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Star Wars Movies, Videos, TV, Books => Prequel Trilogy => Topic started by: Ki-Adi on March 07, 2006, 07:44:50 AM

Title: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 07, 2006, 07:44:50 AM
I thought I would make polls for each episode so we can see peoples opinion's on each episode. Myself I would give TPM an 8. I thought it was really good.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on March 07, 2006, 07:51:47 AM
alright i got first vote!
I too gave it an 8 i thought it  was good had a great battle at the end that saved it from most of its flaws, but did have a few let downs revolving around Anakin, however i was not as annoyed by jar jar as many people seemed to be i didnt think he was that bad
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 07, 2006, 08:05:07 AM
Ya I loved Jar Jar. hahaha I thought the end battle with Maul was the greatest. What is Jar Jar came in all dark hooded and cloaked after Obi-wan killed Maul and was like "Me-sa don't tink you should've done tat" *whoosh* kills obi-wan. hahaha Sorry I always go on about Jar Jar. Maul was the coolest. I thought qui-gon was an awesome character also.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on March 07, 2006, 08:10:42 AM
Ya qui gon was awesome,

And thats funny you mention that about Jar Jar did you ever see that short fan film about him?
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Timmy-Wan Kenobi on March 07, 2006, 08:20:51 AM
Looks like I'm going to follow the (nerf?) herd on this one.
An 8 it is.
I think Jar Jar was a bit irritating, but you get used to him.
but did have a few let downs revolving around Anakin,
Yep, that's why it didn't get a nine or even a ten.
On the up side, I really enjoyed Liam Neeson's portrayal of Qui-Gon, and the 'Duel of the Fates' duel was one of the great sci-fi battles of all time, IMO.
All in all, I don't consider TPM to be the let down that many have accused it of being, expectations were high and it was inevitable that it would have it's critics. I, myself, am a dyed-in-the-wool OT fan, but I wouldn't let that stop me from enjoying TPM, and I was blown away when I first saw it.
I'm still in therapy... :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 07, 2006, 08:28:42 AM
I mean darth maul is what a sith should be. I mean too bad he had to die in tpm. Same with qui-gon. Why couldn't they both LIVE!!!! :'(
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Timmy-Wan Kenobi on March 07, 2006, 08:44:29 AM
I agree, they were both superb characters, and seeing the aging Jedi battle the younger and power hungry Sith was definately a highlight of the film.
Unfortunately they both had to be sacrificed to the god of plotlines...
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sephiroth on March 07, 2006, 12:25:41 PM
I thought I would make polls for each episode so we can see peoples opinion's on each episode. Myself I would give TPM an 8. I thought it was really good.

I concur!   But about the only good things in the movie were Liam Neeson and Darth Maul, but they alone bring this movie up to an 8!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on March 07, 2006, 12:30:55 PM
Liam Neeson and Darth Maul were awesome, i also like Obi Wan he was probly my favorite through the whole PT
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Anakin2 on March 07, 2006, 12:34:53 PM
Darth Maul was the Cat's Pajamas
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sephiroth on March 07, 2006, 12:35:48 PM
Qui-Gon >>> all
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: AAYLA SECURA on March 07, 2006, 01:04:45 PM
7. TPM is my least favorite SW movie. It could have been way better... too much Jar Jar and silly stuff like the Eopie passing gas.  ::)  Darth Maul, Sidious, and Qui-Gon were the best things about TPM.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darthirishman on March 07, 2006, 01:23:41 PM
I thought TPM is ok nothing special might be the worst of the movies
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sephiroth on March 07, 2006, 01:41:54 PM
What?

What the xxx is wrong with you people?   AOTC is the worst of the movies because Hayden absolutely SUCKED in it.  It was embarassing.   The Obi-Wan/Dex scene, Obi-Wan on Kamino, and Windu crashing Dooku's party were the ONLY good parts, the rest of the movie was a running joke.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Streetwalker on March 07, 2006, 03:28:44 PM
What?

What the xxx is wrong with you people?   AOTC is the worst of the movies because Hayden absolutely SUCKED in it.  It was embarassing.   The Obi-Wan/Dex scene, Obi-Wan on Kamino, and Windu crashing Dooku's party were the ONLY good parts, the rest of the movie was a running joke.

Ummm...are you in the right place?  No one said any thing about Attack of the Clones cause this is the thread about The Phantom Menace.  ::)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 07, 2006, 03:36:18 PM
Ya I will have to agree with Streetwalker. Even though AOTC is my least favourite, you should add that comment in the AOTC. Thanks. I thought TPM was awesome, for me it is in 4th place out of the whole saga. I really enjoyed this. I think Darth Maul was the coolest villian. I mean he is a Iridonian (or however you spell it). Plus with the sweet sith tatoos. I mean opening up the PT with him was a smart move.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Bandit-Jedi on March 07, 2006, 03:45:49 PM
10!

Darth Maul...nuff said.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sephiroth on March 07, 2006, 03:47:45 PM
10!

Darth Maul...nuff said.

AGREED'd
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Pantsless on March 07, 2006, 11:34:14 PM
I really rate TPM, I think it became so much more important with the completion of the trilogy.

Even though he didn't have much of an appearance, Sidious sent chills through my spine.

9

AOTC let the bag down.

(Thinks of the simpsons episode where lenny and carl are duelling with glowing uranium rods "I say the phantom menace sucked more" "And I say attack of the clones sucked more"
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: darthmaddy on March 08, 2006, 12:13:19 AM
"Sweet Sith tattoos" ;D  You're hilarious Ki!  Just imagining Napoleon Dynamite saying it.  Lots of points for Qui Gon and Maul, but subtract a lot for too many CG characters(mostly Jar Jar.)  They make it look a little too cartoonish.  The next two episode refined the CG, but TPM should have had less, it just doesn't look as good.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 08, 2006, 03:26:22 PM
hahaha thanks DM. But it so true those are nice tats. If I was truly evil in real life and totally into sith I would so get those hahaha.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on March 08, 2006, 03:52:03 PM
loved TPM.......but i do have a few problems w/ it. 1st, they should never have killed off Qui-Gon so quickly....awesome character. 2nd, theres no way obi would have taken out maul!!! maul would have pasted him. especially the whole hangin off the edge thingy flip around force pull QG's saber and blast him in half.....no way......totally wasnt believable...IMHO
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 08, 2006, 03:54:12 PM
Well I agree. I think all 3 should've walked out of there alive. Obi-wan caught him off guard though, but that is the only reason. There is no way Obi-wan could've beat him by him in lightsaber combat because Maul was owning them when there were 2! hahaha
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on March 08, 2006, 03:56:34 PM
exactly my point KAM.....they should have had maul escape just like dooku did in AOTC. but then again, GL is a millionaire and i work my XXX off everyday, lol
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 08, 2006, 04:00:51 PM
Ya but if Qui-gon lived we wouldn't no about Dooku, all there would be is Qui-gon Jinn, AKA Darth Tyranus. haha Sounds like a good trade, we trade Dooku for Maul and Qui-gon. haha Well Qui-gon would've has to kill Maul if he were to become Sith. We can't have 3 sith, or so GL says.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: PLO KOON on March 09, 2006, 05:15:30 AM
Qui-Gon a sith? INteresting.. i find it hard to imagine though. Wonder what Obi-wan would do if things turned out that way... ?? ..
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: darthmaddy on March 09, 2006, 06:38:17 AM
hahaha thanks DM. But it so true those are nice tats. If I was truly evil in real life and totally into sith I would so get those hahaha.
I've been saying that for years!LOL  If I had an extra body...I was thinking about getting my chest done with part of it, but I could probably get an LE for what it'd cost.  I think the only reason Maul died was because GL needed Sidious to have someone to run the Confederacy and Maul wasn't quite a charismatic leader.  I think the Prequels would've been a lot better if Qui Gon had stayed around to take Dooku's part.  Story actually would've been much more moving.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on March 09, 2006, 09:03:43 AM
correct me if im wrong....qui-gon was dooku's apprentice right? that i would havbe liked to seen...QG and dooku goin at it.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 09, 2006, 03:25:39 PM
Ya but Qui-gon probably would've been Yoda's apprentice if he took Dooku's place. I mean the only reason they said Dooku was Qui-gon's master so it would so some connection.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Nhoj-pas Anner on March 10, 2006, 01:51:07 PM
that movie was the least impressive....too much of a borderline kids movie.
jar-jar was a disgrace!!!! >:(

darth maul an qui-gon were awesome though.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on March 11, 2006, 11:47:54 AM
that movie was the least impressive....too much of a borderline kids movie.
jar-jar was a disgrace!!!! >:(

darth maul an qui-gon were awesome though.

aboslutel.....the last fight sequence was incrediable.......but jar-jar was a horrible decision!! should have killed him off!!!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: toos on March 11, 2006, 06:42:18 PM
I liked it...but thought it was a little slow at times...but overall it was good! ;)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Pantsless on March 11, 2006, 08:41:37 PM
It's funny but two years ago everyone used to bag TPM nonstop. I think now that everything is complete and ppl see how everything fits together they realise that it's actually a good movie with a few minor let downs
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 11, 2006, 08:42:42 PM
I never bagged TPM! How dare you! ;) JK
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on March 11, 2006, 10:29:08 PM
It's funny but two years ago everyone used to bag TPM nonstop. I think now that everything is complete and ppl see how everything fits together they realise that it's actually a good movie with a few minor let downs

thats a good point DP....i wasnt a huge fan of TPM at first myself....but now that all 3 are done...you can put everything together.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Junta Baill on March 12, 2006, 05:34:10 AM
TPM is not only the worst Star Wars movie, it is one of the worst movies in the history of film.

There are lots of good things in the movie:  Qui-Gon, Darth Maul, and the sweet lightsaber battle.  However, as a complete package, the movie stinks.  The script is terribly unoriginal and, again, the dialogue is BRUTAL.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Hamill82 on March 12, 2006, 06:25:26 AM
I would give 7. Darth Maul was really cool character, Qui-Gon Jinn was great, but on the otherhand Jar Jar stinks so much in TPM and Jake Lloyd also, that it's 7 out of 10.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 16, 2006, 05:11:19 PM
I liked TPM from the beginning. It is still one of my favourites. Everyone is just copying me now because they are like OMG KI-ADI likes TPM....Oh ya I like it too. :D hahaha
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 16, 2006, 05:12:32 PM
Hey everyone check out the ego on this guy! ;)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 16, 2006, 05:15:27 PM
haha you guys know I am just playing around.....or am I? ;) hahaha ya I am. :D hahaha
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 16, 2006, 05:16:42 PM
I know. I liked TPM from the begining also. I was only 10 what did I know about movies. ;) :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 16, 2006, 05:20:18 PM
Ya it came out in 1999 right? I would've been only 8 or 9. Now it is 06 and I am 15, in about 6 months I am 16 an able to drive. But sorry for going off topic haha. TPM rules! ;)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 16, 2006, 05:22:31 PM
I'm getting my permit over the summer and in a year and 3 months......ROAD RAGE baby!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on March 16, 2006, 05:24:36 PM
Nice. Ya I have my learners right now but I just have to wait till my sweet sixteen haha. I think my favourite parts were the beginning of TPM and the end. The middle is ok. I like the gungan city. So cool.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 16, 2006, 05:27:36 PM
My brother has his lisense and we are gonna have to share a car, which sucks. I don't really have a favorite part except for the duel.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Hamill82 on March 16, 2006, 05:30:41 PM
I love the ending of The Phantom Menace mainly.  ;)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 25, 2006, 04:56:50 PM
Yeah thats probably the best part
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: The Professor on March 28, 2006, 06:57:37 PM
I loved episode I.  The whole essence of the new effects, the entire film, and starting the whole prequel trilogy line was just amazing to me.  Plus the fight at the end, the music, and seeing a young Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time fight sold it to me.  Because before that time all you ever knew of Obi-Wan was an old man from the old trilogy who was defeated by Vader and mentored Luke as a ghost. You never really got to see him in his prime.  It's similiar if you were to see Michael Jordan play ten years from now compared to how he played in the 80's and 90's.  So with all the new stuff episode I was awesome for me.  I gave it a 10.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Powered Convoy on March 28, 2006, 07:38:25 PM
I like it about as much as AotC, but I gave it a 6.  I really like Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in this movie.  The lightsaber fight at the end may still be the best there is.  You have to love Darth Maul.  Anakin and Jar Jar annoy me, but to varying degrees (it changes upon viewing).  I also like how Padme doesn't take lip from anyone.

Randy
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on March 28, 2006, 08:14:12 PM
to be honest i was more annoyed by Anakin in this one than i was by Jar Jar
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: The Professor on March 28, 2006, 08:30:36 PM
I don't know I think Jar Jar was the most annoying character out of all the Star Wars movies period.  It's just the whole concept of bringing silliness or too much humor into these kinda movies that annoys me.  But I know it was all done for the sake of the kids.  I'm just the kinda person that like the seriousness of it all especially having to do whith the jedi and sith over all the other sub-material such as the humor.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 29, 2006, 10:58:30 AM
Padme annoyed me quite a bit in Episode I, I just hated that phoney voice she used as the Queen to sound serious. Really annoying
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on March 29, 2006, 11:03:45 AM
still wanted her, hott!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on March 29, 2006, 11:39:56 AM
not so much in TPM more in AOTC
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: ani104 on March 29, 2006, 12:29:44 PM
I gve it 8.5, and I rounded up, so thats 9 ;)

I agree with the Chancellor, I liked the ending best :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on April 09, 2006, 07:40:46 PM
I gve it 8.5, and I rounded up, so thats 9 ;)

I agree with the Chancellor, I liked the ending best :)

I enjoyed this one the 2nd best. Behind ROTS. I gave it a 9. With Jar-Jar, I used the Force to help me understand his.......how should I put this, his intellectual indescrepensies. The Duel of the Fates is the best fight scene ever in a movie, largely due to the fact that there was no sepciel effects incorporated in this fight. Just old fashion blood, sweat and cable teams!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: ani104 on April 12, 2006, 01:47:19 AM
Intulectual indesceipensies  :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Master Kepler on May 04, 2006, 02:41:58 PM
Two factors pursuaded me to give it a 9 and not a 10.

1) Jar-Jar Binks.

2) Little backround-jedi involvement.


It's the best one out of the PT because it didn't rely on CGI and it was well-written.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 04, 2006, 05:32:39 PM
Ya I love the background jedi! But I love jar jar also! hahahaha I loved TPM.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on May 04, 2006, 06:20:07 PM
Jar Jar wasn't that bad. When I went to the midnight showing of ROTS, a lot of people were wearing costumes, but there was this one guy wearing Jar Jar mask with a sign saying  "STOP THE HATE" so I stopped hating :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: The Professor on May 05, 2006, 08:06:21 PM
still wanted her, hott!

Yeah she was pretty hot but I was feeling Keira Knightly more than her even though she was in the movie a lot less that sucked.  She's still hella hot.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Pantsless on May 05, 2006, 10:16:49 PM
still wanted her, hott!

Yeah she was pretty hot but I was feeling Keira Knightly more than her even though she was in the movie a lot less that sucked.  She's still hella hot.

Keira Knightly was like thirteen then you sicko (I still haven't even worked out which handmaiden she was yet)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 06, 2006, 09:42:55 AM
So Kiera was actually in TPM? Weird. Oh well I think Kiera is good-looking in Pirates of the Carribean. Can't wait for the second and third!!!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on May 06, 2006, 12:51:19 PM
still wanted her, hott!

Yeah she was pretty hot but I was feeling Keira Knightly more than her even though she was in the movie a lot less that sucked.  She's still hella hot.

Keira Knightly was like thirteen then you sicko (I still haven't even worked out which handmaiden she was yet)

I thought she was the queens double
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Xanatos on May 09, 2006, 11:31:41 PM
My rating is 10. In my opinion, it is the best episode of all SW episodes. TPM has good story, good characters, good action. Also my lovest character - Qui-Gon Jinn exists only in PH, so...I love this movie.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 10, 2006, 12:37:30 AM
Ya I really like Qui-gon also. Liam did a good job. Just too bad he wasn't in EP 2 and 3.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Xanatos on May 10, 2006, 07:23:29 AM
Quote
Just too bad he wasn't in EP 2 and 3.
Actually, he was. When Anakin was killing Tuskan people, Yoda heard, that Qui-Gon screams: Anakin, no!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 10, 2006, 04:07:23 PM
Well ya but I mean he didn't actually show him. I mean I have heard stuff like he was originally supposed to be in Dooku's spot were he would go to the darkside and fight obi-wan and anakin. Now that would just be so awesome.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Xanatos on May 10, 2006, 07:42:48 PM
No, I don't like the idea of him falling to the dark side. :-\
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jaden Korr on May 10, 2006, 07:45:56 PM
ya Qui Gon's will is too strong to fall to the darkside, if anything he would separate from the order and republic cuz he sensed its corruption and be a separatist and maybe a grey jedi but never fully dark
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 10, 2006, 08:34:43 PM
Remember Qui-gon was like in the backseat of a car and the force is driving it. He said the will of the force guides him, he truly meant that and the will was for him to go to the darkside, I am sure he would. I love the idea of him as darkside, but I guess that is just my opinion.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: The Professor on May 13, 2006, 10:42:40 AM
still wanted her, hott!

Yeah she was pretty hot but I was feeling Keira Knightly more than her even though she was in the movie a lot less that sucked.  She's still hella hot.

Keira Knightly was like thirteen then you sicko (I still haven't even worked out which handmaiden she was yet)

Haha Dude I was only thirteen then too.  lol  And Keira was the Queen's decoy.  You can see her especially well when she and the Viceroy where walking down those steps and she was in that all black outfit and when they were all interrupted by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. 
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: ani104 on May 13, 2006, 02:21:21 PM
Lets stay on the topic guys ;)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on May 28, 2006, 11:02:58 AM
loved TPM.......but i do have a few problems w/ it. 1st, they should never have killed off Qui-Gon so quickly....awesome character. 2nd, theres no way obi would have taken out maul!!! maul would have pasted him. especially the whole hangin off the edge thingy flip around force pull QG's saber and blast him in half.....no way......totally wasnt believable...IMHO

The question as to why Kenobi fairs well against Maul, yet let's the cat out of the bag against Dooku has always boggled me. It wasn't until I read the novel adaptation of Attack of the Clones. It shed light by Kenobi reminiscing about switching from Form IV: Ataru (Acrobatics; disadvantage in a confined space) to Form III: Soresu (Defensive blocking blaster bolts; ironically, young padawans train against a double-bladed lightsaber wielded by Jedi trainers to imitate the speed of someone using a blaster) This is how Kenobi caught Maul off-guard for a moment during his duel. But when the saber was severed, Maul reverted to using a single saber techniques. Maul also engaged in utilizing his fear and anger, which overwhelmed Kenobi. That is how it becomes believable.

As for Dooku against Kenobi, Dooku had mastered Form II: Makashi (pure Lightsaber combat style; very similar to fencing) This is a very fluent and continuous flow of parries, strikes and slashes. Unlike Maul's form, which left some openings for Kenobi to strike, Dooku's rarely left any openings and Kenobi, at that time, was mastering mostly defensive maneuvers that didn't utilize as many attacking postures. This left Obi-Wan overwhelmed. If Anakin and Obi-Wan attacked together, they would most likely overcome Dooku. (Anakin form is very heavy attacks, Form V: Djem So; Form II is vulnerable to these types of attacks)

But this all in the Star Wars Universe, not in our reality. Add the fact that the Sith and Jedi are able to influence the Force and read it's predictability, it all becomes believable.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on May 28, 2006, 01:54:23 PM
Very Interesting BF. Sounds accurate enough.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on June 03, 2006, 11:51:30 AM
Very Interesting BF. Sounds accurate enough.

Thanks Ki. It combined research effort of the Lightsaber Forms, the AOTC novel's explanation and the Star Wars Archives combined together, with personal martial art experience and common sense putting the pieces together. Besides, alot of these theories assist when choregraphing my current fight scene. (Currently have 12 seconds of sequence. Had to revert to wooden poles for now. My spare FXs are taking a good beating. Save those for the final cut. Hopefully it'll be ready by the end of the summer.) :o
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: trexy on June 05, 2006, 11:45:13 AM
Ya I really like Qui-gon also. Liam did a good job. Just too bad he wasn't in EP 2 and 3.

Yes , I was actually expecting him in EP 3
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on June 05, 2006, 05:06:19 PM
Ya it would've been cool to actually show Qui-gon as a ghost.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Xanatos on June 05, 2006, 06:34:35 PM
Why Lucas didn't make Qui-Gon ghost, I don't understand. ??? It would have been wonderful to see him again, not just his voice. But voice was Liam's, right?
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: djforce on June 24, 2006, 11:24:40 AM
It was okay so a 7 no 6
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: destrius on August 16, 2006, 04:22:26 PM
I give TPM a 5. Why? Because Jar Jar binks brought it down 9 points! The awsome fight at the end with Darth Maul brought it up 4 points. So i give it a 5.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Goffa on August 21, 2006, 10:38:11 AM
I'd give TPM a 7, Darth Maul is so awesome.. but Jar Jar Binks definately brings it down a notch, so those two counter each other out and the final result is.. an average score!  Oh and Qui-Gon was an awesome Jedi Master too.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Lord Revan on August 31, 2006, 11:04:18 AM
I gave it a 10 because not only did it recreate the franchise, but it reminds me of my childhood! ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: The Negotiator on August 31, 2006, 06:22:10 PM
I also gave it an 8.  Jar Jar definetly was funny.  I really didnt like the period in the desert getting ani. 
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on August 31, 2006, 07:53:11 PM
I gave it a 10 because not onlyb did it recreate the franchise, but it reminds me of my childhood! ;D

I totally agree with that. Best Summer E-V-E-R!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Dark Skywalker on September 01, 2006, 08:35:31 PM
I also gave it an 8.  Jar Jar definetly was funny.  I really didnt like the period in the desert getting ani. 

That was when the pace of the movie started to pick up. The whole begining was a bit dull for me. If I recall correctly I rated it a 9 I think
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Forevernight on September 28, 2006, 04:39:11 AM
I thought the Phatom Menace was ok.. Hated Jar Jar and i HATED the kid that played Ani. To me he was all wrong, didnt work for me.  Maul and Qui Gon were great. Great 3 man duel.  they should have carried Maul into ROTS and killed of Dooku in Pantom Menace. Would have been better IMO.
 I liked Chris Lee as Dooku.  Vincent Price would have been awesome as Dooku but, he was too old
and hes dead.. ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Vosk on December 06, 2006, 07:53:27 PM
I don't remember what I voted for this.  I think it was an 8, maybe a 9.  This film was pretty good.  I am amongst very few who didn't mind Jar Jar or the little deals with Anakin saying, "Yipee".  The battle between Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan definitely was the highlight of the film.  This film gave us a look for the first time ever for a Star Wars movie showing a lightsaber duel between two Jedi and a Sith Lord.  That was fracking awesome.  This is easily my third favorite film of the saga.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Knuckle01 on December 14, 2006, 05:00:10 PM
well if they would have had darth maul wax jar jar....i would have given it a 10
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ki-Adi on December 14, 2006, 07:52:30 PM
Although that would never happen, because Darth Maul would try but knowing Jar Jar he would accidently do something that takes out Maul. Like when he accidently kills a couple droids with the gun attached to his leg haha.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on December 15, 2006, 10:51:55 AM
 :D Jar Jar....What a Homer Simpson, eh? :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: PRINCESS LEIA on February 26, 2007, 01:06:06 PM
 ;) That's a funny way of putting it.This was a hard question for me because I look at the Star Wars Saga as one book or one movie the movie themselves as chapters.TPM did its part the introduction of characters,and the saga as a whole.Just as Obi was the Central theme in the original
series=the motovation on Luke's part.Qui-Gon is the central  motovation on Obi's and Anakin's part.I loved Phantom Menace.Even Jar Jar.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on March 25, 2007, 12:19:57 PM
Whatever reservations people have about TPM all I can say is this: When I saw Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan draw their lightsabers for the first time it was a thought made reality for me. When I would play SW as a kid, everyone would want to be Luke, Han, Chewie.....not me, I always wanted to be Ben. I always looked at the aged Jedi and imagined what they would have been like in their prime. TPM made that flesh and blood on celluloid. :'(  And that fight scene, I always KNEW Jedi could fight like that and more :).
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Cyano Khaar on April 21, 2007, 08:21:53 PM
10

This is my favorite star wars movie. I loved the locations and one word...QUI GON. He was awsome, and I prefer Obi wan as a padawan than a master, he just seems more suited to be one. I loved mos espa, dunno why, just did. This had the best duel in the entire series with Darth maul. Also, the movie has a ton of nostalgic memories for me. I saw this when I was about 7, and it was something I had never experienced before in my life, such a cool thing. I would go around pretending to be Obi wan all the time, he was my idol. I loved the PC video game that was released with it too (I know it sucked by standards, but back when you are 7, anything amazed you).
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on April 23, 2007, 07:18:12 AM
Ya, there was something about this film that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I don't know if it was because I saw it in a big theatre in Hamilton, ON or if it was because that was all I could think of that summer. I was on a military course that summer and it was the major inspiration. All I can think of to describe it is MAGICAL.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on April 23, 2007, 11:10:39 AM
When I saw Qui-Gon on screen for the first time it was everything I imagined the Jedi would be when old Ben first spoke about them back in his hut on Tattooine. Qui-Gon is the man. :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on April 24, 2007, 11:47:18 AM
And he was a maverick of sorts......Not crusty like Mace or Yoda was first portrayed as..... :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: PRINCESS LEIA on April 24, 2007, 12:34:44 PM
When I saw Qui-Gon on screen for the first time it was everything I imagined the Jedi would be when old Ben first spoke about them back in his hut on Tattooine. Qui-Gon is the man. :)
;D ;D He's always been THE MAN for me!!! :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on April 24, 2007, 04:35:15 PM
In the book "Cloak of Deception" Yoda describes Qui-Gon in this way, "A true Knight Qui-Gon is, always on a quest." that pretty much sums him up to me. :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on April 24, 2007, 06:55:59 PM
Does Qui-Gon crave adventure?????
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on April 24, 2007, 07:32:58 PM
He simply follows the will of the Living Force. ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: HAN SOLO on April 24, 2007, 07:45:44 PM
So like after having a good drink, he "feels the Force flowing through him."
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: PRINCESS LEIA on April 24, 2007, 07:57:50 PM
 ;D"But at not the expence of the moment my young Padawan" If you like Jedi reading material,I know I've been pushing this,I strongly recommend
Jedi Apprentice-relationship of Qui and Obi before Epi I.Jedi Quest-Obi and Anakin before the Clone Wars.Last of the Jedi-The Jedi after ROTS. They are really good stories and they flesh out the characters alot more + There is a big book that contains both Secrets and Legacy of the Jedi
That goes with the series and there's a short story about Obi and the Tuskens.They're short reading,but they well enlighten you well :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on April 25, 2007, 10:30:16 AM
So like after having a good drink, he "feels the Force flowing through him."

Lol! :D Aye.

Hey Jedineeson! All of those are high on my reading list, right now I'm reading "Labirynth of Evil". Thanks for the recommendations! :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: PRINCESS LEIA on April 25, 2007, 12:44:03 PM
So like after having a good drink, he "feels the Force flowing through him."
It seems he passed it on to Obi in ATOC and in ANH :D Dosen't Yoda say Pass on what you have learned.I'm sure he has a still in that swamp
somewhere.
Jedi Knight Logan-You won't reget about them books,They're easy reading too.I found myself starting the series over a couple of days ago.I hope you can find them.They're getting kind of scarce
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ulic Qel-Droma on April 25, 2007, 01:00:16 PM
I gave TPM an 8. Good film, great fight scenes, but a couple of things, like explaining the force with midichlorians, and Jar Jar, were a bit weak, but you can see past those in the end. I enjoyed the diplomacy element also.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jedi Knight Logan on April 29, 2007, 10:34:56 AM
I'm not crazy about making  the Force a blood borne pathogen either. ;D But I agree, overall a good 1st chapter in a 6 part story. :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Kai Kudo on July 26, 2007, 04:32:41 AM
I gave TPM an 8. Good film, great fight scenes, but a couple of things, like explaining the force with midichlorians, and Jar Jar, were a bit weak, but you can see past those in the end. I enjoyed the diplomacy element also.
I'm not crazy about making  the Force a blood borne pathogen either. ;D But I agree, overall a good 1st chapter in a 6 part story. :)
I have to agree with the both of you, I thought it was a good start to the series. :)

Kai 8)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Guardian on February 14, 2008, 09:10:28 AM
I thought this movie did a good job of transitioning from the original trilogy.

It had to make a whole different galaxy, because the Republic was still in control.

George Lucas did a good job on this one I think.  But the original trilogy will always be my favorites.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Ishi-Goturi on February 14, 2008, 09:41:32 AM
I thought this was a very good movie. Everyone loves Qui-Gon and Darth Maul, regardless of how good they think TPM was. Watto is great too. :D lol The podrace is always fun to watch, and I think this is one of the best movies to show someone of any age or fan-density, shall we say (although I must assert that first-timers should always watch the movies in the order of their theatrical releases).

A bit offtopic here, but I just noticed something: Firefox recognizes "Darth," "Vader," and "Yoda" as actual words, but not "Skywalker." ??? lol
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: hullbreach on February 14, 2008, 11:12:43 AM
-2 for Jar Jar, -2 for Jake Lloyd. Overall this pic, weakest of the new three, gets a 6. And that's only b/c it's got the words "Star Wars" in the title.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: MasterScott831 on February 20, 2008, 08:08:11 AM
Easily the best of the PT. Qui-Gon and Darth Maul were the greatest characters ever. It had a great final fight scene. Obi-Wan was exactly how I pictured a jedi padawan (I was 11 when I first saw it). Anakin and Jar Jar didn't really bother me that much at the time. Padme/Queen Amidala was that rare 3 dimensional character. Which was amazing since Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly were only 13 and 14 at the time. The only complaint I have was the progression of the movie. Compared to the AOTC and ROTS, I give TPM a 9.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sidneyious on February 19, 2009, 12:35:08 AM
Cant beleave I never voted in this one.

And whats really funny is as of this post there are 1999 views the same year the film came out. :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jasher Kain on February 19, 2009, 02:45:51 AM
With Empire getting the perfect 10, and Episode III coming in second with 9, this movie was my third favorite and gets an 8. I LOVED Obi-Wan in this movie, loved his lightsaber, loved Qui-Gon and Maul, and adored the Epic Battle and the musical score.

BUT Jar-Jar's annoying presence, Jake Lloyd, the Midichlorian BS, and Portman's bad acting detracted from this film.
...yet this didn't stop me from paying $80 to see the movie 10 times in the theater just so I could watch the last 20 minutes.  ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Qui-gol Reyah on February 19, 2009, 06:30:01 AM
6.

____

Pluses: 

*Community:  Seeing Jedi Knights when they were still the "guardians of peace and justice" in the Old Republic.  The Jedi Council, Qui Gon,  Obi Wan as apprentice, gives you a feeling of what was (will be) lost during "The Great Purge."

*Swordplay:  Sure, 4, 5, and 6 had some neat scenes as far as the lightsabers, but you're looking at a cyborg (Vader) fighting an old man (Obi) or a young almost-Jedi (Luke).  None of them are really at the top of their form.  Sure, special effects technology being what it was at the time, this is understandable.  But seeing how a Jedi with proper training can really dish it out makes for amazing visuals.  Ray Park as Maul is inspired -- having a true master at combat perform/train with the actors makes his scenes truly spectacular.

*Scenery/Sets:  wonderful feel to the city scenes of Naboo and Coruscant, again to give the impression that the galaxy is vast, cosmopolitan in places, and not just a "wild west" group of planets that we've seen in 4, 5 and 6.  Really, up 'til now the only planets we've seen are backwater "nowhere" locales.  Sure, there is the scene at the end of ROTJ with partying all over the place, but NOW we really get a glimpse at what else is out there.

*Action:  Once we get set up for it, special effects and visuals and sound effects really take us on a ride!  Lightsaber play in the first five minutes equals AWESOME!!  Underwater hijinx, escape from Naboo, podracers(!!!), the final 30 mins between outer space battle and saber dueling--all great gut-wrenching action scenes that really help pin the movie together in spite of its minuses (and there are many in my book).

___

Minuses:

*Jar-Jar:  Could have been as good as Chewbacca.  From a movie standpoint, I do believe a character was necessary both to get our heroes into a war in Naboo and to show that there are other races with much at stake in this galaxy.  That's fine.  This would have been the perfect opportunity for young Padawan Obi to wake up to the "living force," like Qui Gon is always telling him to do.  Could have even gone "eco" or "green" with the message--Jar-Jar sez:  Meesa say recycle, kids!!" 
But why turn him into a buffoon?  C'mon, that's what the 'droids are for, and they can keep it witty and full of banter.  Jar-jar turns any attempt at lightening up the movie into a cheap slapstick; it doesn't lighten up the crowd, it both DIStracts us when we don't want to be distracted, and DEtracts from the tone of the movie enough to take us out of this world that has been so painstakingly created.  It would be like Frodo smiling and winking at the camera as a sparkle flashes on his teeth.  Wrong Wrong Wrong. 

*Yoda:  The dood is 800 years old!  What is this, is he fresh from a face-lift?  I know it takes some time for the skin to come back into shape after those.  Seriously though, if we're looking at, say 35 or even 50 years between here and when Luke meets him, his appearance would not change as much as the difference here.  Big mistake.  Oh, and the constant grammar shifts.  Ugh -- a flippin' break, give me.  Sure he throws them in during ESB and ROTJ, but not to the extent that we all have to break out our 7th grade English books and diagram his sentences.  If he really ALWAYS talked like that, this would have been a line in ESB "At me, look.  By my size, judge me, do you?"  It really gets dumb later on (The most tortured line in ROTS -- "Not if anything to say about it, I have." C'mon.  How can anyone possibly sound menacing like that?  It's not enough that he's small and green, you have to give him a speech defect too?)

*Script:  The story is fine, but there are some real clunkers in the script.  Confusion and redundancy abound.  Let's have a little more exposition between the Trade Federation and the Senate after Obi and Qui Gon escape, so we know more about the conflict and what's at stake.  Let's have only ONE, REALLY GOOD underwater creature that gets picked off by another -- why TWO?  Dialouge is painful at times.  Some cutscenes force the audience to switch gears before the full import of what just happened is taken in.  Small stuff, but it all adds up.

*Acting:  Sorry to be a jerk, but whoa.  Natalie Portman can act, but didn't get the right direction.  Poor Lloyd was cute, but way out of his league (I would have gone for the Osment kid from A.I and Sixth Sense (Sith Sense?  Ha!))  Of course Jar-Jar's body movements are okay, but the digital characters as a whole make for hard-to-read facial expressions and subsequently make it hard for us to empathize with them, whether Trade Feds or Gungans or Sebulba or whoever.

*Plot:  By this, I'm talking not only of the plot of the movie, but also of certain plot devices that don't drive the story the way they should.  Midichlorians -- not needed (my thoughts on that here (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=16111.0;topicseen), if you're still reading this :))  More setup of Trade Federation as mentioned above -- needed.  More expo of Qui Gon -- needed.  More coverage of how in the world the Council would let a fresh ex-padawan take on an apprentice -- DEFINITELY needed.*  Turning Jar-jar into someone who could really get the Gungans behind the good guys in the battle at the end -- needed.  Finding a way to kill Darth Maul without him falling prey to a simple move that takes too long to complete -- needed big-time (how in the world would such a terrific fighter fall prey to that last move?  My aunt Ginnie could step away in time, even with her bum leg).

All this stuff combines to give 'er a 6.  Sure, it's fun to watch, and has some great stuff, but Rick McCallum (producer) and George had no one to tell them "That's not right," and "that looks/sounds/feels dumb," and they had too much money.  And the result is a gem of the rarest stone, but it's just not cut and polished all that well.

___

Ratings in a nutshell:

TPM - 6
AOTC - 7
ROTS - 8
ANH - 9
ESB - 10
ROTJ - 8

*AND ANOTHER THING!:  Okay, so this kid is choc full of Midichlorians, he's afraid all the time, the Council has doubts about if he should even be TRAINED.  Yoda even thinks it's a bad move.  With all that stuff stacked up against Anakin, the Council decides to give his training over to a wet-behind-the-ears Obi Wan, who still needs to work on his "living force" sense and who's master was just killed?  "Sense a great disturbance in the plot, I do."

Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: wallcrawler on March 11, 2009, 07:07:38 AM
I think it gets a seven, like others have said its the start of the trilogy and so its setting up the story. 1 point off because of Jar Jar and gungans, 1 off because of mediclorians, 1 off because of the virgin birth (seriously lucas come on) but i still think its actually better than the other two, which relied too much on digital effects with green screen, and putting more jedi on the screen. Good pace a well thought out political story, amazing lightsaber scenes, jedi as peace keepers and not sat morning heros, Qui Gon, Obi Wan, Yoda as a puppet (although not as realistic as esb), 3po as a robot (not a cgi laden goof), exciting pod race.

It's star wars unfortunately and as much as i have much love for the series it was never going to be shakespere.

Oh one last thing, when people raise that the lightsaber scenes were not as good in anh forward compared to the prequals because of the half man half cyborg vader and old man obi wan, that is a sound and logical argument that Lucas himself put forward. However he shot himself and alot of the fans in the head with it when he put, Master swordsmen Dooku (old), Yoda(old), and GENERAL GRIEVOUS (about 2% biological) into the next two. Sorry but its another example of what happens when a director gets above himself and his material and has no one that doesn't kiss his xxx advising him (watch the extras on any episode extra discs regarding preproduction for this).

Again i still think this is the best episode, probably coz Lucas wasn't off the chain so much. Unfortunately the next two followed culminating in a cgi cartoon of the clone wars where anakin gets the most irritating padawan (snips? come on can anyone see Hayden Christian saying that?)and the nightmare that was Indie 4. I digress sorry
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Qui-gol Reyah on March 11, 2009, 07:20:39 AM
Indy 4...don't get me stahted!   :-X

I've made it my mission to use the term "Nuke the 'fridge" at least once a week for a year from this film's release date.  It's like a monk's penance.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Tulak Hord on March 12, 2009, 06:25:57 PM
I gave it a 8 beacuse it wasnt extermely great, non the less a great movie with a great ending. its a shame quigon died though.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Clonas on March 19, 2009, 02:35:06 PM
I give it a seven. I'm not saying it sucks but i'm saying i think its the worst SW video.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Plaguis on April 21, 2009, 12:29:40 AM
I gave this one a 8 mainly because I thought it was ok, the only thing that saved it for me was Duel of the Fates at the end. Other than that I didn't take too much interest in this one  :-\
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: lordantwarrior on May 03, 2009, 05:30:49 PM
I actually have somewhat of a soft spot for TPM. It is much better than AOTC, let me put it that way. I just enjoy all the innocence of the atmosphere, like this is the Jedi at thier height, just going about thier everyday business (negotiations, dealing with the federation etc). Also Liam Neeson and Ewan Mcgregor are both very strong actors, something AOTC didn't have (I mean Mcgregor was good in AOTC but it was let down by Portman/Christensen). Neeson does a great job of portraying Qui Gon as almost the perfect Jedi. I was not around when the OT came out but my dad once told me he would often wonder what the much referred to Jedi of Eps I-III-the height of the Jedi order- were like, and he told me that when he first saw TPM, Qui Gon was the perfect representation of what he imagined. I think Qui Gon represents such a pure, noble Jedi Master; a man most worthy of the title. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy TPM, because it shows true Jedi doing everyday Jedi tasks, right before everything became complicated for them ;) Simpler times, as Obi-Wan would say.

This is of course not forgetting the matter of THAT duel between Qui Gon Jinn/Obi-Wan and Darth Maul, which makes this movie IMO- I enjoy watching the movie even if it's just to get to that scene. I could just watch it online as a clip, yes. But I enjoy the buildup that TPM offers, savouring every moment of the movie because I know that soon I will see Darth Maul standing there in the hanger ready to ignite both sides of his lightsaber :D. Yes I am that sad, but the duel is that good. I am staring at my double Maul FFX as we speak, just happy that I own the weapon of the great warrior!

That said (and back down to earth :P) TPM is not a flawless movie. The CGI armies particulary bother me. I enjoy the battle scene between the Gungan Grand Army and the Trade Fed battle droid army, but to me the CGI makes it feel... hollow. Also, two words: JAKE LLOYD >:( Never have I wanted to go all Darth Maul on a kid so bad, he is that annoying! Probarbly the biggest downside of the movie for me. I think Lucas picked the worst 2 possible actors to portray the early Darth Vader in Lloyd and Hayden. Surely non-befitting of the most Iconic Villain :(
On a side note, the whole Padme/Anakin thing is just weird when I see this movie. As if a 9 year old and a 15 year old are gonna be so smitten with each other! Get real, lol.

That said, it is not enough to ruin my enjoyment of Episode I. The action is great, and the music is top notch (especially the Duel of the Fates and the whole final battle sequences in space/on the plains of Naboo). I rated Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 8/10; the second best of the PT IMO.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Plaguis on May 09, 2009, 02:53:29 AM
Very well said Lordantwarrior. Yes I too am a huge Maul fan, in this movie I wish he would of been fleshed out more because in my eyes, Maul had the best potential to be one of the greatest sith's. He was ruthless, sleek, great warrior and established the double bladed saber to the Star Wars community :D Perhaps it had already been established by the community itself but lets face it, Darth Maul made EVERYBODY want to have a double bladed saber. Yes my Maul FX is one of my prides and joy's :)

Back to the movie, I agree with you that Liam Neeson was just amazing. I believe it was this movie that made me a Neeson fan :) Overall yes I did enjoy this movie for that awesome battle at the end but it is still an overall good watch now that I went back and watched it. :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: torque6 on August 06, 2009, 06:54:42 AM
If Park had more onscreen time as Darth maul, I would probably have given it a much better score. 5 for me.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Wraith on August 06, 2009, 03:24:35 PM
I give it a 6, now you take away Jar Jar, and I would give it an 8.  Jar Jar MUST DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!    because he makes me want to  :-X
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Xylon on September 29, 2009, 07:19:43 PM
i love TPM, i know alot of people say its mediocre and what not but i full on love it!! darth maul is the man....RIP XD
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Adamas Bellator on October 03, 2009, 12:59:42 AM
I agree with the majority on this thread.  Jar Jar  ???  What a joke.  The fight scene between Darth Maul/Obi Wan/Qui Gon... was the best part of the movie.  Out of all the SW movies... this one is the my least favorite.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: djobitwan7 on October 03, 2009, 11:54:33 AM
I give props to the duel fo the fates battle. Qui-gon was my god and it seemed wrong somehow to know that he was the best fighter of his generation and lost to Maul when, somehow Obi-wan prevailed. It had to happen though.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Shivilow on January 13, 2010, 04:04:16 PM
I agree with the majority on this thread.  Jar Jar  ???  What a joke.  The fight scene between Darth Maul/Obi Wan/Qui Gon... was the best part of the movie.  Out of all the SW movies... this one is the my least favorite.

I gave it a four because of Jar Jar yes I hate this bantha foder and i wish that they could have thought of something besides him please!!! make the gun gun stop talking!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: OakenMonk on May 02, 2010, 02:44:21 PM
 Eight out of ten.
I voted today because I hadn't seen the movie in at least two years ( :o ) despite having the DVD.
I really enjoyed it, a lot happened in it. It could have easily been made into two movies and neither one would seem like it was just filling time.
So I did feel it was too short for its content, especially in the beginning of the movie, it's hard to keep pace.
A flaw was Jar Jar, he wasn't that bad if I'm honest, I only found his scenes irritating as, like I already said, the film seemed squished into its length and the non essential parts featuring him (Getting his tongue caught, "How rude!" etc. ) I'm sure could have been better spent on other aspects.
I would not say get rid of the character altogether as he does offer comic relief and does play an essential role in the plot of the movie. Just cut down on his character development :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: WEDGE ANTILLES on May 05, 2010, 07:08:02 PM
follow:
- in ANH we had one conflict being resolved by all the main characters at the climax of the film. (blow up the death star).
- in ESB we had two seperate conflicts being resolved at the climax. (duel vader; save han).
- in ROTJ we had three conflicts being resolved at the climax. (destroy sheild generator; duel vader; blow up death star).
- in TPM we had FOUR conflicts at once. (capture viceroy; destroy droid control ship; gungun battle; duel Maul).

at some point, he's just doing this for the sake of it.   ::) 
(its not that TPM was too short for its content ; its more like, the content was intentionally obtuse for the sake of carrying on a needless pattern of self-indulgence on the part of the film-maker)  ::)
by the end of TPM it was difficult to edit the movie into a cohesive flow.   the audience could barely follow along.   it was the movie-making equivalent of a "cluster-frak" (to borrow the military vernacular)  ::)

--> it just.  didn't.  work.

Quote
On a side note, the whole Padme/Anakin thing is just weird when I see this movie. As if a 9 year old and a 15 year old are gonna be so smitten with each other! Get real, lol.

follow:
- anakin leaves his mother ; padme fills in as a replacement. (she brings him a blanket and makes him feel warm).
- anakin's mother dies a preventable death, which anakin foresees.  but he is powerles to prevent it, because of his commitment to the jedi order.
- anakin then foresees padmes death, and becomes obsessed with preventing it.  THIS leads him to become vader, and forsake the jedi order.

the story arc doesn't work without that parallel between anakin's mother and anakin's (future) wife.  if anakin were 9 and padme were 10 when they met in TPM, then this wouldn't work -- likewise, if anakin was 14 and padme was 15 this wouldn't work.  the age difference allows anakin to "look up" to padme as a mother-figure in TPM.  unfortunately, we only see this in ONE scene, (the jappor snippet scene), and that's supposed to be enough to establish the parallel between padme and shmi. (it isn't).

--> the age difference in TPM allows for a necessary parallel between shmi and padme, at the expense of any Romance between anakin and padme.
(at the expense of their being "smitten" with each other).  
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jasher Kain on May 06, 2010, 12:21:42 AM
follow:
- anakin leaves his mother ; padme fills in as a replacement. (she brings him a blanket and makes him feel warm).
- anakin's mother dies a preventable death, which anakin foresees.  but he is powerles to prevent it, because of his commitment to the jedi order.
- anakin then foresees padmes death, and becomes obsessed with preventing it.  THIS leads him to become vader, and forsake the jedi order.
the story arc doesn't work without that parallel between anakin's mother and anakin's (future) wife.  if anakin were 9 and padme were 10 when they met in TPM, then this wouldn't work -- likewise, if anakin was 14 and padme was 15 this wouldn't work.  the age difference allows anakin to "look up" to padme as a mother-figure in TPM.  unfortunately, we only see this in ONE scene, (the jappor snippet scene), and that's supposed to be enough to establish the parallel between padme and shmi. (it isn't).
--> the age difference in TPM allows for a necessary parallel between shmi and padme, at the expense of any Romance between anakin and padme.
(at the expense of their being "smitten" with each other).  
I hadn't thought about it like this before, but it makes a lot of sense. It also helps explain why the jappor snippet gets attention from Anakin at the beginning of ROTS and a seemingly random zoom in during Padme's funeral parade at the end of ROTS.

I think if the dialog was written better, we wouldn't have these plot gaps to jump across. ::)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Jagged Fel on June 06, 2010, 03:35:33 AM
A 6 out of 10 for me,when i heard this was coming out i think my expectations were so high after no star wars for so long that it was a bit of a let down,too much cute and fuzzy stuff.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Lord Bane on June 07, 2010, 10:42:49 PM
If that horrible kid actor Jake what's his face was not in the movie, it would have been great. I love the storyline but seriously, that xxx kid couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. Even Jar Jar was not as annoying as that stupid kid. Anakin as a boy should have been played by a more mysterious character like Haley Joel Osment. He did a great job in the Sixth Sense. He was disturbed but kind of innocent at the same time. That's how Anakin was, a confused and lost figure just trying to find his place in the whole scheme of things.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: EXAR KUN on June 15, 2010, 08:40:34 AM
I gave this first Episode a 7.

It got an automatic 5 just for being Star Wars.

So much excitement and hype before this movie came out, it would have been difficult for any writer/director to fulfill the expectations. I like to say unless Jesus walked through the screen, some people were not going to be satisfied.

I thought the cinematography was beautiful, but some story elements and characters such as Jar Jar were definitely annoying. When someone is trying too hard to be funny, oftentimes it comes off tacky. That's what happened with Jar Jar. In the Original Trilogy, the chemistry between the actors was superb, almost every scene in Episode IV on the Death Star between the main characters had jokes in it that were funny. There was really good chemistry there. George Lucas would say that the chemistry between young Anakin and Padme is supposed to seem strange or strained because of what happens to them, how their relationship wasn't totally pure. They would have to keep the secret for Episode II and almost all of Episode III, and since their relationship ended violently, the feelings were supposed to not feel totally correct like Han and Leia. But still, the awkwardness between the boy and the queen in Episode I is pretty sad.

One thing that truly shines are the lightsaber battles. I love the Theed (Naboo) sets because they remind me of how I imagine Italy to be, or someplace in the Mediterranian.

What I think would have made this movie so ULTIMATELY sweet would have been for George Lucas to do a 'Ten Years Later' subtext in the movie. What I mean is, the 'Dual of Fates' fight should have been the hour and fifteen minutes point, Qui Gon Dies, then they could do a 'Ten Years Later' and show a 20 year old Anakin with an older Obi Wan. Then, Episode II would have automatically have someone different than Hayden Christiansen (he would have been too young at that time) and perhaps that other unkown actor could have been better. I just don't think George Lucas wanted to ever to 'time jump' in the middle of the movie like that. I think it would have been more interesting, though.

Liam Neeson did not like the way Episode I turned out (Lucas really should have had a co-writer, I mean, c'mon EGO) and therefore Liam did not want anything to do with Episode II. When he was asked to lend his voice or body for a 'ghost' presence, he declined. That's why the ..NOOOO! part sound strained because it's not Liam Neeson. Only the 'Anakin, Anakin...' part was LIam because they took the voice from the Episode I scene in the desert with Darth Maul when Qui Gon yells for Anakin to 'Drop!' before Darth Maul attacks.

Lucas let others direct Episode V and VI, and they turned out GREAT! Why not have someone else (like Peter Jackson, OMG!) have a go at one of these movies? Richard Markand and Irvin Kirshner did so awesome in the '80s with the other two, these new movies really could have been great movies. As they are, they really only appeal to Star Wars fans and little kids looking for eye candy. Of course I am a hopeless Star Wars junkie so he could serve me up a terd and stamp a Star Wars logo on it and I would probably eat it!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: WEDGE ANTILLES on June 15, 2010, 01:21:24 PM
Liam is a tough nut to crack.  in his first interview after TPM he said he was quitting acting altogether.  "Film is a director's medium. We are basically puppets. Producers earn all the money, and you get the sense that they hate actors. The crews are treated like slaves. ... I don't think I can live with the inauthenticity of movies anymore. I don't like watching them, especially my own stuff." http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0082218/ later he said he was just venting anger, and of course, he continued to make movies. he also became suddenly active in the screen actors guild.  

which brings up another point.   george lucas made movies outside of the screen actors guild.  he's a non-union employer. why? because the union forbids the opening scroll. ::)  (in a union production, the names of the actors have to appear on screen before the movie starts).  apparently, george faced heavy fines from the SAG for the first 2 movies in 1977/80, and then after that, he made 'non-union' productions.*
 
"• “Star Wars” creator George Lucas insisted on moving the credits to the end of the film as he did in “A New Hope.” The Writers Guild and Directors Guild didn’t approve and tried, but failed, to pull “Empire” from release. They fined Lucas and tried to fine Kershner, but Lucas paid all the fines, totaling nearly $250,000. Lucas subsequently dropped his membership in the Writers Guild, Directors Guild and the Motion Picture Association of America."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies/30_years_of_Empire_Strikes_Back_94529774.html

consider: gary oldman refused to lend his voice to ROTS citing union rules, he said he wouldn't violate the union by working 'illegally' overseas with george lucas.  ::) "The Screen Actors Guild is a union that seeks to ensure proper compensation, benefits and working conditions for actors in movies, television and commercials. Its "Global Rule One", introduced in 2002, expands the union's reach internationally, as more and more productions leave the United States. The rule forbids SAG members to work on non-SAG films." http://www.hpana.com/news.18285.151.html  

oldman, of course, starred with liam neeson in batman -- so obviously it was an SAG production.
--> did neeson refuse to work for george lucas, for the same reason as oldman? ("global rule #1", imposed in 2002, same year as AOTC??)
 
 

according to neeson, he couldn't do EP2, because he crashed his Harley into a deer in northern connecticut and shattered his pelvis and only learned to walk again after taking inspiration from chrisopher reeves.  (good answer).  meanwhile, he couldn't do EP3 because he took a job on the batman movie (with oldman), and he was just "too busy" with batman, to shoot a cameo.   :-\

* note: when george broke with the SAG, he also cut ties with the writers' guild. (the 2 unions support each other). which is probably why, he had to write everything himself.  he couldn't get a decent director like Kirshner again.. and he had no access to writers like Leigh Bracket.  as a non-union filmmaker, he went back to the only format he knew as a student in film school: where the student-filmmaker writes/directs/shoots everything himself.

-============-

p.s:

I believeone of the biggest reasons why yoda even mentioned the force-ghost-qui-gon, was so george could throw in the part about yoda mentoring obiwan, while in exile.  it clarifies the line from ESB when obiwan says (of Yoda), "the jedi master who instructed me".  that line implied that obiwan was yoda's padawan, which he clearly was not.   somehow or another, yoda had to become obiwan's "instructor". (the bear clan wasn't enough).

((so why not just write yoda as obiwan's master in TPM, you ask?? why bother with quigon, just to kill him off??  probably because yoda was still a mechanical puppet in TPM, and george didn't have the CG to make him bounce around and wield a lightsaber in TPM.  so he wrote another 'master' for obiwan, (one that could hold a lightsaber), probably with the intention to make yoda take on the mentoring role at some future point in the series, thus validating the line from ESB))

--> the ending of ROTS would have worked better if Yoda had said something mysterious like..  "..through the force, things you will learn.  everything I know, in your exile, I will teach you:  more powerful, you will become, than you can possibly imagine".   and just leave it at that.   let the audience believe that Yoda had the secret of immortality the whole time...  like anakin always said :"there are things about the force they're not telling me".  it would make sense if ONLY yoda had this knowledge,  but he wouldn't teach it, for fear of it being abused.  like palps said (resentfully): "not from a jedi".    

it would also create (better) irony in the duality between anakin and obiwan: they were portrayed as brothers/equals; one gave up everything to learn the secret of immortality; the other learned the secret anyway, by sticking with the light side.  [/the irony is better if Yoda was hiding the secret the whole time]
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Pepperpete on June 19, 2010, 04:00:09 PM
Personally I thought the first (4th) movie wasn't nearly as bad as my friends did. Mainly because of the light saber battles of course.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: KI-ADI-MUNDI on June 19, 2010, 08:19:58 PM
Liam is a tough nut to crack.  in his first interview after TPM he said he was quitting acting altogether.  "Film is a director's medium. We are basically puppets. Producers earn all the money, and you get the sense that they hate actors. The crews are treated like slaves. ... I don't think I can live with the inauthenticity of movies anymore. I don't like watching them, especially my own stuff." http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0082218/ later he said he was just venting anger, and of course, he continued to make movies. he also became suddenly active in the screen actors guild.  

which brings up another point.   george lucas made movies outside of the screen actors guild.  he's a non-union employer. why? because the union forbids the opening scroll. ::)  (in a union production, the names of the actors have to appear on screen before the movie starts).  apparently, george faced heavy fines from the SAG for the first 2 movies in 1977/80, and then after that, he made 'non-union' productions.*
 
"• “Star Wars” creator George Lucas insisted on moving the credits to the end of the film as he did in “A New Hope.” The Writers Guild and Directors Guild didn’t approve and tried, but failed, to pull “Empire” from release. They fined Lucas and tried to fine Kershner, but Lucas paid all the fines, totaling nearly $250,000. Lucas subsequently dropped his membership in the Writers Guild, Directors Guild and the Motion Picture Association of America."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies/30_years_of_Empire_Strikes_Back_94529774.html

consider: gary oldman refused to lend his voice to ROTS citing union rules, he said he wouldn't violate the union by working 'illegally' overseas with george lucas.  ::) "The Screen Actors Guild is a union that seeks to ensure proper compensation, benefits and working conditions for actors in movies, television and commercials. Its "Global Rule One", introduced in 2002, expands the union's reach internationally, as more and more productions leave the United States. The rule forbids SAG members to work on non-SAG films." http://www.hpana.com/news.18285.151.html  

oldman, of course, starred with liam neeson in batman -- so obviously it was an SAG production.
--> did neeson refuse to work for george lucas, for the same reason as oldman? ("global rule #1", imposed in 2002, same year as AOTC??)
 
 

according to neeson, he couldn't do EP2, because he crashed his Harley into a deer in northern connecticut and shattered his pelvis and only learned to walk again after taking inspiration from chrisopher reeves.  (good answer).  meanwhile, he couldn't do EP3 because he took a job on the batman movie (with oldman), and he was just "too busy" with batman, to shoot a cameo.   :-\

* note: when george broke with the SAG, he also cut ties with the writers' guild. (the 2 unions support each other). which is probably why, he had to write everything himself.  he couldn't get a decent director like Kirshner again.. and he had no access to writers like Leigh Bracket.  as a non-union filmmaker, he went back to the only format he knew as a student in film school: where the student-filmmaker writes/directs/shoots everything himself.

-============-

p.s:

I believeone of the biggest reasons why yoda even mentioned the force-ghost-qui-gon, was so george could throw in the part about yoda mentoring obiwan, while in exile.  it clarifies the line from ESB when obiwan says (of Yoda), "the jedi master who instructed me".  that line implied that obiwan was yoda's padawan, which he clearly was not.   somehow or another, yoda had to become obiwan's "instructor". (the bear clan wasn't enough).

((so why not just write yoda as obiwan's master in TPM, you ask?? why bother with quigon, just to kill him off??  probably because yoda was still a mechanical puppet in TPM, and george didn't have the CG to make him bounce around and wield a lightsaber in TPM.  so he wrote another 'master' for obiwan, (one that could hold a lightsaber), probably with the intention to make yoda take on the mentoring role at some future point in the series, thus validating the line from ESB))

--> the ending of ROTS would have worked better if Yoda had said something mysterious like..  "..through the force, things you will learn.  everything I know, in your exile, I will teach you:  more powerful, you will become, than you can possibly imagine".   and just leave it at that.   let the audience believe that Yoda had the secret of immortality the whole time...  like anakin always said :"there are things about the force they're not telling me".  it would make sense if ONLY yoda had this knowledge,  but he wouldn't teach it, for fear of it being abused.  like palps said (resentfully): "not from a jedi".    

it would also create (better) irony in the duality between anakin and obiwan: they were portrayed as brothers/equals; one gave up everything to learn the secret of immortality; the other learned the secret anyway, by sticking with the light side.  [/the irony is better if Yoda was hiding the secret the whole time]
Wedge when are you going to write the Star Wars story that you've been telling us in bits and pieces... The definitive narrative of all six stories with the motivations and associations the you point out in your various posts... I love your version of Star Wars the best... :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Onli-Won Kanomi on June 19, 2010, 09:24:07 PM
That would certainly be well worth reading.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Big Boss on June 19, 2010, 09:50:21 PM
wow wedge you should make a blog or something so we have everything you say in one  place to read ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Madgirllolly on June 23, 2010, 01:47:25 PM
TPM was good, but i wouldn't say it's the best of the prequels, i like it though, i think the special effects were good and i didn't find jar jar as annoying as everyone makes him out to be.  The fight scenes were pretty awesome too :P
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Lord Bane on August 07, 2010, 11:06:19 PM
I just watched TPM again tonight for the 4th time and I really enjoyed it but the kid still bothers me with the bad acting.  I love the movie though.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sith Apprentice on September 05, 2010, 07:20:25 PM
Love this movie, Maul, Obi and Gin = one awesome battle, shame only one stood at the end. Maul was awesome, and introduced us to the staff! ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Cyberote on November 29, 2010, 01:31:30 PM
9 for awesome Dooku action!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Wolfen on November 29, 2010, 01:32:13 PM
9 for awesome Dooku action!

In The Phantom Menace? Did I miss a scene?

I think you mean Attack of the Clones.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Saarai on November 29, 2010, 01:41:17 PM
i'm gonna have to say 7, mainly for Jinn. A young anakin eh, Jar Jar, well if not for Jinn, and Maul it would've been a negative 2.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Obi-Anh on November 29, 2010, 01:41:36 PM
I give it a 10. Becuase this was the first movie with really nice lightsaber hilts, effects, and Raw dueling:D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Cyberote on November 29, 2010, 05:10:33 PM
9 for awesome Dooku action!

In The Phantom Menace? Did I miss a scene?

I think you mean Attack of the Clones.

OH CRAP! My bad! I posted in the wrong thread! MAJOR woopsies XP
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sandpeople are people too on November 29, 2010, 07:05:17 PM
TPM.  I saw it a bunch in the theater.  I think the sets and vision of it was stunning.  Jar-Jar became the imitation of comedy with the weak slap stick (only to be dethroned by C-3po's HORRIBLE puns in ATOC).  I think that the dialog was ok, barring whenever Anakin opened his mouth.  I do think that the saber combat exceeded ROTS (the whole mustafar business went silly; I mean, the high ground?!?).  I probably should watch that again . . .

I think that TPM gets an 8 from me.  I still want to see The Phantom Edit, but haven't tracked it down yet.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Saarai on November 29, 2010, 07:59:53 PM
youtube, phantom edit, 12 parts......
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Sandpeople are people too on November 29, 2010, 09:34:26 PM
excellent.  my late night viewing is set.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Luke S. on November 29, 2010, 10:00:45 PM
Duel of Fates fight scene gets a 10 for me.  Best saber duel ever and we get the staff.  Maul should have escaped to come back at least once more.  Maybe kill him  off in the sequel prequel.

Overall I say a 6.  Jar Jar really killed it for me.  I was fine with 3PO's antics but Jar Jar and his voice mostly brought the number down.  The Phantom edit IMO brings it back up to an 8-9.  Ani's poor acting is bad but so was Luke's in ANH.

IMHO, the things that killed the prequels in general was the heavy reliance on CGI and the wow factor.  GL has a great thing going here.  All he needed was a great storyline with great acting.  That would have carried the film and some added CGI and a staff surprise here and there would have been enough.  He also should have had more tie ins to the OT.  Revisit old places.  Connect the dots a bit more.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: EXAR KUN on February 03, 2011, 05:13:17 PM

--> the ending of ROTS would have worked better if Yoda had said something mysterious like..  "..through the force, things you will learn.  everything I know, in your exile, I will teach you:  more powerful, you will become, than you can possibly imagine".   and just leave it at that.   let the audience believe that Yoda had the secret of immortality the whole time...  like anakin always said :"there are things about the force they're not telling me".  it would make sense if ONLY yoda had this knowledge,  but he wouldn't teach it, for fear of it being abused.  like palps said (resentfully): "not from a jedi".    

it would also create (better) irony in the duality between anakin and obiwan: they were portrayed as brothers/equals; one gave up everything to learn the secret of immortality; the other learned the secret anyway, by sticking with the light side.  [/the irony is better if Yoda was hiding the secret the whole time]

Wow Wedge I love that take on it, the part at the end of your post. That is the mythic lure that originally attracted me to the OT and I wish things like that were brought heavily and deeply into the core of the prequels. Ep. III seemed to hit these notes a bit better than I and II.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Green Ranger on March 29, 2011, 10:41:28 PM
I think Wedge said it best, it was a great way to show what society was like BEFORE the corruption and war.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Loachri MacTalabh on April 24, 2011, 04:19:20 PM
I gave it a 6.  I feel that Jar-Jar Binks, can stay in the film.  But (BUT) be less of an clumsy oaf.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: vox on July 05, 2011, 04:00:06 AM
I gave it a 5, and I'll tell you why:

TPM suffered from poor pacing, a lackluster script, too many superfluous characters/ gags, and some real mistakes in the storytelling. It seems like Lucas got too caught up in ILM's magical CGI wonderland to stop and notice that some elements just didn't work very well. The script was slow and exposition-heavy, with way too much focus on politics, and the Gungans were a poor choice all the way around in terms of characterization (and I can't see any point in even discussing Jar Jar).

On the plus side, half of Lucas' casting was brilliant- Liam Neeson, Ewan McGreggor, and Natalie Portman were all excellent additions to the SWU, overall. Samuel L. Jackson is kind of a gray area for me... I do enjoy his acting, but I'm not sure that I think he was a good fit as a Jedi master. Somehow I think Lawrence Fishburn might have been a slightly better choice as Mace Windu, but that's just a personal opinion- nothing against SLJ.

Sadly, I think Jake Lloyd was a terrible choice as a young Anakin Skywalker. He was totally wooden, and wasn't really ready to take on a leading role in a major motion picture. His acting grated on me constantly, and his delivery of the "space angel" dialogue was simply bad beyond all reckoning. The difference between JL and Liam Neeson, for instance, is that Neeson can make Lucas' script resonate, no matter how clunky the dialogue might get. He lends it a gravity that makes it work. JL had no such ability, and as a result he torpedoed every scene he was in.

The film wasn't a complete loss, and picked up significantly in the last reel- the Darth Maul/ Qui Gon/ Obi Wan fight was spectacular, and possibly one of the best lightsaber fights in the entire SW canon of films- but I don't think it was enough to make up for everything else. I rank TPM No. 5 in terms of the 6 films, and stand by that choice.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: EV-9D9 on July 15, 2011, 11:32:00 PM
I really enjoy TPM. I like how you get a good feel for Tatooine. I don't get it why there is such a bad rap, even the kid who played Anikin on some website I saw complained about it and about George Lucas. If people expect the same movie as Star Wars 77, then just watch that.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Nero Attoru on October 13, 2011, 06:27:19 AM
I don't know what to say here... vox pretty much summed up my perspective perfectly.  Gave it a 7/10, it was only brought up by performances by Liam Neeson (an actor I greatly admire) and Ewan MacGregor.  I guess I'll just keep it to a short little list of likes and dislikes:

Likes:  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, their fight with Maul, the Galactic Senate and its political failings being discussed, Palpatine's machinations

Dislikes:  Child Anakin and his crappy acting, Jar Jar Binks, Amidala's flat acting (we all know Natalie Portman can do better - anybody see Black Swan?), the podrace scene
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Phoenix on October 13, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
I still remember the first time I saw it in the theater, just thinking "WTF? Why did they make it a kids movie?" I was just in shock when the credits began to roll. I even went to see it a second time with my brother, and fell asleep. It's the first time I ever fell asleep during a movie. The only time I watch this is when my kids want to see it, and I really try to steer them toward the original trilogy if I can.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: WEDGE ANTILLES on October 14, 2011, 12:17:20 AM
the one thing that bothers me about TPM is that nobody gets it. even plinkett got it wrong when he said there was no protagonist. people watch tpm and say '..how does this even relate to the plot? IS there a plot?' (etc). they think it's completely disjointed from the rest of the trilogy, as if it were a stand-alone episode that goes nowhere. as if it were only intended to 'introduce characters' or something.
 
 

TPM uses a 14 year old girl to sell the logic behind Militarization of a peaceful society -- the same logic that is used later, to create the empire. TPM gives us the entire rationale for creating the Evil Galactic Empire AND makes us agree with it, if only on a subconscious level:  that fact that the "protagonist" is a 14 year old girl ensures that the audience will sympathize with her; the fact that she's just selling the second amendment ensures that we will agree. the message goes in, with so little opposition from our rational minds, that we are left wondering if there even WAS a conflict in this story.

TPM teaches us why "Militarization" is a Good thing, through the eyes of a 14 year old girl.
--> Padme created the empire.   in TPM.   and NOBODY EVEN NOTICED.
 
((  when padme is alone with jar jar, and jar jar says "yousa peoples gonna die? the gungans got a Grande Army (etc)". THIS is the scene where padme created the empire. this is the scene where padme makes the decision to use the "grande Army of the Republic Gungans" to Militarize her people and Fight for national security.

((  later, in AOTC, when palpatine's aide says "if only senator amadala were here" .. jar jar zones out for a second and remembers EXACTLY what padme did, in TPM: so, naturally, he creates the motion to use the "grande Army of the Gungans Republic" to Militarize the entire galaxy -- as per Padme's Idea, from TPM. SHE thought it up. (even though she was officially 'opposed' to it in AOTC, jar jar's incurable naivety allowed HER idea to spread across the galaxy like wildfire.   jar jar is a VERY important character, whether we choose to like him or not.*   and TPM is , arguable, the most important chapter in the whole trilogy)).
 
the "Militarization" started with padme, (in TPM), and only spilled out into the galaxy at large, via jar jar (in AOTC).
 
 
 

meanwhile:    TPM ALSO gives us the logic that started the seperatist movement (!) --  the jedi have been following the senate instead of the force; the sith gain control of the jedi, by taking control of the senate; the force reacts and spawns a chosen one; the chosen one sets it all to rights by destroying the jedi (and the sith).   TPM introduces the jedi as the government's biatch; it introduces the government as corrupt and dysfunctional; therefore the jedi are corrupt and dysfunctional (whether they know it or not) -- TPM shows us (what Yoda called) "qui-gon's defiance" to this fact; later, in AOTC, dooku shows us what a slippery slope this is, when he uses this position to start his separatist movement:

the "Defiance" started WITHIN the jedi order (in TPM), and only spilled out into the galaxy at large, via dooku (in AOTC).




so, really, what we have is: a conflict within the jedi order, which manifests itself on a macroscopic scale, (republic vs. seperatist : "padme's slippery slope" vs "quigon's slippery slope"), and anakin must choose -- anakin chooses the "republic/padme" position while (in the end) obiwan chooses the "qui-gon/seperatist" position -- only ONE will lead to immortality. and the rest is history

* jar jar is to Padme,  what Dooku is to Qui-gon.  jar jar reveals the slipppery slope of padme's "Militarization-of-an-Unarmed-Society" angle, just as DOoku reveals the slippery slope of Qui-gon's "will-of-the-Force > will-of-the-Senate" angle. (what yoda called "qui-gon's defiance").  

jar jar took "padme's Militarization" from TPM to Unwanted Extremes, when he called for the creation of a clone army, to defend the republic in AOTC.
Dooku took "Qui-gon's Defiance" from TPM to Unwanted Extremes, when he created the droid army, to attack the republic in AOTC.


this ALL started with TPM:
-  TPM introduces the roots of BOTH sides of the clone wars.  (AND makes us agree with them).
-  in AOTC , jar jar and dooku share the same dramatic purpose:  
they reveal the Slippery Slopes, as they take those 'roots-of-both-sides' to Unwanted Extremes.
-  in ROTS , Anakin must choose : padme vs quigon (figuratively) --  in choosing "padme", he burns-to-vader on a...   (wait for it)  ...Slippery Slope! *rimshot*

--->    TPM is the most important chapter in this arc.     not the least.    

(the biggest problem with this movie is, NOBODY gets it.  not even Plinkett c/w red letter media -- he should have watched all 3, before reviewing the first one.  then maybe he'd know what it was about).  
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Corran Horn on October 14, 2011, 07:06:05 AM
*Applause*

Wow, well said Wedge.

I love your take on these films.  It always gets me thinking and makes me consider things from a different point of view.
Perhaps we should create the Wedge Antilles Saga analysis thread.  You need to do a full study on all 6 films and post your ideas.

Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Artorius Vidnyl on October 14, 2011, 07:13:51 AM
Wedge definitely nailed this one.  No questions.  The only thing I wanted to add is I ranked it 7/10 for enjoyability.  The 7 Is based on the fact that the plot is well designed.  Also, Wedge also pointed out that the movies should be watched in order of release not story chronology.  I have always stood by this!

Cheers.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: madmartigan on October 14, 2011, 08:46:33 AM
i give it a ten for the cast, the pace, and recreating the sw universe, sure enough jar jar was annoying but if you took him out youd have no ups and downs. and at the age of anakins character we cant have expected too much. neeson,ewan,shame on me offhand i cant remember mauls name,were all awesome.maul was the ultimate sith in contrast to vader in the original, i find vader would have choked them so he could distance him self from the reality of killing. were as maul was more of an assasin that enjoyed his work, guns for show knifes for a pro haha no seriously i seen it like 6 times at the movies. naboo and corruscant were unlike nothing we had seen before. for padme to go from her quaint perfect planet to tattooine, you could feel her culture shock and pity for anakin having to grow up in a harsh environment and situation. i mean so many things took me back to the sw universe from the dialouge to the design of the naboo starfighters. it was starwars............. and too see droids getting sliced through like butter, well that was something i allways wanted too see, the destruction a light saber could cause. aahhh i also was 17 at the time and had a crush on natalie. hee hee come on admit guys. i could go on for ages about the great things about tpm. aotc on the other hand i give a nine cause i think they relied on the effects a tad too much and anakins acting could have been better allthough i think he improved tenfold for rots. xxx you btw vox... i like samuel l but now id love to see the version with furious styles..... i mean lawrence fishburne as mace windu  :) :)                                   
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: madmartigan on October 14, 2011, 08:55:09 AM
oh i also agree with wedge totally, thanks wedge for the run down, exactly what i would say if i were as good with words haha must be well educated. you can be my wingman anytime pal haha you can play wedge and i will play luke hehe  ;D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: vulcan fox on October 14, 2011, 10:47:00 AM
wedge , you have obviously put a great deal of thought and study into these films, ive yet to see any problems with your ideas and view points. :) TPM worked for me both as an introduction to the films, various characters and for setting the entire saga into motion ... unfortunately for me JAR JAR  and the gungans were to infantile in the same way as the ewoks in jedi , personaly i wish lucas had used more credible creations than both, more adult if you like, BUT i will always love the movies and whats done is done... however when the entire saga is remade in 40 years time the ewoks and gungans will.. begone..boss nas. :D... 7.8 out of 10.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Son of suns on October 14, 2011, 12:09:24 PM
Nicely done wedge, that was well said. People can hate all they want but I absolutely loved episode 1. It showed me a side of the jedi that I had never seem before. I was always used to so few jedi lurking in small corners of the galaxy. In episode one they were like an elite force that people respected and sometimes feared. We also saw incredible INCREDIBLE SABER COMBAT and force powers that we had never before witnessed. The action was incredible in this film. Come on people, Jinn and Kenobi VS maul ! That was EPIC.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: vox on June 26, 2012, 08:17:55 PM
You know, I have to say that Wedge has an amazing take on these films. I had never thought of the story mechanics that lay behind Jar Jar and the Gungans, and after reading Wedge's posts, I can appreciate that their presence in the script was in some ways a far more subtle piece of work than we tend to give Lucas credit for. Further, in terms of how all the pieces fit together across the entire span of the six films, it may well be that TPM tells the most vital information and has the heavy responsibility of grounding the entire series, which is a difficult task. It may also be possible that the overall story-telling was handled as deftly as it could have been, and I can see the argument for an unfair maligning of Lucas' work on it. Kudos Wedge, I love reading your ideas here. Definitely food for thought.

However, I think that my view of the film ultimately has to be heavily colored by how much I actually enjoyed watching it... and sadly it just wasn't that much. No matter how cleverly the script was constructed or how brilliant the allegory was, it ends up falling a bit flat if you can't stand to watch the actors performing the lines, or if you can't stay awake through the entire 12 hour pod race sequence. In some ways I consider TPM a bit of a minor tragedy, because the underlying story is actually such a good one. I find it unfortunate that Lucas didn't have a Lawrence Kasdan around to punch up his screenplay or an Irvin Kershner to get something more out of the actors. With better performances and less focus on the CGI elements, I think the film really could have been something special. Unfortunately, it ended up instead as one of only two SW films where I actually have to skip certain scenes in order to get through a viewing. The story Lucas wanted to tell seems like it really was a worthy one, but his efforts were severely undercut by some of the most wooden acting I've ever seen, and- in the case of the Gungans and Anakin- some pretty flat characterization that left me feeling absolutely no emotional attachment to either, which makes the whole venture a much harder sell. Jake Lloyd's performance forces me to dislike Anakin's character at a point in the films when he's supposed to be at his most likable, and Jar Jar and the Gungans are such overt cartoon caricatures that I can't help being embarrassed for them every time they're on screen.

Having grown with the original films, it's possible that I just have a bias that I can't overcome- but it really does feel to me like the potential that was inherent in TPM from its inception was just not cultivated or capitalized on in a way that could be made real for audiences. As a result, the film received a fairly negative reception from a lot of quarters, probably from a lot of people who- like myself-  sensed the film's unrealized potential, and lamented its unsatisfying final cut.

But, I know a lot of people really do love the film as well, so... horses for courses.  :)
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Lucien Kane on July 04, 2012, 01:05:49 PM
I think people were expecting the originals... and that clouded their ability to enjoy the films.

Wedge nailed it as many others have said. Lucas isn't an idiot, he does things for a reason, the film is made a certain way for a reason. It's not like this is Lucas' first rodeo, he has a certain audience he's playing to, and he's playing to them quite well. Even older fans are die hard enough that they'll pay to see his movies.

While I don't always agree with what Lucas does and doesn't do in his films, you have to respect the man for being awesome enough to make Star Wars.

Anyways, I rated the movie at an 8/10

The plot and storyline was amazing, and tied in well with the rest of the saga. The fight scenes were done quite well in my opinion, I get the feeling I'm watching the Jedi at there prime.

The bad? At some points the acting can fall flat, though Liam Neeson and Ewan Mcgregor brought their A games. Even so Natalie Portman didn't do a horrible job, and I actually enjoyed Jake Lloyd's performance as a young Anakin. It felt very natural to me, but art is subjective so.

So all in all, minus a few raw areas the movie overall was good, and I always enjoy watching it.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Psab Keel on July 07, 2012, 04:51:13 PM
I think Lucas cast the films brilliantly.  I think the design of the film and the effects were really unique and impressive.  The musical score was (as it was with ALL of the prequels) exceptional!  The script?  Not so much.  The acting?  Not so much.  Because even brilliant actors can't save a bad script.  I didn't relate to any of the characters, and because of that I consequently didn't care about them, which ultimately makes their struggles meaningless to me, and that has to do with the script.  Not the actors.  

If a film is good it has to be able to stand on it's own.  If it can't, then it's not a good film.  I don't dislike the prequels to be argumentative or just because that's what the general consensus is.  And just because I grew up loving the originals, doesn't mean that they are perfect films by any stretch of the imagination.  They have flaws just like any other film.  I just think it's a shame that there was so much potential in those new films that could have been given a chance to shine if only he'd developed the scripts further.

Plus it's VERY clear who his intended audience is.  When interviewed in 1977 and on he was asked again and again who he made the film for and his response was young people, as a way to inspire them.  When asked the same question in 1999 and on his response was that he made the films for himself, and everyone else be damned.  That's a HUGE shift wouldn't you all agree?

He's not the same film maker he was back then.  Then he was a rebel filmmaker trying to buck the system and now he IS the system.  He has companies with thousands of employees relying on a paycheck, and that is fine, but it's just a shame that he wasn't humble enough to take any constructive criticism.  That's how artist's grow. 
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: WEDGE ANTILLES on July 09, 2012, 01:41:32 AM
thats the thing.   he made the PT's for himself.     he's a gourmet chef, who cooks for himself.   a diva, who sings in the shower.   the thought is so foreign to us, that we can't even form this thought in our minds, even when he constantly reminds us:" they're MINE! Mine I tells ya! nobody else's.   they're MINE!!!"

a guy like speilberg is always saying things like:  "wow. his is sooo cool.  the audience will LOVE this"...   but the very idea,  that a film maker would NOT make films for his audience, is so completely baffling to us, that we just don't get it.    GL made the PT's for HIMSELF.  not his audience (!?)

and tht's why they suck so hard. (read: like a hoover).  

geroge has such a loathing contempt for the people who made him rich watch his movies, that he honestly doesn't give a frak if anybody likes it, but HIM.

they're "HIS mooovees" afterall (not "the audience's" -- not like a spielberg film, that is actually made FOR the audience who watches it).

His Movies aren't intended for us: they're just intended to give Him something to do. they only exist for His sake alone.

--> most film makers make movies FOR the audience. but not george. he's too into "self-stimulation" (so to speak).

(jedi master "Bates", much?).  :-\  heh
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Psab Keel on July 09, 2012, 08:19:59 PM
I'd agree that a director clearly has to be passionate about the films they make.  Why make movies otherwise?  Heck, why do anything creative if you're not passionate about it?

I don't know.  I keep telling myself that I won't get into debates about these films, but I can't help myself.  I guess it's the writer in me that just sees what could have been.  I just think that George's need for total control was his downfall as an artist.  By not relenting control or at the least trusting that the people he hired to help him make his movies could contribute greatly to produce the best work, it enabled him to believe that his choices shouldn't be questioned.

I talked with an ILM employee at San Diego ComicCon last year (who was a really friendly and personable guy) and it was amazing how strikingly his responses to my questions were about all of the changes to the films.  They were nearly verbatim of what every employee says in the behind the scenes materials on the DVD's.  I can understand that it was likely a matter of job security and that there was territory that they feared to tread (as would I if I was employed there) but given his response it made me wonder if that's what his actual opinion was or if it was the response that he was told to give if asked.  Or if his response was George's reasoning for certain creative choices, and he was merely telling me Lucas' opinion and not his own.

Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: KingOfDathomir on January 29, 2013, 11:56:02 PM
I gave TPM an 8 because I thought it had some great moments that definitely saved it in light of the lil orphan Ani parts. Still get chills everytime I see the Theed hangar doors open and Duel of the Fates begins with its epic introductory notes. People just need to get over Jar Jar because the story needed a dope for Palps to get the final vote for the Emergency Powers Act to pass the senate and come into affect in the sequel.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: bombarta on February 06, 2013, 12:36:21 PM
gave it a 7, best of the pre's for me.

acting got a little better, saber fights galore, yoda vs palpatine and haiden getting his bits all chopped off and deep fried hahaha
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: mostwanted on October 15, 2013, 09:27:14 AM
I gave it a 10 :short answer lol :D: because despite the so called flaws and original sequel fanboy rants, the droid army was epic,qui gon jinn and young obi won where the perfect "good guy team" Jedi,the music was epic,the Darth maul battle was epic, the prequels made so many more thing's epic and if you say this movie was dull or lacking its because the galaxy was at its prime,not in a harsh imperial rule   



the only real difference between the prequel and the original was the atmosphere.


who cares about jar jar(Just because you have the ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent,set him up perfectly), since i was a kid at the time,light humor and comedy was 100% welcome and made it good alternative than the lacking atmosphere of the original
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: DarkJediKnight on October 15, 2013, 09:44:09 AM
I definitely like TPM. Not my favorite movie but I thought it was good though. I loved Qui-Gon(have his saber). Jar-Jar was the only downer in this movie. You get to see a young Obi Wan along with the infamous Darth Vader as a child....makes for a good backstory.  :D
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Asoka Tano on October 15, 2013, 10:59:35 AM
The phantom Menacewas my favorite of all the star wars movies, with revenge of the sith coming in as a close second favorite. I know there are a lot of people who don't like the prequels, but I find them much more intriguing than the Original Trilogy. IMO, better fights, better romance, better plot. Padme is a great character!
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Mortoff on October 15, 2013, 11:19:09 AM

As a standalone movie, I'd likely give it a six or a seven (a rated it a '7' here).  As it was essentially setting up characters and plot, it was really just the beginning of the story.

Looking at it in that respect, I'd give it an '8.'



Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Darth Maledictus on October 16, 2013, 07:54:06 AM
TPM is the best movie of the PT imo. That does not mean that I think it's the best movie overall. The only issues I had with the movie were with Anakin and Jar Jar. The little twerp that played Anakin was not a good actor, and Jar Jar annoyed me to the point where he wasn't even funny to me. I give it a 7.
Title: Re: How would you rate TPM?
Post by: Katarn KL on October 02, 2016, 08:10:03 AM
It's a very complicated issue. On a plot level, it has quite a few awful moments but on a visual sense, there are very few movies as bold and distinctively looking. It's part of my theory that the prequels are a visual experience but not a narrative one in the traditional sense.