5 Reasons Why Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Is A Genuinely Brilliant Film

4. Compelling Story

The Phantom Menace arrived in 1999 with so much expectation because it was promising to deliver so much. For fans of Star Wars, the film was incredibly significant as it offered an origin story which essentially would explain the entire concept of the franchise. A range of important characters would be introduced, a complex story would find its roots and, as the film's tag line pointed out, a saga would have its beginning. Episode I acts as a superb introduction to Star Wars as a whole. We watch a young Obi-Wan Kenobi become a Jedi knight, we witness the rise of the Sith and the face of Palpatine. But overall we view the main antagonist of the original trilogy, Darth Vader, as an innocent child in a humble home. The origin story of Anakin Skywalker serves as the central point to a number of parallel storylines, and explains how a young slave boy from an outer rim planet left his home for the enormity of the galaxy. The coming-of-age tale is poignant as we know what destiny awaits Anakin. The last time viewers saw his face was as a dying old man in the 1983 Return of the Jedi. In the fresh youthful character of the boy Anakin, played by Jake Lloyd, we are given an illustration of humanity and childhood innocence. Equally, the tale of Obi-Wan is a moving story of a young man coming-of-age. Serving as apprentice to his Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson, Obi-Wan is portrayed as an eager and energetic hero. The last time viewers saw Obi-Wan was again as an aged man, a wise elder and Jedi master. His spiritual advice to Luke in the original trilogy is symbolic of the powers of the force, and represents the deeper elements of the Star Wars concept. Seeing Obi-Wan in Episode I reaffirms his credibility and status as a Jedi Knight.