10 Awful Movie Retcons That Pissed Off Everybody
6. That Stupid Midichlorian Thing - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
After three immensely popular space operas in which mystical forces (aptly titled The Force) were applied to dramatic battles between good and evil, George Lucas decided a prequel series centred on trade reforms, bureaucracy and DNA tests was exactly what the public needed.
The Force? Not so supernatural at all, just a rare form of all knowing microscopic life form in the bloodstream that some are blessed with and most are lacking. Anakin Skywalker’s Chosen One status is not discovered through the infant’s aptitude for anything, it is simply decided via Qui-Gon Jinn giving the tech savvy youngster a blood test.
Back in 77, Obi Wan kindly explained The Force to Luke and millions of awe inspired viewers: Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.... A Jedi can feel the force flowing through him.
This was a nice enough explanation for most and one that was not greatly aided by the contradictory blood borne particles concept of the prequel 22 years later.