Summary
RewatchingStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menaceon the big covert , 25 yr afterward , break so many surprising details that really show George Lucas ' genius . The Phantom Menaceis 25 years old this year , and Lucasfilm celebrate the day of remembrance by re - release the pic in theatre . For many , this was a first opportunity to experience the prequels on the freehanded filmdom .
There ’s nothing quite like watching the charming ofStar Warson the grown screen . George Lucas is a cinematic genius , and he create these movies for theater viewings , not for smaller TVs or hand-held equipment . That ’s not to ping these experiences , of course of action ; but they ’re 2d ( and third ) best , and nothing more . Here are all the thing I noticed rewatching the movie .
What ’s the best way to ascertain Star Wars ? Here ’s everything you need to know to look on in liberation or timeline orderliness , and how to admit the TV shows .
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
8The Darkness Of Coruscant Is More Important Than You Think
The city-planet is truly the center of darkness
MyStar Warsjourney is a little unusual . I watched the firstStar Warsmovie in the former ' 90s , and flow in love with it ; within days I ’d picked up a book from a local book store , Timothy Zahn’sHeir to the Empire . This mean elements of the Expanded Universe - say , Grand Admiral Thrawnor Coruscant - are as much a part ofStar Warsto me as Lando Calrissian . When I first watchedThe Phantom Menacein 1999 , I was too delighted to see Coruscant on the fully grown filmdom to really discover what George Lucas was doing with the city - planet .
The Republic may be great and good , but its marrow is already cloak in duskiness .
Rewatching , I actualise just how much of the time Coruscant is shown to be in shadow . The Republic may be great and good , but the visuals show thatits essence is already cloaked in swarthiness . fittingly enough , the shadows are peculiarly deep around Senator Palpatine - the secret Sith Lord who operates in these shadows . Scenes at the Jedi Temple feel as though they ’re set at dusk , represent the end of the 24-hour interval and the orgasm of the dark . It ’s beautiful visual imaging .
Viewed as a maverick Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn was willing to learn from other Force traditions - and some of those lessons taught him how to retain his consciousness after death, becoming the first Force Ghost. Qui-Gon discovered Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine, recognizing him as the Chosen One, and swore to train the boy. This oath was passed to Qui-Gon’s apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul. He remained influential from beyond the veil, however, teaching others how to follow in his Force Ghost footsteps.
7Qui-Gon Totally Knows About Padmé’s Deception
The Jedi Master just can’t help himself
Viewers were take aback when Padmé ill-use forward before the Gungans , revealing she was in fact Queen Amidala and kneel before them in an appeal for their assistance . Rewatching , though , it ’s striking how much Qui - Gon Jinn needles the supposed handmaiden while they ’re exploring Tatooine . " The Queen will not O.K. , " Padmé insists at one point . " The Queen does not need to know , " Qui - Gon replication , unadulterated with a knowing grin . It ’s as though he ca n’t resist playing with firing .
This active resurfaces shortly afterwards , with Padmé again object to Qui - Gon ’s decision to gamble everything on Anakin . " The Queen trusts my judgment , young handmaiden , " Qui - Gon interrupts her mid - objection . " You should too . " Putting these two scenes together , it ’s amusing to speculate thatQui - Gon live precisely who he was dealing with , and was subtly foretell Padmé out ; she could either hope his judgment or continue her deception , not both .
Viewed as a maverick Jedi , Qui - Gon Jinn was willing to learn from other Force custom - and some of those lessons instruct him how to retain his cognisance after death , becoming the first Force Ghost . Qui - Gon detect Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine , recognize him as the choose One , and depose to condition the male child . This oath was passed to Qui - Gon ’s learner , Obi - Wan Kenobi , after Qui - Gon was killed by Darth Maul . He remain influential from beyond the veil , however , teach others how to fall out in his Force Ghost stride .
Viewed as a maverick Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn was willing to learn from other Force traditions - and some of those lessons taught him how to retain his consciousness after death, becoming the first Force Ghost. Qui-Gon discovered Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine, recognizing him as the Chosen One, and swore to train the boy. This oath was passed to Qui-Gon’s apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul. He remained influential from beyond the veil, however, teaching others how to follow in his Force Ghost footsteps.
6It’s Taken Me 25 Years To Notice Yoda’s Character Arc
And Star Wars canon has completely missed it
What was Yoda ’s smashing failing ? There ’s vivid discussion about this in the fanbase , but one rough-cut argument - powerfully supported by recent canyon content - is that he did n’t consider the time to come enough . In fact , the modern Yoda has often been portrayed as someone who believed visions of the future were a potential itinerary to the dark side , because they would charm a Jedi to prove to manipulate event rather than submit to the Force ’s will . But this fly in the face of his portrayal inThe Phantom Menace .
When Obi - Wan first mention Master Yoda to Qui - Gon on Naboo , he remark thatthe impertinent Jedi Grandmaster enjoin him to be mindful of the future ; following Yoda ’s advice , Obi - Wan senses what Qui - Gon does not , a shadowy distant force orchestrating upshot . It is Qui - Gon who drags Obi - Wan back to the present tense , insisting on experience in the present moment . after , when speak to Anakin , Yoda is the council member who tries to peer into the boy ’s futureand declares it to be clouded . Far from reverence visions and prophecy , Yoda embraces them .
The aged Jedi Master had prepare Jedi for 800 year by the metre he met Luke Skywalker on the planet Dagobah . One of the most famed and revered Jedi , Yoda served as Grand Master of the Jedi Order for centuries ; he was powerful enough to duel Darth Sidious himself , although he was kill . Yoda exiled himself to Dagobah , where he learned how to become a Force Ghost and offer guidance to Luke Skywalker .
The aged Jedi Master had trained Jedi for 800 years by the time he met Luke Skywalker on the planet Dagobah. One of the most famed and revered Jedi, Yoda served as Grand Master of the Jedi Order for centuries; he was powerful enough to duel Darth Sidious himself, although he was defeated. Yoda exiled himself to Dagobah, where he learned how to become a Force Ghost and offered guidance to Luke Skywalker.
5In Fact, The Phantom Menace Is Obsessed With The Future
Especially when it comes to the Jedi
The Phantom Menacepresentsvisions of the future as a core part of what it think to be a Jedi . When Qui - Gon talk to Shmi , he mark that Anakin ’s awareness of the future is the intellect he ’s a great podracer and pilot . " He can see things before they happen , " he notice . " That ’s why he appears to have such quick reflexes . It is a Jedi trait . " To be a Jedi is to be raw to the will of the Force - and the direction in which it is head . It ’s evenhow a Jedi is able to block chargeman deadbolt .
There is a subtle irony , then , in the fact Qui - Gon is the one who genuinely believes Anakin is the prophesiedChosen One . Qui - Gon was the one who tell Obi - Wan to focus on the moment , and yet he becomes captivated by a dream of the future , one in which the Force has been brought into balance through Anakin . He ’s ripe , of course of study , but it ’s amusing to note the Jedi who need to live in the moment is the one who comprehend Anakin ’s ultimate hereafter .
4Mace Windu Changes His Mind About The Sith
Mace seems to have a secret character arc
Samuel L. Jackson ’s Mace Windu only arrest a few scene inThe Phantom Menace , and he does n’t even get to use his trademark purpleness lightsaber yet . The few shot he does have are important , though . When the Jedi Council meet with Qui - Gon Jinn , Mace refuse to consider that the Sith are back ; " I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing , " he says . afterward , though , Mace is n’t so sure;he severalise Qui - Gon to go to Naboo " to unpick this mystery of the Sith . "
It ’s not expressed , but it really does feel as though Mace Windu has undergo a change of heart . He does n’t refer to a dark side aggressor , but instead implicitly recognise that Qui - Gon ’s opponent may well be a Sith . It ’s ill-defined why Mace has become open to the mind ; is it a solvent of meditations in the Force , discussion between member of the Jedi Council , or the revealing of something off - concealment that ’s never been point ? PerhapsThe Acolyte- a prequel Disney+ telecasting show toThe Phantom Menace- will provide an answer .
One of the most large Jedi during the prequel earned run average , Mace Windu served as a of the essence member of the Jedi Council , considered second only to Yoda himself . Windu was a remarkable figure among the Jedi , having turn his own temptation toward the dark side to his advantage , even creating a new lightsaber mannikin have intercourse as Vaapad . Mace ultimately bomb in his mission to protect the Jedi , obviously killed by Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker at the end of the Clone Wars .
One of the most prominent Jedi during the prequel era, Mace Windu served as a crucial member of the Jedi Council, considered second only to Yoda himself. Windu was a remarkable figure among the Jedi, having turned his own temptation toward the dark side to his advantage, even creating a new lightsaber form known as Vaapad. Mace ultimately failed in his mission to protect the Jedi, apparently killed by Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker at the end of the Clone Wars.
3The Grand Army Face Battle Droids
It’s perfect setup for the Clone Wars
There ’s something quite ruthless about Padmé ’s plan inThe Phantom Menace . Because she lacks an army herself , she approaches the aquatic race of Gungans and asks to utilize their " Grand Army " as a beguilement to take on the army of battle droids , while she take the steps that are really necessary to bring her opponents down . This stand for many Gungans die , but few Naboo are really in the line of fire at all .
Palpatine himself essentially repeats this programme with the Clone Wars .
There ’s a good reason this vocalise so very familiar ; Palpatine himself fundamentally repeat this plan with the Clone Wars . Because the Republic lack an army , he uses the disposable clones of the waterworld Kamino - even christened the " Grand Army of the Republic " - to take on the struggle droid armies of the Separatists . Meanwhile , he need the steps that are truly necessary to convey his opponents down . Padmé is a lot more like Palpatine than she believe , and that ’s quite a chilling realization .
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
2I Finally Understand Why Darth Maul Has A Double-Bladed Lightsaber
The details of the fight choreography had escaped me
Darth Maul ’s dual - bladed lightsaberhas always been the epitome of cool . He was n’t the first Sith Lord to use such a brand , of form ; the musical theme was created for the EU , with Exar Kun maintain a double - bladed lightsaber and Lucas loving the design . But there ’s a caboodle more Darth Maul ’s lightsaber than simply the " Rule of Cool . " It ’s in reality a essential tool to the Sith Apprentice , as becomes clear when tight examining the stunning fight choreography .
Although the Sith follow theRule of Two , Darth Maul is train to pretend alone - assure his master never risks reveal himself . Darth Sidious intended his apprentice to run down two - man teams of Jedi , and equipped him well for the job . It ’s renowned thatMaul only triggers the double - bladed lightsaber when he ’s facing two Jedi , not one , and he then uses it for defence mechanism as much as offensive activity ; he block one attacker , while sweeping in at another of his opponents . It ’s the perfect arm for dealing with a Jedi Master and a Padawan at the same meter .
1The Phantom Menace’s Greatest Theme Is Symbiosis
Lucas is deeply invested in symbionts
Think of the major planet Naboo itself as a visual aid , because - as Qui - Gon notes - the Naboo and the Gungans " form a symbiont circle . " The Naboo are the surface - dwellers , the beings you see , the ones after whom the satellite is appoint . It ’s not a coincidence that the Naboo have representation in the Senate , but the Gungans do not . And yet , the durability of Naboo lie with the Gungans , the ones who are capable of resisting the Trade Federation army . They are the phantasmal beings , retain religious belief and religious mysticism , as oppose to the Naboo - who hold out in lavish cities , separate from nature .
We be given to look at the Naboo through far too romantic a electron lens , mostly because of Padmé . We pretermit the fact thatrelations between the Gungans and the Naboo have broken down , stop the symbiont R-2 . Worse still , Palpatine himself - themost powerful Sith Lord- is of the Naboo , start from a position where the symbiosis has been damaged . It is only by restoring relations with the Gungans that Padmé defeat the Sith Lord ’s Machiavellian design .
encircle back , this is why Coruscant is the heart of darkness . It is a place without symbiosis , where civilization has been completely abridge off from the natural world and from any sense of right and awry . Palpatine is able-bodied to thrive on a urban center - major planet , working to subvert the Jedi , corrupting the heart of the Republic . Star Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menacesets this up beautifully - and it is so very meaning that the Empire will at long last be overcome on Endor , a Forest Moon , when the technical heroes of the Rebel Alliance unite with the native Ewoks . Symbiosis is restored .
All Star Wars movies are available to keep an eye on on Disney+ .
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Star Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a Galax urceolata facing political turmoil , as Jedi Knights Qui - Gon Jinn and Obi - Wan Kenobi search peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker , a striver with great potential in the Force . Meanwhile , the Sith set about their resurgence , threatening the stableness of the Republic .
