Nerds That Geek Movie Review - 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'

Written by Shae Rufe

You know what always bugged me? How they called these things episodes. I don't know why, it just did. I hadn't seen any of the films until I was living in Florida with my parents, and my dad was shocked to find out I hadn't seen them yet. An epic marathon ensued. Shortly after Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace came out. I... don't know what happened, but my inner nerd exploded. 

I think I saw that film in theaters more times than anyone should see that film. Yes, it has its down sides and characters that are annoying, but I liked it. It didn't help that I drug my friend Cass to see it constantly. I'm sure she might actually hold a grudge over it to this day! Either way, the thrilling tale of a young kid being a powerful Jedi waiting to happen, was kind of cool.

I can't tell you how many books I ended up owning from this franchise. Or how utterly obsessed I got with the whole ordeal. Sadly, I never have owned any Jedi robes. I did however have some very epic lightsaber battles in the garage with my dad and sister. Which was probably the coolest part about my childhood.

So, I'm not really going to recap the film, because we have all seen it, we all know what it's about, and it's the most hated film in the entire franchise. Which is a total epic feat all on its own. All I'm really going to say is that it's because of this movie coming out in my childhood that I got to experience some awesome nerd feelings. I wasn't old enough (at all!) to ever enjoy seeing any other film like that in my life time. 

I remember how excited everyone was leading up to it. And then the subsequent back lash that the film received. While Jar Jar and Pod Racing weren't really......cool, the film had its upsides. Like Natalie Portman and Liam Neeson being big enough nerds to do things like this, along with Ewan McGregor and of course the introduction of Samuel L. Jackson into the universe. So rag on it all you want, this one holds a special place in my heart because hey...it's Star Wars, and it's fun and that's what I think we forget when it comes to this movie.

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