Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace
Movie Review
"Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: A-
Rating: PG
Released: Wednesday, May 19, 1999
Directed by:
Cast:
"Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," like the three "Star Wars" films before it, has a feeling of child-like wonder and fantasy, grounded in a strong sense of right and wrong, that makes for a fantastic cinematic experience. It's a treat for the eyes and a pick-me-up for the soul, coming in only a half-step behind its predecessors.
But enough film-critic talk. "The Phantom Menace" is freakin' awesome.
Director/writer George Lucas has not gone out on too many limbs here. He knows that with the well-deserved success of his first three "Star Wars" films (actually parts IV, V and VI in the story), there's no reason to change starships mid-stream.
Which isn't to say "The Phantom Menace" is just a re-hash of stuff we've already seen, because it's not. There are familiar ideas and scenarios -- light-saber duels, wacky alien creatures, etc. -- but to say Lucas is merely stealing from himself would be to disregard all the imagination and sheer creativity that are apparent in this film.
As we join the story, the Galactic Republic is on the verge of war with the greedy Trade Federation, which is about to invade the small planet of Naboo. Two Jedi Knights -- Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) -- are sent to negotiate with the Federation, but when that fails, they head down to Naboo to warn young Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman).
After meeting the buffoonish Jar-Jar (Ahmed Best), the three get the queen and head for the planet of Coruscant, where the Republic Senate can hopefully do something about the Federation. But first they stop on Tatooine, where they meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a slave boy whom Qui-Gon realizes has potential to be a Jedi Knight, and whom "Star Wars" fans already know will one day grow up to be Darth Vader.
This foreknowledge makes his story a poignant one. Lloyd, whose acting is fairly good for a 9-year-old (and not as bad as had been rumored), is wise beyond his years, but still child-like in his innocence. Knowing his dark future provides an interesting ironic contrast.
From a technical standpoint, the film is outstanding. The special effects are seamless, the music is triumphant, and the entire movie seems to have been filmed somewhere other than on Earth.
But the movie is not perfect. Qui-Gon is technically the main character, but we never get very attached to him. The same is true, even moreso, for Obi-Wan. In fact, the characters generally are not as immediately likeable as their "Star Wars" counterparts. Han Solo, Chewbacca, even the whining Luke Skywalker made for memorable figures. Many of the supporting characters in "The Phantom Menace" are delightful, but the ones at center stage seem like they're just getting warmed up -- like the NEXT movie will be where things really get going.
Jar-Jar is a mistake. He is meant to provide comic relief, which he occasionally does. More often, though, he grates on the nerves. His dialect is almost unintelligible at times (think Mush Mouth on "Fat Albert"), and he comes across as a flat sitcom character. (He even has a sitcom-like catchphrase -- "How rude!" -- which, as I recall, was also young Stephanie's catchphrase on ABC's "Full House.") He doesn't ruin the movie, but he sure tries.
One last thing this film lacks is a solid villain. Darth Maul -- already a favorite among people who have only seen the previews -- is menacing and creepy-looking, but his screen time is limited to little more than one slam-bang duel with the Jedi Knights (though that scene IS fantastic). Furthermore, he's only a pawn anyway. The true villain here is the Federation -- but a faceless organization is no match for "Star Wars'" truly fearsome Darth Vader.
Small quibbles aside, this review could be summed up in one sentence: "The Phantom Menace" is a "Star Wars" movie. Nearly everything that was good about the Trilogy is in place here. You have light sabers, the Force (with its most spiritual overtones yet), battles in space and on land, and good guys and bad guys. Jabba the Hutt, R2D2, the Emperor (watch that guy!) -- they're all here. If you ever enjoyed a "Star Wars" movie, you'll enjoy this one. It is truly a magical, wonderful flight of fancy that reminds us that ultimately, Good will overcome Evil. It's a simple message, sure, but it's that simplicity that makes the film work.
Grade: A-
Rated PG, sci-fi action/violence
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 7 comments
August 3, 2008 at 6:36 am
In retrospect, this movie makes absolutely no sense. I watched the "Rifftrax" earlier today and had the benefit of having every scene that didn't make a lick of sense dissected before me. Jar Jar gets more and more annoying, because he's completely useless. He trips, sputters and squawks through his parts in the movie - when the far-more-interesting Gungan general observes that the droid control ship has been shut down, Jar Jar pushes a droid over and shouts: "They're bwoken!" One wonders whether he really understands what is going on, not just at that point but throughout the whole movie.
You said: "Many of the supporting characters in "The Phantom Menace" are delightful, but the ones at center stage seem like they're just getting warmed up -- like the NEXT movie will be where things really get going."
We all said the same thing after "Attack of the Clones", which provided more facetious, stupid storylines about trade groups and ambassadors and politics and nothing about what we thought we cared about - Anakin's transformation as Darth Vader. We thought that Episode III would bring things to a satisfying emotional conclusion. It turns out that Lucas was playing it safe - Episode III tried to pick up all of the slack with character development and blew chunks.
I'll give Lucas and his team credit for one thing, though - these movies are ALWAYS visually-compelling. No matter the hundreds of complaints sci-fi nerds and other, more rational people have about the movie (and these aren't good movies by any standard) - they did a good job with special effects, and I'm not just talking about the budget. The Phantom Menace is downright beautiful, and I'm convinced it's the best-looking of the three. But it's still a bastardization of a classic movie series.
I guess you'd grown impatient of this sort of thing by the time Spider-Man 3 came around, huh?
August 3, 2008 at 10:47 am
Rifftrax is awesome. Though it's better for parts 2 and 3. Anyway, this movie obviously got a grade bump by us all because of the hype. Really, the acting is awful and the story is nonsense. I didn't like it the first time I watched it, but I convinced myself it was good because everybody else said it was (and I did see it a few more times since I wasn't paying).
Perhaps it's because we can see the whole new trilogy and realize it wasn't good, though it wasn't awful either.
And Spider-man 3 rifftrax is even more hilarious.
August 4, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I still enjoy this movie, in spite of Jar Jar.
August 6, 2008 at 8:47 pm
For the time the movie was amazing. Even if Gorge Lucas started to screw up his own story. They had to re-edit almost all th lightsabers because he was stupid. What i don't understand is how the princess remembers her mother when as everyone knows her mother died durring child birth. Also when luke kisses the princess then proseeds to later say he knew that she was his sister all along. They really have to stop milking the starwars stuff. The fact that now they made acartoon clone wars it simply stupid. They need to just leave the story alone of get a new idea. This is coming from a girl who went to the starwars 25 anniversary that was in Chicago. to conclude this i would like to say Jar Jar is really really stupid.
November 8, 2008 at 7:46 pm
i think george lucas is a genuis.i mean obi wan/ewan mc gregor done the same moves twice but it is so funny.meesa jar jar binks.ewan mc gregor is my greatest hero besides amy allan.ithinkthe jedi council should have survived .starwars the phantom menace is the best starwars movie scrach that the best movie ever.
March 2, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Jar Jar will be the end of us all
September 30, 2009 at 4:46 pm
10 years later, wow! I decided to watch the whole thing just 'cause I had not done it in years. I was surprised at the undertones of this film. Yes, Lucas has always put obvious right smack in front of us, but what is not obvious is the overall transformation of Anakin. It is there in six movies. But this one, aside from the very definition of ignorance named Jar Jar Binks, is to me the more subtle. It merely illustrates the seed of the problem; separation from the 'Good.' Of course, at the time of its release no one knew where Lucas was going with this. The very thing that has to be let go of is after all human's very first ideal; the nourishing mother.
Anakin's problems begin here. His infatuation is transferred to Padme, who is now 'the mother' he has to let go of. This is the motif that is played through out the prequels; pain from separation and the inability to relinquish the 'Good.'
The Phantom Menace is fun. Perhaps not what audiences wanted to see, but it is a fascinating illustration of the human condition concerning separation from parents, friends, homes, wives, and life itself. Everything comes to an end. It is ultimately George Lucas' baby and the artist is subject to much critique. Still, it was his vision and effort that brought this film about and I watch it and appreciate it for what it is; not for what I wish it to be.
As the film progresses, we get to see the 'phantom' 'menacing' in Palpatine. His interests in political power are very subtle here; he moves in a stealthy, serpentine way. Now, we are not talking about Oscar performances here. After all, these movies have never been well written, that includes the old trilogy.
I enjoy the Phantom Menace now much more than I did before. Minus Jar Jar Bink, this is a 8 out of 10! Enjoy