Controversial Movies Poll #13: STAR WARS EPISODE I

[Heineken Skywalker]

So, let's get truly "controversial" with these polls!
After a 16 year wait for another STAR WARS film, after EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI, how did you feel about STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE? Did it meet your expectations or fall far below them?
By now, I'm sure we've all had a chance to watch it, maybe even more than once. Now that you've seen it, thought about it, digested it, given it some time to either grow on you or to really piss you off, how would you rate it in comparison to the other films in the series, so far?
I would rate it *** (Average). Not the shit pile that others seem to think it is, but definitely my least favorite of all the STAR WARS movies. My main complaint would be that the story tends to drag several times due to the, for a STAR WARS movie, overly complicated plot. The movie gets bogged down in the political workings of the Trade Federation & the Senate Council. I think fans were expecting more fun and more battles and fewer debates and such seriousness. I understand that the beginnings of the Empire need to be explained along with the introductions of all the various characters, but it was all just a bit heavy-handed, IMO. After all, according to Lucas, these movies are supossed to be aimed at kids. Does he really think that a political plot is what the kids wanted to see?
A little more Darth Maul and a little less Jar Jar would've helped too. ;D But those are lesser complaints.
I thought the next chapter, ATTACK OF THE CLONES, was an improvement and a step in the right direction.

[Phoenix]

I gave it a half a star more (3 1/2) mainly because I really liked the pod-racing, Darth Maul, and the costumes. I thought that stuff was pretty unique. I'm not a Jar-Jar fan either, but I still liked some of the Underwater scenes too. And I also liked Liam Neeson's character. So there was a lot in there that I liked.

[Heineken Skywalker]

I actually liked all the stuff you mentioned Pheonix (the pod-racing, Darth Maul, the costumes, the underwater scenes, Qui-Gon (Liam Neeson), plus the effects & the final lightsaber fight were great!
I just wish the story had been a little faster paced.

[Phoenix]

Heineken said:

I just wish the story had been a little faster paced.

I agree that the story was bogged down by the political stuff - that's why I didn't give it a higher rating. But Episode II, for me, was REALLY slow. I think Lucas classifies it as a "love story" but it was the worst romantic film I've ever seen! There was less I liked about it than the Episode I.

[Heineken Skywalker]

Yeah, the "romance" part of AOTC was probably my least favorite part of that movie, but I thought that overall, it exceeded TPM in all other areas.

[Termination]

I rated it Good.

What I thought was the cats ass when comparing this prequel to the first films was the lightsaber fight scenes. I never get bored watching those scenes, very well choreographed. In Eps IV, V, VI, those saber fights were too slow..

What was a big disappointment in the prequels was Jar Jar, no doubt. C3PO (in Eps IV, V, VI) was a little annoying, but compared to Jar Jar, forget about it.

[LivingDeadGirl]

I rated it good soley b/c of Darth Maul, Qui-Gon & the fight scenes. I disliked it for all the reasons mentioned by Phoenix & Heineken.

[ZapRowsdower]

I rated it excellent, and here's why.

I grew up in a household that for the most part didn't appreciate Star Wars. My dad hated Star Wars, just like he hated sci-fis in general. My mom grew up in a different culture and had no idea what Star Wars was.

So when did I see my first Star Wars? 1999. That's right, the first Star Wars movie I had ever seen was in fact, the Phantom Menace.

I later learned it doesn't hold a candle to the other Star Wars films, but I had seen it with no bias, and no thought as to how Star Wars SHOULD be. And I loved every minute of it. The political factors involved, the pod racing, the fight scenes, everything was just perfect for me. After watching the Phantom Menace, I would be willing to kill to watch the original trilogy. And I did just that (watch the original trilogy, not kill).

It may be my least favorite of the saga, but it got me into the saga in the first place, and therefore shall always have a special place in my heart.

[Heineken Skywalker]

Termination said:

What I thought was the cats ass when comparing this prequel to the first films was the lightsaber fight scenes. I never get bored watching those scenes, very well choreographed. In Eps IV, V, VI, those saber fights were too slow..

Yeah, but what you have to keep in mind when watching the saber fights is that in the original trilogy (IV-VI) you're watching lightsaber duels between a very old man (Obi-Wan), an old man who's part machine (Vader) and a guy who is training to become a Jedi (Luke). Whereas in the prequels (I-III) you're mostly watching Jedi in their prime. Obi-Wan & Qui-Gon vs. Darth Maul, a young Sith Lord apprentice. Obi-Wan & Anakin vs. Count Dooku, who is older and you'll notice doesn't move quite like Maul. And then later Dooku & Yoda, who apparently can call upon The Force to give him great speed & energy when he needs it. He is after all, the most powerful Jedi of all time. And of course there's all the Jedi in the arena scene, also in their prime.
Smitty, I can totally see your point if PHANTOM MENACE was your first STAR WARS movie and you had nothing to compare it to.
I actually admire the next generation of kids who will watch these movies in chronological order from I-VI and, like Smitty, won't have any preconceived notions about what to expect from I-III based on what they saw in IV-VI. The downside of that is that some of them probably won't like PHANTOM MENACE and will decide to skip all the later chapters, not realizing that they do get better. Wondering all along, "What was the big deal about STAR WARS?"

[frankenjohn]

God curse George Lucas for making this piece of crap!

[Gabriel]

I rated it excellent because of a number of things...

First and foremost, being 20, or when it came out 16, it was my first theatrical experiance of Star Wars and it made me fall in love with the rest, as I had never been a huge fan, sure I liked them but it was before my time and I couldnt appreciatte them the way people who, skulked outta cinemas shellshocked that Darth was Lukes father couldnt.

I mean remember at the time, wasnt that a huge twist? And as time has gone on it isnt like its a well kept secret, I mean I heard the 'Luke I am your father' line a million times before I had seen any of the films. So for younger people its hard to view these, having seen them or not, with a open view.

And I really like Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan. I dont know why, but I just do.

And the fight at the end was excellent, probably the best... yet.

Darth Maul was good, if a little underused.

The story was conplicated but when you think about it, it had to be. We all know whats gonna happen afterwards, so they have to made the water muddy in how it comes.

For instance AOTC. Many times during my first viewing of that, I thought maybe Dooku was getting an army to fight the republic, of whom he knew was ruled by a Sith lord, hence why the early Stormtroopers were helping the Jedi. So during the film, I didnt actually know what side was what. About a million different scenarios ran through my head, and now its set up as we all know whats gonna happen in the next film, but we dont know how!

And thats the way it has to be. That was the problem The Phantom Menace had and always will have. Its a set up movie. So on its own as a single film, its ok... average, but as part of the whole (First) trilogy its exceptional in laying foundations.

I do prefer AOTC now, and I thought that was excellent and Ill almost certainly prefer Revenge of the sith when it comes out. I do actually prefer this trilogy and I know thats blasphemy or smg to alot of people but I do.

And for the record, I thought the lightsaber fight
(Obi-Wan/Anakin vs Count Dooku) were too short. And what bothered me about them, was that, Obi Wan was so easily beaten. I mean he killed Darth Maul(A Sith Apprentice), albeit by using the darkside, and he was seen as one of the most promising Jedi, and he will go on to defeat one of the most powerful Jedi ever in the next film yet Dooku was seconds away from killing him. Then theres Anakin, who got his hand cut off and got beaten fairly easily...

Picky I know... but it annoyed me at the time!

Anyway Ima stop my rant now.

[Heineken Skywalker]

I was wondering who would be the first to post a truly negative comment and vote like that.
I feel like you should get some kind of prize, Frankenjohn.
How about a Jar Jar Binks action figure? ;D

[frankenjohn]

That was really the only character I liked...you deserve a prize, Heiniken! ;D

[Heineken Skywalker]

Not really. I used an old Jedi mind trick to figure that out.

[Bartwald]

***1/2 from me.

When I first saw The Phantom Menace I thought it's a great movie - one of the best in the series. And, please mind, I saw all the "old" at the theatre, in my teens. So, despite the hype and despite my being old school - I got hooked. Several years after this, I saw the movie at home for the second time and it wasn't so genius anymore. The race, Darth Maul, Ewan and Liam - all good stuff, but this time all the talky bits did seem much too long.

However, in the battle against Attack Of The Clones, Episode I still wins, in my opinion: Jar Jar sure annoys here and there but never as much as the AOTC's tribute to Gone With The Wind... pictures of Anakin and Amidala romancing against the CGI-enhanced backgrounds should go to all encyclopedias to help us understand the "kitsch" entry.