Discuss Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
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The Phantom Menace itself
posted by GForce59STAFFMOD on December 15, 2017 at 10:23 AM
You'd think I'd know what this by now, but I'm still troubled with understanding the interpretation (probably one of Lucas's pre-established last laughs for folks with challenged mental capacities when it comes to cryptic movie titles). What exactly is the Phantom Menace? I've narrowed it down to two for which I believe one should be the answer:
Palpatine. His a menace because he's actually a Sith, and a phantom because he disguises himself as a Republic senator
The Sith itself. It's been dormant for a while and sneaks back in with nobody knowing
Or, is it possible it's not definitive at all...it could be a combination of things, or purposely meant for individual interpretation?
Reply by NotoriousRio
on December 15, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Palpatine or Maul, I remember reading a rumour long before release that the Phantom Menance was going to be a character that no one but the viewer could see!
Reply by YYMBR
on January 23, 2018 at 12:52 AM
Darth Jar Jar!
Reply by AlienFanatic
on January 23, 2018 at 9:02 AM
I can only imagine that it's the silly ruse under which the Trade Federation declared war against Naboo, starting the whole conflict. I did a quick search and one answer on Stack Exchange elaborates a bit more:
https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/10542/who-was-the-phantom-menace
Basically, Palpatine's manipulation of the dispute on Naboo coupled with his creation of a fake "Separatist" movement--including the creation of a clone army--was used as pretext to take over the senate and form The Empire.
It was a horribly, horribly weak scenario (imo) that was never believable for an instant.
Reply by Jan El Señor
on January 23, 2018 at 9:13 AM
It's Palps/Sidious manipulating from the shadows.
Reply by movie_nazi
on January 23, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Ha ha yes. Good ol' Uncle Palps. He's a slick one that one.
Reply by movie_nazi
on January 23, 2018 at 10:37 AM
LOL, you must not pay attention to history because that type of conspiracy sounds exactly what would really happen. How do you get people riled up? Make them believe an imminent threat is upon them. Example:
Watch out! The commies are taking over! TO ARMS! TO ARMS! Next thing you know you got 100k dead fighting the Korean and Vietnam war. And for what? Because of a form of government that was doomed to fail anyways? Waste of lives.
Same thing happens in the prequels. They Separatist movement are the commies. They threaten our thousand-year-old republic and way of governing. TO ARMS! TO ARMS! MEESA SAY TO ARMS!