Chris Connor revisits Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as it turns 25…
It might seem a stretch for some but there was a point where George Lucas’s sci-fi juggernaut Star Wars had a 16-year big screen hiatus from 1983’s Return of the Jedi to 1999’s Phantom Menace. While we have now become accustomed to shorter gaps between films and a string of live-action and animated series, the length between Episodes VI and I caused a level of anticipation that is only really rivalled by The Force Awakens’ release in 2015.
While it met a far more mixed response upon release than the prized original trilogy, in the 25 years that have followed The Phantom Menace and follow-ups Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith have had something of a reappraisal as fans who were children when they were released move into adulthood and begin to introduce this era of the franchise to their own children.
The big screen re-release has seen a sizable contingent venturing to see one of the most divisive entries in the franchise, many seeing it on the big screen for the first time. The prequel films do suffer from George Lucas being overly self-indulgent at times and the likes of Jar Jar Binks and some of the caricatures can still be grating at times but this being Star Wars, there are still plenty of thrills to be found. This film introduced us to a new era of the franchise, the last days of the Republic ‘before the dark times, before The Empire’ as Obi-Wan would go on to say.
The visual shift from the ground down and lived in world of Episodes IV-VI is night and day and one of the biggest strengths of this film and the prequels as a whole, showing a completely different side to the universe that would be expanded upon in additional media. We see the Jedi Council in all its glory before its downfall. While the more overtly political narrative lost some viewers, the overall arc of the prequels and rise of Palpatine is some of Lucas’ best story writing, if at times let down by dialogue the ideas themselves and world built, mirror those of the previous films and show how the Jedi and Republic fell victims to Palpatine’s machinations.
In terms of high points the visuals hold up remarkably well still delivering a thrilling spectacle on the big screen, be it the climatic space dog fight to destroy the Trade Federation’s droid control ship, pod-racing sequence or of course the Duel of the Fates lightsaber fight between Qui Gon Jin, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul. The combat introduced us to the more stylised, choreographed sequences seen across the three films making it distinct from battles in the other two trilogies.
It is important for us to remember that Star Wars is and always has been a franchise for families, not just for adults so elements that grate on many viewers will enthral many other younger viewers and the generation that grew up on this film has fond memories, they are now passing on. While there is still far from a glowing consensus on the film, with the response to some of the films that have followed its position as the lowest point may have shifted slightly and there are many who hold it dearly.
While the action, visuals and John Williams’ score remain some of the best amongst the entire franchise, there are still low points to contend with and the dialogue and acting are more glaringly apparent than in Episodes IV-VI. Of course, this does not warrant the negative attention the likes of Jake Lloyd and Ahmed Best received at the time but they are flaws that can’t be ignored.
The Phantom Menace remains a polarising film with its highs and lows perhaps evenmore apparent on its 25th anniversary re-release. It introduces many of the themes and concepts that would define the Prequel Trilogy and stands sufficiently on its own from what came before with much of the scale and action fans love from the franchise. On the flipside opening a much-anticipated film with trade embargoes and some of the most wooden acting and dialogue in the franchise does dilute its undisputed strengths. The level of coverage and response to the 25th anniversary re-release shows there are plenty who hold it in high regard and despite its flaws it is an often enjoyable watch that deepens the lore of the Star Wars universe.
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Chris Connor
