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Liam Neeson defends Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best

September 16, 2020 by Samuel Brace

Liam Neeson, who played Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, has defended the film after all these years.

When Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace first released the reception wasn’t particularly great from critics and fans of the original trilogy.

However, over the years the film and the entire prequel trilogy have grown in public esteem, especially with those who grew up watching the movies.

Liam Neeson, who played Qui-Gon Jin in Episode I never had a bad view of the movie, however, and has defended the film decades after its release when speaking to Andy Cohen:

“I’m very proud of the film, I got to be a Jedi, got to play with those wonderful lightsabers and stuff, it was terrific. I liked the movie.”

Neeson also defended actor Ahmed Best who was the recipient of a lot of criticism and ridicule for his performance as Jar Jar Binks: “It really hurt his career. And I have to say when I was making that film… he was probably one of the funniest guys and talented guys I had ever worked with. I remember calling my old ex-agent at ICM and said, ‘I think I just worked with the new Eddie Murphy.’ I still believe that. Truly, he had all of us in stitches — including George Lucas. But I liked the movie.”

SEE ALSO: In Defence of the Star Wars Prequels: Are they really that bad?

The world does seem to be warming more to The Phantom Menace and even if it isn’t regarded as highly as the original films, it can still be enjoyed as a fun Star Wars adventure that does a lot of things right. What are your thoughts on Episode I? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…

 

Filed Under: Movies, News, Samuel Brace Tagged With: Ahmed Best, Liam Neeson, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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