In case you've never seen Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, or have no desire to revisit the most disappointing 136 minutes of 1999 cinema, we've put together a brief recap video of George Lucas' prequel movie. We totally understand that you might need a bit of a refresher on the six movies that precede Star Wars: The Force Awakens before the film opens on December 18th, so rest assured that we'll have the complete recap collection ready for you before then.

Well before Luke Skywalker was ever in the picture, there was a Jedi Master named Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), and a young boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). But who cares about heroes when there are trade negotiations and political machinations to enjoy! This movie introduces the franchise's most irritating character, bores audiences with legislative dialogue in vaguely racist alien accents, and drops Scientology-level madness disguised as "biology", but since it's technically where this story begins, we'll have to grin and bear it.

Watch our recap of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in under three minutes below:

Here's the official synopsis for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace:

Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith.