If any of you out there know me, than you know that I have a fascination with the Star Wars universe, the prequel films included. I am fascinated that Lucas was able to combine the philosophy and mythological teachings of Joseph Campbell, with allusions to world religions and historical falls of republics and the eventual rise of tyrannical dictators like Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, and bring about the most fascinating story ever assembled by just one simple man with a dream.
With that said, the prequel trilogy is one of the worst trilogies of films of all time in terms of acting, writing, and generally less than spectacular special effects, proving that Lucas is more interested in telling a story that is visually compelling instead of relying on the kind of writing that brought out such classics as "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back". In these posts, I will be focusing on what could have made Episodes I-III not only as good as the original trilogy, but even more superior when compared to such famous trilogies as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Dark Knight".
*I also recommend watching belatedmedia's video "What if Episode I was good". It's a truly fascinating video, giving insight to how "The Phantom Menace" cold have been a much more interesting film
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The film begins on the planet Coruscant, instead of Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Valorum is meeting with his Jedi Order informant, Palpatine. They are discussing a recent skirmish the Jedi were involved in on the planet Mandalore, where several Jedi were killed by a rebel group of Mandalorian bounty hunters, which has truly damaged the leader of the mission, Jedi Master Dooku. Palpatine informs the Chancellor that Dooku has already resigned from the Order and that the Order is worried about the growing tension of the outlying systems of the Republic. The meeting is interrupted by Valorum's youngest intern, Padme Amidala, who tells the Chancellor about a coup on Cato Nemoidia, that has brought billionaire Viceroy Nute Gunray to power. Gunray has been outspoken against the Republic for years and intends to take his system out of the Republic and form his own galactic regime.
Meanwhile, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his TWO apprentices, Obi-Wan Kenobi (23) and Anakin Skywalker (14), arrive on Dooku's home planet of Serreno to try to convince the aged Jedi to return to the Order. Qui-Gon teaches his two apprentices about patience and learning to be mindful of the Force. During their meeting, Dooku extends an open invitation for his former apprentice to join his Confederacy of Independent Systems, claiming that the Republic that they had sworn to serve had become too corrupt to defend and had to be destroyed. Qui-Gon, though tempted by the offer, declines, sighting his faith in Chancellor Valorum. Dooku, enraged by his apprentice's rejection of the offer, orders their capture, sending a wave of battle droids at them. But the three Jedi escape and return to Coruscant, shaken by the Jedi Master's corruption.
As they travel through hyperspace, the news station reports that an assassination attempt was made on the Chancellor, and Coruscant is under high alert. The three arrive and race off to protect Valorum, and encounter Darth Maul for the first time. Qui-Gon and Maul duel in the halls, while Obi-Wan and Anakin go to protect the Chancellor. Qui-Gon and Republic officers fend off Maul, who retreats into a spaceship and flies off. Too worried about the Chancellor to pursue the Sith Lord, Qui-Gon joins his apprentices.
At the Jedi Temple, Qui-Gon reports on this to Masters Yoda and Mace Windu, who decide to launch an investigation on the matter. Palpatine suggests that Obi-Wan (whom he believes will be the next great Sith Lord) should be the one who the Jedi send out while Jinn and Skywalker go to his home planet of Alderaan to hide the Chancellor, to which they agree. Obi-Wan is sent to track down the Sith Lord, while Qui-Gon and Anakin are assigned to protect both Valorum and Padme. Along the way to Alderaan, Anakin and Padme begin bonding.
Darth Sidious holds a meeting with Dooku and Nute Gunray, telling them that the Jedi are now on the hunt for Darth Maul. Gunray fears that the investigation will lead to their base of operations on Geonosis, but Dooku reassures Gunray that Kenobi isn't smart enough or strong enough to outwit Maul. After Gunray signs off, Dooku is anointed Darth Tyranus and tells the Count to begin construction on the droid armies they have established.
On Alderaan, Anakin and Padme begin to form a powerful relationship, learning more about each other and how young Skywalker was taken from his home planet of Tatooine, but still remembers his mother well enough. Qui-Gon discovers in Palpatine's library, a prophecy indicating that there will be a Jedi powerful enough to vanquish the Sith from the galaxy and restore order to the galaxy:
Born in oppression
Raised in honors
He will rise
The one with the power to destroy the dark
He will fall into doubt
But will rise over it all
And through it all
Shall bring a balance to the Force
He gives Anakin a test of his abilities that night, and begins to think Anakin may be the Chosen One in the prophecy. But he decides to keep it a secret, out of fear of the Sith learning about it.
Obi-Wan travels to Iridonia, and discovers Maul's old village. A Zabrak shaman reveals that a "hooded monster" swept into their village and abducted her son. Obi-Wan reports to Master Yoda, who sends him to where his tracking device last went: Serenno.
Valorum confides in Qui-Gon that he fears that a someone inside the Senate has planned both the coup and the assassination attempt on his life. Padme bursts into the room, telling them that according to the Holonet, Geonosis, Malastare, and Ansion have already seceded from the Republic. Through a recorded message, Dooku warns the Senate (now under the temporary control of Palpatine) that if the Republic does not agree to conform to his reform demands, he and his droid armies will rip the Republic in half. he also warns the Jedi to stay out of the conflict, stating that they aren't prepared for what they will face. Valorum fears his inaction on Alderaan is causing the massive secession and the trio begins to contemplate the worst: war.
At night, Anakin suffers through a nightmare in which his mother is being tortured by Sand People. Anakin asks Qui-Gon to leave for Tatooine, but Qui-Gon tells him that the Jedi are to leave their families behind. Anakin walks off, saying that he had always considered Qui-Gon to be his father. Anakin decides to run away, but Padme blackmails him into joining the runaway Jedi. The two depart with her family droid, R2-D2, to Tatooine.
Obi-Wan arrives on Serenno, but is shot down above Dooku's Manor. He is captured and locked away in the dungeon. Dooku begins to play to Kenobi's weaknesses, telling him that his drive to find Darth Maul will eventually send him into the Dark Side. He offers Obi-Wan the chance to become his pupil,but Obi-Wan refuses. Dooku decides to jettison Kenobi into space, but the young Jedi manages to steal Dooku's old lightsaber and escapes on a ship and departs to find Qui-Gon.
Sidious and Tyranus meet to discuss their affairs. Sidious tells Dooku to start their plans to conquer the galaxy by invading Alderaan, citing the Republic's inability to act in a state of crisis.
Anakin and Padme arrive in Mos Eisley and meet up with Anakin's old neighbor, Owen Lars. Lars explains that his father and Shmi Skywalker married a few years ago and they have lived in Anakin's old house for years. They also sadly inform him that Shmi was kidnapped by the Sand People a week ago and his father and the town police still haven't found her. Anakin asks Padme to remain with Owen, while he goes alone.
Owen, realizing that Padme really cares for Anakin, gives her his speeder bike to find him. She scours the desert to find him, discovering a fire at the village. Anakin, blinded by his rage and hatred, wipes out virtually the entire Tusken Village. Padme begs for him to stop, ultimately reaching his good side by hugging him. Anakin bursts into tears and Padme comforts him.
The Confederacy arrives on Alderaan and attacks the city of Naboo. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reunite while rallying the Alderaan Guard and Gungan soldiers (minus Jar Jar Binks) to fight off the droid armies. Anakin and Padme receive the message about the invasion and return to Alderaan to help. Sidious contacts Darth Maul and sends him to Alderaan to "wipe them out", telling his apprentice that he will be on Alderaan within the hour to take what is rightfully his.
The ensuing Battle of Alderaan is mostly a ground theater, having an army of combat droids battling volunteers and the Jedi throughout the city. Though outnumbered, the Jedi and their allies fend off the droids and actually take the offensive, until Maul arrives and draws the attention of the Jedi. Qui-Gon orders Anakin back into the palace with Valorum until a wave of droids separates Master and Apprentice, causing Anakin and Padme to have to fight along with their friends on Alderaan.
Maul and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan duel throughout the Palace. When the duel reaches the same room as the battling between droids and heroes, Obi-Wan sees Anakin take a laser bolt in the arm for Padme, injuring him. Obi-Wan broke away from the fight with Maul to tend to Anakin, but in the process, allows Qui-Gon to be killed by Maul. With Qui-Gon's death, the heroes rally to fight Maul, but the Sith escapes once again, leaving his Battle Droid hordes to be eradicated by the remaining soldiers.
Valorum, safely ensconced in a secret chamber, is suddenly confronted by Darth Sidious. Sidious reveals himself to his old friend as Palpatine and he torments the Chancellor before executing him, whispering in his ear, "And so fell the Republic..."
Valorum's death is depicted by many as the completed assassination by Darth Maul, who now links directly to Count Dooku and the Confederacy, prompting acting Chancellor Palpatine to declare war on the Confederacy. After Valorum and Qui-Gon's respective burials and cremations, Obi-Wan takes Anakin as his apprentice and prepares to leave the planet, but not before Padme kisses Anakin for the first time and thanks him for rescuing her.
On Geonosis, the three Sith Lords meet, with Sidious as a hologram. Though angry at Maul for killing his old apprentice, Dooku insists that Qui-Gon would have been a hindrance to their plans moving forward. Maul volunteers to lead the fighting and leaves, prompting Dooku and Sidious to remark about his usefulness but ultimate wasted potential. Sidious informs Dooku that they should keep a close eye on Kenobi and Skywalker, both of whom could be useful...
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