demand a Star Wars lover what they think about The Phantom Menace and you ’re going to get avery specific answer . AtStar Wars Celebration in Chicagolast month , io9 talk with fans about their memories and feelings on the eventide of the film ’s 20th anniversary , and the opinion was right smart more convinced than expected for all sort of different reason .
In the 20 years since its release , almost no Star Wars motion picture has been thought about or debated more . On one hand , it give us Darth Maul , Mace Windu , and Padmé Amidala . On the other hand , it also give us Jar Jar Binks , Trade Federations , and musical instrument digital interface - chlorians . The celluloid introducedsome of our favourite , andleast favorite , things into Star Wars canon — and every sports fan has a story about their human relationship with it .
In Tampa , Florida , it was a family affair . As Jasmin Seals recalls , her syndicate almost had the police call off on them for watch the film a bit too loud at family .
Jake Lloyd as Anakin SkywalkerPhoto: (Lucasfilm)
“ I recollect after watching The Phantom Menace at nursing home with my dad , we play the podracing scenery so loud that the neighbors came over and almost called the police on us , ” she secern us . “ They think something was crashing into that business firm . And I thought that was cool when I was younger . Then as I got elder I really treasure the political aspects of the moving picture . Even though it is n’t my favorite Star Wars film I reckon it did a really in effect job of introducing so many new characters and create a new trilogy . It ’s very important to the fandom . ”
Not all computer memory of the celluloid are that dramatic , of course . Some are very relatable .
“ I have a personal connexion to that movie , ” say Natassia Strayer , who was cosplaying as Rey at the convention . “ When I was younger my favorite fictitious character was young Anakin and I used to have this pair of ski goggles that bet like thepodracing goggles . So , when I was like four or five , I would just wear them and run around my cellar like I was podracing . I have a go at it that a lot of people do n’t like [ The Phantom Menace ] as much but for me , just because of that nostalgia , I still bask it because I remember back to that childhood . ”
Miniatures? Colors? You must be talking about Naboo.Photo: (Lucasfilm)
Nick Evans of Columbus , Ohio had a similar floor . He was just four year old when the film was release . “ My parent had actually gotten me into Star Wars before that but I dead just walk out in awe of the moving-picture show . I remember going to the theater . It was such a memorable spot for me , ” he enjoin . “ It got a set of hate for a while . There was definitely a dyad of YouTube video that [ pass to that ] , but then I realized there ’s a mint of good stuff in the movie . ”
He keep on , “ mayhap the execution is n’t there through the entire thing . But the ideas behind them are exceedingly solid . I entail , who does n’t love “ Duel of the Fates”with Darth Maul dueling Qui - Gon and Obi - Wan ? That ’s the best lightsaber battle in Star Wars . ”
Now , both Evans and Strayer saw the picture when they were young , so eld may be the primary factor in a devotee ’s memory or enjoyment of the motion-picture show . But , as we talked to more people , that was in spades not the case .
Now this is podracing.Photo: (Lucasfilm)
“ I ’m kind of new Star Wars lover and I start [ by ] watching The Phantom Menace first , ” said Lindsey Oates , also from Columbus . “ So , for me , I ’m similar to those fans that grew up with The Phantom Menace in that it ’s one of my favourite , especially because it has a lot of miniatures and really fun color and stuff like that . ”
Even fans of the dealership who do n’t necessarily love the film choose to determine the good in it .
“ When it first came out I was ab initio really excited and that ’s sort of been temper because the tale gets so bogged down , ” said Guido Strotheide , whocosplayed as Obi - Wan Kenobi . “ I kind of focal point on how much poppycock came out about the Jedi thatwe did n’t have before … I’m not extremely into the prequels . I grew up with the original trilogy . But I definitely would miss if we did n’t have all that Jedi stuff in here . ”
That ’s not to say the fandom is totally in love with the movie , of course .
“ I remember ab initio me and all my friends enjoyed it those first couple of week and then it starts to sink in like ‘ Wait . perchance this was n’t what we ’ve been hop for , ’ ” suppose Jay Kramer . “ I cerebrate it appeals more to niggling kids , peculiarly now that I screw people in their 20s who develop up with those motion picture . You appreciate them for being kid ’ motion-picture show . ”
And yet , as New Yorker Matt Wade was warm to point out , without The Phantom Menace , Star Wars would n’t be what it is today . It set the table .
“ A lot of hoi polloi bash it because it was ‘ dim , dim , slow , slow , awesome engagement , best baddie dies , ’ ” Wade order , describing the plot of land . “ Whatever . I say you ’ve got to build the chronicle . You ca n’t just walk in without a backstory . So I ’ve appreciated the film since day one . ”
The vent of Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menace wreak innumerable possibility . It play the promise of something fan never thought they ’d ever see again : new Star Wars movies . It make for a prospect for answers to questions we never intend would be answered . And , of course , it brought something none of us could have expected : very public venom toward Star Wars . Still , it ’s nice to know that some fans out there still hold reverence for that motion-picture show and that moment . A moment that go far 20 years ago next week .
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