1999 was a year dominated by the world wide release of the second coming of film, "The Phantom Menace," and while Menace ranks as one of the biggest cinematic disappointments of all time, I wouldn't trade a worthy Star Wars prequel for the incredible depth of filmmaking we got in 1999. While former Hollywood greats would stumble, a changing of the guard invaded overnight as if in a wooden horse. In this year we had bold dangerous filmmaking. We had films that rebelled against corporate America and the American dream. We had teen films not shaped out of the cookie cutter John Hughes mold. We had films that traded lightsabers for bullet time. We had comedy that dealt with religion and cancer. We saw twists and turns that were so brilliant, they’ve became just another Hollywood scripting device. It seems this flood of talent and brass filmmaking gave us some of the best films and performances of a ton of actors and directors. Unfortunately for Lucas, the force was not with him in 1999.
A new trilogy starring Trainspotting's Ewan McGregor as Obi Won Kenobi and how Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side to become Darth Vader was poised to be all anyone could talk about. We were all expecting George Lucas to be like Michael Jordan after winning three consecutive championships, retired for a few years and then laced them up for three more championships. George Lucas was returning to the ring to prove he still had it. Every level of Star Wars fan had been waiting for this from lukewarm fans to die hard Star Wars geeks. Pepsi and KFC were locked up for merchandising deals. The toys hit stores and kids meals were sold. That trailer was a religious experience? What could go wrong?
I was 18 years old and about to graduate high school when I saw "The Phantom Menace." Expectations had been dashed on some films but in the end, I liked most sequels or at least tried to. I never said officially I liked, "Weekend at Bernie's 2" but I didn't hate it either.
A crowd full of Star Wars fans were ready to be mesmerized when the title cards hit the screen and then.........nothing. Lucas didn't even hesitate to pull the lightsabers out early. I wasn't loving it but still had hope. Then Jarjar showed up. Then that boy who played Anakin showed up. There was something so unlikable about the character. This boy is going to be a Jedi Master? This boy is going to try to kill Obi Won and join the Sith. Many things ruin "The Phantom Menace" and I have many films to get to but Anakin Skywalker and Jarjar are in the top five.
It was a pure loss of innocence. I walked out of the film verbally telling people, "It kinda sucked." I always had the biggest expectations for films and even if they didn't live up to them, I still enjoyed them. The viewing of "The Phantom Menace" is definitely a coming of age tale. George Lucas jaded me. Since then, I never have had elevated expectations only to have in the back of my mind, "Remember The Phantom Menace?"
While everyone was stuck with their Darth Maul toys, there would be a treasure of films released that year, some of them box office smashes, others Oscar winners, some under the radar gems that would blossom into cult classics.1999 proved to be a pivotal moment for films and filmmakers. With success or failure, 1999 predicated the next move.
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