Average warm up for what perhaps lies ahead .

Rating: 5/10 (8 May 2006)

I actually consider my-self lucky enough to witness and experience the magic of the Star Waes saga as I was never really around when the original 3 films were made . But the funny thing is that George Lucas still some how managed to bring us a prequel trilogy to the original trilogy to set it all out and tell us how it all began . I had already read several other comments on this board that either liked it , hated it or just checked it out for the just the thrill of the movie . Either way there is no denying that the movie made a boat load full of money and sparked probably storms on its own across the internet community . First thing that I thought about was the way the film was approached , unlike the other other conventional 3 this one had a very different taste and feel to it which NO Star Wars fan can deny ! The CGI was out of this world and made out to be as realistic as they could be but what else would you expect ! The fight sequences were cool but the last one between Obi-Wan , Qui-Gonn and Maul was probably one of the best fights I have seen out of the Star Wars saga as well as any other movie . The film kept on pushing forwards although sometimes I felt it was rushed in a few places (come on George you got 2 other films to expand on .) I can understand why fans are also pretty annoyed with this one and a big reason for that was the action as it was pretty limited in this one (either it was crammed into one place and time or it was over before you knew it .). Another thing was the intergalactic federation with its tax policies and other various forms of politics which to some point kept me in as I do have a bit of a Keen interest in politics . The presence of the Sith were all so very little as they were mainly used in the background as a sub-plot which will thicken as the saga moves forward , and there was not enough of Darth Maul shown as any fan will point out his history which happens to be quite interesting and thusly he can stand out on his own but was suppressed to a very basic henchman and not the an appearance however credit due to Ray Park for the way he played the character . Another thing was the rather some what racist voice overs used to describe most of the other aliens i.e. Jar Jar Binks who obviously the bumbling black guy used for comic relief but was just not funny at all and yes he was very annoying ! The Federation owners who were made to sound like 2 yakaza cooperate gangsters . Jake Llyod who played the young Skywalker done a good job but even he had his moments . Its hard for me to give this film a hard mark as it is George Lucas's big return to the silver screen and some rust is to be expected after 15 years of exile but in the end I think George Lucas spent a little too much time on CGI , sets , pods etc and making this The Phantom Menace to be more fabric then flesh .
To some it up , Star Wars - Episode 1 : The Phantom Menace , is a film that oozes masses of potential but needed a lot more time and approach rather than being hyped up beyond apprehension which has resulted in a disappointed effort by Lucas . It still shines through in places and thusly because of that fans including my-self are oddly drawn to it . Hopefully the other episode 2 will push on further and take us deeper.
STAR WARS : EPISODE 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE AVERAGE 5 OUT 10 FOR NOW THIS IS THE SHADOWMAN WISHING YOU GOOD LUCK AND GOOD NIGHT !