Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is historically significant for many reasons: it was the first Star Wars movie in nearly 16 years, the last Star Wars movie shot on film, and a polarizing, pulpy entry in the storied space fantasy franchise. It debuted on May 19, 1999, 25 years ago almost to the day, and earned over $1 billion at the box office, despite mostly mediocre reviews.
Its legacy is an interesting one: One of its characters, Jar-Jar Binks, was so detested that the actor who portrayed him, Ahmed Best, faced what he told The Hollywood Reporter was “the first textbook case of cyberbullying.” Several racially insensitive aliens featured in the film remain a mark on the series to this day. The dialogue is weak and often incredibly grating.
Yet its late-stage lightsaber battle is the stuff of legends, its production and costume design is intricate and beautiful, and the infamous podrace scene is exhilarating. It is a Star Wars movie full of contradictions, so when my partner asked if I wanted to go see The Phantom Menace at our local Alamo Drafthouse, I jumped at the chance.
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But despite all that is cringe and problematic in The Phantom Menace, watching it in theaters instilled in me a newfound sense of respect for the film.
I think episode 1 is my favourite of all the prequels. I like both the others, but episode 2 is, well episode 2, and 3 was pretty great but the character transformation of Anakin was so bizarre to me that it takes me out of the movies completely. Like the relationship between Anakin and Padme feels so weird knowing what we know, it just throws me through a loop every time.
Episode 1, huge warts and all, felt like a complete experience, had a weird and interesting aesthetic, and characters acted like a consistent version of a character. I can’t help thinking all the pushback to this movie is what turned the others a bit offtrack, they felt a little less from the heart than 1 did.
God I wish someone else had directed those movies like George wanted, he knew his strengths and weaknesses.