I like Padme Amidala and I liked her role in TPM, but sometimes a bad movie is a bad movie, regardless of any defenses. Are there things to like in TPM? Sure are. That doesn’t make it “one of the best Star Wars movies.” Like, not even remotely close.
We’re going to have to agree to disagree, because I don’t personally subscribe to the idea that the original trilogy is superior to the prequel trilogy. I watched all six films fairly recently (and watched all six in a row for the first time), and I found that all of them have flaws, flaws that nostalgia and bias seem to hide for many when it comes to the original three films. Don’t get me wrong, I love the originals, too, but, come on. A New Hope is a bit slow, and most of the characters aren’t that likable, beyond Leia. Luke is whiny and frustrating, Obi-Wan’s role is basically to explain the history of everything while at the same time giving away as little as possible, and Han Solo has character development by the end of the film, though by that time it’s over. The Empire Strikes back is nearly perf, but I’m not too much a fan of the portion of the film devoted to Yoda and Luke (and I think people are in denial about how much Yoda is a similar character to Jar Jar in the originals). And Return of the Jedi is a satisfying conclusion, but there’s too little plot and too much time spent on Endor doing nothing specific.
The prequels have too much CGI (what film of the early 2000s didn’t?) and some wooden acting (arguable), but most of the “flaws” aren’t flaws to me. I love the political debates, the smooth and electric lightsaber duels, the dread that sets in because the audience knows nothing will turn out well, and they’re basically watching all of these characters walk to their demise. I adore Padmé Amidala, more mature than she should have to be, and angry as heck, and smart, refusing to accept anything less than what’s right from the government she’s spent her life being a part of and building. For her, if it doesn’t serve everyone, it doesn’t serve her. She’s never in it for herself. I love watching Anakin grow from innocent kid, to angsty teen, to conflicted, devastated, desperate adult. I love Obi-Wan and Anakin’s banter, I love the supporting characters (Shmi, Bail, Sabé, Mace Windu and the other Jedi… need I go on), and the love story, and the clothes. The prequels have some of my favorite scenes from any fantasy/sci-fi film, ever. The Clone Wars, and Order 66, and the younglings. Like there’s so much amazing stuff, I could gush for hours. My heart hurts.
I just am so tired of having to defend the prequels. All of them have their flaws, and I love all seven movies, but my philosophy is if all of them are “one of the best Star Wars movies” because there’s no bad one, then there’s no way to lose. I’m also just not a fan of someone commenting on someone’s post which was saying “The Phantom Menace has flaws but please don’t skip it, here are things I enjoy about it” with a bunch of things they didn’t enjoy about it?? Like god forbid someone try to drum up a little bit of positivity for the prequels??
My opinion on Star Wars, Star Wars prequels and all related movie matters is thus:
- If I like it
- Then it is a good film