A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

Rating: 7/10 (9 December 2006)

It began in 1977. And it become one of the greatest cultural phenomenons of all time. Now, the time has come to see how it all began.
This first episode of the Star Wars series of six introduces us to many new characters never seen in the episodes 4, 5 and 6 and also shows us earlier versions of characters that we've already seen.
For example, all-powerful Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi is only an apprentice here, demonic ruler Darth Vader is a young boy named Anakin Skywalker and evil emperor Palpatine is just a senator, even if he becomes chancellor by the end of the movie.
While the storyline doesn't have much to do with the older movies one, it magnificently shows how it leads to what we already knew.
The story concerns a conflict between the Trade Federation and the small planet Naboo, which degenerates when the Federation invades and occupy the planet. Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) travels to the Senate to settle the conflict and she's protected by two Jedi knights: arrogant master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his faithful apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).
Their ship having broken down, they stop upon planet Tatooine to fix it and they meet young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a Miles Prower-like mechanical wizard who builds robots and racing pods. Qui-Gon is impressed with the boy's powers and is convinced that Anakin could become a powerful Jedi.
Some nostalgic fans of this franchise would tell you that some lines of the movie are funny to hear. Because they say predictions that will either happen or go the opposite way.
The key for watching this movie this effective way is looking at it like if it was the very first episode of the Star Wars franchise. I know that it is tough because of the series' prestige. And some comparisons with the older episodes are essential for the rating scale.
I explain myself. The special effects are very abundant (almost too much), the sets are very imposing and the non-human characters have a greater roster than the real actors. The major difference between 1977 and 1999 is how everything is done.
Director George Lucas is perhaps the greatest special effects wizard of all time and "Episode I" might be the ideal playground to show what's he able to do with all of his high-tech toys. But using a computer is not always as impressive as using archaic ways and creating the similar sense of wonder. Using a computer is at the same time so difficult and so easy.
But essentially, watching many epic action scenes and FX-laden spectacles can only convince us that this hi-tech stuff is well-appreciated by everybody.
The exotic locations are very impressive and so are the CGI-created characters, such as the massive droid army and the Gungan people. Jar Jar Binks is funny, but his slightly incomprehensible dialect is a considerable flaw.
It's the action scenes which deserve my best regards. Beginning with the memorable pod race which puts the spectator in the seat of a supersonic jet and the images pass at a neck-breaking speed. Secondly, the battle between the droids and the Gungans reminisced me of "Braveheart" or "Gladiator". And thirdly, the epic laser sword battle between the two Jedi protagonists and evil Sith apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park). Talking about Darth Maul, his make-up is very well done and it comforts for his lack of speech.
The bar was very high for this movie. But George Lucas reached his goal and made a very convincing prequel which should please every Star Wars fan (and those who are not also).