Yes folks, I am going to attempt to defend that most reviled of films, Star Wars Episode 1-The Phantom Menace. I fully realize that this as loathsome and villainous to many people as defending Adolph Hitler, Steve Bartman, Pearl Harbor, OJ Simpson, HD DVD, etc. , but I am going to bravely give it a shot. So here we go.
Ok, first of all, there is no way this movie could succeed. Expectations were so high for the first Star Wars movie in 16 years, anything short of the second coming was going to disappoint. Does this excuse all its faults? Of course not. But it does go to show that this movie was never given a fair shake to be judged on its own merits. I should know, because I was one of those fans who built this up WAY too much in anticipation of its release.
Second, everybody complains about Jake Lloyd, and how horrible he was for the part. I am not going to say that I fully agree with Lucas's choice here, but c'mon, is Hayden Christense really any better? He doesn't catch half the grief Jake Lloyd does for this movie. I think Jake Lloyd became the scapegoat for the supposed "failure" of this film (I mean, can a movie that grossed over $400 million domestically at the box office really be called a failure? If people hated this movie so much, then why did they keep going to see the damn thing over and over? You don't make that much money without repeat viewers). However, Jake Lloyd is beloved next to the other scapegoat of the film...
"Mesa Jar Jar Binks!" Ok, I can't really defend Jar Jar, but I didn't think that he ruined the movie. Yeah, he's silly, but was Mark Hamill's hair in A New Hope any less silly? I think not.
I also think that Episode I is a far superior movie than Episode II. Most people, even the ones who despise the prequels, will say that Episode II, while not perfect, is at least better than TPM. WRONG!! Tell me, who is a better villain-Darth Maul or some eighty year old guy with a crooked lightsaber? That's what I thought. Speaking of Darth Maul, is he not the most awesome new character, villain, hero, or otherwise, in all of the prequels? Everyone loves Maul, he rocks. I think it was a big mistake to get rid of him in the first movie. George peaked with Maul, as his villains went downhill from TPM (General Grievous? Gimme a break. ) TPM, while it leaves you hanging, still has a nice stand alone narrative to it. Episode II AOTC isn't really much of a stand alone movie-its really just a bridge to get us from little boy to Darth Vader.
Ok, I could go on, but I'm going to close this little review/rant with this-Liam Neeson gives a great performance in this movie, and it is hands down, no contest, the best acting performance by any lead actor in all of the prequels. Its not even close. I think that is why despite its flaws (of which people have found many), TPM resonates more emotionally, and its because of Neeson's portrayal of Qui Gon. There a soul in this movie thanks to Neeson, and soul is sorely lacking in the last two prequels.
Well, I did it. I defended The Phantom Menace. Flame away!
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