I loved the Star Wars prequels just as much as I loved the originals, and before Episode III: Revenge of the Sith came out, Episode I: The Phantom Menace was my favorite prequel, now it’s second to Sith. Most Star Wars fan I know hated Episode 1 mainly because of Jar-Jar. I never had a problem with him, I have seen it like 5 times in the cinema and loved it more and more. It appealed to the child in me. But then now I realise that the plot of the Star Wars prequels are much complicated than that of the OT. In Episode 1 for example, we hear of the Trade Federation. Then there’s the Separatists in Episode 2, and then ultimately the Republic’s fall in Episode III.
Now I come upon this list of “25 Reasons Why The Phantom Menace Is Not A Terrible Film After All” and this is courtesy of my very good friend P.V. who first published this article in his own Spanish blog in 2004. With permission I am posting it here with his translation. (Thanks my Master.) And you know what? I actually agree with this list, the ones highlighted being my choices, as you can see, I do not need 25 reasons just 20. *winks*
Read on and please leave your comments afterwards.
1) The beginning, fifteen minutes of pure spectacle.
2) Darth Sidious.
3) The sequence in which R2D2 saves the ship while escaping the blockade.
4) Watto.
5) The moment Anakin looks at Qui-Gon while they lunch, apparently an unnecesary, almost unviewable special CGI effect.
6) The pod race, a magnificent, plot senseful sequence.
7) The farewell between Anakin and his mother.
8) Darth Maul.
9) The unrest of Anakin at Coruscant.
10) The Galactic Senate scene.
11) Palpatine.
12) The references to the hypothetical Sith extinction.
13) The prophecy of “he who will bring balance to the Force”.
14) The glance of hate Anakin dedicates to Mace Windu in the Jedi Council.
15) The salutation between Anakin and Obi-Wan.
16) The strange relationship between Anakin and Padme.
17) Qui-Gon saying to Obi-Wan “you are wiser than I am”.
18) Anakin´s surprise when he realizes who Padme really is.
19) The appearance of the Gungans between the mist.
20) The droids deployment in the battle against the Gungans.
21) The duel between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
22) The moment Qui-Gon sits to meditate, while Darth Maul stalks him like a panther, split by a force field before resuming the fight.
23) Qui-Gon´s funeral, in which many questions are posed.
24) The false happy ending.
25) Darth Vader´s breathing at the end of the credits.
Can I add a 26th reason? John Williams’ amazing score.
May the FORCE be with you.
Feigned Mischief 
Actually, the list is quite good 😉
i love TPM, whoever does not agree with me is a big loser.
can you add boss nas’ gurgling laugh? i love boss nas
Pedro: It’s very good, I am glad he gave it to me. 😉
Sheila: Boss Nas, of course! That’s classic, esp that scene where Qui-Gon convinces him to spare Jar-Jar and he says to Qui- Gon, be gone with him!
Another favorite scene:
Watto: How are you going to pay for all this?
Qui-Gon Jinn: I have twenty thousand Republic dataries.
Watto: Republic credits? Republic credits are no good out here. I need something more real.
Qui-Gon Jinn: I don’t have anything else
[waves hand]
Qui-Gon Jinn: but credits will do fine.
Watto: No, they won’t-a.
[Qui-Gon waves his hand more firmly]
Qui-Gon Jinn: Credits will do fine.
Watto: No, they won’t-a. What? You think you’re some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that? I’m a Toydarian, mind tricks don’t work on me. Only money. No money, no parts, no deal!
Love Watto!
I need some clarification on a recent doubt. In TPM, Palpatine complains to Amidala when Mas Ameda whispers something to Valorum´s Ears:
“There goes the burocrats, the true rulers of the Republic, and on
the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add…”
But, once in power, Palpatine´s right hand in the Senate is Mas Amedda. He even is in his chambers when Yoda visits him in Sith. Palpatine promised to eradicate burocracy.
How is that possible?
Well, Palpatine made it appear that he will not be manipulated by the bureaucrats, when he implied that Valorum was being under their influence it was like saying to Queen Amidala that no way will I turn out like him, no way will I be swayed. And of course you believe him, without knowing its all a lie. So what does Amidala do, she motions for a vote of no confidence to Chancellor Valorum, thus paving the way for Palpatine’s nomination.
Isnt he just the most wicked and the most cunning?!
You are quite cunning and wicked yourself. Your argument convinced me!
But I have yet another challenge for you.
How is possible that Yoda doesn´t feel Palpatine´s masterplan?
*shocked* Pedro, I will pretend that you didnt ask me that, how could you not know?
Oh well since you are too old to learn the ways of the Force, I’ll give you a crash course on the Force 101.
It’s because the dark side of the Force is getting stronger. Do you remember in Attack of the Clones, when Palpatine asked Master Yoda (looking even quite sincerely mind you) if it will ever go to war? And Yoda’s reply was, “The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is.” So let’s just say Yoda didnt see it coming and Palpatine knew that already.
Heyy!!! My question is a one floating around many boards! And your answer sounds more official than convincing *winks*
If Rick McCallum needs an assistant, that should be you!–>
I agree with you on that list. It’s all true. But the reason why I don’t like it is because it’s on this political view rather than the rest of the episodes, where it’s GOGOGO!
Sorry, it is in fact the worst movie ever made. The fact that anyone feels compelled to compile a list in its defense proves my point.