Following the release of the widely acclaimed, Iconic, beloved Star Wars Original Trilogy, a Prequel Trilogy was set to made, spanning the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and written and directed by George Lucas. The first in the series was released in the summer of 1999... and the rest is history.
Needless to say, the film was a huge disappointment for fans. The script was stale, the characters flat, the pacing sluggish, the humour childish, the story convulsed, the tone all over the place... it was a box-office success, but a huge misfire in the heart of the fanbase, and the following two prequels - Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith - suffered for it. However, time has been slightly kinder to it, and now most fans are split whether the film is good or the worst movie ever. What do I think?
The Phantom Menace has a great opening. Yes, you can complain about the stereotypical Trade Federation Leaders and the horrifically political title crawl, but otherwise its a good start. It introduces the fact that the Emperor from the Original Trilogy is controlling the Federation quickly, and there are some neat effects in the sequence. Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi stealthing their way round the Trade Federation Ship is enjoyable, and, while the normal Battle Droids are disable, the Droidekas are undeniably cool, with their Shields and machine guns overpowering even the Jedi. Too bad they showed up only once more in the entire film.
Once they get down to the planet of Naboo, which is being invaded, they meet Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan who was brandished from his city and also potentially the most hated fictionial character of all time. I wouldn't go that far - espically after the harrashment the actor Ahmed Best received - but he is still irritating, and gets far too much screen time for the screaming comic relief.
Anyway, they meet Boss Nass, the Gungan leader who is hilarious in all the wrong ways, and a chase through the planets core ensues. The chase is pretty good, if you ignore Jar Jar screaming,and the music is wonderful. They then go to the city of Theed and meet Queen Amildala (Natalie Portman... or Keira Knightley?), escape with her in a spaceship, get hit and need to land on the desert planet Tatoonie from the original films. Also R2-D2 is introduced, but he does so little in the film you kind of forget.
The Tatoonie section is a drag. Jake Lloyd as Anakin is okay for a child actor (although the idea of a cute child Darth Vader is terrible) but Watto is a terrible, irritating character. The Pod Race scene doesn't do it for me either, and I also get bored when watching. That said, we are now introduced to the saving grace of the film... Darth Maul.
Darth Maul is just amazing. He is the definitive example of a Villian who makes a huge impression based on only a tiny bit of screen time, and every scene with him is amazing. His voice is brooding, his acrobatics are incredible... he's just a truely memorable Antagonist. The quick fight he gets with Qui Gon is just a taste of what's to come.
Then we get to Courscaunt for the infamous 'Politics and Talk and Politics and Talk' section, which features lots and lots of... Well, Politics and Talk. Yoda is also there so... theres something. At least I can say my favourite Star Wars character is in this movie.
So the films been sluggish up to this point. Maybe a great Third Act could redemm it slightly? Wel, that's what happens. The Third Act is split into 4 sections - the Gungan Battle, Anakin's space dogfight, the Queens guards taking the Palace and the Holy grail of lightsaber fights... Duel of the Fates.
The Gungan Battle and Anakin's dogfight are irritating and boring, and, although the Queen taking back the Palace is entertaining, it's still quite dull. So why is this Third Act so good? Duel of the Fates is the obvious answer. Every frame of this fight is majestic. The environments are colourful, the choreography incredible, the performances great... it valances everything out so well. It's a masterpiece of a sequence, with a masterpiece of a soundtrack.
Qui Jon's funeral is pretty sad, and a great way to end the film. Expect the ending of the film is a big Gungan March with Boss Nass being given a magical Orb. Thrilling.
So, do I hate the Phantom Menace? No. Do I like the Phantom Menace? Well, mabye a bit. Do I think it's great? Certantky not, but I still find much to enjoy amid the wooden script and poor plot. The sound effects are amazing in every way - a positive all three prequels have - and the soundtrack is thrilling. Liam Neeson gives a decent performance, and the backdrops are nice, espically the Colourful Naboo ones. But it's just too dull. The characters are dull, the story is dull, the acting is dull... it's not the most enjoyable Star Wars film, even if I have seen it many times. Its a complete 50/50 mixed bag, but some of the good stuff - is best of the franchise stuff. It's just the bad stuff bogs it down. But, overall, the Phantom Meance is a middling entry in the series and probably my least favourite, but I still quite like it besides that.
Content Advisory: Non-stop fantasy/Sci-Fi violence (shooting, lightsabers, etc.) normal for Star Wars. A central character is stabbed through the chest, and another is cut in half and falls down a pit. Despite this, there is no blood. Darth Maul and Darth Sidious are scary for younger children, and the Pod Race scene is quite intense for kids. Still, lighter than most Star Wars films.
Best Momment: Duel of the Fates, obviously.
Worst Mommemt: Jar Jar is farted on.
Best Quotes: "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent..."
"NOO!"
Final Rating: 5.2/10
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