Phantom Menace, indeed....

[Gorn Captain]

I agree, some of them get committed way too late, and other people suffer the consequences. I learned that firsthand. Confinement and treatment is the only way.
There is a mental facility right across the street from us. A man who had been rejected for treatment walked into a store at the end of the street and gunned down the shopkeepers.
The patients themselves aren't capable of assessing their situation, so we shouldn't expect them to think "time to check into rehab". They don't relate to our reality, and often consider our thinking as "wrong, hostile, threatening". Lloyd can't act as a responsible grown-up, anymore than a guy in a wheelchair can get up and play soccer.

[Hector]

I feel bad for him...and I agree with many here, that he needs professional help. Having said that...I don't excuse him for driving that fast...he could've seriously ended up in a horrific situation, and I'm not just talking about him...but endangering innocent people, whether as other drivers, pedestrian, bystanders...for that...he should be confined. I don't recommend a typical jail...but a psychiatric facility should be the way to go. Hope he gets the proper treatment, I wish him well.

[huedell]

Didn't realize he was that far gone. Oh well.

[Hedji]

^ Gosh, you said what I intended to write, a whole lot better than I did. Thumbs up for a compassionate, thoughtful response.

[Gorn Captain]

Having worked with people with severe mental disorders, I don't think that "getting a grip and rethinking your life" is an option for them. Some of them are so far from reality, that brushing their teeth is quite an achievement. We can't possibly get into their head and realize how messed up it all is.

I have a close relative who falls into the "Jake Lloyd" category, and had a front row seat for the mayhem for many decades. Just saying "he's an adult, he's responsible for his actions" is massively oversimplifying the problem. Both the patients and their relatives live in a world of hurt.

[huedell]

I wonder if this guy came to terms with his Anakin past and learned how to let the haters' comments slide, if he could make some good money simply from appearances and other SW related stuff. If so, that's what I'd advise as a way to go into the future.

[enyawd72]

Psychological abuse can really mess a kid up for life.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

this poor guy has a serious mental illness, probably exacerbated by the abuse he has received from fans over the last 17 years. show some compassion.

My point exactly.

[Nostalgiabuff]

hey, I still like Batman Forever. and to answer your questions, kids who grew up in the prequel era loved the movies. and really that is all that matters on a movie like that. my son was all about Anakin and darth maul when he was growing up. people take this stuff way too seriously. this poor guy has a serious mental illness, probably exacerbated by the abuse he has received from fans over the last 17 years. show some compassion.

[Mr.Marion]

^^ Not to mention having to put up with nonsense from people because of their mentality. Having to live with all that from 8 years old has to have an impact.

As an adult I realize the plot of Phantom makes it a terrible film no acting performance or execution could have saved it. Did kids really view it through a critical eye? I thought Batman forever was a good film as a kid.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

^^ Not to mention having to put up with nonsense from people because of their mentality. Having to live with all that from 8 years old has to have an impact.

[Brazoo]

I'll never understand the fanatical and delusional mentality of people who blamed a little kid actor for how much they liked a movie.

[Mr.Marion]

How can someone with a legitimately diagnosed and very real mental illness be expected to take accountability for his actions and get control of himself???

Well that is a real problemin our country. Since the 1980's mental health Finance has been near non-existent. But he probably did his crimes when he was off his meds.
It's safe to say it's hard for people who that condition to live a normal life like you're suggesting.

[Hedji]

How can someone with a legitimately diagnosed and very real mental illness be expected to take accountability for his actions and get control of himself???

[Mr.Marion]

You're absolutely right. He totally deserves schizophrenia. It's payback for ruining Star Wars when he was an 8 year old child.

Taken out of context.