George Lucas talks Phantom Menace 20 years later

In a recent interview, George Lucas talks about the Phantom Menace 20 years later and its bad reception in 1999.

[Siile_]

It was designed for 12 year olds and it was perfect in that regard. I was about to turn 12 a few months after the release and that movie made me go from fan to completely obsessed with Star Wars. Sure nowadays I can see all the things adults had issues with back then, but I can still happily sit through all the prequels (and have many times). I have seen TLJ once and will never watch it again.

[SaminaJam]

"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."
-C.S. Lewis
I have a soft spot for Phantom Menace but I have to agree with the Narnia man on this one.

[moonlogic]

If it is for 12 year olds, then why is the underlying plot of political maneuvering, separatism and fascist take-over so complicated? :p

[Fenris]

When you compare everything the Prequels added to Star Wars to what the Sequels gave us yeah it's no question how awesome the prequels were.

[spiderladst]

I like Jar Jar, he is the true master of the dark side. You can see this solidified even more by watching the Clone Wars (2008).

[davidgressli]

Prequels are amazing!!!





Who agrees???

[SampionicBoom]

Let's put it this way, I am a casual Star Wars fan and watched the Phantom Menace 5 times at the Cinema, Attack of the Clones 3 times, Revenge of the Sith 3 times, Episode 7 twice, Rogue One once, The Last Jedi once and never saw Solo.
I have all the original and prequels collectors box set which I re watched countless times and reluctantly bought Episode 7 second hand off ebay.
See the pattern?
In my personal opinion the original along with the prequels are superior films regardless of their flaws.
George Lucas focused on a beginning, middle and end with the plot down packed. I was never a Jar Jar hater or bothered by him in the movie but never loved him either. There was so much good stuff packed into the Phantom Menace that it compensates the bad regardless.
Pod Race!
Duel of the fates!
Awesome stuff!

[Crimson]

“A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.” - George Lucas (1983)

[Chopperwocky]

I first saw Phantom Menace when I was 24.I love it and still love it to this day.The Last Jedi however is an abomination.

[TheChosenOneProphecyEST]

Again I love that opening! 😂 looking forward to this video!

[MovieMusic]

The Disney trilogy is only for kids, not the prequels.

[DeepEye]

"This is a movie about space wizards intended for children!"
-Patrick H. Willems, grown adult who seriously defends The Last Jedi with an argument he'd probably disagree with if it came out of George's mouth or you were using it to defend the prequels, but he can because he's a stupid hypocrite.

[NPC_]

The Darth jar jar theory made me love jar jar cause it made too much sense especially with the drunken fist art form and how can you argue against the lip synch in the prequels like its mindblowing

[jamesschmidt]

Your videos are just awesome! Always putting good spin on things and looking at both sides.

[tonilarios]

I was like 12 when Phantom Menace came out and it blew my mind. (I liked jar jar as a kid) I grew up to hate the prequels only to appreciate them again now because of nostalgia.

[Bobman-mlqf]

I can talk about and defend Phantom Menace more than The Las Jedi.

[thomasmartin]

Pixar films are geared towards an even younger audience and every single one is loved by adults

[YTWanderer]

Yes, the "it's meant for 12 year olds" argument is bullshit.
You definately can create a movie that evokes the inner child of grown-ups without pissing them off with childish writing.
Lucas proved it himself with the original Star Wars.

[velocitylaunchsystems]

when I think of star wars, I really don't think of the original trilogy. I think about the epic lightsaber battles, the diverse planets, the spaceships etc, which is found in the prequels. Though some people dont like the prequels, i beleive everyone can agree that star wars is star wars because of them

[Adudelaw]

2:18 Like in A New Hope when the stormtrooper bangs his head?