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

Sentimentally, Star Wars films will always be a favored, loved, and thought of as better than any other films ever made. At least to some people. As such, being one of those, I enjoyed Episode I. But, I will say that even though I didn't have any expectations; I felt it had too many problems to be overlooked. Some have said that the problems I will mention are not really what a Star Wars movie is about, but what I will mention is very much what movies are about and being Star Wars doesn't exclude it from being a film like any other movie. Overall, I'd say it is very good and a great start to what could and probably will be a great new trilogy. This film does come highly recommended by me.

I won't give anything away, but there were quite a few more surprises than what was leaked on the internet these past few years. Episode I, like the other movies begins in the middle of a story, but it also begins the story line of what we are to follow and eventually come to know. It is a small beginning. We see parts of the Star Wars universe that we'd never expect to see. However, just when it dawns on us that this universe is big; the story closes us in to a limited arena for our film to unfold. A smart move, I think. The wheels are set in motion in this film where we see how it all begins for the central characters and paves the way for the destinies that will come for each of them. Their introductions and the events surrounding their fates are slowly rolling out. We only get glimpses, but that is enough for now. The foreshadowing and the set-ups are fantastic. Subtle, but there is still enough to catch the direction. Most of us know where this will all lead, but it won't be discussed here (perhaps in the forum) because this is a general review for everyone; not just die-hard fans. The good news is that the 'getting there' will be a marvel to behold. The story is good, and I think it was well thought out. I don't think anyone expected it to begin like this. That in itself is the good news. That these prequels won't just be visuals for us to see what we think we know will happen. Instead, the 'getting there' is going to be interesting, unpredictable, and carefully crafted. Really though, would we want the story to happen the way we think it would've or should've? Not really. There's no fun in it.

The film follows Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), a Jedi Master and Apprentice, as they are sent to settle a dispute between the Trade Federation and the Naboo. Once they sense trouble, the story sends our heroes on a quest to resolve the situation through the Naboo's elected leader, Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), and her appeal to the Galactic Senate. Once they discover that their deliberations will take longer than the Naboo's people have, they venture out to deal with it themselves. Along the way, they meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), R2-D2, C-3PO, and Jar Jar Binks. Anakin, who we all know what he'll become, is a gifted boy in the force, and he joins the Queen and the Jedi on their task. And that is all I'll go into as far as the story is concerned. I mean, everyone will know the story anyway as I doubt anyone will not see this movie.

As far as the acting in this goes, the best performances came from mostly the supporting actors. Samuel Jackson (Mace Windu), Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), and Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka) all did excellent jobs in the film. Natalie Portman was good, and she pulled off acting against effects the best. I was prepared to hate Jake Lloyd and found myself pleasantly surprised that he was quite good in parts. Ahmed Best was there and I don't think he can be personally responsible for the Jar Jar Binks disaster. Who happens to be the worst thing to Star Wars since the Ewoks, but actually much worse. Liam Neeson's announcement of being tired of film acting couldn't have been better timed. It was stated not too much before this film's release and his performance speaks it in volumes. Not that he was terrible. Liam Neeson is a splendid actor and could never be terrible. Also, it wasn't as if he was even bad here; he just seemed lifeless and it was as if he was just there rolling through the motions. My complaint is that he turned what could've been a great, yet almost tragic character into a walking statue like role. Ewan McGregor, on the other hand, did a very good job. He's got some skills. He seemed to just blend the role and himself into one. He tackled the role and you forgot he was Ewan McGregor and believed he was the young Obi-Wan Kenobi. It was very obvious, looking at his performance acting wise, that he was serious and excited about being a part of this. I bet he put all he was into the film. Or at least that is what I think afterwards because while I was watching the movie; he was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Anyway, as creative and inventive as George Lucas is, he has still not proven himself to be a great writer or director by any means. Sure, he is the greatest story teller, but someone else should be called in to flesh it out on both paper and camera. Lucas is from a school of thought that believes that more is more, rather than less is more. Here, less would've been more. As great as the story is and will be becoming, the dialogue is awfully hoke`y. It is also borderline terrible in some instances. This might've been some of the reason why the performances suffered. Too much dullness and plain-ness in the dialogue. Too much of what is obvious was blurted out of the mouths of the characters. Too many times I heard the absolute worst way to phrase a sentence, or give short monologues. The dialogue was, for the most part, too cheesy 80's B-movie sci-fi in style and delivery. Not all the time, but it did hurt when it would come out. Another problem was that too much screen time was devoted to that waste that was either Jar Jar Binks or most of the sight gags in general. I expected, even for a film aimed at all ages, to be more intelligent than this. Disney cartoons have more intelligent humor than what was tried to be pulled off here. Most of it fell flat. I caught it and so did the rest of the audience I saw it with. An all ages crowd at that. The story was great as I mentioned before, but the sense of urgency, mystery, or excitement was lacking throughout most of the film. Key plot points were resolved to quickly and too little screen time was devoted to the actual story. I understand that this is an effects filled movie, but the whole movie isn't just seeing all the neat effects. For example, (mild spoilers, but it was in the trailers) the pod race ran a little long and the space battle ran a little short. The in-between scenes of pointless character interplay ran a bit long at times, but key scenes like in the Senate or some of the fight scenes were too short. Anyway, the pace was off. Too slow at times and too fast at others. Huh. Just like Episode IV, directed by George Lucas. He is a master storyteller/producer, but just an average writer/director. They did improve on the lightsaber duels and battle scenes though. They were much more exciting (but too short).

I did really enjoy the film. I know it sounds like I am bashing it too much, but the obvious can't be ignored. It was a good movie and a great start, but Lucas is a little rusty. He will be writing and directing the next two, but he should follow the same formula that made the old trilogy work: let others take over after the first one. Lucas is still the man, but he himself put himself in his place on this one. Many will blindly love this movie because it is Star Wars and they will over-praise it loudly. But at least I know what they are thinking in the backs of their minds: "It could've been better". Do not take this as a completely negative review. After this Saturday I will have seen it three times. That means I like it a lot. The reason so many people bash the critics who bashed this movie is because it is Star Wars. They claim that it isn't about strong acting and great dialogue, and all that stuff... Well, it is a movie and I (even though I am a big Star Wars fan) will treat it as such. It is ironic that people will complain how they hate effects movies that are empty of real acting and dialogue, but then say it doesn't matter when Star Wars is concerned when these very things come under criticism about Star Wars. Lucasfilm themselves did say "plot does matter". Hehe. All in all, a good movie and the promise that better things are yet to come. I do have faith and this film really was good, despite some of the things wrong with it.

P.S. Look for the E.T.'s (yes, those Spielberg creatures) in the Galactic Senate scene.

	Running Time: 131 Min \| Rated PG \| US Release: May 19th \| More >>

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