I will be the first one to admit that Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace is not the best film of the series, but with the anticipated release of Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones, it seems that the popular press are using this time to remind us of how much we hated the first installment of the current trilogy. I wouldn't blame George Lucas if he were to stop answering questions altogether… Jesus, it was three years ago, let it go. Rather than focus on the disappointment of the first film, let’s get ready to enjoy the new installment. If George Lucas looks beleaguered, it is not from the rigors of making the current sequel, but from defending choices he made three years ago. Let me give you a hand George, and let’s hope people just leave Episode I alone:

It just wasn’t that exciting.
No, you are right it wasn’t, but remember this film was the set-up for a six film series. It would be like reading act one of Hamlet and judging that as the entire text of the play. Lucas has set out to make a trilogy that will set up the classic Star Wars trilogy. In addition, this film gives us insight and background into the Universe of Star Wars and the background of such beloved characters as R2-D2, C-3PO, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader. Besides, the pod race (although I didn’t care for it), the final dual, and the attack on the trade federation (although not as exciting as previous installment’s space fights) were pretty exciting.

Nobody liked The Phantom Menace.
Well, seeing how it is currently the number four all time money making film and only one of 4 films to break the $400 million mark, someone had to see it… more than once. Now I don’t know about you, but I would only see a film once if I didn’t like it.

Everybody hates Jar-Jar Binks.
What I can’t figure out about the Jar-Jar thing is why spend so much time hating a fictional character (FICTIONAL CHARACTER… is any of what I am saying getting through to you). He really was insignifigant to the overall texture of the film, and instead of focusing on hating him, and “ruining the movie” for you, think about the good things of the movie: Superior special effects, one of the coolest bad guys in recent movie history, a light saber duel that was like none other prior to this film.

What about all the over-marketing?
Let’s face it, the marketing was a little overdone, but without a new Star Wars for 16 years, the public wanted everything. If anything, the first film was not necessarily guily of too many licenses, but probably of making an over abundance of each license… I personally would like to go to a fast food joint and get an AOTC happy meal.

In conclusion, short of the second coming of Christ (which I think many fans expected) there is no way Episode I could have satisfied, and from that respect, I am glad that the series started out slower and is building up to a crescendo that will be Episode III. Now, and this goes out to the media as well as fans, can we please focus on Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones and leave Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace alone.

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