STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE Reviewed by Jamie Peck
That exclamation will likely be the general reaction of those massive throngs slowly shuffling from "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," regardless of whether or not they actually like the movie. This long-awaited premiere prequel in George Lucas' indomitable space saga has sumptuous sights up the wazoo: beautiful costumes, dazzling architecture, imaginative creature design and lush panoramas of worlds familiar and unfamiliar. But ogle-worthy opulence is the lone thing that audiences will undoubtedly herald post-"Phantom," as the early buzz from both critics and preview screenings has been quite mixed.
Well, fear not, "Wars" watchers - all the iffiness merely comes as a side-effect of "Episode I"'s own gargantuan hype. Label any movie "the most anticipated event in cinema history" and the build-up is bound to let down some, especially those who've been waiting patiently for another fix of the Force ever since 1983's "Return of the Jedi." And since just about everybody fits into that category, a necessary bit of advice would be to approach "The Phantom Menace" aware of these king-sized expectations. Do so and you might be tickled pink to discover that, while not the pinnacle entry in Lucas' unfolding universe, it packs in wall-to-wall intrigue, spectacle and the finest special effects money - $115 million, reportedly - can buy.
The story still takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but even more of a long time ago - as in several scores before Lucas' other trilogy. The nifty opening introduces a younger, brasher version of Obi-Wan Kenobi ("Trainspotting"'s Ewan McGregor), newly a Jedi Knight and apprentice to noble, level-headed Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson). The pair arrive on a Trade Federation spaceship to hopefully negotiate the end of a blockade that's been royally screwing over the nearby utopian planet of Naboo. "I have a bad feeling about this," grouses Obi-Wan, his line sure to draw chuckles from those keen on their "Star" lore. Turns out his reservations are justified.
Before you can mutter "Dagobah," lightsabers are drawn and enemy robots are exchanging fire with our Jedi heroes. They, wise to what's going on, hightail it to Naboo to rescue its pacifist teen queen (Natalie Portman) from certain death, but their escape envoy gets downed and they find themselves in a layover on the desert world of Tatooine. There, Qui-Gon meets and is quite taken by young slave boy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) and his mother Shmi (Pernilla August, injecting emotion amid the grandeur), and fates are thusly sealed. This little innocent, we know from 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back," grows into the evil asthmatic known as Darth Vader.
To tip many more of the plot specifics would be oh so wrong, because "The Phantom Menace" provides a sense of wonder and astonishment almost as never-ceasing as the 1977 epic that started it all. A few old favorites are given tidy origin vignettes, while fascinating new beings - enough to fill the original's Cantina five times over - are welcomely trotted in front of the camera in their mostly computer-generated glory. All this and Lucas can still script and stage a riveting action sequence, as evidenced by the exhilarating pod race in which Anakin wins his freedom. For those who still thrill to "Ben-Hur"'s chariot chase, meet its overdue '90s sci-fi equivalent.
"Episode I" strays into childish territory at times (think Ewoks), particularly in its dealings with Jar Jar Binks, a beaked, donkey-eared amphibious alien whose clumsy antics and occasionally unintelligible island dialect might make you laugh or dig your fingernails into your armrest. A completely digital creation choreographed and voiced by Broadway performer Ahmed Best, he's this movie's comic relief - but not as accessible or successful as, say, bickering droids C-3PO and R2-D2 (seen here) or growling Wookie Chewbacca (not). The wee ones, however, should cackle with delight every time Jar Jar flails, fumbles or fumes.
But that's not to suggest that this is strictly a kiddie flick. There's menace in "Menace," and a great deal of it emanates from enigmatic villain Darth Maul. Maul, a cooler baddie than Boba Fett, is also the Character Most Likely to Inspire After-Viewing Discussion; as brought to life by famed martial artist Ray Park, he's a mass of oozing evil accentuated by demonic red-and-black Kabuki make-up and a dark hood that hides threatening horns. Many will ponder why he's given such little screen time, where they can learn his quick-as-lightening moves and how to become a member of his fan club. Maul's climactic lightsaber three-way with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan is truly a brawl to behold.
Neeson and McGregor play off each other nicely, with the former lending all the showy showmanship gravity and the latter doing a grin-inducing Alec Guinness impersonation. Portman, looking lovely and Geisha-like under a series of bold gowns and bolder headdresses, makes a regal if delicate ruler - and a fine role model if any little girls wander into this ultimate boy fantasy. Lloyd, neither as splendid nor stinky as his respective supporters and detractors claim, is the sole acting weak link, but whether his relative inexperience or the occasionally tin-eared dialogue he's required to enliven are to blame is in the air (though he's typically strong when it counts).
Rest assured, the flaws here are minor distractions rather than gaping mistakes. The questionable gossip seems to stem from the unavoidable disappointment following a nearly decade-and-a-half wait and the rumblings that "The Phantom Menace" has a ton of setting-up to do. No matter. Once the going gets good, Lucas puts "Episode I" on hyperdrive, complete with four simultaneous big-risk battles, a passionate plea in a stunningly-realized senate chamber and a concluding montage that readies for "Episode II" with lip-smacking, spine-tingling foreshadowing.
It's only what ... another three years?
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