TPM- The sixth best SW Movie shown some love

[DarthNeil]

OK, I admit that in the rankings I put TPM at #6; however, it IS still SW and while I could spend plenty of time listing ALL of the reasons why it is the least among the OT & PT (in the majority's opinion) it is the movie that got this 30+ year old back into the world of collecting. I thought that there's been a great deal of negativity recently and maybe it was time to shake things up with a solely positive thread (no responses and only 10 people visiting with this thread disappearing in a hurry... just a hunch ). Call it an experiment but leave your negativity out (there are plenty of other threads for that)-- let's try and identify those positive attributes of TPM:maul and how we'd (eventually) like SS to document the film itself in all their lines. I'll go first:

In thinking about TPM's positives I kept going back to two characters, and thankfully (and maybe not surprisingly) SS has already provided them to us: Qui Gon Jin and Darth Maul. Specifically scenes that stand out:

1) Qui Gon burying his lightsaber deep into the protective shielding in the opening sequence as the Trade Federation worriedly wait.

2) Qui Gon's interaction with Watto (it's how I currently have my Exc with poncho displayed--- waving his hand in Hasbro's floating- on a clear stand-- Watto like some kind of "Jedi").

3) Of course Qui Gon and Darth Maul's first lightsaber battle (although brief--- not negative...stay positive) on Tatooine.

4) The final lightsaber duel on Naboo--with my favorite part demonstrating clearly the key difference between Sith and Jedi. Qui Gon kneeling in meditation while Darth Maul prowls like a trapped animal--- desparate for the kill.

5) Qui Gon's funeral to mirror Luke's send-off to his father in ROTJ.

6) Totally unrelated to Qui Gon, Palpatine's grandfatherly way of touching young Anakin's shoulder-- a nice simple foreshadowing and the simplest of tastes to what this character would be like through Ep II and his star-turn as the real antagonist in Ep III.

Well we've gotten a phenomenal Darth Maul in the 12" and a PF on the way. Personally I'm very happy with the 12" Qui Gon, although there have been many others who have had issue with both sculpt and hair (stay positive dammit!!!). What else would I like to see SS offer from this film?

- a diorama in the Theed Power complex showing the acrobatic movement of Ray Park's Maul versus the two jedi

- possibly some visually stunning creatures for the 12": Watto, Sebulba, and maybe Nute Gunray

- a Qui Gon Jin PF truly capturing Liam Neeson

-of course a droideka that would change into its ball form-- now that'd be a cool test of engineering in the 12" line

-an R2-D2 for the 12" (but that goes without saying for every single film)

-a Queen Amidala PF when she's in her "lightbulb gown"--- that would be visually something

Well there you go. Positives for #6. Can SSFreaks who feel affection for the SW saga keep this ball rolling or will this thread degenerate into negativity or will it be completely ignored---

Let's find out...

P.S.

Irish wears man panties.

 

[IrishJedi]

Neil,

I agree with your post word-for-word.

 

[DarthNeil]

Thanks Irish---- read it again closely

But seriously--- keep the positive vibes flowing. What did I miss from TPM would you like to see SS tackle?

 

[Memnoch]

Phantom Menace, to me, was a fun reintroduction for those of us that had the PT and a fun introduction to those that didn't really even know Star Wars. The merchandising blitz was just plain fun after all the years of just products released prior to '85. And as usual the Williams score did not dissapoint.

What I'd like to see SS do:

Gungans, yes gunguns. They are visually interesting to look at and would be fun to look at all the detail with their skin patterns and see the fabric choices.

Nemoidians. While perhaps 'controversial' they were interesting and sadly one of the few examples of non CGI aliens.

Padme, Obi Wan.. there are so many humans I would like to see, even a little Anakin.

And as Neil said, if SS can do a droideika that rolls into a ball well I'd be set.

 

[Darth Madden]

Mamma always said if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

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Actually I do have one. The final lightsaber battle was sweet.

 

[IrishJedi]

I think a PF Queen Amidala in the Red Naboo Invasion gown would be brilliant and the perfect companion to the PF ANH Leia. GREAT suggestion by Neil.

Maul has already been done to the full by SSC (1:1 Bust, 1:6 Figure, and PF) but I would not at all mind a Naboo Duel Diorama.

Would also like some Watto stuff. Love that character.

And as annoying as they may be, I actually dig Nute Gunray and Rune Haako and would love 1:6 figures of them. Definitely need a 1:6 TPM Obi-Wan as well.

 

[The Josh]

I gotta agree with ya word 4 word Neil. TPM is a fun ride one that really pushed me to the next gear of being a SW fan. Obviously they've done Maul in almost all ways they could but I want a Dio now of him fighting Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in Naboo. I'd like to see a Padmee 1:6 from TPM and honestly I don't care what costume they where all pretty sweet. I want a Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan TPM PF pieces to go with Maul.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Well, I have always felt Jake Lloyd gets a bum-wrap for his acting in TPM. Yes, there are some rough spots on Tatooine - his "yippee" is still cringe inducing. However, his scenes in the second half of the movie are very well acted. I especially love his interaction with Obi-Wan after the funeral.

I enjoyed the Gungan vs. Droid army standoff ... even Jar Jar's bumbling. It gave the Gungan's a sense of intense bravery that helped them overcome Jar Jar's comedy bits.

General Tarpals ... the mack daddy of the Gungans - "You no shoulda' come backa here Jar Jar."

R2 fixing the Royal Starship ... heck, all of R2's bits ... even with "naked" 3PO.

Yoda's speech in front of the Jedi Council concerning Anakin -

Yoda: How feel you?
Anakin: Cold, sir.
Yoda: Afraid are you?
Anakin: No, sir.
Yoda: See through you we can.
Mace Windu: Be mindful of your feelings.
Ki-Adi-Mundi: Your thoughts dwell on your mother.
Anakin: I miss her.
Yoda: Afraid to lose her I think, hmm?
Anakin: What has that got to do with anything?
Yoda: Everything! Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.

All of Ian McDiarmid's scenes

The ascent of Padme and crew to the royal throne that is inter sped with the Duel of Fates.

I also think Natalie Portman did a great job of acting in this movie.

That's all I can think of right now ... plus I agree with all of your original points.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Almost forgot - one of my all time Qui-Gon quotes:

Jar-Jar Binks: Ooh moi moi I love you!
Qui-Gon Jinn: You almost got us killed! Are you brainless?
Jar-Jar Binks: I speck!
Qui-Gon Jinn: The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get out of here.

 

[Batty]

Neil,

I agree with your post word-for-word.

I think I've learned too much about you!

I've always enjoyed TPM. It was a lot of fun. I saw it in the theaters four times when it came out.

 

[DarthNeil]

Awesome guys... It's great to see a thread moving on fueled by some positivity. I think a two pack of Nute Gunray and Rune Haako would be great for SS to do in the 12" line--- simple body type with similar faces--only different clothing distinguishes them. Two in one box--- $50 easy. They fit into TPM--- watching the battle of Geonosis in Ep II (well, until they get scared), and then playing the beheading game with the new Vader in Ep. III. I'd buy them for that posability choice.

I like R2D2's introduction as well-- and he as the last droid on the Queen's outer hull would be an interesting diorama--- maybe just as that last droid got blasted off--- but really the best diorama from TPM would have to be the Theed Power Generator lightsaber duel.

Memnoch21 thanks for mentioning the music score--- it was excellent for its creativity and for the creation of nostalgia.

 

[DarthNeil]

I think I've learned too much about you!

I've always enjoyed TPM. It was a lot of fun. I saw it in the theaters four times when it came out.

I saw it many times as well--- and I kept the ticket stubbs. Trying to recapture that '77 feeling I guess.

 

[KitFisto]

I like TPM except for Jar Jar. I always felt like it would have been a good movie if they just could have left him in the Gungan city after he first led them there. He would have had about 5-10 min of screen time and served his purpose of getting them to the Gungan city and then he could have been forgotten.

Other than that character I like the movie......Of course they could have cut down on Jake's cheesyness too.....WOOPIEEEEEEE!!!!!

 

[Xander]

I liked TMP for what it was, but in the end someone has to be #6 and it gets that spot on my list.

Sideshow's Maul rocks ands is definitely one of their best offerings, although I wish the droid arm braclett had been removeable as proposed, but it's a minor gripe.

Their Qui-Gon while not in my top 5 is defintely a great figure and I love the height he seems to have over the other figures. I got mine dirt cheap but couldn't wait to get him in hand once he shipped. I have him posed with Hasbro's little Anakin.

I'd really like to see a Queen Amidala in her marron outfit from the end of the film. Complete with silver blasters and assension gun!

 

[IrishJedi]

I saw it many times as well--- and I kept the ticket stubbs. Trying to recapture that '77 feeling I guess.

I saw TPM in the theaters SIXTEEN (yes, 16) times when it was out, including the February 2000 re-release for charity. And I can prove it as I also kept all of the ticket stubs.

Perhaps that is why I still can't bear to watch it all the way through anymore. It was literally upon the 16th viewing that it hit me that I didn't really like the movie and had heaps of problems with it. To this day, I haven't watched it all the way through again.



Yes, it is #6 on my list of SW films as well, though it may one day overtake AOTC.

 

[DarthNeil]

I like TPM except for Jar Jar. I always felt like it would have been a good movie if they just could have left him in the Gungan city after he first led them there. He would have had about 5-10 min of screen time and served his purpose of getting them to the Gungan city and then he could have been forgotten.

Other than that character I like the movie......Of course they could have cut down on Jake's cheesyness too.....WOOPIEEEEEEE!!!!!

Careful Kit--- you're dancing dangerously close to that negativity line. As Memnoch21 accurately said Phantom Menace, to me, was a fun reintroduction for those of us that had the PT and a fun introduction to those that didn't really even know Star Wars.

Lucas created Jar Jar and the abundance of "children content" to introduce the story to those ten year olds and younger--which it did admirably. Sometimes we older fans just have to enjoy the ride with some blinders on--as I'm sure my dad did when he took my brother and I to see some space movie back in '77.

As there never has been a 12" accurately showcasing Ewan McGregor's rattail I think a padawan Obi would look great alongside the already released Qui Gon. Maybe it'll be an Obi a year for SS with hermit ANH this year, TPM padawan next year, and then mullet extraordinaire from Ep II in two (ironic?) years time.

A Padme or Amidala 12"?... For me the only one that has to be made first is the elaborate queen outfit. That one I'll give to my daughter (I've already bought four of the hasbro ones that are waiting for when she's older ).

 

[Batty]

I saw it many times as well--- and I kept the ticket stubbs. Trying to recapture that '77 feeling I guess.

It was so cool to see something new on the big screen after all those years. Yes, there were a few weak points, but they hardly kept me from enjoying a totally new experience.

When I saw ANH in '77 I asked my dad if I could have the ticket stubs... I still have them!

 

[IrishJedi]

I still have my ticket stubs for every theatrical viewing I attended of every SW film ever... over 40 in all (ANH '77 & '78, ESB '80, ROTJ '83, The Special Editions, TPM, AOTC, AOTC IMAX and ROTS).

 

[Batty]

I still have my ticket stubs for every theatrical viewing I attended of every SW film ever... over 40 in all (ANH '77 & '78, ESB '80, ROTJ '83, The Special Editions, TPM, AOTC, AOTC IMAX and ROTS).

I was afraid to admit it, but so do I. That doesn't make us geeks, does it?

 

[IrishJedi]

I was afraid to admit it, but so do I. That doesn't make us geeks, does it?

Of course it does. But if you can admit it, embrace it, and function like a "normal" person it's all good.

Seriously, I'm as huge a SW geek as they come... but you'd probably never notice in my every day life. I keep it pretty separated from the "real" stuff and I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've never been the stereotypical comic book/sci-fi geek who is socially dysfunctional, out of shape, suffers from bad hygiene and can't dress. Not that there is anything wrong with those folks. That's just not me... even though I share many of the same interests.

I think mainly I decided when I was about 12 or 13 that I wanted to get laid and have a normal life so I became a "closet geek" or sorts in my everyday and professional life.