The Beginning!!!

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2012)

In the excitement of the return of the Star Wars Saga to the big screen, this time in 3-D, I thought "Why not review the greatest film saga of all-time?" I can't believe I haven't, but since Star Wars has also been out for 35 years, I'm finally am! I'm starting with 1999's Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the first of the prequels and probably one of the most anticipated movies of the 20th Century. I can remember all the hype and advertisements like it was yesterday: Pepsi, Pizza Hut, and KFC Ads, Toy Commercials (still have all of them, action figures, podracers, lightsabers, you name it!), T-shirts, Lunchboxes, TV Spots that were shown just about every day, etc. I saw Episode I in theaters and being a 5 year old at the time, I was so blown away like some of you were when Episode IV: A New Hope came out! In this one, Qui-Gon-Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan-Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are secretly sent by the Supreme Chancellor to probe the mystery of the mysterious blockade that the Viceroy and the Trade Federation have over the planet of Naboo. While doing so, they'll meet and rescue the hilarious Gungan Jar Jar Binks, join forces with the Queen of Naboo, Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) who is fighting to save her people, land in Tatooine where they meet Anakin Skywalker, who is unaware that he will eventually become Darth Vader, and Senator Palpatine (also known as Darth Sidious/The Evil Emperor) who is determined to become Supreme Chancellor. They will also encounter an enemy; the evil Sith Lord Darth Maul (who wields an amazing double-bladed lightsaber) whom they will have to face. Amidst what the cynics and critics say about Episode I, it did everything it was supposed to: remind us of how awesome Star Wars is and give fans new thrills! From hearing the hum of a lightsaber, introducing us to C-3PO and R2-D2, the awe-inspiring Rome-like feel of the Podracing scene, the epic 4 part climax featuring the Gungans battling the droids, the Naboo starfighters fighting to destroy the Trade Federation battleship like the X-Wing fighters did with the Death Star in Episode IV, the Queen battling the Viceroy, and the epic lightsaber duel we were longing for (which is my personal favorite in the series)!!! Let's also not forget the amazing score by John Williams! I think "Duel of the Fates" and "Anakin's Theme" is John Williams at his best!!! With all that being said, I can't wait to see Star Wars Episode I in 3-D! Just a little over a week left! Those scenes I just mentioned are likely going to be ten times better in 3-D! Rating:10/10!!!!