Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace 3 Stars (out of 4) Reviewed by Mac VerStandig critic@moviereviews.org http://www.moviereviews.org
Director George Lucas' fourth undertaking of the Star Wars legacy is his strongest. Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace has qualities that make it a fine film. The special effects are some of the most dazzling and amazing ever seen on the big screen. In addition, the acting is excellent. However, that is met by an exceptionally weak plot that makes the 130 minute film, about a half-hour too long.
The latest Star Wars installment takes place in the realm of space at a time unknown. The evil Trade Federation is plotting to take over the planet Naboo. The key to this task is having Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) of the Naboo people sign a treaty. Having intelligence and courage far beyond her young years, the Queen refuses in the interest of her people.
In an attempt to negotiate a trade agreement, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) come to the Trade Federation, acting as peacekeepers of sorts. The Trade Federation is opposed to the Jedi, and therefor tries to kill these two ambassadors at once. If this situation seems a little sketchy or lacking explanation and detail, that is probably because the movie has none, something that is inexcusable for a film calling itself "Episode One."
As the plot, or lack thereof limps along for the next two hours, you meet several new characters. This long list includes some robots called R2-D2 and C3-P0, creatures named Jar Jar Binks and Yoda, and a little boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) who is thought to be the so called "chosen one" of the Jedi Force.
The other blunder in relation to the story is its complexity. This is a film aimed at all audiences, proudly wearing a PG rating. But some of the political aspects are far too elaborate for young audiences. A key point of the film's later stage focuses around an intergalactic senate. As is, that is a concept needing explanation for children. But almost all youngsters are bound to be lost when the primary focus of a scene shifts to a no confidence vote, again with no definition offered for those who are not already familiar with this form of political assassination. In this aspect, the film fails to truly reach a versatile audience of all ages.
Some 22 years ago, a little film called Star Wars revolutionized special effects. The director had created something once thought to be an oxymoron: low budget eye candy. Today Lucas has once again produced a film that is delightful to watch. The light saber fights that the series is famous for, are astonishing to see once again. For instance, take a climatic scene where Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi find themselves fighting an evil creature named Darth Maul (Ray Park). This is a moment that would ordinarily be ruined by the gross predictability of the scene, but the dazzling choreography and vivacious site of laser beams striking each other, hold the audience over and actually makes watching the moment a voluptuous surprise.
Despite early bickering to the media about the experience of making an effects driven science fiction film, Liam Neeson gives an immense performance. Ewan McGregor does so as well. They bring quality to a script plagued by obscenely distressed dialogue. Almost always on screen as a duo, the two clearly have chemistry together. The finest example of this occurs in the beginning of the film when the two are acting as ambassadors in the Trade Federation, and come into their first battle scene alone together. The surprise displayed by the two as they realize an attack upon them is imminent, in combination with their performance fighting the creatures, is simply magnificent.
Despite the positive screen presence of the film's key actors, and enjoyable effects, Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace is about a half-hour too long. It is slow to start in the beginning and there are fewer action sequences in this installment than previous versions. It would come as little surprise if the die-hard fans who stood in line for days to get opening night tickets, caught up on some much needed sleep during the film's slower parts.
Some movies are just different. They are not like the other films that come out each year. They are unique. That is not necessarily to say that these productions are the best works of cinema. Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace is certainly one of these movies. It does not matter how good or bad the various elements of this production are, because most people aren't going to see it for the normal reasons. When you consider the aforementioned fans that camped out for tickets, the 22 year legacy of the series, and just the overall zest that Lucas gives each of these works, you come to a simple conclusion: Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace is not so much a film as an event, and because of that, everyone should see this movie.
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