Welcome to #FlashbackFriday, where we look at past moments with filmmakers, actors, etc. and highlight something in cinema history that’s fascinating, amusing, perhaps something you never knew or have seen, you name it.

This week’s #FlashbackFriday is a bit different than previous ones. We’re not going to highlight an old interview with a filmmaker. There’s no lost gem of a video that we came across. No, this week we are going to take a look at a video, courtesy of YouTuber EckhartsLadder, that dissects the fan reaction to the triumphant return of “Star Wars” back in 1999 with ‘The Phantom Menace.’

READ MORE: Jon Favreau Shares New ‘Mandalorian’ Image Hinting At An ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Link

And while you may think that fans were level-headed and understood that what they were watching back then was a pale comparison to the Original Trilogy, you will be surprised to know that “Star Wars” fans over-reacted, said that critics were wrong, and defended George Lucas until their dying breath.

Continue reading New Video Highlights ‘Star Wars’ Fans’ Undying Love Of ‘The Phantom Menace’ Back In 1999 at The Playlist.

Sometimes, you just can’t win. There were those who found “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” too beholden to the original trilogy, while others think “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” strays too far from the core values of the series. Now, Mark Hamill is weighing in on the history of the franchise, and surprisingly, he has some kind words to say about the prequels. So if you secretly adore those most reviled pictures, you might have some ammunition in your corner.

Continue reading Mark Hamill Says ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Was Trying To Mimic The Original Trilogy at The Playlist.

While we’re already taking for granted the fact that we’re going to have new “Star Wars” films every year for the foreseeable future, back in 1999, all fans had to hold onto was the original trilogy. And so, the excitement around “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” at the time cannot be understated, as devotees of the franchise could hardly have imagined a new entry in the saga from George Lucas 16 years after “Return Of The Jedi.” And that fervor explains why “Siskel & Ebert” devoted an entire episode to the movie.

Continue reading Roger Ebert Reviews ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ & Talks With George Lucas In Vintage ‘Siskel & Ebert’ Special at The Playlist.

There are few pieces of contemporary movie music as iconic as John Williams‘ title theme for “Star Wars” (a close second would be the “The Imperial March”). Scoring all eight saga films to date, Williams’ music has been part of the moviegoing experience for multiple generations, and has been some of the most stirring compositions for blockbuster movies ever created. But don’t bother asking the composer his thoughts on the films because he hasn’t actually seen them.

Continue reading Composer John Williams Says He’s Never Watched A ‘Star Wars’ Movie at The Playlist.

Watch: The Journey Of Anakin's Lightsaber Across The 'Star Wars' Series & Daisy Ridley's 'The Force Awakens' Audition

Continue reading Watch: The Journey Of Anakin’s Lightsaber Across The ‘Star Wars’ Series & Daisy Ridley’s ‘The Force Awakens’ Audition at The Playlist.

Leonardo DiCaprio Talks Turning Down Anakin Skywalker In The 'Star Wars' Prequels & 'Batman Forever'

Continue reading Leonardo DiCaprio Talks Turning Down Anakin Skywalker In The ‘Star Wars’ Prequels & ‘Batman Forever’ at The Playlist.

"They Wanted To Do A Retro Movie​": George Lucas Talks His Break Up From 'Star Wars,' And More In 54-Minute Talk

Continue reading “They Wanted To Do A Retro Movie​”: George Lucas Talks His Break Up From ‘Star Wars,’ And More In 54-Minute Talk at The Playlist.

Ranked: The Weird, Strange & Beloved Outer Rim Characters Of The 'Star Wars' Universe

Continue reading Ranked: The Weird, Strange & Beloved Outer Rim Characters Of The ‘Star Wars’ Universe at The Playlist.

Watch: New Featurettes & TV Spot For 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens;' Plus Fans React To 'Phantom Menace' In Vintage Video

Continue reading Watch: New Featurettes & TV Spot For ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens;’ Plus Fans React To ‘Phantom Menace’ In Vintage Video at The Playlist.

Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis & Steven Spielberg All Turned Down Directing The 'Star Wars' Prequels

Continue reading Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis & Steven Spielberg All Turned Down Directing The ‘Star Wars’ Prequels at The Playlist.

Watch: 50-Minute 'Story Of Star Wars' From 1999 With George Lucas, 'Phantom Menace' Cast, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola

Continue reading Watch: 50-Minute ‘Story Of Star Wars’ From 1999 With George Lucas, ‘Phantom Menace’ Cast, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola at The Playlist.

Simon Pegg Says 'Star Wars' Prequels Are "Utter Infanticide," Plus 'Force Awakens' Fans Flock To Regina And More

Continue reading Simon Pegg Says ‘Star Wars’ Prequels Are “Utter Infanticide,” Plus ‘Force Awakens’ Fans Flock To Regina And More at The Playlist.

Watch: Audience Goes Wild Watching First Trailer For 'Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace' In 1998

Continue reading Watch: Audience Goes Wild Watching First Trailer For ‘Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace’ In 1998 at The Playlist.

Listen: 50-Minute Talk With Leonard Maltin About 'Star Wars,' His Vintage Interview With George Lucas, And More

Continue reading Listen: 50-Minute Talk With Leonard Maltin About ‘Star Wars,’ His Vintage Interview With George Lucas, And More at The Playlist.

'Star Wars' Movie Marathon Event To Lead Into Opening Day Screening Of 'The Force Awakens'

Continue reading ‘Star Wars’ Movie Marathon Event To Lead Into Opening Day Screening Of ‘The Force Awakens’ at The Playlist.

'Star Wars' Soundtracks Will Get Deluxe Reissue Treatment

Continue reading ‘Star Wars’ Soundtracks Will Get Deluxe Reissue Treatment at The Playlist.

Anthony Daniels Says His Eyes "Glazed Over" When He Heard 'Force Awakens' Story, Thinks Secrecy Is "Ludicrous"

Continue reading Anthony Daniels Says His Eyes “Glazed Over” When He Heard ‘Force Awakens’ Story, Thinks Secrecy Is “Ludicrous” at The Playlist.

Watch: Supercut Highlights The Visual Symmetry In The First 6 'Star Wars' Films

Continue reading Watch: Supercut Highlights The Visual Symmetry In The First 6 ‘Star Wars’ Films at The Playlist.

Michael Jackson Wanted To Play Jar Jar Binks; Watch Vintage 'Star Wars' Drunk Driving PSA

Continue reading Michael Jackson Wanted To Play Jar Jar Binks; Watch Vintage ‘Star Wars’ Drunk Driving PSA at The Playlist.

Watch: Complete 'Star Wars' Deleted Scenes From 'A New Hope' Through 'Revenge Of The Sith'

Continue reading Watch: Complete ‘Star Wars’ Deleted Scenes From ‘A New Hope’ Through ‘Revenge Of The Sith’ at The Playlist.

Watch: 6 Trailers And 15 Clips For The 'Star Wars' Digital Movie Collection

Continue reading Watch: 6 Trailers And 15 Clips For The ‘Star Wars’ Digital Movie Collection at The Playlist.

New Infographic Lays Out Canonical 'Star Wars' Timeline With Films, TV And Books

Continue reading New Infographic Lays Out Canonical ‘Star Wars’ Timeline With Films, TV And Books at The Playlist.

Watch: Nostalgic Supercut Celebrates The Films Of The 1990s

Continue reading Watch: Nostalgic Supercut Celebrates The Films Of The 1990s at The Playlist.

Limited Series Retells 'Star Wars' Episodes 1-6 Chronologically Through C-3PO & R2-D2's Eyes, With Lego

Continue reading Limited Series Retells ‘Star Wars’ Episodes 1-6 Chronologically Through C-3PO & R2-D2’s Eyes, With Lego at The Playlist.

Natalie Portman Says Mike Nichols Saved Her Career After 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'

Continue reading Natalie Portman Says Mike Nichols Saved Her Career After ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ at The Playlist.