‘The Phantom Menace’ is better than any ‘Star Wars’ movie from the past decade

• “The Phantom Menace” is often criticized as a weak movie.
• But Episode 1 is a better “Star Wars” movie than any made in the past decade.
• The countless flaws in the Disney films have undermined “Star Wars” as a whole
• Visit the Insider home page for more stories.

“The Phantom Menace” was called the most “overhyped movie of the past decade” when it was released in 1999, but the truth is that all of the more recent “Star Wars” films released by Disney deserve the title much more.

That’s not to say those movies of the past 10 years have been terrible. “Rogue One” is excellent, and there are some good times in Disney’s sequel trilogy as well. But George Lucas is “Star Wars”, and therefore also, therefore, “The Phantom Menace” – much more than the fancy Disney trilogy.

The film is also crucial to the larger context of the “Star Wars” universe, and sets up things that are now cherished by the “Star Wars” fandom, including a certain red-haired Sith wielding a lightsaber at double blade.

20th Century Fox

‘The Phantom Menace’ has flaws, but none are as deep as the sequel to the trilogy

It’s no secret that “The Phantom Menace” could possibly use a good cut. It has pacing issues, and the stilted dialogue that previous films are often criticized for is almost part of the fabric of “Star Wars” at this point. And yes, Jar Jar Binks is a bit boring, but not nearly as much as what is now widely accepted.

These are flaws on the surface, creases in an otherwise confident and assured start to a definitive new era of “Star Wars” with believable characters and clear storylines.

Disney’s last three films, meanwhile, feel like a loose mess. Obviously the planning was poor, hence Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” abandoning everything that came in JJ Abrams’ “The Force Awakens”. Then, when fans expressed their displeasure with Johnson’s film, Abrams was brought back on board for the Skywalker saga grand finale, “The Rise of Skywalker,” which essentially felt like two hours of reconnecting and scrambling in plots and characters that were at odds. and confusing.

The flaws of the Disney films are not just folds, they are deeply rooted issues that have plagued “Star Wars” as a whole. From Palpatine’s return to Finn’s non-existent character arc, Rey’s legacy, and his sudden force-healing ability, on top of Luke Skywalker’s show betrayal … nothing seemed to come together, unlike the thoughtful, consistent and deliberate expansion of the universe that “The Phantom Menace” achieves.

Animated images of Walt Disney Studios

‘Star Wars’ is at its best when new and bold, as is ‘The Phantom Menace’

“Star Wars” is at its best when it offers innovative and daring new stories, as it did with its very first episode, “A New Hope” and its sequel “The Empire Strikes Back”.

In an interview with Charlie Rose in 2015, shortly after the release of “The Force Awakens”, Lucas said of his previous six “Star Wars” movies: “I worked really hard to make them completely different, with different planets, with different spaceships – you know, to make it new. “

I walked away from “The Force Awakens” feeling as though I had seen a box check tour: Alien Bars – tick! A sinister army – tick! A group of rebels – tick! A cute droid – tick! Rather than an innovative experience. As Lucas himself said of the film: “there is nothing new”.

This is why “The Mandalorian” works so well. Yes, it brings back old characters, but we also get to see things in the “Star Wars” universe that we’ve never seen before, and it expands lore and legend in a completely different time from “Star Wars”. We come out of “The Mandalorian” more enriched by “Star Wars”, but I never felt that after one of the Disney sequels, or “Solo”. Fortunately, “Rogue One” achieved originality, but not to the degree of “The Phantom Menace”.

20th Century Fox

‘The Phantom Menace’ is vital to the larger franchise and added to ‘Star Wars’ lore

Not only did we get to see a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in action, shading the life of someone we previously only knew as a wise old man, but we also saw the debut of the boy who would be Vader.

Plus, we learned more about the Mythical Jedi and got to see them at the height of their powers in a time never before seen before their downfall. We learned about the Rule of Two of the Sith and how a sprawling galaxy was ruled before the Empire took over, not to mention the number of new planets, species, characters and civilizations we have come to know and fascinated by it. introduction of “The Phantom Menace.”

20th Century Fox

We also have “The Phantom Menace” to thank for Darth Maul, one of the coolest villains in movie history who immediately became a fan favorite. The animated series “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels” have since grown on him to make him one of the most complex and beloved characters in the saga – we have to thank Lucas and “The Phantom Menace” for creating. of the point-headed Sith Lord.

Meanwhile, Qui Gon Jinn, played with serenity, spirituality and perfect facial hair by Liam Neeson, is one of the most underrated characters in “Star Wars”. He is the quintessential Jedi, his desire for peace and quiet is exemplified when he kneels and meditates in a break from battle with Maul in the Duel of Fates.

Qui Gon’s impact is felt throughout the rest of the “Star Wars” movies – Kanan Jarrus in “Rebels” has more than a hint of Qui Gon about him. And Qui Gon, let’s not forget, is the one who found the boy who would become Darth Vader.

Disney’s sequels trilogy are meringue movies – they look good but there’s no substance

The Duel of the Fates battle between Obi-Wan and Qui Gon and Maul features two Jedi Knights in their prime fighting a Sith Lord, and the dazzling style of lightsaber combat is fascinating to watch.

But in “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian”, Dave Filoni, co-creator of “Rebels” and producer and director of “The Clone Wars” and “The Mandalorian”, explains why this fight is much more than a flashy spectacle.

Filoni said, “He fights for Anakin. That’s why it’s called the Duel Of The Fates, the fate of this kid and depending on how this fight goes, Anakin’s life will be drastically different. . that’s all the previous three movies hang. on. “

—Adam Hlavac (@adamhlavac) May 10, 2020

Qui Gon’s death gives weight to the film. Conversely, the consequences are slight in Disney films. It’s a tired review now, but Rey, who’s never held a lightsaber before, manages to duel well-trained Sith Lord Kylo Ren. This betrays the nature of “Star Wars”, where skill in combat has always been crucial. The new trilogy doesn’t follow the rules of the universe that Lucas films lovingly follow to create a believable, immersive, and meaningful story.

This is why “The Phantom Menace” is so underrated. It is taken for its surface flaws when there is so much more to offer.

Disney’s sequels trilogy are meringue movies. They’re well-made and look good, and are certainly more polished than the prequel series, but they’re ultimately light and empty.

But “The Phantom Menace” is one of the most important and thoughtful installments of “Star Wars” we’ve ever received, and even Jar Jar Binks can’t stand in the way.