[DOSMAN]

I, seriously, don't understand all the hate directed toward this film. Although I haven't seen it since just before the release of Episode II, I remember loving this movie, particularly the first time. It is lighter and happier in tone than Episodes II and III, but, despite popular belief right now, that's not a bad thing.

To me TPM is a repeat or modernization of the original Star Wars for a new audience, even though it has had and will have no where near the cultural influence of A New Hope. I don't remember ANH being all that thoughtful, BTW, but the interesting characters, setting, and unique VFX made that one a huge success. I believe TPM was similar, and exactly the right kind of restart for the Star Wars film franchise.

Jar-Jar IS annoying--I'll grant you that, but so is Anakin. Both are just acting according to their natures, IMO, and provide the comic relief that Chewbacca or the droids did in the original.

Now, don't get me wrong, I very much enjoyed the arcs and character development of 'Empire' and RotJ, but this isn't an either/or situation here. The thing I like most about The Phantom Menace is how well it works as a *film*--how well it flows and is put together. This it has in common with A New Hope, but, unfortunately, not Episodes II and III (until the last hour or so). The presence of Qui-Gon Jin but not Hayden Christensen is also a benefit.

So, isn't there room for both types of Star Wars film (if they must be separated)? I find that the icon for all the TPM hate, Jar-Jar Binks, becomes less annoying as you get used to his presence (in future viewings).

[Cougar]

I liked it, but I think we can all agree on that is was the worst SW movie. It was made too much for kids.

[Nicole]

I liked the movie, i know some people thought it was stupid but i enjoyed it.

[trek_dude]

I liked TPM, i even liked Jar Jar Binks.

[Darth Paris]

Cougar, on Jul 1 2005, 05:42 PM, said:

I liked it, but I think we can all agree on that is was the worst SW movie. It was made too much for kids.

I agree 100 percent. When my neighbor, who is not a scifi fan, went to see episode II she complained about how it didn't have that guy with the funny ears and that the movie wasn't funny so she did like it as much as episode I. Even if I had thought Binks was funny the first time he wasn't going to be the second, third, fourth... time. Humor can have a place in science fiction, if its smart humore that enriches the characters. (Farscape, Firefly) When the humor is slapstick and the only point of the character is to get a cheap laugh then that is bad writting. Episode I stands out as a stark contrast to the other five films.

[Gidga]

Too much like child's play for me...no real danger. I did like the lightsaber duels, though.

[SirPhilip86]

the only thing that was really good in phantom menace was the lightsaber fight at the end.

[trek_dude]

SirPhilip86, on Apr 12 2006, 11:35 PM, said:

the only thing that was really good in phantom menace was the lightsaber fight at the end.

oh i loved that lightsaber fight, two single bladed lightsabers against a double edged , brilliant

[RogueEntity]

I must say, TPM was an okay movie, I would not say it was brillient or anything, but it was okay. I preferred the other two more so.

[mightycaptain]

Sorry but I dont think it was the worst. Episode II has my vote for least favorite. Just so you dont think everyone naturally agrees with the opinion that it (TPM) was bad. It actually opened doors for me to mentor my friend's younger brother at a time he desperatley needed mentoring, as he really liked this film and the concepts of master-apprentice and jedi vs sith.

[JulesLuvsShinzon]

Three words: Ja Ja Binks