You can’t stop change anymore than you can stop the sun from setting.
The Phantom Menace is a film that I’ve had to come around to liking. If you were to ask me as a teenager I would’ve had a problem with the Midichlorians, or I would’ve had a problem with the dialogue. Now, I have grown up, which means I don’t care. The mythology of Star Wars is maybe the most tired debate on the internet, and I think it just does not matter. Star Wars has always been about the experience, it is about the emotions generated. However cliche, Star Wars has always been billed as a “Space Opera” first and foremost. Therefore what matters is the experience, not how flawless the story is. So, why not let George Lucas get a little goofy with the mythology just to piss off the fans. The appeal for me has always boiled down to the grandiose atmosphere along with the central “fate” theme.
Specifically, The Phantom Menace gets a lot of shit for better or for worse. Generally it captures the essence of Star Wars, but it is still probably the weakest of the first 8 films. That truly comes down to how compelling the characters are. Anakin is the only character that Lucas seems to care about. I forgot how little Darth Maul was in this movie. It also feels uneventful despite them physically going to a lot of different locations. That being said it’s still visually stunning, and the score is great. I am excited to see what happens to this Anakin kid, he seems destined for greatness.
Pigeon Tribune 
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