Radio vs. the Martians! Commentary Track – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.

Now this is podcasting! This Christmas Eve, we’re back with a gift!

In our first Retcon vs. the Martians!, Casey has ambushed Mike with an impromptu commentary track screening of George Lucas’ much-maligned science fantasy prequel that has been talked to death on every podcast and YouTube channel for the better part of two decades, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace!

In the waning days of the Galactic Republic, a pair of Jedi Knights are sent to negotiate an armed trade dispute, only to become pawns in an elaborate plot to undermine democracy and position a senator from a remote system (and secret evil wizard) to the biggest chair in space politics. Along the way, the Jedi battle an army of hapless robots, rescue a queen, and discover a young slave boy who may just be a long prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force.

Fun Size Episode 20 – You Don’t Deserve My Hat, Shia LaBeouf!

We sit down to continue our chat with Joe Preti and Bryon DiGianfilippo, and are joined by View from the GuttersTobiah Panshin to talk about Keanu Reeves’ Constantine movie and debate what makes a good adaptation.

We also dig into the admirable and visually stunning mess that was Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. How can a movie have such high peaks and such tragic, debilitating valleys?

Plus, we talk about how ham-fisted ways that movie executives force blatant business decisions onto the screen. And is there really that much demand for multiple “shared cinematic universes” in the wake of Marvel’s success?