George Lucas comes through in Episode One of his prequel

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2003)

As practically everyone else in the Universe did, I had eagerly anticipated the return of the Star Wars Saga. It was a long sixteen years between Return of the Jedi and Phantom Menace, and for most of those years it actually seemed as if George Lucas would never get back to his epic space opera. During that time though, I did believe that if and when Lucas decided to give it another go, that he should change his mind about Episodes I - III, and perhaps give us Episodes VII - IX, with a new story line and new characters. The problem with prequels is and always has been, that no matter how you tell the story, you know how it will turn out in the end. It is this fact that usually makes prequels box office poison. I did know that if any writer, director, producer, could pull it off successfully it would be George Lucas. Did he succeed? In Episode One it appears that he did.
As in all the Star Wars movies, we are quickly thrust into the storyline. There is not much time to linger on character development in the opening, as Lucas has always strided to grab the audience's attention as soon as the famous Star Wars scroll rolls off the screen. We are immediately introduced to a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson respectively, who are on the planet Naboo where the evil Trade Federation is plotting a takeover. From the outset, both characters, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, fit their parts well, and have good chemistry together. Later we meet Queen Amidala, ruler of Naboo, intriquingly played by Natalie Portman, who is to be one of the central characters through out the first three episodes. With Amidala pretending to be one of her servants, and Jar Jar Binks whom they also met on Naboo, along with old friend R2D2 they end up on Tatooine, where we meet a very young Anakin Skywalker, played well by Jake Lloyd who is living as a slave with his mother Shmi, wonderfully underplayed by Pernilla August. (I suppose just because your civilization is advanced technically, doesn't mean you you're advanced culturally). It is here, in the now famous pod race, that this film technically shines. It is undoubtedly one of the most visually entertaining and brilliant race sequences put on film. There are other great moments of technical brilliance such as the underwater city of Naboo and the battle for Naboo. We also meet many other important characters, such as Senator Palpatine, played by Ian McDiarmind, Ray Parker menacingly effective as Darth Maul, and Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Widu in a small part that promises to expand as the saga continues. We are also reintroduced to Yoda and briefly to C3PO, even a brief appearance by Jabba the Hut. They are here to give a continuing link to all the episodes.
So in the end, how does this all stack up. In total it does quite well. There are enough hints at surprises, things we may not have known before, that will keep the saga interesting and entertaining despite knowing it's final outcome. Liam Neeson was excellent, and I really liked his relationship with the young Obi-Wan. The young Anakin Skywalker is very sympathetic, so much so that it is hard to see him as the future Darth Vader. His mother, Shmi, is portrayed tragically, not only living as a slave, but having to send her son off to become a Jedi, perhaps to never see him again. Natalie Portman brings the right mix of understanding, yet firmness to her role as Queen Amidala, being defiant when she has to be, giving us just a glimpse of what Princess Leia perhaps inherited. Whether this is intentional or unintentional, it works. As for poor Jar Jar, who took such a beating in the press, really folks, he isn't that bad!
As for the story itself, George Lucas gives us a lot of promises here, and we can only hope they are promises kept. He has taken a good step one at giving us a new, exciting, interesting trilogy.
Next Class please.