The Beginning Of A Great Saga.

Rating: 6/10 (1 August 2006)

"Star Wars: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace", was excellent fun.
The Special Effects have came a long way of improvement since the first film, and were greatly well done. Sure, most of it was done by using CGI. However, despite CGI being fake, everything done in this movie, including the sets that we see, look real.
One of the things that I really liked the idea of in this movie was a Sith Lord with a double sided light saber. I thought that was really cool. Not to mention of course, his make up was excellent. And, I thought that the duel between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Won was cool to see. The only thing I did not like about that duel was that Qui-Gon died. However, it was awesome to finally see more then one Jedi in a Jedi and Sith Duel.
I enjoyed seeing the battle that took place on "Naboo" between the "Battle Droids" and The "Gungans". It reminded me of the battle at the end of "Return of the Jedi". I felt like this movie was like a mix of "A New Hope", "The Empire Strikes Back", and "Return of The Jedi". It felt as if I was watching a clash of all three of the original trilogy films.
A side from the battle on "Naboo" being a reminder of the battle from "Return of the Jedi" from the original trilogy, there are other elements in this movie that give it the classic feel.
One scene that gives the classic feel is the escape from "Naboo" that takes place earlier on in this movie. The Queen, a long with Obi-Won, Qui-Gon, ad others, escape in a "Naboo Cruiser" from a blockade of "Trade Federation," ships. This is like the scene from "The Empire Strikes Back" when Han, Leia,Chue and c-3PO escape the blockade of "Imperial Star Destroyers."
Another scene that gives off the classic feel is the space battle that takes place at the end of the movie. This is when the "Naboo" star fighters go to destroy the battle droid ship. The battle is a reference to both "A New Hope," and "Return Of The Jedi."
Anakin, successively blows up the ship. Much like when Luke blows up "The Death Start," in "A New Hope."
A final reason why this movie is likable, is, because it had what "Star Wars" should always have. A Jedi and Sith Duel. Battles that take place in space, and on land. There are star ships, lazier swords, blasters, and a Chase/Race. It had everything, including the celebration at the end of the movie for Victory. It ends on a good note, much like "A New Hope." "A New Hope," ends on a note where The Galaxy is safe, for now, until, "The Empire Strikes Back." In this case, The Galaxy is safe, until "Attach Of The Clones."
"Star Wars: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace," is a good beginning to a great Saga. Any one whom is a huge "Star Wars" fan should have liked this movie for the same reasons that I did. Yes, this is "Star Wars."