Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace has come
and has gone. Although this movie packs a punch visually and was quite impressive, I
failed to be able to make the connection with the characters inherent in previous Star
Wars. We used to be able to connect with the hard-headed Han Solo and the
head-strong Princess Leia. This time around, you might be able to empathize with
Queen Amidala's situation, but you just don't form those connections with the characters
which I was expecting. The easist way to enjoy this movie is go in with low
expectations. If you enter with your expectations too high, you'll be disappointed.
If you don't expect anything, you'll be surprised.
I'll try and make this review as spoiler-free as
possible so that you can hear my opinion on this movie, but not the plot itself.
With all the hype surrounding this movie and the
great expectations built up by fans and critics alike, I'm sure that many other people
were also disappointed. Geared too much towards attracting the younger crowd rather
than appeasing the die-hard Star Wars fans, Lucas has managed to create a visually
spectacular (albeit flawed) yet annoying vision of the past (remember this is in a galaxy
a long time ago).1 Where humans and
machines are mixed seamlessly with aliens, this version of the future comes with the
obligatory clumsy sidekick and the mischief-making youngster. And that is where
Lucas went wrong [this is my opinion only - I would love to hear yours]. By trying too
much to cater to the younger generation and set the standard for visual effects, Lucas
ignored the basic underlying plot elements and character development that made the first
three Star Wars a success. Even though throughout the movie we empathize with the
underdog and we root for the good and boo the dark side, that's about all we do.
Before there used to be genuine relationships that developed between characters - minor
and major. We only get the glimpse of some relationships that begin to blossom in
Episode I which we can only guess will flower in later episodes.
Another thing, Lucas tried too hard to set the
goal that all other visual effects artists will strive for. "A few years ago,
effects houses bragged of 100, maybe 200 effects shots in a movie. Of the 2,000-odd shots
in "The Phantom Menace," only 200 aren't special effects shots."2 Even these special effects were flawed
throughout the movie. Call me a nitpick, but I noticed numerous shots where the
ground should have been affected, the shadow should have been cast differently, etc.
All these errors, minor as they may be, should be no problem for the ILM powerhouse.
Sure most people didn't notice these, but even the few that did must have been
disappointed. The crowning achievement of the visual and sound effects was of course
the pod race. Lasting a good six minutes, this is the showcase for what can be done
with the technology today. It doesn't make up for the other mistakes or the poor
subplots, but it does keep you entertained for some of the movie.
As for the rest of the movie, you just have to
wait for the lightsaber scenes. I know a couple of people who went just for these
scenes and you are not to be disappointed. Darth Maul, as shown in the previews,
with his bo-like dual-ended lightsaber kicks some serious Jedi butt and once again, the
visual and sound effects are awesome. But this still doesn't make up for the
acting. I'm sure not many people (if any) went for the acting - which is a good
thing. With many evident voice-overs throughout, these actors/actresses just can't
live up to the original Star Wars. Ewan McGregor will never be an Alec Guiness and
Jake Lloyd still has a long way to go. Natalie Portman was surprisingly good as
Queen Amidala as was Liam Neeson.
Many will see stark similarities to Return of the
Jedi (especially the ending scenes) and hopefully Lucas will learn from his mistakes and
include original not recycled material and aim for a more adult audience next
time around in Episode II - only 3 years away...
comments?
write to star_wars@movielocity.com.
1. Thanks to Jeremy Rich for pointing this out.
2. cnn.com
- this article
