I don't usually do this. The main reason for this blog is to review movies that I see in the theater, not for my thoughts on something you can see on a Spike Marathon during the Summer. But with the upcoming Disney owned Sequel Trilogy making a lot of waves through the Nerd Kingdom, the Prequel bashing has been stirred up again. Especially a hatred for Episode I . There is even a sequence of watching the Star Wars Movies called: "Machete Viewing" where you would watch Episodes 4, 5, 2, 3, 6 in that order. Completely eliminating Episode 1 altogether! Which is why I felt the need now to show you why The Phantom Menace deserves some respect.
Now...I can hear the haters already saying "OH YEAH? WHAT ABOUT JAR JAR BINKS? HE SUCKS!" Calm yourselves. While I agree that they went a little over the top with him, he was basically there for comic relief. And wasn't that the role of R2-D2 and C-3P0 in the original trilogy? They were the Laurel and Hardy of those movies, just not to the Binks degree. And to the fans who only hold the original trilogy as gospel, least we forget the backlash to the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi? But the hatred for Jar Jar was loud and vicious. So you know what Lucas did? He pretty much said "Oh....you don't like Jar Jar? Ok...I'll give you a REASON not to like him!" and in the following movies, made HIM the reason the Emperor comes into power which causes the creation of the Galactic Empire.
But not liking one character is not reason enough to condemn the whole movie. Here are 4 reasons (in no particular order) to remember why Episode 1 is... at the very least worth a re-watch:
1) A New and Classic Soundtrack
John Williams. Multiple Academy Award winning composer and creator of the most famous music associated with a Galaxy far, far away returns and makes an all new epic musical backdrop that resonates through all three Prequels. Not only does he incorporate the music we all know and love into this story beginning, but introduces a score that reflects the history of this franchise while breathing new life into it. Just listen to it. It gives me chills on how good it is.
2) Darth MaulDarth Maul is the most bad-ass bad guy since the undisputed greatest movie villain of all time: Vader. Ray Park, who was a stuntman previously, plays the sinister apprentice to the mysterious Sith Master. This allows him to do all his own moves and battles himself. But that's not what makes him awesome. His look is simple and complicated at the same time. He is clearly humanoid, but with horns that surround his head like a crown, eyes that glow yellow and red like the Devil himself looking into your soul and the red and black Sith markings that are reminiscent of Mexican Day of the Dead make up. But his demeanor is so calm and reserved at all times until he is in the heat of battle. That is where the wraith comes out! And no one had ever seen a double bladed lightsaber before, and it remains as one of the most incredible weapons in the Star Wars Universe. Maul's mastery of it was mesmerizing.
3) The Pod Race
No. You are wrong. It was not boring or unnecessary. It was not like watching someone play a video game. These are arguments I've heard against this part of Phantom Menace. The Pod Race was essentially a sporting event that the locals gamble on, similar to a Football game or NASCAR race. But it was also a dramatic moment in the movie because the outcome determined whether our Jedi Ambassadors and their landing party including Queen Amidala will be able to continue their mission. It also would determine whether the driver of the pod, a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker and his Mother would become free. So...what about the race itself? A young boy from Tatooine in a high speed, one man vehicle, racing along an obstacle ridden terrain to get to the goal. Sound a little familiar? It should. The scene resembles the run Luke Skywalker takes to blow up the Death Star in Episode IV: A New Hope. Being introduced to the boy who would become Darth Vader was very intriguing to say the least. How does this innocent boy become the most feared man in the universe? But we see a few glimpses of his Jedi and future Sith skills in his driving of the pod. Watch it again and see for yourself:
4) The Lightsaber Battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul
This is clearly the best lightsaber duel of ANY of the Star Wars franchise movies. Hands down. As I stated before, Darth Maul's double sided lightsaber and his mastery of it thanks to Ray Park is simply incredible. And the sequence....when played without interruption, is brilliant. My favorite part is when Maul tries to strike at Kenobi's back, only to have it blocked when Obi-Wan raises his weapon over his head and behind him. Then Maul counters with a quick swing of the second blade to the front, only to be met with Kenobi bring his lightsaber forward. Here is the battle without the rest of the plot points sprinkled in and just try to argue otherwise:
I think I've made my point. Go back and watch it again. You may find that your disgust of this movie is not as well founded as you may have thought.
Until next time, see you in the center seat. And may the Force be with you.
