Summary
- Strong quotes highlight the power of dialogue in Star Wars, showing unique character dynamics.
- The prequels have garnered newfound appreciation, resonating with fans who grew up with them.
- Memorable lines from The Phantom Menace mark the beginning of iconic character arcs and significant story developments.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is absolutely packed with memorable, meme-able quotes, and here are the best. George Lucas is a visionary, but he never considered himself the best at writing dialogue. For that matter, some of the cast of Star Wars would agree - Harrison Ford famously refused to say his lines when filming some of the original trilogy movies. But Lucas' reputation is overstated, because every one of his movies has some unforgettable lines of dialogue.
The Star Wars prequels are no longer hated, for example; now, 25 years after they kicked off with The Phantom Menace, the generation who first fell in love with them has come of age. They're pointing to memorable scenes and thrilling moments, key lines, and of course memes. Here are all the best quotes from The Phantom Menace, the first chapter in Lucas' Skywalker Saga.
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10 Qui-Gon Jinn Offers Advice To Jar Jar Binks
"The Ability To Speak Does Not Make You Intelligent."
Jar Jar Binks has long been a controversial inclusion to the Star Wars franchise. Despite his use in an attempt to add comedic moments in any scene he's in, viewers have often noted that he more often comes across as an annoying companion to the main characters that should have been left out. He makes fewer appearances as the prequel trilogy goes on, with The Phantom Menace focusing on him and his time with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
When the two of them meet Jar Jar on Naboo, Qui-Gon seems similarly fed up with Jar Jar's antics. Not only does he call Jar Jar brainless, but he also tells him to go away in the same breath. Hearing something so quick and blunt from one of the most patient of the Jedi makes this quote really stand out, especially against some of the more tame things Qui-Gon says later down the line.
9 Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Sarcastic Even In The Face Of Danger
"You Were Right About One Thing, Master. The Negotiations Were Short."
If there is one thing Obi-Wan Kenobi is known for, it is his sarcastic comments. Throughout the prequel series, he can be heard making jokes both in and out of battle, adding a bit of levity to any scene he is in. That is not to say that he cannot be serious when the time comes, as some of Star Wars' most serious moments come from him as a character. The Phantom Menace marks the beginning of his sarcastic streak, a part of his personality that seems to disappear as he ages into the original trilogy.
After Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan visit the Trade Federation in order to negotiate with them, they quickly find themselves trapped. Once they break out and begin to explore, they start to discover their plans against the planet of Naboo as well as the legions of droids they have waiting to send to the planet's surface. Despite the fact the odds are against them, Obi-Wan breaks the tension with the perfect line, showing off a bit more of his personality early into the film.
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8 Darth Sidious Promises To Exert His Power
“I Will Make It Legal!”
At the beginning of The Phantom Menace, Darth Sidious is portrayed as a shadowy figure working behind the scenes of the Trade Federation. He is the one that directs the actions of Nute Gunray, pulling the strings behind the attack on Naboo and existing as the mastermind behind the entire operation. Without him, it is likely that the Trade Federation would have never gotten involved in such a mess.
Even when Nute begins to show doubt in the plan, Darth Sidious proves that he cares little about what laws are in place. Because of his seat in the Senate as Senator Palpatine, he has the ability to manipulate the situation going forward, even changing the laws or convincing the people in power to do as he pleases. This quote shows just how conniving Darth Sidious really is, even before his influence had really been established in the prequel trilogy.
7 Anakin Skywalker Repeats His Mother's Insight
"Mom, You Say The Biggest Problem In This Universe Is That Nobody Helps Each Other."
Upon arriving on the planet Tatooine, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Padmé Amidala find themselves stranded until they can pay for the parts they need to repair their ship. Finding the money to pay for said parts on a planet as often heartless as Tatooine proves difficult, but Anakin quickly offers a solution in the form of podracing. If Anakin can win the race on Boonta Eve, they can use that money to repair their ship.
Anakin's mother Shmi is quick to object, noting how dangerous it is to race. However, he is quick to use her own words against her, citing that the biggest issue in the universe is that no one is willing to help each other. This shows how kindhearted Anakin once was, even as a child, setting up for an even bigger fall to the dark side down the line. Beautifully, his complaint will be resolved by the end of the entire Skywalker Saga, when the galaxy's civilians arrive to oppose Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
6 Shmi Skywalker Offers Wise Words To Her Son, Anakin
“You Can't Stop Change Any More Than You Can Stop The Suns From Setting.”
As The Phantom Menace goes on, Anakin Skywalker sees radical change affect his life. Not only is he freed from slavery beneath Watto, but he visits planets so much different than the desert of Tatooine that he grew up in. However, the most important change that he faces is the fact that he will no longer be able to see his mother, who remains a slave on his home planet.
When Anakin tells her that he doesn’t want things to change, she offers these important words of advice. Shmi tells her son to embrace the change, knowing that his life would be better with the Jedi than there under Watto’s ownership. Despite this, Anakin still struggles to accept the fact that he may never see her again, which inevitably leads to problems down the road.
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5 Padmé Amidala Speaks Her Mind While Naboo Suffers
"I Was Not Elected To Watch My People Suffer And Die While You Discuss This Invasion In A Committee."
The invasion of Naboo is one of the most important aspects of The Phantom Menace. Not only does it help to flesh out the politics of the prequel era, but it also sets up Darth Sidious’ plan and makes way for the inevitable Clone Wars that come in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. During this time, Queen Amidala makes her way to the Senate in order to plead her case for Naboo in the hopes of receiving aid against the Trade Federation and their blockade.
When the Chancellor begins to show weakness and corruption as pointed out by Sheev Palpatine, Queen Amidala makes a vote of no confidence against him in the hopes of replacing him with someone capable of making tough decisions. It is here that she stands up for her planet, making a strong case for someone so young. This quote, as well as the scene surrounding it, show that she is willing to do whatever needs to be done if it means saving Naboo.
4 Sheev Palpatine Forshadows Anakin's Dark Side Turn
"And You, Young Skywalker. We Will Watch Your Career With Great Interest."
One of the most foundational aspects of the prequel series is the grooming of Anakin Skywalker, which develops across the entire prequel trilogy. It finally comes to a head in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith when Anakin turns to the dark side, but it begins in this scene in The Phantom Menace. When Palpatine meets Anakin, he already shows that he has an interest in him, knowing just how strong in the Force he will be in the future.
Not only does this moment show that Palpatine was always watching, but it foreshadows Anakin’s inevitable turn to the dark side when he becomes Darth Vader. Because the prequel trilogy is at its core about Anakin’s fall from grace, having the two of them meet was a necessary addition to the story. If Palpatine hadn’t expressed this to Anakin, a core part of the film’s underlying story would have been missing.
3 Darth Maul Issues A Daunting Threat
"At Last, We Will Reveal Ourselves To The Jedi. At Last, We Will Have Revenge."
One of the most enigmatic characters in the entire prequel trilogy, Darth Maul is a man of few words. During his time in The Phantom Menace he mostly speaks by using his actions, culminating in the Duel of Fates where he eventually takes the life of Qui-Gon Jinn. When he does end up speaking, his words hold a dark weight to them, something that carries forward into his appearances in the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
During a discussion with Darth Sidious, the two discuss their revenge on the Jedi. This carefully laid plan is one that is years in the making, with the Sith hiding in the darkness waiting to make their move. This scene shows the final moments of their hiding, as soon after Darth Maul makes his way to Naboo and changes the trajectory of the future forever.
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2 Obi-Wan Threatens To Disobey The Jedi Council
"I Will Train Anakin. Without The Approval Of The Council If I Must."
Throughout The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan Kenobi is never one to stray away from the rules. He might have a sarcastic quip every now and then, but despite his master’s willingness to sometimes bend the rules, Obi-Wan seems completely tied to them during his time as a Padawan. However, this changes once Qui-Gon is killed on Naboo by Darth Maul.
At first, the Jedi Council is resistant to allowing Anakin to train because of his age and attachments. When Obi-Wan shows some of his master’s rebellion in the hopes of living up to Qui-Gon’s final wishes, Yoda ends up changing his mind, though he does not seem happy about it. This moment is foundational because not only does it mark Anakin’s start on the path towards becoming a Jedi, but it also marks a specific shift in Obi-Wan’s character.
1 Yoda's Words Of Wisdom Have Become Iconic
"Fear Is The Path To The Dark Side. Fear Leads To Anger. Anger Leads To Hate. Hate Leads To Suffering."
As a character, Yoda is known for his unique manner of speaking, leading to many incredibly quotable lines from across the series. However, even when he breaks the mold and speaks in a way that is more similar to the way those around him speak, his lines still end up being quotable for the wisdom they impart. One of the best examples sees Yoda speak among the members of the Jedi Council, where Yoda discusses fear with a young Anakin Skywalker.
After explaining the path to the dark side, Yoda notes that he senses exponential fear in Anakin, the fear of losing his mother most notably of all. This fear is eventually validated in Attack of the Clones when Anakin slaughters the Tusken Raiders that take her from him, leading to countless deaths. This moment forshadows the rest of the Star Wars prequels, making it one of the most important moments in all of The Phantom Menace.
