I just wrote on the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy a few months back on this blog, but I want to revisit "Episode 1" again, because recent events have caused me to rethink my views.
One of the most rewarding things about being a parent is the new eyes your kids give you as you revisit so many things from your own youth. "The Phantom Menace" didn't come out until I was 23, but "Star Wars" is so much a part of my childhood that it still seems like a part of my youth. With the arrival of the entire "Star Wars" saga on Blu-Ray last week, I am getting a chance to watch these films again, and begin to introduce the prequel trilogy (which includes "Phantom Menace") to my kids.
As I wrote a few months back, I was never a big detractor of this movie. It had its problems, but the day I saw it, I remember being happy with George Lucas' work. As the nay saying started to mount up, the bitterness started to seem overblown. Was this movie as good as episode 4, a classic in the movie pantheon? No, it wasn't. But, what it did do was add significant texture to the overall mythology of Star Wars. Here, you get to see C3PO meet R2D2 for the first time, and Anakin Skywalker meet Obi Wan Kenobi. Seeing the origins of some of the stories and conflicts with which I was so familiar felt good, and I appreciated the story, in spite of its weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses I felt was the character of Jar Jar Binks. Never in my movie going life had I ever heard an audible groan emerge from a crowd, but on the opening night of "Phantom Menace", I did hear one as soon as Jar Jar's first scene ended. I felt that the character was out of balance with the rest of the story. While Qui Gonn, Padme and ObiWan always seemed solemn and serious, the movie viewer had one character on whom it felt like Lucas was pinning all of the comic relief. This made a film where "Balance" was a big theme seem out of balance. However strongly I felt this, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen one day when I showed this movie to my own children.
That day has come folks. And I will say that watching "Phantom Menace" with my kids has put it in a different light. It helps that I have not watched it in years, as that added to the freshness of my perspective. As I was watching it with them, I realized that while the film is not as strong as Episodes 4-6, it still works quite well as storytelling. If one looks at it as simple mythological storytelling (the kind of storytelling kids relate so well to) it actually is good. The story is a little weird to explain to kids (what's a Trade Federation, after all?), but the overall visual impact and simple plot line is great for kids. Also, I felt totally comfortable sitting down with my 8, 6 and 4 year old and watching the movie.
This time, Jar Jar had worked better for me, since I watched him work for my kids. Jake Lloyd's Anakin also was less annoying in this light. All of the dialogue is still too wooden at times, but kids don't know that! They are so involved in the characters and stories that they don't have time to ask why the dialogue is so stuffy. I had goose bumps sitting and watching this film with my kids, as I watched them wonder at the sights and enjoy the mythology. So, I suppose I have two views on this movie now. The grown up part of me still picks out its weaknesses as I think critically about the film. But the part of me that lives in my kids can enjoy the sights and sounds that take place in this movie.
