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Happy Prime Day - Optimus Prime that is!!
Recently posted on the Transformers Facebook page is an announcement for the next Transformers film - Transformers: Rise of the Beast! A release date was also announced for June 24, 2022. Which is basically a year away! The Transformers movies are a guilty pleasure for The Credible Nerds, so we are excited for a new Transformers movie. What about you? What do you think of another Transformers film being released next year?
New superhero suit reveals amd more for dc films!!
Over the weekend (July 19-20, 2021) we got some reveals from some upcoming DC movies! From the set of the in production The Flash movie we get a barrage of behind the scenes photos. It looks like they were taken from fans stalking the on location film set. We see Supergirl (Sasha Calle) in her new suit, we see Barry Allen and Iris West on the steps of a courthouse in Central City. If you look closely you can see Barry wearing the iconic Flash ring! Also at the courthouse we get our first glimpse of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne! Also we can see Bruce Wayne’s Mercedes’ parked at the courthouse as well as a Central City bus with an advertisement featuring Wonder Woman.
Also revealed over the weekend were the upgraded suits for the Shazam family to be featured in the upcoming Shazam 2 movie: Fury of the Gods. The director posted them online as that film is also in production and he wanted to prevent “leaks” like we saw from The Flash.
The Batgirl Film Gets New Life!
DC’s Batgirl film has had limited to no news over the past couple of years, with the most recent being that a script was being written by Christina Hodson, who wrote Bumblebee, as well as DC’s Birds of Prey and Flash. Joss Whedon was initially set to write and direct, but stepped away in April 2018, which is good since recently allegations of abuse and racism by Joss Wheddon during the 2017 Justice League reshoots have come out from Ray Fisher.
The latest news being reported today by The Hollywood Reporter, is that two new directors are set to direct Batgirl for an HBO Max release. The directors are Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who most recently directed the first and last episode of Marvel’s upcoming Ms. Marvel Disney+ series as well as 2020’s Bad Boys For Life. They have been chosen to direct Batgirl.
Kristin Burr will be producing (she produced the upcoming ‘Cruella’) and had this to say about Batgirl,
‘With Batgirl, we hope to take the audience on a fun ride and see a different side of Gotham,” said Burr. “Christina’s script is crackling with spirit. Adil and Bilall have an excited and joyous energy which is infectious, making them the perfect filmmakers for this Batproject. And I’m just psyched I get to be part of the DC universe, which is super cool.”
With words and phrases like “fun ride”, and that we will “see a different side of Gotham”, as well as the “script is crackling with spirit.” I can imagine we won’t be seeing Batman’s dark and dreary Gotham, but a more Marvel-ized Gotham. I would guess that the story will most likely be more along the lines of the Gotham we saw in Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, a Gotham with bright colors and the story taking place in the day time.
While I did enjoy the Birds of Prey movie and really my only qualms about the movies was that it seemed to be two movies in one - a story of Harley Quinn set four years after Suicide Squad when she and Joker break up, and the origin story of Birds of Prey. If Birds of Prey were to ultimately serve as a segway to the next Harley Quinn movie, as well as a separate movie for a second Birds of Prey movie, then I can better accept the story of Birds of Prey as it would make more sense. But that doesn’t seem to be the case at least at this point in time.
One of my favorite comic book storylines in DC’s New 52 Era was Batgirl, so I do hope this film is more along the lines of that comic series as it is really enjoyable and a good read. Plus Batgirl often teams up with the Birds of Prey in the New 52, so hopefully we’ll get to see Batgirl and the Birds of Prey together in the movie as the screenplay writer for both movies is the same - Christina Hodson.
No word yet on when the film will begin production or a movie release date.
Mistborn - Wax and Wayne Book Four Updates! Era Two Will Be Completed In...
In a video update released today from Brandon Sanderson, he reports that he is currently writing Wax and Wayne 4, The Lost Metal, and that as of this update the Progress Bar currently stands at 7% completed. Sanderson reports that he should have the story completed by August 2021. This book will finish the second Era of the Mistborn story, and then he will take a break from the Mistborn series. There will reportedly be one more story arc, Era 3, for the world of Scadrial that will be written and published in what he hopes will be 2023-2025.
Sanderson also stated in the video that the fifth Stormlight book will be ready in 2023. He has previously stated that he will start writing Stormlight five in January 2022 for hopefully a fall 2023 release.
Sanderson also reiterated in the update that the Stormlight Archive is divided into two parts, as he has stated many time in the past, and that this next book will conclude the first arc of the the Stormlight Archive. He then indicated that about 10 years will pass before the start of the next 5 book arc, Stormlight Archive Books 6-10 (for which he hopes to start up in 2026). For this series that’s a big time jump as most of the books have started pretty close to where the previous one left off, with the longest time gap being between books 3 and 4, where a year had passed in between books.
Sanderson talked about how he and his artist, Isaac Stewart, are thinking about creating an Art of The Stormlight Archive coffee table book. They have come up with three different ideas for options, which you can vote on which one you would prefer to have.
1 - Coffee table book about the art of the Stormlight Archive.
2 - Guidebook to the Stormlight Archive with in-world stories, writings, and art.
3 - Encyclopedia style – More of a companion book to the series.
You can go to his website to give your input on which version you would like. As always, Brandon Sanderson has multiple projects going on at once and he and his team are able to manage it really well. I think Sanderson is one of the most prolific writes of our time and he continue to develop high quality stories as well as a high quantity of stories.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings trailer!
Marvel dropped a new trailer for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This movie will hit theaters on September 3rd, 2021!
One of the first of the Phase Four movies that will be released this year. Currently Black Widow is slated to be released in June 2021 (after many delays from it’s initial May 2020 release date), and Eternals will be released in November 2021. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness just wrapped production and will be coming soon. The MCU’s Phase Four will be starting strong after the COVID delays of 2020.
Check out the trailer below and let us know on our social media feeds what you think!
When Obi-Wan Met Vader After Mustafar
"Obi-Wan Once Thought As You Do." - Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
In response to the above screenshot of an article written by someone on Screenrant.com, I have to say there is more evidence than not that Obi-Wan did try to save Vader after their duel on Mustafar.
With dialogue from the Original Trilogy and from what we’ve seen in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, we can draw connections that Obi-Wan and Darth Vader have met since the events in Episode III. This coupled with the casting announcements from the upcoming Disney+ series: Obi-Wan Kenobi where it was announced that Ewan McGregor AND Hayden Christensen will be back together only strengthens this argument.
Let’s start with the dialogue.
1 - “You should not have come back” - Darth Vader to Obi-Wan Kenobi on the Death Star in Episode IV: A New Hope.
Ok, so when this was first shown in 1977 and all the way to the release of 2005’s Revenge of the Sith, the meaning was wide open. Now, however we have a timeline of events to match it up to. In Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan beat Darth Vader and left him without any limbs, I don’t think Vader is too keen for a rematch with Obi-Wan based on that outcome. Plus it implies that Obi-Wan has been on the Death Star before. Did Obi-Wan try to sabotage the Death Star at some point in the past 19 years? Maybe the reason it took so long to build is because Obi-Wan and some Rebels were involved in sabotage missions to slow down and destroy the progress? But either way, Vader seems pretty confident in his duel on the Death Star with Obi Wan despite being manhandled on Mustafar in Episode III.
2 - "Obi-Wan once thought as you do." - Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Vader says this in response to Luke telling Vader that there is still good in him and that Vader should come with him, come back to the light side. Why would Vader say something like this unless Vader and Obi-Wan had similar discussions? We know that in Episodes 5 and 6, Obi-Wan has given up on Anakin/Vader and knows he won’t turn to the light side. Why was Obi-Wan so adamant that Luke must kill Vader in order to win? This leads us to believe that Obi-Wan had already tried to turn him to the light side at some point after their Mustafar duel. During the Mustafar duel, Obi-Wan was sent to kill Anakin as he “has become a danger to himself”. Padme realizes this when Obi-Wan seeks her out in her Coruscant penthouse to try and find out where Anakin had gone to. Obi-Wan didn’t go there to try and convince him to repent of his sins and come back to the Jedi. At least in that moment.
What we will see in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Series
I believe we will see Obi-Wan seek out Vader in the Disney+ series and will try to convince him to turn back to the light side. I believe we will will see flashbacks of Obi-Wan and Anakin in their Jedi heyday, and that is one of the reasons why Hayden Christensen is back, but that we will also see Vader helmetless as Obi-Wan confronts him.
Obi-Wan will confront Vader in an attempt to first turn him back to the light side, as this is a way for Obi-Wan to address his guilt that he probably has over Anakin’s failure. Then when that doesn’t work, they will have another lightsaber that will far surpass what we saw in Episode III. We will see a supercharged Vader vs a mature and more cunning Obi-Wan.
*Oh, and we will also get to finally see a Maul vs Vader lightsaber duel that fans have been drooling over since the Star Wars Tales comic came out back in the day. But I’ll leave that for another post.
Star Wars Apologetics: Series 1 - The Phantom Menace - Episode 11: Anakin Says Goodbye to his Mother
Listen to The Credible Nerds discuss Episode 11 of Star Wars Apologetics Series 1: The Phantom Menace! This new series will address reasons why The Credible Nerds believe that The Phantom Menace is great Star Wars. Each episode will address one topic and how the topic is important and improves the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. This first series is about The Phantom Menace, then we will work our way through the rest of the films and end with Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
Justin and Harry talk about one of the most emotional moments in the Star Wars Saga. When Anakin says goodbye to his mother, Shmi Skywalker is just hearbreaking. Is it the right thing to do?
We talk about how this impacts the rest of the Prequel trilogy and how it contributes to Anakin turning to the Dark Side. Also, we discuss the fan expectations of Episode I Anakin vs what we got in the film.
Make sure to check out The Credible Nerds: Nerd Nation for exclusive content and behind the scenes conversations not available anywhere else! As a member of Nerd Nation you will get this episode as well as the bonus content not found on our regular podcast feed.
Star Wars Apologetics: Series 1 - The Phantom Menace - Episode 12: Anakin & Obi-Wan Meet For the First Time
Listen to The Credible Nerds discuss Episode 12 of Star Wars Apologetics Series 1: The Phantom Menace! This new series will address reasons why The Credible Nerds believe that The Phantom Menace is great Star Wars. Each episode will address one topic and how the topic is important and improves the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. This first series is about The Phantom Menace, then we will work our way through the rest of the films and end with Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
Justin and Harry talk about one of the biggest low key moments in the Star Wars Saga - the meeting of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker! While Anakin is excited to meet another Jedi, Obi-Wan doesn't think much of this little kid. While the relationship isn't addressed much in the film, it's impact is felt throughout the rest of the Saga.
Make sure to check out The Credible Nerds: Nerd Nation for exclusive content and behind the scenes conversations not available anywhere else! As a member of Nerd Nation you will get this episode as well as the bonus content not found on our regular podcast feed.
New ZS Justice League Mother Box Origin Clip and Photos
During IGN’s recent online IGN Fan Fest 2021, there was an online Zack Snyder interview where he dropped some hints about his upcoming 4 hour Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie soon to be released on HBO Max on March 18, 2021.
Zack Snyder also revealed a clip that he called “The Mother Box Origin Clip” which in and of itself the title is very curious and opens a whole different conversation of the Mother Box’s, Darkseid, and The Source, but that’s another post.
In the clip we see our Justice League hero’s in various poses and with hints and easter eggs about their stories and fate. Here are some stills of each Hero from the clip:
Here’s the video clip that was revealed by Zack Snyder.
You can check out the full interview with Zack Snyder on IGN.com as well as all of the other Nerd topics discussed at IGN’s Fan Fest 2021 on their website!
Avatar: The Last Airbender Expanded Universe is in Development
Are you a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender and/or The Legend of Korra? If so, you’re in for a treat! The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that a new animated universe is being created to expand on the Avatar mythos! These two Avatar shows have had a resurgence lately since they became more accessible on Netflix a few years ago.
"Nickelodeon is reviving the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender in a big way. The ViacomCBS unit has launched Avatar Studios, a new division that will create series and movie projects based on the beloved animated show and its follow-up, The Legend of Korra. Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will serve as co-chief creative officers of the new venture"" -- HollywoodReporter.com
The first project on the list for the newly created Avatar Studios is an animated feature film. More details will be announced at a later date.
Avatar: The Last Airbender debuted on Nickelodeon in 2005 and had a good first run, with the Legend of Korra debuting in 2012; these two animated series set the tone and created a good fanbase for the future .
The feature film, The Last Airbender directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was released in 2010 and was a box office failure. As an Avatar fan, I did see this film and while there were some good moments, overall the film fell flat and didn’t deliver as they tried to fit a whole seasons worth of story into one 2 hour movie.
Recently, it was announced in 2018 that Netflix is developing a live action series adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender with initially the original show creators attached to the project. However, in August 2020 the show runners left the project due to “creative differences”, but the project is still in development there on Netflix.
So with a live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender in development at Netflix and now some animated projects in development with CBS/Viacom and Nickolodeon, the Avatar world will be making a big comeback within a year of two. I’m excited for these new announcements and an upcoming animated movie, as I’ve watched them since the beginning of Avatar: The Last Airbender all the way through The Legend of Korra and can’t wait to see what is created next for the fans!
Star Wars: Bad Batch Is Coming!
The Bad Batch clones were recently granted their own show and a trailer was released in December 2020 (check out our podcast Episode 48: December Disney+ Announcements where we talk about the Bad Batch announcement) but a release date wasn’t revealed.
Well, today we have a date! The series premiere date will be May 4, 2021. Yes you read that right, Lucasfilm/Disney is finally using the already built in Star Wars Day to their advantage by releasing something on Star Wars Day - May the Fourth. StarWars.com announced this earlier today, along with the following synopsis.
"The series follows the elite and experimental troopers of Clone Force 99 (first introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch, as they prefer to be called — a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army — each possess a singular exceptional skill, which makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew. " -- StarWars.com
My guess is that we will see the continuation of the Clone’s lifespan as troopers in the Galactic Empire and how they evolve into what we now now as Imperial Stormtroopers. But with the Bad Batch being the individualists and rebels that they are, they will not conform to the Empire and will eventually break away from the Empire to do their own thing and become an “Enemies of the State” type group. (1980’s A-Team anyone?)
However, the story goes the good thing is we get new Star Wars content sooner rather than later and something to hold us over until the Book of Boba Fett due in December 2021.
Spider-Man 3 Title Revealed!
After Tom Holland and other actors from the film “released” fake and humorous potential titles on their social media accounts, the official title has been revealed today.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is the official title, keeping up with the word Home being in the title since the first film. First there was Homecoming, then Far From Home, now No Way Home. Spider-Man: No Way Home is due to be released later this year, December 17, 2021.
Benedict Cumberbatch is also said to be involved in the story, perhaps taking over Tony Stark’s mentor and father figure role.
Some new photo stills have also been released showing Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jacob Batalon with contemplative looks as they see something off camera.
Daft Punk Calls It Quits and Blows It Up
Literally. Daft Punk began in 1993 and has had numerous hits over the decades. One of my all time favorite albums of theirs as well as favorite movie soundtracks is the Tron: Legacy Soundtrack.
They were able to craft a perfect soundtrack for Tron: Legacy that fit the film as well and was good to listen to by itself. The recently released Tron: Legacy - The Complete Edition was a pleasant surprise that is a constant in my regular rotation of movie soundtracks.
Check out their farewell video titled Epilogue.
Happy Batman Day!
I’m seeing conflicting reports about which day is Batman Day 2019. So, I figure why not celebrate both days?!
Today, Sept 15th, as well as Sept 21st 2019 are being touted as Batman Day. This year is also the 80th anniversary of Batman as he was introduced in comics in March 1939.
My favorite reiteration of The Dark Knight has been Batfleck, Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in BvS: Dawn of Justice and Justice League (to some degree) have been my favorites so far. Plus, reading DC’s New 52 Batman comics (The Dark Knight, Justice League, Batman, and Detective Comics (2011)) for the past few months have been a lot of fun. Up until Batman v Superman, I wasn’t that big of a Batman fan, I liked Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and enjoyed the other films. But it wasn’t until this film with Ben Affleck that I really bought in to Batman and have enjoyed the character.
Happy Batman Day! Celebrate by watching, reading, playing your favorite Batman movie, TV show, comic, novel, or video game!
Also, check out our exclusive podcast review of The Dark Knight, as we reviewed the film on it’s 10 year anniversary! You can find it on our Credible Nerds podcast feed on Patreon!
13 Reasons Why The Phantom Menace is a Great Star Wars Movie
13 Reasons Why The Phantom Menace is a Great Star Wars Movie
While The Phantom Menace was one of the hottest movies of 1999, people and even fans have soured on Episode I over the years, mostly blaming Jar Jar Binks for their dislike of the movie. But I believe the film will stand the test of time and will continue to be rewatched over and over again. My children loved watching it while growing up and I believe future generations will discover it as they grow up and watch it with fresh eyes and enjoy it too. Us old timers will pass on and young kids will continue to fall in love with The Phantom Menace as the years roll on.
As this year is the 20th Anniversary of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, I decided to write down a few things, 13 of them in fact, that I like about The Phantom Menace. This movie lays a lot of groundwork for the Star Wars Skywalker Saga and introduces characters, organizations, and the Force that we will revisit over and over again throughout the course of the next 10 films.
The Jedi
We finally get to see the Jedi in action! We see the Jedi Temple, there is a distinction of skill levels with Master, Knight, and Padawan.
We get to see the Jedi Council, Yoda, Mace, and others. A lot of intriguing aliens on the Jedi Council, it’s definitely a different perspective.
We see the Jedi Padawan testing as Mace Windu tests Anakin to see if he can use the Force with some type of mastery. We also get mention of the Jedi Trials and confirmation that they exist, but still no other information on what they are or when they would take place.
The Jedi Temple is a large building with presumably a lot of Jedi living there. We learn that Jedi normally start out young, with Yoda’s statement that 9 year old Anakin is too old. It is later fleshed out in the The Clone Wars animated series that Force sensitive children are identified within the first year or two of their lives and are taken to the Jedi Temple for training. In this film we only see the Jedi Council room and the Jedi Masters that make up the Council, as well as a side balcony that Qui-Got and Obi-Wan have a conversation on for a minute or two.
One of the first scenes in the film is Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in action against the Trade Federation battle droids. They are proficient with their lightsabers and use the Force to their advantage.
New Organizations
One of the first groups we are introduced to is the Trade Federation. They have a lot of power and are involved in the Senate and apparently can help make Galactic policy. They are lead by the alien race, the Neimodians, and have a battle droid army that they use without thought to control planets and systems to get what they want.
The mythological Jedi are keepers of the peace with laser swords and have a mastery of the Force. They can act outside of the law and have their own agendas. They are not beholden to the Galactic Senate.
We get our first look at the grandeur of the Republic Senate and just how many planets and organizations are represented in the Republic. We see Wookiee’s, Neimodian’s, humans, Rodians, and even ET’s! Due to the massive amount of representatives in the Senate, there is a lot of corruption and bureaucracy that must be overcome in every decision that is made.
We are introduced to the Sith, the enemies of the Jedi, and the doctrine of the Rule of Two. As Yoda states, Always two there are, no more no less, A Master and an apprentice. We get to watch Darth Sidious, the master, and his apprentice, Darth Maul, try to outmaneuver and best the Senate and the Jedi throughout this film.
An interesting dynamic is presented throughout this film, the concept of symbiosis and balance. We see it with the Jedi and Sith and also with the Naboo governments- the Gungans and the humans. One of the overarching stories of the film is how the Naboo were separate and throughout the film are brought together and work together to defeat the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo. The Gungans and the Naboo humans thought poorly of each other before this and after the invasion came together to create a Peace that benefitted both societies.
Different Planets
We get to see different planets that appear in Episode I that we also visit throughout this Prequel trilogy of Episode I, II, and III..
Naboo the home planet of Queen Amidala and Senator Palpatine. It is a lush, paradisical planet. We also see the metropolitan planet of Coruscant which is the metropolitan center of the galaxy, where the Senate and other major organizations have their headquarters. While the idea of this planet was conceived of by George Lucas in drafts of Return of the Jedi, it wasn’t until the Thrawn Trilogy of books in the 1990’s written by Timothy Zahn, that the planet was named Coruscant. This name and planet first debuted in the 1997 Special Edition of The Return of the Jedi and then more fully explored in The Phantom Menace and the Prequel trilogy.
We get to visit the desert planet of Tatooine, which while some claim that it is the furthest point from the bright center of the Universe, it ends up playing a central role in the Star Wars Saga.
The Force is Introduced
We see various uses as well as different powers of The Force that are used by the Jedi, and the Sith. As Qui-Gon Jinn teaches his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, we are also taught of the different uses of the Force. We are introduced to the concept of midichlorians, a vergence of the Force, and the Prophesy of the Chosen One. We learn that there are not only a Dark Side and Light Side of the Force, but also a Living Force and a Cosmic Force ( that is later explored in The Clone Wars).
These concepts are mentioned throughout the Star Wars Saga, but unfortunately never fully explained. We do see how The Force is used by the Jedi and Sith throughout the Saga, things such as using the The Force to push things, pull things towards you, jump higher, run faster, use the Force to help someone relax or fall asleep, and to use the Force to mentally trick someone to do what you wish them to do.
Darth Sidious’ Machinations
One of the greatest villains of all time, maybe only surpassed by his future apprentice, Darth Vader. But truly, Sidious creates a conflict and seizes control of the biggest, most powerful organization in the galaxy - The Senate. He plays one side against the other so well, that the Jedi, Senate, and others don’t know what has happened until it’s over. Darth Sidious IS The Phantom Menace.
Trade Federation and their Droid Army
The Trade Federation are the bad guys, but are they really? They just want to get paid for their services. But I do find it interesting that they have a droid army prepped and ready to go. This army is solely theirs and they command it. It would stand to reason that there have been trade disputes on other planets in the past, and this is why they have an army. This allows them to protect their organization and their interests. Also it’s possible that trade disputes may be common as the Senate doesn’t seem to think much of Naboo’s conflict and are willing to let things play out despite the invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation.
R2 and C3PO Meet for the First Time
While you wouldn’t guess it in this film, R2-D2 and C-3PO, are major players in the Star Wars Saga and this is the film where they meet for the first time. There is some foreshadowing while they are together, so if you pay attention you’ll see it play out later on in the Saga.
Darth Maul
The ultimate Sith Lord and a fan favorite. We are introduced to Darth Maul and his abilities about halfway through the film as he confronts Qui-Gon Jinn on Tatooine. The Jedi are able to escape and we, the audience, are left wanting more, and we definitely get more at the end of the film. Darth Maul epitomizes everything we would imagine an ultimate warrior to be. He’s quick, agile, ruthless, ferocious, and has amazing lightsaber skills. Whatever your opinion of The Phantom Menace, I would bet that you thoroughly enjoyed it when Darth Maul was on screen. Watch The Clone Wars for more info on Darth Maul and where he came from - and more.
Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala Meet and They Have Their First Adventure
Anakin is nine years old and Padme is twelve years old when they first meet. If you look at the numbers, it is definitely weird. However, we all know once we hit adulthood, age difference isn’t that big of a deal. The Phantom Menace is a good time period for these two to establish a friendship that can be rekindled later on in life (which we see in the next film Attack of the Clones). Anakin is infatuated with Padme, as she’s a beautiful Queen from another world, which fascinates him. This leads him to drop the ultimate pickup line in Star Wars, “Are you an angel?”
Anakin invites Padme, Qui-Gon, and Jar Jar to his home to meet his mother. Anakin and Padme form a connection as he shows her around his room and they talk.
Unfortunately for Anakin, Padme just sees him as this cute little boy, which he is at this point.
We get to see Anakin help Padme get off Tatooine by winning the podrace and he accompanies her and the Jedi to Coruscant. He gives her the japoor snippet as something to remember her by as they share a sweet moment on the Naboo starship on their way to Coruscant. They further cement their relationship when upon returning to Naboo, Anakin is involved in the Battle of Naboo and plays a key role in freeing the Naboo from the Trade Federation. He is hailed as a hero and Padme is impressed with this cute little boy from Tatooine who is to be trained as a Jedi.
The Podrace!
The podrace is one of the most exciting events of the film and is something we don’t really see in Star Wars again. Anakin enters the podrace to try and help his new friends get the hyperdrive part they need for their starship. He is one of the best pilots in the outer rim, thanks to his Force sensitivity, and as a result he has been able to challenge the best podracers in the past. We get to see Anakin put these piloting skills on full display as he overcomes several challenging situations to eventually defeat his rival Sebulba and win the Boonta Eve podrace.
Aside from the dramatic story, we get to see some amazing visuals and sound design as they podrace through the landscape of Tatooine. We are exposed to Jawa’s, Tusken Raider’s and we even get to see Beggar’s Canyon.
Anakin and His Mother Say Goodbye
As Anakin gets ready to leave Tatooine and accompany the Jedi to Coruscant so he can train to be a Jedi himself, upon parting his mother, Shmi Skywalker, tells Anakin to be brave and don’t look back. This is one the most emotional moments of The Phantom Menace and a moment that drives the rest of the Prequel trilogy. As Anakin leaves his mother, he isn’t sure if it’s the right thing, but he wants to do it. This emotional attachment to his mother is a hard thing for him to let go, and he never really does let go.
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi Meet for the First Time
A momentous meeting that impacts the rest of the galaxy. Anakin is a 9 year old boy and Obi-Wan is just a Jedi Padawan learning the ways of the Force and the Jedi. Anakin is excited to meet another, younger Jedi, while Obi-Wan sees him as another Jar Jar Binks - another pet project of Qui Gon Jinn. They don’t interact much in the film as Qui Gon takes him under his wing and tries to teach Anakin as they move through the story. At the end of the film, Obi-Wan feels a loyalty to Qui-Gon and his dying words to “train the boy” as he is “the Chosen One”.
The Final Battle
The film culminates in the climactic Battle of Naboo where we get two separate ground battles, a space battle, and a 2 on 1 lightsaber duel! There’s a lot going on in the last part of this film. Queen Amidala and the Jedi come up with a plan to overthrow the Trade Federation by creating a diversion on the plains of Naboo with an army of Gungans, which draws out the battle droid army from the city of Theed. Once this happens, pilots sneak into the hangar and take off to attack the droid control ship above the planet. If they can destroy the control ship, this will power down and neutralize the droids.
During this covert operation, Darth Maul appears to stop them. The Jedi separate from the main group for a 2 on 1 lightsaber duel. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are literally pushed to the brink as they struggle to defeat the Sith Lord, Darth Maul. Qui-Gon is mortally wounded in the fight, but Ob-Wan is able to defeat Darth Maul.
Queen Amidala and her group continue on battling droids through the halls of the palace to eventually capture the Viceroy of the Trade Federation and claim victory.
Bonus Reasons:
Jar Jar Binks
Yes, Jar Jar Binks. He’s comedic relief for a movie for kids starring a 9 year old protagonist. I first saw Star Wars in theaters at age 4 maybe 5 years old. Star Wars movies have always had a juvenile, comedic element to them. Jar Jar Binks is that for this movie. Kids think he’s funny, and as I get older - so do I. Not sure what that means...
The Soundtrack
The Phantom Menace soundtrack by John Williams is exquisite and one of the best of the Star Wars Saga. The Duel of the Fates track is on par with The Imperial March and other great Star Wars music. John Williams shines even more with the music in this film. As Star Wars music fans, we also get treated to the only Ultimate Soundtrack release in the whole Saga. The Ultimate Soundtrack is like listening to the music from the film from the beginning to end credits.
The Phantom Menace in 3-D
In February 2012, The Phantom Menace was released in theaters once again but in 3-D. The film was only in theaters for about a couple of months, but it was fun to revisit the film in the new format and experience in a new way
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Avengers: Countdown to the Endgame - Day Four: The Incredible Hulk
Listen in on this third episode of our Avengers: Countdown to the Endgame - Day Four: The Incredible Hulk as The Credible Nerds discuss The Incredible Hulk. We debate whether Bruce Banner and The Hulk are two different beings or are two halves of a whole. Which Hulk is the better Hulk? The Hulk from this film or the Avenger's Hulk? We talk about why Abomination is stronger than The Hulk and what makes them different.
Episode 35 - Star Wars Celebration 2019 - Preview of Celebration Chicago
The Credible Nerds are going to Star Wars Celebration 2019 in Chicago! We are joined in this episode by a special guest who's been to many SW Celebrations. We are glad to have the Chosen One, Devin, join us on this episode. Chicago will be his 7th Celebration!
We discuss past Celebration experiences from Celebration I in 1999, all the way to Celebration Orlando 2017. We talk about what we're looking forward to the most in Chicago. Marc hasn't been to a Celebration yet, so we'll get his perspective on he's looking forward to in Chicago.