Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Any regular readers will know I love Star Wars . . . so it's about time I reviewed the actual movies.   It's only appropriate as we count down to the next installment, Episode VII.  So let's start from the beginning . . . sort of.  The first Star Wars film (released in 1977) was actually Episode IV: A New Hope.  That film launched a worldwide obsession that continues to this day.  The first chronological film, however, was Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  Released in 1999, it is today's review.

The Phantom Menace sets the stage for the larger saga.  In it, we're introduced to many of the characters, locales, abilities, factions, and technologies that had become common pop culture knowledge due to the intense popularity of the first three movies released (Episodes IV-VI).  Here, we meet Anakin Skywalker and his erstwhile colleagues R2-D2, C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and more.  A slave on the desert world of Tatooine, Anakin wins his freedom and becomes an apprentice to Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master, who promises to train the boy in the ways of the Force.  Before that can happen, though, they and their allies must resolve a blockade crisis on the small world of Naboo (ruled by Queen Amidala).  Standing in their way is a corrupt senate, the machinations of someone high in the Republic, an army of battle droids, and even the Sith, the long-lost "dark Jedi."  Can they prevail?

The Phantom Menace was met with high anticipation from many, it being the first Star Wars film in 16 years.  Regrettably, though, it is a bad movie, and audiences immediately recognized it as such.  It earned $475 million dollars in US theaters only because its predecessors were so beloved.  Here, the dialogue is atrocious, the acting is wooden (even from seasoned thespians), the CG and plot are only 'meh,' and some characters are highly annoying (Jar-Jar Binks being the most infamous).  It's a far cry in both content and delivery from the original trilogy.  In fact, later movies would prove this to be a sideshow at best- precious little of import is added to the saga.  Still, it at least sets the stage for the universe, and the galactic conflict to come.

Rating: C-