Before I get into it here, let me be clear: even when we don't like a movie ourselves, we will never judge you for liking a movie. We might joke about it or give you guff, but really, we just want you to enjoy what makes you happy! And that goes for everything (unless you're hurting someone else*): drink a pumpkin spice latte, eat a pizza with pineapple on it, go for a bike ride when it's 90 degrees out (stay hydrated please), go for a jog, ferment your own hot sauce, post pictures of your pets/kids/food/self to social media, wear a crop-top (on any body), paint your nails a fun/sparkly color. We are on this planet once, do the things you want to do (without hurting anyone else*). And just as importantly, let other people enjoy their own runs on this planet (as long as they're not hurting anyone else*). There's room for everyone to experience joy.
Even in the Star Wars movie franchise, there are a lot of Star Wars movies. Some are more wholly accepted than others, some are more wholly dismissed than others, some even shift where they fall on that scale over time. But the one that gets the most universally dragged, by far, is The Phantom Menace. This movie is so actively despised and ridiculed that some of the actors involved quit acting all together. I'm not sure people should have quit acting all together because of one character they played (Robert Pattinson for instance is a much better actor than his Twilight roles), but full disclosure: I've never seen The Phantom Menace.
Everything I know about this movie I learned from watching the Red Letter Media review, listening to people complain about it, and seeing it parodied in pop culture. It wasn't until I started asking people from a younger generation about the prequels that I got any positive feedback on this movie (or the next two really). People who saw Episodes I-III when they were younger have a genuine love for these films, and who's to say they should feel any other way? But when you hold them all together, there are some clear reasons that the prequels fall pretty far down the enjoyable-list for fans of the franchise.
When I watched the Red Letter Media reviews I learned a TON, not just about the films themselves, but about writing and film in general. And even if you enjoy The Phantom Menace, this is a pretty unflinching examination of why most people didn't, but it's also very constructive in it's criticism. (Also, they're hilarious!) So, if you've never watched these reviews, or haven't revisited them in a long time, watch these cultural gems and remind yourself that films can be enjoyed even when they are epically and unequivocally bad!
*Seriously, if you derive pleasure from hurting other people, stop what you're doing and allow yourself to get help. There are people who dedicate their lives and careers to helping people move past unhealthy expressions of anger and frustration. Here's a very good resource to start with, and remember that getting help is literally part of human nature, even though our dominant society is set up to keep us isolated and suffering: Walk In Counseling Center (Minneapolis and St Paul)
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