ethan Long

When the Star Wars prequel movies were announced in the mid-1990s, fans could not wait! I mean, since Return of the Jedi (Lucasfilm, 1983) came out, a lot of fiction writers took on the universe and produced some really great stuff, especially Steve Perry’s Shadows of the Empire. George Lucas’ contribution included two god-awful TV movies taking place on Endor, and two pretty lame Droids and Ewoks Saturday morning cartoons. We should have known right then and there that what we had expected out of the prequel trilogy probably wasn’t what we hoped for, but even though The Phantom Menace (Lucasfilm, 1999) is thought to be a poor movie by fans, I’ve started to find reasons why it’s becoming a classic. It’s been ten years now since its release and it’s time to take a critical look back. When I think about watching the movie, my mind goes to childhood, as the movie becomes less of a letdown, and more of a fond memory.

I think that, with a few exceptions of course, The Phantom Menace really wasn’t that bad a film. Sure, it wasn’t what we as fans had hoped for, but the movie now is slowly becoming a classic in the same way the original trilogy did for previous generations. How, you might ask, can I defend a movie that so boldly took Luke, Han, and Obi-Wan’s universe, and twisted it until it was no longer about good over evil, but about relationships and drama? Well, for one, you have to realize that the plotline is pretty cool.

We take Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson, two really, really, good actors, and buddy them up together for a secret diplomatic mission. The two are required to stop a blockade of ships that are preventing trade, called the “Trade Federation,” from coming in and out of the ports of a sophisticated society. As the two secretly try to talk to the head of the blockade, the Fed’s forces start to begin their invasion on the world of Naboo.

Neeson and McGregor’s characters, Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively, survive an attempt on their lives while on the Federation’s ship. Nesson and McGregor are running around trying to be serious and diplomatic, but it doesn’t seem to be working, so the light sabers come out. Yes, for the first time in a Star Wars film, we see actual trained Jedis yielding light sabers. They quickly stow away aboard a vessel and land on the swampy side of the planet of Naboo, where everything seems to be going smoothly until the movie introduces its biggest downfall, Jar Jar Binks. Now, there is no way I can defend Jar Jar. I guess the only good thing about Jar Jar is that we can pin the entire rise of the Empire on his stupid ass.

The movie adds in a lot of things that make it seem child-friendly, but, while for a long time I saw it as an annoyance, now I just see it as a reflection of myself. I was Anakin when I played “Star Wars Episode I: Podracer” on the N64. I was Anakin when I kissed my mom goodbye when I went off to collegeI was Anakin when I looked up to my teachers, who I thought were the wisest people ever. I totally understand the character now that I’ve been through my entire childhood. He really isn’t that annoying anymore.

The designs of people, locations, ships, and technology are all stunningly beautiful. The renaissance-style look of Theed and its people represent how sophisticated the society is. The landscapes of the planet are amazing, and the displays seen on the computer systems are far greater than the rundown, broken look that the original trilogy had. We are truly in a time before oppression and the Empire. This is the Star Wars universe before the fall of the Jedi.

In addition to people we recognize, such as Yoda, and locations we’ve been to before, such as Tatooine, there is one other thing that truly makes this a Star Wars movie, the soundtrack: John Williams knocks it out of the park with great melodies, throwbacks to the original trilogy, and one of the best movie songs ever, “Duel of the Fates,” which accompanies the best lightsaber battle the series offers. The ending battle against Darth Maul gives us everything we really wanted from the movie, sick lightsaber Jedi vs. Sith action, and it certainly delivers with acrobatics and struggle.

I guess the problem really lies in the way the movie was handled. Lucas should not have not directed it, but brought someone else in. His direction included green screens everywhere, which make it difficult for actors to imagine themselves in character. Yoda has a “WTF?” moment towards the final scenes. One of the downfalls of the prequels is that we know the answers to most of the questions. Palpatine is the Sith Lord, Anakin is going to turn to the Dark Side, and Obi-Wan will be murdered by his own padawan years into the future.

As we all get older, the movies will become the basis of our childhoods. My fond memories will include every time I saw the three prequels in theaters, as well as the toys, video games, and discussions I’ve had about each one. I’ll always cherish these memories, no matter how much I hate Jar Jar.