A not so long time ago in a theater near you, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace hit the big screen for the first time.  Thirteen years later, the movie is being re-released in a new 3D version.  As the movie hits theaters again today, we have to ask: should the world reconsider the worst reputed Star Wars movie?

I’m not here to argue that Phantom Menace is “the best movie ever.” The original trilogy is better than the prequels.  That’s a fact.  However, as a die-hard and lifelong Star Wars fan, it always makes me a little sad when people are so demeaning towards the Phantom Menace, when the franchise as a whole was one of the most successful fandoms in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

Before going any further, I must go into more detail regarding the phrase, “die-hard and lifelong Star Wars fan.”  I was first introduced to the original trilogy in 1997 when the remastered editions were released.  As a wide-eyed eight-year-old girl, I was immediately fascinated by the glowing weapon that could cut off body parts, asked my mom to braid my hair like Princess Leia’s, and thought Han Solo was the best fictional character since I stopped watching Barney.  While now I am almost 23 years old and don’t braid my hair into buns anymore, my iPhone ringtone is the Main Theme (appropriately, my parents’ ringtone is the Imperial March) and a shirt I frequently wear for pajamas has the blue squadron symbol on it.

It’s human nature to focus on the negative aspect of any situation.  Think about it: you remember insults people have thrown at you more than compliments you’ve received.  This also applies to The Phantom Menace. In my encounters, all people point out while discussing Episode I are the negative aspects of the film.  Due to my optimisitic personality, I’m going to focus on a few positive parts of the movie to ponder if the film, and subsequently the entire prequel trilogy, is worth reconsidering.

First: The actors.  Not the characters, folks, but the actors.  I’m talking about Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, and Ewan McGregor.  George Lucas made smart choices casting these actors.  Since The Phantom Menace in 1999, all have received many awards for their work in other successful films. Not to mention that they’re also certifiably awesome. If I’m being honest, one of the main underlying reasons why I saw V for Vendetta, Batman Begins, and Moulin Rouge was because of Portman, Neeson, and McGregor, respectively (if I’m really being honest, the sole reason why I saw Cowboys and Aliens was because of Harrison Ford).  Lucas was smart not only for casting Neeson after his great success from Schindler’s List in 1993, but he also had an eye for grabbing exceptional talent and took a bold chance on Portland and McGregor.

Second: The CGI. The approximate 20 year CGI difference between the original and prequel trilogies is very evident.  While the lack of technology didn’t hinder the original films, it surely visually enhanced the later ones.  Although there are many notable shots in The Phantom Menace that display the advanced technology, I’m going to focus on one of the main characters: Yoda.

Yoda was still a puppet in the original release of Phantom Menace.  However, in the blu-ray version and now the new 3D rerelease,  Yoda has been transformed into CGI.  Let’s take a look at Yoda through the ages:

Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back, 1980

Yoda, The Phantom Menace, 1999

Yoda, Character poster for The Phantom Menace: 3D, 2011

While yes, Yoda is CGI in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, it will be refreshing to see CGI Yoda in the 3D rerelease of The Phantom Menace.  The visual quality of Yoda has clearly improved over time, and as affirmed in Episode II and III, Yoda is equipped to be much more physically active.  The choice to recreate Yoda into CGI for the blu-ray and 3D versions of The Phantom Menace was smart, as the green alien assimilates better with the rest of the CGI world Lucas created.

Third: The viewer is able to see the galaxy pre-Empire. Quite honestly, everything that falls into this category makes The Phantom Menace and the entire prequel trilogy worthwhile.  It’s the big and little things.  For instance, I’m still astounded that Anakin (later Darth Vader) created C-3PO.  It’s also extraordinary to see the entire galaxy multiple times in the Senate while slowly witnessing the downfall of the Republic.  Also, Darth Maul?  And his double light saber? Maul’s only appearances are in The Phantom Menace, and he is much more visually interesting than any of the other Siths.  Not to mention his epic battle with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

While there are many, many websites and YouTube videos that discuss how horrible Phantom Menace is, there are redeeming characteristics in the film that are often overlooked.  This weekend, I look forward to watching this film in 3D – while proudly wearing my blue squadron t-shirt.