Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Features » Why I’ve Always Loved ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’

Why I’ve Always Loved ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’

Kristen BatesBy Kristen Bates05/19/20195 Mins ReadUpdated:08/19/2021
image de6fe408
Nothing but respect for MY Queen.
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email
Phantom Menace
Nothing but respect for MY Queen.

20 years ago today, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace came to theaters all over the country. For some, it was a chance to reignite a passion that had been on hiatus since Return of the Jedi was released in 1983. But The Phantom Menace was also a generation’s first introduction into the Star Wars universe. I was among that generation.

Marketing for The Phantom Menace, among other memorable commercials and toys, included the original Star Wars trilogy being re-released in movie theaters. My dad would pack me and my sister in his Ford Expedition and drive two hours to a movie theater that was showing the original trilogy. While I loved the original Star Wars films, I didn’t feel like they were mine to enjoy. They were a glimpse into my dad’s childhood that he wanted to share with us.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

When The Phantom Menace came to theaters, everything changed for me. This was a film that was made for me to love. It had strong female characters, political tension and a little kid that was underestimated and won regardless.

While the discussion of trade routes and a war flew over my head, I could always come back and pick up new information along the way. The Phantom Menace has this strange way of aging with you. As a kid, I loved the lightsaber battles and the pod race. But, as an adult, I love the skepticism of Qui-Gon Jinn against the Jedi Council and the political aspects of a failing Republic as Sheev Palpatine lurked in the shadows.

The Phantom Menace sets up the only war that Palpatine can single-handedly win: a political war. He is the master manipulator that is powerful enough to persuade Queen Amidala herself. This is a film that sets up the fall of the Republic. We see Palpatine set up all of his shots and there is nothing we can do about it.

As Palpatine is whispering in Padmé’s ear about Chancellor Valorum’s incompetence and pursuades her to move for a vote of no confidence, it’s the final domino that gets put in place before they fall. Most notably, Palpatine’s manipulation to unseat Finis Valorum and claim the role of Chancellor which puts him at the center of this war against the Trade Federation. Making him the puppet master hiding in plain site.

Of course, seeing Queen Amidala take matters into her own hands was my favorite aspect of The Phantom Menace. It was the first time I saw a 14-year-old girl challenge adults who did not take her seriously. I saw myself in her actions.

Padmé Amidala was the leader of an entire planet. She was steadfast and strong. She saved Naboo, defied the Senate, and refused to sign a treaty while dealing with an invasion. She was the first female lead I remember seeing on the big screen that had such a huge impact on my life.

Even though I had seen Princess Leia prior to Padmé, I didn’t get the inspiration from our beloved Princess that I received from Queen Amidala. I always associated Leia as a hero from my dad’s generation. Padmé was my hero. As a kid, Padmé was closer to me in age. She was dealing with being a teenager on top of having adult responsibilities. Her decision to go against the grain  and return to Naboo to fight with her people was a game changer. One of my favorite scenes in the film was when Padmé met with the Gungans and kneeled before them. She threw her pride as a queen aside and humbled herself. That’s a strong leader.

Padmé grew with me. Her actions as a kid inspired me even as an adult years later. Qui-Gon Jinn had the same effect on me. His skepticism of a powerful group of Jedi went against Ben Kenobi’s glorification of them in the original trilogy. I didn’t pick up on it as a kid but it was a great gem to discover as I grew older. The first Jedi that is introduced to us is one that his hesitant on the Council’s teachings. Qui-Gon is willing to defy the council and look beyond their leadership. It’s a great reminder that, even beings as powerful as Jedi, are still mortal and have weaknesses.

Phantom Menace
Qui-Gon being skeptical probably.

I love The Phantom Menace because it is timeless. It’s exciting to watch as a kid and as an adult. The political turmoil that sets the stage for Anakin’s fall and Palpatine’s rise is set up perfectly in this film. Also, the final duel between Darth Maul and Obi-Wan is still one of my favorites in the Star Wars saga.

The Phantom Menace taught me to be open minded, to be skeptical about people in leadership positions and to always listen to those with a different perspective. So, naturally that’s why I am in the journalism business.

I’m not the only one in the prequel trilogy generation to appreciate The Phantom Menace. What has this film meant to you over the years? Let us know!

Images from Lucasfilm

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Air Conflicts Collection’ (Switch)
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Dead to Me’ is a Unique and Powerful Look at Grief
Kristen Bates
  • X (Twitter)

In the sixth grade, Kristen participated in her school’s spelling bee and mispelled the word “lake”. Kristen has since pursued a rigorous career in writing where she tries her best to avoid using that blasted word. She studied literature in her undergrad and is now pursuing her Master’s in Journalism at Emerson College. Kristen has written for StarWars.com, where she gets to let her nerd flag fly as a huge Star Wars enthusiast. She’s also covered press events at New York Comic Con and attended the 2019 Oscars where she ran into Laura Dern and managed to hold it together (a true accomplishment). Kristen will stop at nothing to pet all the dogs and she can quote the film Spaceballs from beginning to end. She also has a website, www.kristenkbates.com, and a pretty groovy Twitter: @kristenkbates.

Related Posts

Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

09/08/2025
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

09/08/2025
Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

09/05/2025
Cosmic Spider-Man card details

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

09/02/2025
Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

09/01/2025
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

08/29/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here