Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Released 1999
Stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid , Samuel L. Jackson, Oliver Ford Davies, Terence Stamp, Pernilla August, Frank Oz, Ahmed Best, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, Ray Park
Directed by George Lucas

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are on a diplomatic mission to the planet Naboo, where they hope to negotiate the end to a blockade of the planet organized by the Trade Federation. When they arrive, however, they find themselves caught in a trap sprung by the mysterious Darth Sidious, who is making a play to take control of the Galactic Republic. After surviving an attempt on their lives in a planet-orbiting space station, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan end up on the ground in the midst of an invasion by an army of droids. After meeting the amphibious Jar Jar Binks, they move to save Naboo's teenage ruler, Queen Amidala, from possible execution. That involves taking her and her retinue (including her favorite squat droid, R2-D2) into space. From Naboo, the action moves to the desert planet of Tatooine, where the two Jedi encounter young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a slave child with amazing potential in the Force, then to the capital world of the Republic, and finally back to Naboo. Meanwhile, Darth Maul (Ray Park), Sidious' minion, is tracking the Jedi with dire intentions.

Summary by James Berardinelli

I waited three years to watch this movie, because I just wasn't interested. I had seen Jar Jar Binks in the trailer and tv spots, and he had completely turned me off. Eventually I broke down, though, and rented the DVD through Netflix. I must say I was pretty surprised. "Episode I" is actually quite a thrill ride, and Jar Jar isn't as annoying as I had expected. Don't get me wrong--he's annoying, but he's not Chris Tucker annoying. I wish I had actually seen this movie in the theater, because the visuals demanded it. The shots are so grandiose and crammed with action, that it doesn't quite work on a tv screen. Maybe it will be re-released sometime, and I'll get my chance. Anyway, this is the best looking sci-fi movie I've seen. While I prefer darker films like Twelve Monkeys, I was in awe of the sharpness and clarity of this film. It doesn't suffer from the soft focus of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and I can't remember a shot that looked fake. The only one that comes to mind is the final shot of Darth Maul, but how realistic would you want that anyway? Especially in a movie that panders to kids under 10, which brings me to one of my two criticisms. I have nothing against family films. I like them, but I don't like when an adult movie panders to little kids. If I had my way, Jar Jar Binks would have been shot in the head. I'll bet removing that one character alone would have landed this movie on the imdb's list of top 250 movies. I was going to ask why George Lucas didn't learn anything from "Return of the Jedi," but I just noticed that movie is on the imdb list! I'm confused by that, because everyone vilifies that movie with its ewoks and Muppets in Space feeling. Maybe the fact that the first two movies are in the top 20, and that one is 100 spots lower says something. If it were me, though, I would have gotten rid of the cutesy characters. In the prior movies, R2-D2 and C-3PO provided most of the comic relief. C-3PO was more cerebral, while R2-D2 provided subtle slapstick. The combination was like Laurel & Hardy, and it worked well. Why did Lucas want to go in an entirely different direction just to annoy the piss out of the adults? It's funny, because my daughter walked in during the final battle scene and immediately started laughing at Jar Jar's slapstick. There's nothing wrong with making the movie kid-friendly, but why pander to small kids at the expense of the adults?

My other criticism is the performances. Lucas is brilliant with the visuals, but he shouldn't be allowed to direct actors. I mean what's up with Natalie Portman? I thought she was sufficiently regal and reserved as Queen Amidala but horrendous as  Padme. I'm sure she was directed that way, but she should have protested. It looks like she's on valium. Everyone else is adequate to good (even Jake Lloyd), but I wish Lucas would have used a co-director. He should be in charge of the visuals and special-effects, and the co-director should be in charge of the human aspects. Still, this is great entertainment, and I was in awe. --Bill Alward, April 26, 2002