The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy (1999-2005)

From the CS! archives.

September 4, 2011

I was watching The Phantom Menace on Spike TV tonight, and in retrospect, I may have been a bit harsh on this film. There's only like three things that REALLY suck about it. Jar Jar Binks is OBVIOUSLY one of them. Anakin Skywalker is the other. And the age difference between Anakin and Padme is a bit... odd. I know they're only like 5 years apart, but at this point, it's a little weird to be hinting at a romance. This is as strange as Luke and Leia kissing in The Empire Strikes Back.

But anyway, as I said, in hindsight, there's a few things to admire. It's nice that a good portion of the movie is shot on REAL locations. The scenes in Tatooine capture the magic and spirit of the original trilogy. It's also cool that George Lucas shot on 35mm film. Liam Neeson is awesome. Darth Maul is awesome. "Duel of the Fates" by John Williams is awesome.

Overall, the film is DECENT. Not at all the train wreck I remember. I think we all may have over-reacted because it was the first one.

I was always a prequel apologist, but as time goes on the closer I get to completely dismissing these films. Their worst crime was sapping the mystique and grandeur of the past from the original films.

The fact that its bootleg with cheering...that really takes me back. We were all so full of hope.

I must have watched the Episode 1 trailers 20 times. I could quote them.

I remember watching the trailer for the first time - and this was like a year after the Special Editions - and my uncle turns to me and says, "they just wanna make more money." And, man, talk about foreshadowing. When The Phantom Menace was released his only comment was, "told ya."

I guess that's Padme's stunt double second from the right.

The PT were a bunch of great films. Never got the hate myself, but hey each to their own it's all cool.

Just glad I've got the saga to watch at any time, and now with the ST being made, hey party time.

For anyone with an interest in the PT they could have a read (or not) of this essay:

www.starwarsringtheory.com/

There's a huge list of things I wish they would "undo" from the prequels, the top of the list would be to erase the idea of midichlorians being behind the force. It's so ridiculously lame on so many levels and completely demystifies the whole idea. That was a kick in the nuts for sure when I first watched that. Also, if they could bring back a bad guy of the likes of Darth Maul, that would be really awesome.

The brat from Jingle All The Way and The Phantom Menace got himself arrested.

George Lucas should do a Special Edition of the prequels where he inserts present-day Jake Lloyd as Anakin instead of Hayden Whats-His-Face. 

If they could get Turbo Man in there, these prequels could finally surpass the originals.