How to turn the Phantom Menace into the Phenomenal Menace

Hi guys! I’m new here and wanted to talk about the only reason Star Wars still occupies my mind to this day: the prequels. I don’t hate them, at all. I also don’t love them. But I like them enough. Enough to often wonder if a certain tweak could’ve changed how we felt about them.

I guess I fall within the millennial category, and my Dad never got into the Star Wars hype when he was young, so when I wanted to watch Star Wars as a kid, he didn’t know better to steer me away from the prequels. In fact, he told me I was lucky to be a kid now since I could watch them chronologically (he knew that much)! So the first Star Wars movie I saw was the first installment of the prequel trilogy, the Phantom Menace (I had no idea what that meant and it was a real turnoff at first (it sounded real nerdy)).

The only bad part I remember was Darth Vader not showing up in the first 2 movies, but that’s the only thing that kept me going. I didn’t care about Yoda or the lightsabers that much. That’s why episode 3 got me pumped, but I had to skip that one since it was 2004 and it wasn’t out yet. So I started watching the original trilogy. That’s when Star Wars got good. But keep in mind, the difference between a good movie and a bad movie to a kid is attention span. Unlike the prequels, my attention did not waiver with the originals. I was sill hooked certain moments in the prequels, but I was actually interested in the originals. The best moment from episode 4 for me was seeing Obi-Wan because I immediately recognized him and felt such shock. What happened to the young guy from episode 2? Why is he hiding in a desert? Then episode 5 came and the real surprise hit me; Darth Vader is Anakin. Wow. Did not at all see that coming. Huge twist, especially since I saw what he was before. That’s just some insight on how a millennial grew up with Star Wars. The prequels didn’t ruin everything for us. In fact, they lowered our expectations, which in turn made the originals even more awesome. I feel sorry for the guys who had to watch the originals than the prequels. That must’ve sucked.

Growing older and looking back at the Prequels is different for me since I grew up with them instead of the originals. All I can see is the potential, still untapped. The only reason I still think about Star Wars, is because I’d like to figure out if certain parts of the prequels could’ve been tweaked enough to enhance the Star Wars saga. I’ve seen all these “What if they were good” videos, but I don’t think the answer is laying in a new foundation. Sure you could do that, but it’s unnecessary. Just certain things need to be changed, not the entire story. In fact, I think the underlying plot of the prequels is much more entertaining than the original trilogy. That’s why I find this frustrating! I’m going to present my ideas on how small tweaks could greatly enhance the Phantom Menace, a good movie that is boggled down by trivial elements. I would love to also hear everyone else’s ideas as well!

tl;dr

Tell me what small changes could’ve been made to the Phantom Menace that would’ve greatly enhanced the Star Wars Saga

1. Turn the Gungans into the Mon Calamari.
2. Turn Jar Jar into Admiral Ackbar
3. Turn Anakin back into a 14 year old
4. Make the Jedi a branch of the Republic. They answer to the senate instead of themselves. This’ll create tension in the future for Anakin.
5. When the Jedi escape the planet of Naboo with the Queen, have the rescued pilots get in Naboo fighters to help the Queen escape the blockade (makes it more realistic)
6. In the senate meeting in the movie, Valorum refuses to acknowledge the invasion and only offers to send a team to investigate. He only does this because the Trade Federation says Naboo’s claims are too crazy to believe. Instead, have the Trade Federation mention how instead of ambassadors, Valorum sent Jedi to intimidate them. This kind of news is scandalous and would work as a blow to Valorum.
7. Play up on the civil rights issue with the Gungans and the Nabooians. Make it a central theme, that they have to put aside their prejudices and come together to save the planet.
8. Explain why the Trade Federation would want the planet of Naboo.
9. Change the “Naboo is starving because of the blockade” to “Trade Federation oppressing people”. They won’t starve if they don’t trade. They’re a PLANET! They have their own resources.
10. Leave Anakin building 3PO. It’s fine, just make sure that he assembled him with spare protocol droid parts, like it says in the original draft.
11. Change the title to The Force Awakens. It works much much better. The chosen one is found and the Sith return. Those are some pretty significant events for the future of the force.
12. Instead of the senate being distracted by trade negotiations, change it to being distracted by chancellor election season. Makes Palpatine becoming Chancellor by the end of the movie more realistic.

The biggest problem I have with TPM and the Prequels in general is Obi-Wan and Anakin’s friendship was pushed aside and not addressed then suddenly we were supposed to care when Anakin turned dark. Obi-Wan really should have been in the Qui-Gon role like the rough draft. Then you could devote time to their friendship in the first film. It would help to make Anakin 20 or so so they really could be brothers.

Instead of Battle Droids, have the Trade Federation hire and use Madalorian Super Commandos with Destroyer Droid back ups. No stupid cute Roger, Roger shit.

Spend 5 minutes and explain why the Sith were thought to be extinct and why they hate the Jedi. Its in the novelization and would make a pretty good scene to have Obi-Wan explain the conflict and their demise of a thousand years ago. Kind a call back to him telling Luke about the fall of the Republic and the betrayal of Vader, but without the retconned lying.

I do wish Maul had continued as the main villain and taken Dooku and Grievous’ place. You can still have him get cut in half and his return in Attack of the Clones would have been a shock to Obi-Wan and it would make sense Kenobi would be the one to track him down and eventually end him on Utapau.

lovelikewinter said:
I do wish Maul had continued as the main villain and taken Dooku and Grievous’ place. You can still have him get cut in half and his return in Attack of the Clones would have been a shock to Obi-Wan and it would make sense Kenobi would be the one to track him down and eventually end him on Utapau.

Yeah that’s a great idea. Maybe you could morph Grievous into Maul. Makes it a much more personal vendetta.

leetwall31 said:
How to turn the Phantom Menace into the Phenomenal Menace

Teach him how to fight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0mUVY9fLlw

^ I love that video.
“Aim any old how. Go to the dentist.”

How to make TPM good:

•take theatrical TPM

•cut out every scene that doesn’t have music

•cut out a few more boring scenes for good measure

•watch with isolated score track

Either that or just watch the video for that one weird Al song.