Star Wars Fans React To Phantom Menace 1999

[@Sunite]

Anyone here just glad that the Darth Maul cosplay guy enjoyed the movie? lol

[@AndrewChapman]

Totally. Imagine if he came out as Darth Maul and said the movie sucked. Or at least said "It sucked cuz I got sliced in half at the end by Obi-Wan Kenobi!"

[@L4Z3RB0Y]

Yeah.. and i dont know why

[@michaeldorsey1394]

I’ve discovered the darth maul guy is Jordan schlansky from Conan O’Brien. Prove me wrong!!!!

[@samhein321]

I wish they kept darth maul alive, that would of been a good motive for an enemy, I don't understand the decision to literally cut him out?

[@hanashbinasif2586]

@@samhein321 watch clone wars

[@nolandavis1129]

Why can’t we go back to these days. When it was fun to talk about Star Wars.

[@JTM610]

Because society has gone to shit

[@davids1854]

When people could have opinions

[@draessw]

R E Y L O

[@ikoandreas5085]

Yuya Sakaki now people are just so sensitive and demanding

[@draessw]

When people could mention Thrawn and then you get crapped on.

[@jeremyc311709]

You heard it guys, Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace is officially the eighth wonder of the world

[@rc59191]

I don't mind I love the prequels lol.

[@lumos2230]

LMAO

[@Shullf2011]

My heart was beating during the movie, and it was beating afterward.

[@getfricked6977]

@@rc59191 I think u were in a Rick and Morty episode pal

[@getfricked6977]

@@rc59191 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqjQlYhooN2sqaM

[@Whiskeytosparrow]

Phantom menace, the mummy and the matrix all in theaters at once. That’s just awesome.

[@kascnef]

All goood

[@oglocbaby520]

There were a lot of really good movies that came out around that time, late 90s through mid 2000s was an amazing time for movies. Mummy, Matrix, Prequels, LOTR, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Back when movies were good … mind you, Episode 1 by far the weakest of those 3 …

[@RTU130]

Ye

[@henrikmonkee]

The fifth Element, jurassic park, starship troopers, Species, mimic and many more filled my childhood 👍

[@PrimusSwallows]

The last guy invented the internet.

[@PhilipJFry-zt3yw]

Is he Sean Parker?

[@RetrocadePodcast]

Proto Mr. Plinkett

[@TheMasterQuests]

He wasn’t wrong but at least he didn’t overreact

[@JG1570]

@@TheMasterQuests he did by saying George Lucas owed him an apology. George Lucas doesn’t owe shit to anyone. We’re lucky he shared his fantasy’s with us

[@TheMasterQuests]

@@JG1570 I mean the movie wasn't that bad

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

3:14 - Shaq's passion for cinema here is so contagious!!!!

[@Samos900]

It is! I went back to watch it a couple more times!

[@BobaFettuccine3541]

I couldn't imagine sitting behind Shaq and TRYING to see any movie.

[@jabs4real]

and then go see it a couple of times more and he's always in front of you.

[@Torpedoman316]

Yeah cuz he would be talking so loud am I right!!

[@TheIntruderInTheHobbitHole]

I bet the last guy in the clip was sitting behind Shaq.

[@nathanfracasse6645]

he probably had a private screening

[@superluigi8539]

I would be like, "I didnt know Shaq was in this movie!"

[@kaylenanderson4782]

"I think Little Anakain Skywalker, and everyone's going to say it, stole that movie" Oh man, I wish that was the reaction Jake Lloyd recieved.

[@simonreilly213]

I seriously don’t understand the hate he got. He was great.

[@verycoolperson46]

I’m not even a fan of his performance but he did not deserve that shit, he was ten

[@Hoowahoowa]

I just read up on his history. I feel sad for what he had to go through.

[@hansgruber9827]

Poor kid

[@slthjawa5062gggghhjjjjjkkkk]

As opposed to what reaction ? Because the one spoken about in this thread never happened.

[@ilyalead4blade897]

The Phantom Menace was the very first movie I've ever watched in a theater and I had no idea what Star Wars were at the time. this movie introduced me to the Star Wars universe so it will always have a special place in my heart

[@coldsake07]

Thats actually a decent argument

[@soulextracter]

It was actually almost the same for me! I didn't see it in theaters, but my mom rented it on VHS. It was my first time hearing of Star Wars as well. It wasn't until afterwards when my dad mentioned the previous installments that I realized it wasn't the first one, and luckily at that time, my uncle had the first three on VHS as well. The 1997 special editions. I watched those over and over, and rented the N64 game Shadows of the Empire over and over too. :)

[@Waterford1992]

It has a special place alright.... in Hell!!!

[@kevinburke6055]

Return of the Jedi was the first movie I saw in the theaters i was 4 damn I'm old.

[@billwilliams328]

I rented the VHS every weekend for months with my pocket money, first Star Wars that I saw and I’m a huge fan decades later. Ironically, Lucas did used to say the film’s aim was to capture a new generation of fans rather than please old, maybe that was the truth.

[@alexudell7964]

3:07 "it will be a great movie 20 years from now"..................................

[@smthnCorny]

Yeah, one of six... twenty years from then there would be seven!

[@ConnorEllisMusic]

Actually Twenty Years from 1999 there would be more than 7 m8.

[@MASSEFFECTfan101]

Well, there are people who like the film today.

[@napkamino7918]

Make that 50

[@cbacara3711]

Wow

[@Neckromorph]

I remember going to see Phantom Menace in theaters for my 8th birthday with my dad and brother. Good times. I miss it

[@finchborat]

I was a few weeks away from turning 7 when it came out.

[@johngilmore697]

@@finchborat Looking forward to reading your autobiography.

[@johngilmore697]

Yeah, it sucked balls.

[@MesozoicZac]

I was 5 and it’s one of the earliest things I remember. Movie blew me away in the theater. Recently just went to see it for the 25th anniversary and it’s still so good on the big screen.

[@jish55]

Yep, for about a month, people loved TPM, but then people online started to complain about the flaws, which in turn led to more people ignoring the positives and focusing on the flaws, which spread from joy, to indifference, to eventual disdain.

[@hermos3602]

The hate actually started a few years after Revenge of the Sith came out.

[@vonjoris2153]

@@hermos3602 No it wasn't. It was pretty instantaneous if you listen to the actors who played Jar Jar and Anakin talk about their experiences. The animosity towards the film started roughly between a few days or a month after it came out

[@MGrey-qb5xz]

but why?

[@DavidInsome]

I recently saw the movie because I’m rewatching everything Star Wars in chronological order and… this is the weakest entry I can possibly think of, I didn’t even see it as a critic and didn’t listen to the internet but wow you have to actively try to be this bad. The phantom menace is the most boring, gut wrenching, lamest, stiffest, most anxiety draining movie I have ever seen. It feels like nothing I can’t make fun of it I am awed on how much of a failure this is like you have to actually try to make a bad movie like this one, it’s not even so bad it’s funny it just feels like you’re dying. It’s the equivalent of paint drying, 😫 I don’t want to watch Star Wars bro

[@avenuePad]

@@hermos3602 I disliked it when I was watching it for the first time in the theatre. A friend of mine was going to walk out, but I convinced him to stay and watch the whole thing. I told him that if he didn't watch the whole thing Star Wars fans would say "If you stayed until the end you would have liked it."

[@Bribickhed6]

2:07 hits hard, considering the fact the exact opposite happened. The child actor that played anakin (jake loyd I think?) Received so much hate and contempt. Very sad.

[@coolmuzt]

A friend of mine who just got into Star Wars said the same thing, young Anakin stole the movie and his Naboo Starfighter scene was awesome. Much love to Mr. Lloyd and I hope he's doing alright now.

[@Person-wz6iy]

Well his mum recently revealed that the backlash had nothing to do with his current state, and that it probably would've happened either way.

[@koolmonkey55]

I was thinking the same thing

[@ColaMixx3000]

Schizophrenia sucks, nobody deserves it. Wish Mr. Lloyd all well, thought he was awesome in startwars.

[@renewalofmind2266]

Because he sucked.

[@gigantis2002]

To all the people thinking everyone in this video was wrong, here are a couple of quotes that were absolutely correct: "Non-stop" "Non-stop" "Non-stop" *The movie in fact did not stop through its entire runtime* "My heart was beating--it's still beating now" *She is in fact alive in this video* *And the guy at the end.*

[@FrancisXLord]

'Non-stop' is one of the movies faults in fairness, however enthusiastically they may have said it in their exuberant moods. The pacing on TPM is all over the place with little or no thought to contrast each scene against the one before in terms of pace (fast-slow-fast-slow is how a film should be as that maximises the dramatic effect of the changes in pace). I'm a writer, trust me. I would consider this an awful broken first draft script.

[@alosim1541]

Yeah, unfortunately the movie didn't stop until two and half hours after it started.

[@blumberde8726]

"I believe the kids are gonna love it" 2:20

[@gorillaX1944]

shut up

[@dinopower3698]

Guy at the end Ryan Johnson

[@AgentHK-47]

This is exactly how I remember everyone reacting to it. The bulk of the backlash came from media and entertainment outlets, not the actual fans.

[@praxton]

Ehhhhhh. You really didn't cringe throughout that movie? It was so clunky and awkward throughout. AOTC was worse, but damn was this a disappointment. What you're seeing here is the media actually carrying TPM's water. This is as glowing a first-reaction as you can get. It was the fans who rejected it.

[@AgentHK-47]

@@praxton I'm sorry, my friend, but you are very much incorrect in your assertions. I could elaborate and break down all the individual evidence (sales, merch, repeat viewings, fan clubs, etc) that disproves your belief, but frankly you seem like the type to reject that sugar is sweet.

[@squido-fg9ue]

@@AgentHK-47girl put your thesaurus away it’s youtube

[@TheJosep70]

Nah. I remember playing the PC game before seeing the movie, so that may have contributed to my disappointment, but I thought it was nothing special, and many people I knew had the same opinion.

[@sexobscura]

I'm a fan who despises those stupid prequels

[@JustinCage56]

You have to remember that this was during the late 90s. The final "happy days" of America.

[@jre-xf6uz]

Thanks to Bill Clinton and then the republicans took over and ruined America.

[@NikephorosCaesar]

The fall of the USSR marked the decline of the USA the 90s where basically the US trying to find itself now that it’s biggest enemy was gone citizens that had been living life like it was their last in the 80s now found themselves without a cause

[@jre-xf6uz]

@@NikephorosCaesar All lies!!!! Newt Gingrich ruined America and you are living in a fantasy bubble if you think otherwise. Please, do us all a favor and let the intellectual adults have the conversations. Every now and then we will throw you a table scrap if needed.

[@madgavin7568]

@@jre-xf6uz Both political parties are to blame for the absolute State of America. Personally I blame 9/11 😂

[@jre-xf6uz]

@@madgavin7568 You are an absolute piece of filth if you believe that. The republicans are the ones who have caused every problem in our country today. If you do not believe that, be gone!

[@timmyreyes1993]

"It'll be a great movie 20 years from now". This guy just predicted the cult following the prequels would get.

[@Silver77cyn]

“Liar!” -Anakin Skywalker

[@MofoMagnificent]

It's a jedi trait. That's why he appears to have such quick reflexes...

[@dannyflynn5681]

not really a cult following when it's the biggest movie franchise in the world

[@minertitan9890]

What he didn’t predict was how bad the movie actually would be 20 years later

[@angeloluna529]

its pretty much a cult following now people who disliked the movie when they were kids or adults slowly developed a taste of the movie's "uniqueness" and those who didnt experience the movie for the first time like it for the memes this movie unintentionally created. i dont like this movie and i think its a bad star wars movie, its saving grace is the soundtrack and lightsaber battles which still holds up to this day. the disney sequels, due to how horrendously bad they are, just dethroned episode 1 and 2 for the worst star wars movies to ever exist.

[@TheWaitingRoomTWR]

I worked in the theater during this time in high school, 1999 was a insane year for movies star wars, Matrix, austin powers, eyes wide shut, sixth sense, toy story 2, fight club, blair witch, american pie, Hollywood couldn't miss that year and it was great to have lived through that experience

[@vice7107]

I'm glad the guy with the Darth Maul cosplay enjoyed the movie lol

[@MrFarkasOfficial]

i don't know why people nowadays say that the people didn't like Episode I. i specifically remember how everyone was talking about how much they loved it.

[@hermos3602]

Because of the small minority of salty fanboys. Ever since people like Plinkett made lies about how no one liked TPM, people started to believe that.

[@kringerman396]

The hate for the prequels was apparently so contagious that people now started to hate on them simply because a small group of idiots on the internet told them to.

[@coldsake07]

It's called shock and denial, after a couple weeks we all started to accept what had just happened

[@zetandpeligaming]

@@kringerman396 Truer words have never been spoken

[@SnyderBro2029]

​@@hermos3602 It's still going on to this day sadly, with people like mauler basically making fun of people enjoying the sequels.

[@StalwartShinobi]

I just feel sad for those that disliked the prequels because I loved them all and now know the pain of the sequel trilogy

[@MGrey-qb5xz]

don't worry it was made for your generation, these freaking 70s people were really petty and boring

[@SamvedIyer]

@@MGrey-qb5xz Much as I love the original trilogy, the purists thereof are indeed petty. The prequels are to my mind fantastic.

[@andresramirez4469]

episode 1 was not needed. The real story should start with attack of the clones

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

Not a good comment

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

@@SamvedIyer no

[@jakkusdumpster7823]

The real proof, whenever someone tells you "everyone hated a movie", they have no right to do so. Let's live for what we love.

[@HorusHeresy1982]

Everyone loved episode VII and a year later everyone trashed it. Opinions change.

[@jish55]

@@HorusHeresy1982 not even that, because everyone was still excited to see what happens next. The hate came after TLJ where, because it essentially screwed up the story that was being built up, made TFA pointless, to the point that the flaws of the film became a lot more glaring, where if TLJ was good, people would have forgiven it.

[@Darth_Vader258]

@@jish55 The Last Jedi was a GOOD movie the SMALL MINORITY just hated it.

[@Bennahr_Fett]

@@Darth_Vader258 Lol you enjoy that fantasy :)

[@tracark2255]

Lmao you do know that these clips are from the first week? Hype will go down a month later and there would be actual criticisms for this movie. Look at endgames first week and far from homes first week and no way homes.

[@jasonisourhero]

Everyone was talking about Star wars on a daily basis throughout the 80s and 90s. Imaginary light saber battles down the pub, one liners with the postman, even driving to work imagining I was in a Pod Racer was normal. Back then literally every breathing human on the planet was in on it. I truly do miss the way people were.

[@invisiblefiddle1645]

"Eight wonders of the world one of them being this movie!" - Star Wars fan 1999 "Episode 1 is the worst Star Wars film out of them all!" -Star wars fans 2007 " it's not that bad." - Star Wars fans after Disney Trilogy release 2020 Notice how most of the fans really liked the movie after they watched it? People started disliking the movie only after they listened to the tiny minority of the people who complained about it.

[@Guy_Gumbert]

Nah both the prequels and sequels sucked

[@burekastv7606]

@@Guy_Gumbert no u

[@Guy_Gumbert]

@@burekastv7606 no u

[@MajinMexi714]

@@Guy_Gumbert no me

[@Guy_Gumbert]

@@MajinMexi714 yeah your pretty rad

[@Ryan-Petre]

I feel like there's a 50/50 split here between people who genuinely liked it, and people who clearly didn't but were just coping. Like despite a lot of genuine enthusiasm, with a lot of them you can hear the denial in their voices.

[@marcuscain1377]

But how do you know some of them are in denial? It sounds like maybe you're in denial about anyone actually ligimetaly annoying TPM.

[@Ryan-Petre]

@@marcuscain1377 "ligimetaly annoying"?? Do you mean legitimately enjoying? If so, no. I personally love Phantom Menace, but I'm able to recognize that a lot of people genuinely didn't.

[@Sergio-nb4hj]

​@@Ryan-Petrewhich ones do you think were faking it?

[@RunOfTheHind]

I'm 44, saw Jedi at the cinema in '83 and saw TPM when it came out...the feeling was kinda awe and excitement at a new Star Wars movie...but underneath there was a certain unease. Something wasn't quite right but you couldn't put your finger on it. That looks to me like a lot of the reactions there too. Then I saw AotC on bootleg VHS and didn't bother going to the cinema coz it was crap and then didn't bother with RotS at all. Then the RLM vids came out and put everything I had *felt* but couldn't articulate into words...

[@rigzmoviediaries654]

It annoys the shit out of me that some people in this comment section are clowning on these people simply for enjoying the movie and talking about how good they thought it was. Sorry to break it to you, but this video is real. A lot of people liked the prequels. Accept it.

[@coolmuzt]

I love the prequels too.

[@sIither]

The thing is they didn't enjoy it they just think they were supposed to. Big difference. Mass hysteria sometimes holds you back from telling the truth to appease yourself and deny the reality that something miserably failed to live up to your own expectations.

[@Nooneishereonlyme]

​@@sIither what?

[@Nooneishereonlyme]

Exactly

[@quntface1518]

It's more the pretending that they were cult classics, rather than the reality that they were mocked and blasted so badly that George Lucas stopped making movies...

[@soccerguy325]

Pleasantly surprised to see the fan reaction at the time was so overwhelmingly positive. I love it but I was too little to see it when it came out. Didn't realize the hate only kind of developed over time.

[@eddiepalomares7639]

People loved it back in 1999 and I think what had happened was the shift to comic book movies like X-men and than the big megaton Spider-Man. I love the phantom menace but memes and jokes and the internet have put a really bad stigma on it. It still holds up till this day witch the digital effects and say what you want about anakin or jar jar but they did what they needed to do. Keep you entertained. I love jar jar

[@parks97]

It got absolutely shit stomped critically as soon as it came out lol

[@soccerguy325]

@@parks97 That's kind of an unfair generalization. Critics' response was also more mixed.

[@madgavin7568]

@@eddiepalomares7639 I have to imagine if the character Jar Jar never existed TPM would have been better received.

[@themovieguysam2590]

3:04 Pedro Pascal makes an early appearance in the saga!

[@AnakinSkywalker-zq6lm]

Wow

[@Dr_Pachacamac]

I thought it was Marlon Brando!

[@QuackersAhoy]

Being a wide eyed, impressionable kid when Eps 4, 5 & 6 came out, imo they'll never be bettered. Roll on 16 years, now a cynical, jaded adult and Ep 1 appears and I went in with low expectations. I absolutely loved it! Even Eps 2 & 3 are superb, okay some of the dialogue and acting was a bit dodgy but compared to the Disney trilogy, the prequels are absolute epics.

[@leoprince691]

Nope, the Disney sequels are WAY better than any of the prequels, except Rise Of Skywalker. The prequels, especially the first two are the two worst Star Wars movies by FAR.

[@fabioj2353]

Love that the vast, vast majority of audiences loved the films. Hilarious that KZbinrs attempting to hate on them use the very few clips of people disliking them, like the one at the end of this video, to highlight that everyone hated them always. It’s honestly hilarious. The prequels are awesome! Thanks George!

[@leoprince691]

The prequels suck. And no, the hate was legitimate. People enjoyed it at first, then turned on it and became bad. Let's be real, you only enjoyed it because you grew up with it, not because it was actually good.

[@Osio1000_5]

​@@leoprince691Imagine copying the exact same comment twice xd

[@szerelem5740]

This movie....legendary. Cant put into words, so much feelings from childhood.

[@DaleTuck31]

"I thINk I DEserVe a publIC apoLoGY frOm geoRGe LuCas"

[@duderRechthat]

Its actually pretty funny... George Lucas spawned all these Star Wars fans through his original visionary story, yet all these wanna-be padawans wanna act up as soon as their mentor does not give them the exact story that they crave. Buying a ~$10 movie ticket does not mean you get to dictate what should be shown in the movie theatre, you merely paid to be allowed to view an artwork created by professionals. Take a seat, watch the movie, like it or dislike it but for the love of god stop whining like a child

[@hecklefietwopup2060]

that guy definitely was a internet movie 'critic' back in the day

[@Person-wz6iy]

Loser.

[@duderRechthat]

@wingsofwinter2600 Part of why he sold the franchise was the backlash that he got for the prequels. He was not motivated to produce any more Star Wars movies, so he sold it to someone that is willing to give fans more Star Wars. Disney did not want him to oversee the production, but they offered a good deal that enables Lucas to do the things he enjoys. He said he wanted the money to build a museum on filmmaking, a good cause imo. Good on him for not bowing to a toxic fanbase but instead doing what he enjoys.

[@kylerstorm9260]

it was just hyperbole like that chick who called it the 8th wonder of the world before she even saw it. i can’t believe that dude hurt so many people’s feelings.

[@paulwidit3792]

This is definitely a gem to look at especially this being in 1999. World was different 21 years ago.i miss it

[@koleslaw7566]

This video has been one of my favorites in a while because it truly highlights how much joy Star Wars can bring to the fans. The amount of joyous people overwhelms my emotions and really displays just how much a movie can make people happy. Despite the “flaws” the prequels had, the special moments they had more than made up for it. The Dude at 1:10 who is choking up makes my heart warm. Star Wars is about the fans and the community it always has been and hopefully it always will be. MTFBWY

[@JG1570]

Koleslaw 756 Agreed! Sad that jackass at the end who failed to stay open minded to the fact that George Lucas was going back into the lighter days of the galaxy before it was corrupted by Vader and the Empire had to destroy the excitement. That guy deserves a public punch in the nuts from George Lucas.

[@AaronChristian951]

I’m happy for them. They didint get disappointed with what they got.

[@q.h.s5051]

2:07 This hurts me in retrospect... poor Jake

[@florida10100]

The hype around this movie at the time was so big it was almost impossible for this movie to live up to the immense history of the Star Wars mythology. 21 years on I’ve watched it again and it is a good Star Wars addition. 😀.

[@zachary7897]

Do you feel like you like it more now?

[@florida10100]

@@zachary7897 absolutely. This movie was almost smothered with the weight of expectation of Star Wars the biggest movie franchise in history!!!!

[@themarsman5155]

Awful movie up there with the holiday special

[@LAVATORR]

The following is not a joke: I saw it with my dad, and when we left the theater, I immediately asked "Can I ask just one question..." and with vaudevillain timing, he replied "...what the hell was going on? I have no fucking idea."

[@lapplandkun9273]

thats basically also the last jedi XD

[@poppapalpatine7659]

Best Dad Ever!!! Hahahaha

[@DaleTuck31]

Must be a dumbass

[@thearbyter7953]

Sounds like two dumbasses in theater

[@russmangus]

I grew up watching the original trilogy and went to see this in theaters when I was 10. The original 3 can never be beat, but when I walked out of Ep1 I was thrilled. As a teenager seeing Ep3 was amazing. I'm probably a bigger fan of 4,5,6 then I may otherwise be because 1,2,3 were coming out as I was growing up.

[@joshsawyerstreamvods]

"better than the old ones"

[@RetrocadePodcast]

+maceo gray Lol blinded they were

[@caedus0809]

For many people prequels are very good and it's nothing wrong about that, this is normal, when I was little The Phantom Menace was my first SW movie so I love it....

[@lowgunfire2671]

For me, they ARE better than the old ones.

[@barneybash6701]

For me they are better than the old ones as well.

[@iloveyourgyatttt]

Maceo Gray I prefer the prequels to the originals

[@Ogasso]

Funny to think that the kids interviewed are around my age +30 today. Saw this movie summer of 99 when I was 11 years old. ✨

[@RetrocadePodcast]

I was 11 too, now we're old geezers 😂😂

[@madgavin7568]

I wonder how many of those people are now married with kids.

[@nathancrawshaw2708]

While i'm happy the star wars prequels are finally getting some recognition and being praised as good films despite their flaws I will not forget the original fans of the prequels who didn't need Disney sequels, memes, books and even the clone wars show to appreciate them for what they were. Damn good movies with yes a few problems. We held out till the end boys and came out victorious

[@mikejenkins4924]

I remember leaving the theater with my friends and playing air light sabres and pod racing all the way home. Loved it.

[@yoda2824]

If anyone rips on the Phantom Menace, show that person this video of people from 1999.

[@Darksoul-cs2ob]

Sebastian Gonzalez if anyone lines the phantom menace, show them the clip from the movie of a camel farting

[@mafiablokes]

Dark soul If anyone likes the original trilogy, show them the clip of the pit monster burping

[@Wade_Fucking_Wilson]

Dark soul better than luke milking walrus tits

[@shamusbob7969]

Prequel apologist are the worst.

[@alneri8327]

@@Darksoul-cs2ob hahahaah

[@Swim_Jonse]

I like the kid at 1:25. "It was better than all of them." I know that hype very well and I miss that feeling. I'm sure he's in his mid-30s now "adulting" just as well as the rest of us. I wonder how often he thinks back to this and these times. Feels like a totally different world.

[@hichaelhighers]

So glad I caught this one in the theatre back in the day.

[@miroslavjanecek9993]

The Phantom menace Possibly the film that divides audiences like no other. I am of those who love it. This is what I would like all Star Wars movies to look like. It was the first of the saga that I saw. And it remains my favorite.

[@Chosen_one_501]

The last Jedi definetley divided the fan base far worse. Phantom menace did have its haters sure, but the majority of fans still liked it.

[@osmosisjones6734]

The internet made people change their opinions look most of these people loved it

[@bradleyrutledge]

Because they weren't being influenced into hating it by internet hacks.

[@andrewdilbeck9842]

This was the first Star Wars movie I ever saw in theaters.

[@finchborat]

Same with me. I was a month away from turning 7 when it came out.

[@Acid_Assassin]

This was (possibly) the greatest year of movie releases in history. The shot at 2:05 shows The Matrix, and The Mummy posters up on the wall in the background. You could go into a theater at any time during that year, and there would be multiple movies showing that were worth watching. What a stark difference when compared to todays film industry.

[@derpoltergeist8265]

0:04 I wouldn't have the balls to say that on TV

[@reesedavid9037]

Wow I love how everyone just loved Star Wars here. I want todays people to go back to that. Hopefully we get a great movie again.

[@glx3846]

It’s the 20th Anniversary! Still a great film!

[@or2130]

It's a classic ! made our childhoods amazing

[@James-xw8li]

its a terrible movie

[@glx3846]

@@James-xw8li That’s your opinion

[@James-xw8li]

@@glx3846 yes it is my opinion Sherlock. what the fuck is your point lmao

[@AyanKhan-og3sd]

@@James-xw8li your comment is terrible

[@NintendoCapriSun]

Still remember going to Pizza Hut and there being a cardboard stand-up Jar Jar there. Got a picture of it with my sister, still have it!

[@dvdv7777]

0:56 "There's no way it's gonna be a disappointment" oooh boy.

[@MofoMagnificent]

Young fool...only at the end did he understand.

[@danielszymkowski6856]

Comparing it to the new movies, these were Oscar winners in comparison

[@nikobellic3830]

Disney Shill

[@ReubA]

@@danielszymkowski6856 I love u

[@summerrunner1755]

This prequel hate did not age well. oooh boy.

[@j.k4150]

everyone says that phantom menace is hated but here you can see the opposite

[@leoprince691]

These are initial reactions, it doesn't really mean anything. And those that currently defend it grew up with it. Just because people like a movie doesn't mean it's actually good. People like crappy things all the time, the prequels included.

[@Tom-Pendragon]

"pEOple haTE iit when it came Out"

[@cobrallama6236]

There was such a magical electricity surrounding this premiere. It was THEE event of a lifetime for middle school boy me. Everything I consumed and dreamed about for weeks leading up to the premiere was based around the Phantom Menace. Upon having finally seen the movie, I was actually quite critical of Jar Jar and of Anakin's character arc, and I could tell it was meant to appeal most specifically to kids even younger than me. But, I still loved it. It was a feast for the senses and an immense achievement in special effects. It just felt comforting to live in that world for me. Nearly 25 years later, I still greatly enjoy all of the prequels, despite their flaws. And unlike many prequel fans, I also find the Plinkett reviews absolutely hilarious!

[@catchwreck928]

I MISS THE LATE 90S😭

[@finchborat]

My childhood!

[@MrSkullMerchant]

Now these are real star wars fans

[@jakeschwartz2514]

And this is pod racing

[@MrSkullMerchant]

@@jakeschwartz2514 👍

[@bradleyrutledge]

Minus the last guy

[@y.n.tryone4683]

The last guy definitely got bullied in school

[@skeletonjam]

why?

[@john_1986]

1:26 That's it, I'm calling Anakin to deal with this kid.

[@saintcadence3751]

The movie may have not been amazing, but to see this fan culture from an era gone by is heartwarming.

[@JG-ow7ps]

All the tickets that sold the last 2 weeks for the 25th year anniversary says other wise, it’s great

[@carealoo744]

"People we're screaming and cheering. You know when the logo popped up for 20th century Fox at the beginning? That was the best."

[@youtubeman2001]

Proof that most people liked the movie. It was the vocal minority on the internet that hated it and changed public opinion

[@hyperreal]

Nah they just weren’t good films

[@emoxvx]

0:52 - I'd love to know how the Darth Maul cosplayer is doing in life in 2023. He just seems so happy.

[@Ziggerath]

Ahh before people started trading in their own opinions for those of armchair critics. “People don’t have ideas, ideas have people” that quote sums it up perfectly. For the vast majority, It’s not even anyone’s own opinion to dislike the prequels.

[@OptimusSmyth]

These people were me when I saw it too! I was 10 and I remember the hype around this film when it was coming out. It feels so good to hear the positive people in this video, especially the kid at the end giving Jar Jar some praise as a character.

[@ctwu58]

“Damn the movie is bad!!!” Disney: wait for another 16 years guys

[@kevyndaumas3804]

123 are bad 78 ok good 9 never mention

[@user-hu8fn2jp5v]

@@kevyndaumas3804 i thought 8 is the worst, 9th was shit but a bit better than 8. 8 just ruined george's vision for starwars

[@ikoandreas5085]

@@kevyndaumas3804 123 are awesome

[@starwarsfan8732]

The Sequel Trilogy was awesome so shut up and get the fuck out of here you stupid Star Wars hater!

[@alneri8327]

@@starwarsfan8732 9 and 7 aren't star wars , 8 is a parody

[@AndreNitroX]

However you feel about the prequels, the hype was real, the love for Star Wars was so genuine and I love watching these fans prepare for their viewing

[@majorastorm]

Can't believe people used to camp outside of theaters

[@bobbobertbobberton1073]

Its so weird watching this on tv, it looks so old but it was just like another day. Getting old is trippy.

[@timeb9300]

I miss life back in those days

[@soldaten-norbert8520]

Remember when movies were actually celebrated and people talked about them for months? In the background you can see posters for The Mummy and The Matrix. What a year. And now we have Marvel Movie 27 and Shitty Jump Scare Horror Movie and Animated Movie Sequel Part 7

[@aztro4010]

The last movie to have that sort of impact I would say was The Lord of the Rings movies, people would have to wait for those movies every single year and The Return of the King was the I believe the most anticipated movie at the time, I remember my dad telling me that the lines for LOTR were big when he saw them (I was born two years after the trilogy finished).

[@JM-zo5me]

Not a cell phone in sight. Just people living in the moment.

[@arkfounder7056]

1:18 - Only two there are, no more, no less.

[@thenightmare2495]

Glad to see that people loved it even back then , personally I think its the second best in the prequel trilogy the first being revenge of the sith

[@sixgunsuperman]

This is more how I remember Phantom Menace going down. The movie gets a bad wrap, but at the time we were just stoked to have new Star Wars. I was in the military at the time, and quite a few of us went out and bought lightsabers and dueled for weeks after that.

[@MisterGenesis64AK]

These are like the fan reactions to Batman V Superman lol.

[@TonyG8992]

Extended cut was great though.

[@cezmark1420]

@Tony Vercetti nope.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

Tony Vercetti Why do Snyder cultists always blame the cut? If Snyder was a better director he would have been more involved and learned to edit.

[@engagementengagement8836]

Mild Misanthrope studio interference moron

[@kevyndaumas3804]

No

[@In-N-Out333]

Ironic that they're saying it's a great sci-fi film while The Matrix posters are in the background.

[@hermos3602]

That's probably because they meant it. I don't see how that's ironic.

[@AR-ix8fq]

@@hermos3602 because compared to the Matrix, episode 1 was trash

[@athalonARC]

It took me years before I vould understand what was going on in the Matrix, its one of the weirdest films I have seen. I prefer the prequels over it.

[@pete6705]

Matrix came out just a couple weeks earlier. Also the Mummy. It was a big month for Sci Fi

[@gandalfthegrey2592]

@@AR-ix8fq I prefer Ep 1 to Matrix, I didn't care much for the Matrix. Maybe because I'm a SW fan.

[@coleyonmcdouchebag3842]

The originals had an amazing story yet were kinda linear, and didnt really feel like a huge galaxy with a massive empire controlling it. The prequels weren't done nearly as well, however the action and special effects were amazing for their time and finally made Star Wars feel like a galaxy far far away.

[@Xixbalba]

I remember seeing this for my 8th birthday. I love watching these. The Star Wars we used to have was amazing… then Disney came around.

[@ShivJ16]

Christ these comments are stupid. How can you people not comprehend that it is possible to have actually enjoyed the phantom menace? The circlejerk is way too strong against this film.

[@RealBillyGarcia]

ShivJ16 🙌🏽

[@wh3nderson95]

You also have to think about how fan response and nostalgia affect public opinion. This was the honeymoon period when people waited 16 years for a prequel and an intensive marketing campaign to pander to the average moviegoer.

[@Conan-Le-Cimmerien]

@@wh3nderson95 no excuse, I had no nostalgia when I saw the phantom menace, it was a good movie that I enjoyed

[@unholyscreeching3342]

Yeah, you're allowed to dislike the movies but its not all about people having 'nostalgia'. The movies came out before i was born but i grew up on Star Wars either way and i dont just enjoy the prequels for that reason. The Clone Wars series only added to my love for the prequels and Revenge of the Sith is my favourite Star Wars movie but the Phantom Menace is definitely up there. I was scrolling through some of the comments and the fact that people seem to believe people cant like this film for any reason other than nostalgia is stupid? Albiet most of the comments were from years ago. To the people who like the sequels over the prequels, the ability to speak does not make you intelligent. (Im kidding, Im kidding, just dont bash eachother for opinions. Surprise, people can like the prequels.)

[@gamergirl2236]

3:04 Wow that aged well. People prefer the prequels over the sequels.

[@dumbcat]

"id put my feet up if i could"

[@porthub3553]

I'd pay to see that! especially if they were bare.

[@mattmc5069]

I can remember how excited everyone was for the toys. In less than one year (around September 1999) our family dollar had them and they only took toys that didn't sell anywhere else. They had A LOT of them especially Anakin Skywalker. I remember even through all the hype a 1977 issue 1 from marvel at this time was only $35.00. Comic grading wasn't there yet (but on the way) so many comics where still very affordable yet. Also eBay was around but most people where throwing beanie babies and furbies on there (though the original toys had a lot of value)

[@CCTV9]

The first step is always denial.

[@JayDee284]

looks like its happening again.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@JayDee284 How? what?

[@Bennahr_Fett]

MayI ask why you hate the prequels?

[@bakedinspiration]

People complaining about the dueling fates scene had no idea what Disney was gonna do to their boy.

[@carealoo744]

Just because you hate a Star Wars movie doesn't mean you're not a Star Wars fan.

[@kevista117]

*RedLetterMedia enters the chat*

[@blwatches2260]

I would never understand why people hate prequels so much !! I absolutely loved them !

[@Steel-101]

Yeah man same here. I watched all three nonstop when I was a kid. My favorite is the third one. I never get tired of the locations, the story, and the light saber battles. The only one I didn’t really like in the prequel’s was the second one. I didn’t hate it but I just didn’t like Anakins whining and that “slaughtering sand people” speech with Padme(why she didn’t just run out of there I’ll never know lol 😂). Some things felt off in that movie but everything else is fantastic in attack of the clones.

[@JSerna19]

I mean it’s hard to hate anything that you grew up with and associate with your childhood. I’m sure kids who grew up with the Sequel Trilogy will look back fondly as well.

[@scottmcphee2076]

This brings to mind what the reactions my friends and I had when we went to see The Phantom Menace. I liked the effects and the light saber battles. It was good to see how things like the Galactic Senate worked instead of them just being talked about. I think some critics were harsh. The Phantom Menace was not the greatest movie ever made. Star Wars is primarily for kids. The movies are fun to watch. It does not pretend to be high culture.

[@masterkent1]

"Its so dense, every single image has so many things going on."

[@iguillo]

This is THE MOST anticipation I've ever felt for a movie, when this came out. Since then, I've also become an MCU fan, but I didn't even have the level of anticipation for Infinity War, that I had for The Phantom Menace!🙂

[@griffinsutich1067]

0:19 Frosted Tips! Great throwback

[@ifrit4545]

I'll never forget watching The Phantom Menace on its premiere with my little brother. It was pretty cool, haha i remember being surprised when everyone started to cheer just when the Lucas Logo came up.

[@or2130]

My first Star Wars, till this day anytime I watch it gives me surge of nostalgia, how anybody can say this movie sucked has lost there god damn minds & need to see a therapist, Karma must have been a B**** once Disney took over huh ? ya can keep those 3 Disney remakes I'll keep my childhood any day of the week

[@rtm4308]

People always say that phantom menace was a bad Movie and yet look the positive response it got #JusticeforJarjar

[@maltergesicht2475]

Ah.. Back in the days when a movie's popularity was decided by opinions not on a twitter post.

[@prestonlindbeck1197]

A friend worked @ a movie theater when this came out in 1999, and sold one individual tickets to eight consecutive showings of the Phantom Menace.