Tuesday, May 19th 2009 will be the 10 year anniversary of the theatrical release of “
Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.” Many things can be said about this film but one thing that cannot be debated is that this was one of the most anticipated films in cinema history, to date. OK, obviously it can be argued, but what was more awaited with bated breath then the first new Star Wars film since 1983? The origin story of Darth Vader, no less! Let’s go back to a galaxy not so long ago and relive the hype, merchandising, fan boy frenzy, and even the dreaded Jar Jar Binks!
In the aftermath of Menace I find Star Wars fans are now divided by-in-large into two generational camps. On one side of the fence there are the fans who grew up with the original trilogy, first watching it in the movie theaters then repeated viewings on scratchy VHS (and later on laser disc for the uber dorks). They turned three sci-fi movies into nothing-less then a cultural phenomenon. This bunch are the most vocal critics of Menace, Jar-Jar, and basically everything to do with the Star Wars prequels. On the other side of the fence is the next generation (no pun intended). These are the kids growing up with Star Wars today. They fuel the Star Wars engine by getting Mom and Dad to buy new toys, video games, and DVDs. This generation of SW fans are growing up in a world of six Star Wars films. Anakin’s fall to the darkside has been fleshed out right before their eyes, whereas the previous generation read the origin story of Darth Vader on the back of a SW action figure card in the middle of K-Mart and the rest was left up to their imagination (*True story). How are they going to know it all started with Star Wars because now it’s called Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope? Will they see a difference between the two trilogies or is this all apart of Lucas’s master plan? And will the older generation every really accept computer-generated special f/x? I’m going to be very interested as these kids grow up in what they will say about Menace and the prequels. Will they look on them with fondness as a previous generation did with the OT (original trilogy)? Time will tell.
I’m getting off track - the question is does The Phantom Menace have any lasting impact ten years later? Can you see its influence in this summer’s crop of blockbusters? I’d say no, in the end it’s just another Hollywood blockbuster- nothing more and nothing less. Of course, Jar-Jar jokes will never die. Perhaps that is the legacy of Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace?
PS - I’ve included a link to a rare review for Menace that’s actually good – check it out:
http://flipsidemovies.com/phantommenace.html-Brandon B.
Co-Producer TvFilm
