Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Hard to see, the dark side is.

The original trilogy introduced special effects never done before on screen; but twenty years later, ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) improved what George Lucas wanted on his masterpiece trilogy. In 1999, now with technology being more advanced, Lucas, has made a film not only of epic storytelling but of visual effects as well.

The film starts out with a Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi who disguise themselves as ambassadors for Queen Amidala, which doesn't go well as planned. A droid reveals their identities leaving the Jedi's no choice but to attack. They find out that there's an imminent invasion with the Gungan's, and Jar Jar Binks becomes an aide.

Jar Jar, I'll admit is one of the most annoying characters but thankfully doesn’t appear in any of the other SW films.

The Phantom Menace is a very good start to the prequels but when compared with the rest of the saga, it’s probably the weakest. A fun film nonetheless where there are great fight scenes along the way.

Not A Ghost Of A Chance

After such a long break George Lucas finally got round to making a film to show the beginings of the Star Wars saga. It seems that once and for all he wanted to prove that A New Hope was not just a once off success. Unfortunately, this poorly made prequal utterly fails to convince.

It almost seems as if this movie was made by a different man to the one who made the original Star Wars. In fact this film seems almost to have been made by a complete amateur who was told about the original success of Star Wars and deceided to make a version for children.

The plot is a mess from start to finish ( and I mean the very start, with the scrolling written prologue leading to many puzzled brows on first viewing ). In place of story and drama are special effects and explosions. While this might distract a younger audience most adults are left wondering when the story is going to settle down a bit.

Part of the problem is it all takes itself far too seriously. One of the most likeable characters in the original films was the rogue smuggler Han Solo who was able to provide a more cynical view of the world. In this prequal though there is no one like that and the jedi all talk in plummy English accents so that even their jokes sound serious.

Gone too is the 'lived in world' which Lucas managed so well in Star Wars. Instead of battered old space ships and dusty old clothes everyone dresses immmaculately and the ships are shiney and new. Apparently this was intentional but it does give the film a look reminiscent of some old Flash Gordon episode.

As well as the over the top computer effects George Lucas has tried once again to appeal to the kids with a comedy alien - the universally loathed Jar Jar Binks. Aside from being quite obviously computer generated the voice and manerisms irritate any viewer in a matter of minutes. In addition to this Lucas obviously thought a younger hero might appeal more to children and so we have Anakin Skywalker as a very young child, one who seems to be able to whatever he wants. Allowed to roam around on his own, enter high speed races and fly space craft the boy cannot be more than about eight. He reads his lines and performs as a child put into an adults role and its almost painful to watch.

That said there are a few good points about this movie, ones which I hope might bring more in the sequals. Ewan McGregor is excellent as Obi Wan Kenobi, copying the voice and mannerisms of the original Alec Guiness character perfectly. The Naboo setting is also quite impressive, giving a grandeur and magnificence suitable to an older more romantic age.

Some might say that the audience expected too much of George Lucas for this prequal but I would argue quite the opposite. Fans of Star Wars will be more willing to trust in his work and forgive this film, which without its predecessors would never have stood on its own. Its a very poor piece of cinema and adds nothing to the original movies. The next generation have been poorly treated with this offering which has none of the original magic. We can forgive only so much George....