Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

reviewed by
R.L. Strong


STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE Liam Neeson Ewan McGregor Natalie Portman Jake Lloyd Ian McDiarmid Anthony Daniels Kenny Baker Ray Park Samuel L. Jackson Original music by John Williams Cinematography by David Tattersall Executive Producer Rick McCallum Film Editing by Ben Burtt & Paul Martin Smith Produced by George Lucas Written and Directed by George Lucas A LUCASFILM PRODUCTION RELEASED BY 20TH CENTURY FOX

"A long time ago.. in a galaxy far far away". No other phrase can conjure such images of bravery and adventure. George Lucas, the creator of the epic 'Star Wars' series has crafted an effortlessly complex and remarkably simple tale of heroes and villains. A series of films that deserve their classic status, if for no other reason than their value as pure escapism. 22 years after the release of the original 'Star Wars (Episode III: A New Hope), George Lucas has returned to the saga that has remained vivid in the imaginations of all who have seen it. "STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE" brings us to the beginnings of the tale, giving us the history before Luke Skywalker.

The opening title crawl of the film continues the serial approach established by the earlier Star Wars films. "Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute. Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo. While the Congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace, to settle the conflict...."

It is here that we are immersed into the political world of 'Star Wars', for the first time. As Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) board a Trade Federation ship in an effort to negotiate a treaty. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, is that the negotiations are not to take place. On the command of Darth Sidious, the Jedi are attacked. In an epic battle, the two men escape on board an armored transport. A full-scale invasion of Naboo is emanating. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan must reach the city to warn the Queen Amidala of the subterfuge that is taking place.

Reaching the palace with the assistance of an exiled Gungan, Jar-Jar Binks. The two Jedi succeed in contacting the Queen who requests that they return to the Congress of the Galactic Republic and report to the senators of the events. Along for the trip is the Queen's envoy Padmé Naberrie (Natalie Portman) and Jar-Jar Binks. It is during the escape that from Naboo that the ship is damaged and forced to land on the planet Tatooine. While attempting to repair their ship, Qui-Gon meets Annakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a boy / slave working for a junk dealer. Impressed with the boy's expertise with machinery and sensing something unique, Qui-Gon tests the boy believing the young Annakin to be "The Chosen One" predicted in Jedi mythology, "the one who will bring balance to the Force".

What must be said first and foremost about "The Phantom Menace" is that its visual effects are absolutely mind-boggling. There has never been a film that has created such vistas so continually as this film has. The cities, forests, and swamps of Naboo are wondrously realized. So much detail to attention has been lavished that one feels that these worlds are real. The cityscapes of Naboo, Tatooine and especially the galactic capital of Coruscant with it's Senate Chambers and Jedi Temple. Every single location of the plot is fully realized. The only film that could come close to this level of visualization would be the silent classic "Metropolis" (1925), "Forbidden Planet" (1958), and "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). I can't mention any film since the original 'Star Wars' (1976) as every film since then has used that film as a template. What George Lucas has done here, is enlarge his template and his mythology to include so much more depth and resonance. This is not to say that the film does not have flaws. The performances in the film are adequate if not fully drawn out. Liam Neeson plays his part of Qui-Gon Jinn with a stoic demeanor that could be seen as lethargic. I did not find this performance as troublesome as others did, simply because of the characterization of the Jedi. The doctrine that one must not give into their fear or anger, gives resonance to Neeson's performance. Being a mentor to Obi-Wan, he must hold himself to a higher level. His demeanor throughout the film is one of cautious resolution. He knows that his fate is leading him is a particular direction and he refuses to move against his fate. This is a classic characterization of the 'Ahab' principle. Qui-Gon has found the 'Chosen One' and must, by any means bring this savior (?) to his full potential.

Ewan McGregor makes an enigmatic Obi-Wan, a man who is just coming into his prime. Just mature enough to understand his responsibility but not enough to realize the consequences of his actions. McGregor does carry the film, even from the background. His character is the only one that we readily recognize from the previous Star Wars films. And that being said, McGregor does a reasonable job in the performance, one that I am certain will grow (as Mark Hamill's did in the original trilogy) in depth and nuance.

Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala and her guardian Padmé Naberrie has the hardest role in the film. Having to portray a character of 14 that must rule over a planet and it's citizenry is some problematic. Having to establish Queen Amidala as a stern and compassionate leader, it becomes very surprising when as Padmé, she must emote some of the inquisitiveness that someone her age would naturally have, while still holding a level of maturity. Portman does this fairly well, and in moments actually raises the character to a more mythic level. A performance similarly to Carrie Fisher's, Princess Leia in the original Star Wars.

The other performances in the film are either background characters or Computer generated. Much has been said about the character Jar-Jar Binks. Most of it negatively so. For my viewing, I found the character less than delightful, but far from insufferable. I think the most bothersome characteristic about the creature is its design. The legs are just far too long for any creature to walk on land, hence his natural clumsiness. That being said, I found the character's comic value appropriate to the film, in as much with all of the stern and troubled characters in the plot, having one that was behaving like "Jerry Lewis" in a Godzilla suit was appropriate. If only to lighten the film.

The set and costume design for the film is ravishing. There is so much to take in, in every scene that it forces the viewer to concentrate on the main characters and the story (which may have been reason for some of the more faint reviews). The visuals of the film, as stated before are staggering in their complexity and all invasiveness. I don't believe there is one scene in "The Phantom Menace" that does not carry a visual effect. That being said, the effects are seamless, blending into the film in such a way that one feels that huge sets and dioramas have been constructed for the actors to perform in. No faint praise.

George Lucas has managed to create a good old-fashioned adventure film. While his dialogue is at time trite and forced ('There's always a bigger fish'), it works in the context that this film (as all of the other Star Wars films) is a fantasy for children. Lucas has managed to delve deep into his belief in eastern philosophies and bring new depth to the mythology of the Star Wars saga. Having a biological essence as being a precursor for being a Jedi is interesting, if not completely acceptable. Also, there is the continuing adaptation of Judeo-Christian faith and mythology into the story in the idea that Annakin Skywalker may have been birth by a virgin. But these tracks are but fleeting thoughts in the film, brought to fore only in a single line of dialogue. This, like the reference to the "Clone Wars" in the original film may be there just to create a more complete universe.

Lucas's direction is straight forewarn and unobtrusive. His staging of the many battles and fight scenes are masterfully achieved. While the climatic light saber battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and the evil Darth Maul is powerful and exciting, after years of seeing martial arts displayed on screen from Jackie Chan to this years "The Matrix", the fights have nothing new to offer. Also, I found the fights lacking in character in all but the suspense sequence wherein Qui-Gon and Darth Maul must suspend their battle, separated by force fields. This particular scene leads a certain tension to the battle, as well as giving an opportunity to move to one of the other simultaneously accruing plot threads. Unfortunately, it's a short-lived moment. The fight scenes could have used more character. Hopefully, in the next films in the series an action choreographer can be brought in to help define the different styles and individualities that each character would really have. Lucas has also peppered the film with loving references and tributes to earlier films and influences. One marvelous (and blatant) scene is when Qui-Gon uses his light saber to melt through a series of metal doors on the Trade Federation ship. The scene wonderfully recreates the famous climax of "Forbidden Planet", wherein, the invisible Creature from the Id, melts through the impenetrable doors of the Krell lab to get at it's victims.

This brings me to what I found to be the weakest thread in the film, and that is the performance by Jake Lloyd as Annakin Skywalker. While I can see the plotting that is taking place, some of Annakin's scenes do not work simply because they are either too abrupt or Lloyd's performance is not tuned well enough to embrace it. The most jarring moment comes when Annakin agrees to leave his Mother, Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August) to go with Qui-Gon to the Jedi counsel. The emotional drama and angst here is almost non existent, being brought to it's conclusion with the dialogue exchange of Annakin: 'Will I ever see you again?" Shmi: "What does your heart tell you?!" While it fits into the mythology, it doesn't fit into the drama of the scene.

The structure of the film is similar to "Return of the Jedi". In fact, in retrospect it seems that 'Return of the Jedi' was the template for the film. The differences between the two are the depth with which the political drama is played out. For this reason "The Phantom Menace" is a richer film.

I must comment on the negative quotient of the film. There have been several vocal reviews of the film. Some valid, some not. Some reviewers have gone out of their way to disdain the film simply for the sake of it. I recall back in 1977, with the release of the first 'Star Wars' that most critics praised the film for its special effects but disliked the poor characterizations and performances. One critic, David Sheenan even claimed that the film served no purpose other than to show how to choreograph laser beams and explosions. That being said, I must say that while some have not enjoyed the film as much as others have, that is no fault of the film. There has to be a certain suspension of disbelief involved. And for some (especially those that do not care for Sci-fi or fantasy) is equivalent to lifting an anchor over their heads.

Now for all intents and purposes, is 'The Phantom Menace' a good film. Yes! Is it the best 'Star Wars' movie. No. "The Empire Strikes Back" still holds that distinction. Now is this film a worthy successor. Yes. In fact "The Phantom Menace" manages to do something that no other film in recent years has been able to do. Take us to a place and time we've never been before and make it seem familiar.

On a scale of 1 to 5, 'STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE" rates 4 stars. A good forebear of things to come and a marvelous return to classic filmmaking with new and wondrous technology.

Copyright 1999 R. L Strong All rights reserved Nothing in this article may be quoted or re-printed without the express written permission of the author. -- Visit the Dungeonmaster Cornucopia of Film http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5594/reviews/main.html


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