For Hedji...the MERITS of The Phantom Menace

[Werewolf]

Costume company Rubies got a slice of the pie. These Jedi Braids were almost like the new Rack Toys of 1999. Very cheap, sold at Kay Bee along pegs of action figures.

Not as creepy as the Jar Jar tongue candy but still plenty weird.

[Hedji]

Here are a couple of absolutely delightful Jar Jar products (Beyond the infamous candy dispenser)



I just love this Pez dispenser. At the time, probably the only toy of the Mos Espa Shop Owner. Great boxed presentation of a cool candy toy.

I have this guy. He is technically an alarm clock that you can set and he will read off the time every hour as well as quote lines from the Film. Ahmed Best provided all the recordings, and it is delightfully annoying.

[Werewolf]

I just love this Pez dispenser.

Yeah, the Pez dispenser is perfectly fine. It's the lollipop that creeps me out.

[Hedji]

I regret selling my Jar Jar tongue lollipop. It's one of those SW collectibles, like the C-3PO tape dispenser that has achieved legendary status, thanks to Celebration Panels and Steve Sansweet books highlighting the truly absurd stuff out there.

[Klosterheim]

The Force was so strong with The Phantom Menace, that it even united three fast-food franchises for Star Wars: Episode I promotions!

I had a few of the toys, these are actually pretty cool.

The Phantom Menace Fast Food Toys 1999.jpg

The Phantom Menace box bottoms 1999 Episode I.jpg

Episode I Jar Jar Binks.jpg

[Bruce Banner]

There's a lot to love in TPM.
Including: finally learning more about the Sith (Sidious and Maul are absolute highlights of the movie), witnessing the full grandeur of Coruscant, learning more about the Galactic Republic and the Senate, the epic lightsabre action, and the jaw-dropping spectacle of the Pod Race.

[Nostalgiabuff]

The Force was so strong with The Phantom Menace, that it even united three fast-food franchises for Star Wars: Episode I promotions!


[ATTACH=CONFIG]25485[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]25486[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]25487[/ATTACH]

that's actually because at the time, they were all owned by Pepsi, who had the license

[Hedji]

Today is the day. 20 years old. I make no apologies. I adore The Phantom Menace. I understand the complaints... I've heard them many times. I'll concede it isn't perfect. Doesn't matter. It's entertaining and spectacular.

The film is aging remarkably well. Kids that grew up with it are holding it up. It is being assessed differently within the context of the Saga. Pop it in and watch it with a fresh set of eyes and an open mind.

It's the most hand-made of the prequels with the least green screen and most models. It's cast of characters is absolutely incredible. It pushed SFX forward in another quantum leap after Jurassic Park.

Love this movie.

So in tribute, I cooked this up in Photoshop:

[Nostalgiabuff]

nicely done.

as I have said, this movie is my favorite of the prequels. I agree with everything you said above

[Hedji]

Thank you! It's my favorite too, in many ways, although Revenge of the Sith is growing on me... It's somewhat of a minor masterpiece.

I have to say a big thank you to everyone in this thread for indulging me in this silly little celebration. Of course I'm very nostalgic, and perhaps obnoxiously opinionated, but I can't help but wave this flag in the face of all the negativity thrown at TPM. I know I'll never change anyone's mind, but it's awfully nice to know I'm in good company with others who appreciate it. Grateful to the Museum for giving me a place to blabber, and grateful to Dwayne for starting the thread for me in the first place.

[Klosterheim]

That's a delightful picture!

Thanks very much.

I saw The Phantom Menace four times in the movie theater in 1999.

[Werewolf]

So in tribute, I cooked this up in Photoshop:

That's pretty cool. Nicely done.

I will say this, if you are going to watch PM, hunt down the original DVD. It's closest to theatrical release and still has the Yoda puppet.

[Hedji]

Thanks for the compliments. It was a fun project. I photographed each figure individually on black glass to get the reflection correct.


I still have the widescreen VHS, which has the original shorter cut of the Podrace, if my memory serves.

[Werewolf]

I still have the widescreen VHS, which has the original shorter cut of the Podrace, if my memory serves.

Nice, even better. Yep, it has the theatrical pod race as well the Yoda puppet. They should have never gotten rid of the puppet.