Accents, CGI, & Sith Lords, Oh My! | The Phantom Menace Commentary with RetroBlasting

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

That was a great listen! I have to admit the part that resonated with me most was coming out of a screening at night reeling and wandering into a waffle house to try and process what you just sat through. That’s what I did after force awakens, which I saw in the same theater I saw Phantom Menace in. That underlined how much theater quality and presentation quality is in the toilet today. One thing I will never fault TPM for is it’s incredible soundmix and presentation quality on the theatrical side of things. Of course I still have my sealed TPM toys because that’s what adults told us kids to do back then. It was a fun line to collect outside of the craziness at release. The royal starship is a really impressive larger vehicle and I enjoyed some of the unique aspects of it. The lightsabers were fun and quirky outside of the battery issue. The Jar Jar tongue lollipop was and is the best bad idea in merchandising. The games were interesting, good or just plain insufferably endearing. Jedi Power Battles is burned in my brain, Racer is still solid but the real standout was the Williams Pinball machine with the early use of digital back screen and the glowing lightsaber ball launch. The later arcade pod racer was really impressive with the pod mock-up and stick handle controls. Overall I think I’m in a similar boat on that I’ve always analyzed the prequels to death just trying to better understand them. They’re problematic as heck but the core of Star Wars is still in there somewhere. What made the prequels tick was the EU. The EU filled in so many gaps and made characters come to life. I only watch the Japanese LD because the the theatrical cut and audio. The audio mix is the best thing in the film and historically important as the first EX title.

[@Chronically0nline]

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing all of this. My TFA after viewing was filled with MUCH confusion lol. Power battles is etched into my brain too, especially the Yoda laugh when collecting the various level power ups. You’re 100% right. There’s issues in these movies, I don’t want to go so far as to say they’re “fan theory” level story telling, but sadly, they continue to expand on them to the point that was actually IN them in regards to the spirit of Star Wars slips more and more. If you ever need the extra space and want those TPM figures out of your house, I’ll quote Bail Organa and say “they will be loved with us” Thanks for listening my friend!

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@Chronically0nline oh gosh the Yoda laugh! I’ll never forget it! Or the platforming from hell controller throwing frustrations… The novelizations for each film do address some issues and have more consistent tone but vary in quality. The TPM one is merely okay, the AOTC one is a bit better but the one for ROTS obliterates the film and gives such badly needed character detail that you don’t really have to ever revisit the film. I really feel like doing an EU reread project now. There’s so many good prequel non-film books. If you find the TPM pinball anywhere give it a try. It’s remarkable how much they crammed into that one machine in 1999 but sadly the only ones I’ve seen in arcades are pretty worn out by now.

[@Chronically0nline]

Hey all, sorry about the audio discrepancy between myself and Michael. I tried to mix the levels as best I could but post recording, I realized my volume was way too quiet. This wont happen on the next one! Stay tuned for part 2..

[@LoganWood121]

Learned about these from Michael's livestream tonight and couldn't be more grateful. Love hearing Michael's thoughts and you handled the direction of questioning and comments incredibly well. Can't wait to get onto Episode II. Hopefully it won't be years till Michael is able to sit down and do Episode III. Lol.

[@Chronically0nline]

Thanks for stopping by man! ROTS will be coming soon :)

[@Mutron_78]

2nd time viewing this, this time I've been watching the movie whilst listening to yours & Michaels commentary. Such an eye opener to things I've missed and things I had no idea about! Amazing stuff, so insightful and genuine

[@Chronically0nline]

Hey thats awesome man! I'm glad these add to the experience of the movie!

[@armlesswalrus]

Great chat guys. Came here after watching Tony and Michael's video on TPM toys. I saw TPM four times in the cinema, I thought that was a lot, it's nothing compared to Micheal's dedication! It is true, this was the biggest movie launch in history, I can't imagine anything can ever top the exciting build up that summer. I'll be listening to your AOTC discussion soon. 👍

[@Chronically0nline]

Thanks for checking it out man! All 3 movies have been done, they’ll be here waiting for ya!

[@Mike-bu1im]

Man, this is good stuff! Give me MORE

[@Chronically0nline]

Theres a commentary for all 3 prequel films my man!

[@dazbry7612]

Micheal nailed it on the toys, adults want the big playsets too

[@Chronically0nline]

Couldn’t agree more. Especially when you consider the difference in disposable income and space for an adult vs kids.

[@zw4197]

14 movie tickets Flex 💪

[@impossiblepie]

Awesome conversation, I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be listening to the other two videos. Do you guys think (meaning you, Michael and sure anyone else in the comments) Darth Maul was the most underused character of all time in movie history? he could've been in all three movies he could've been the third greatest Star Wars villain of all the behind Vader and the Emperor.

[@Chronically0nline]

I don’t want to speak for Michael, but yes, I think he could’ve been the new Vader, for sure. And I wish he had been.

[@impossiblepie]

@@Chronically0nline me as well, I love the design for Darth Maul. I thought Ray Park did a great job but I didn't realize that is was someone else voice they dubbed over in the film. as a side note I posted my first comment just before you two started talking about Darth Maul lol. but I'm finishing the listen as I type.