George Lucas is Back and He Delivers!

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 1999)

I was fortunate enough to see Episdoe I on opening night and let me say I thought it was incredible. I think this film is more than worthy to be a part of George Lucas' fantastic space opera saga. I don't think he's lost a touch in his 22 year hiatus from sitting in the director's chair. He still has the energy and enthusiasm of A New Hope and American Graffiti. Now I know some people are giving it a bad rap for it's dialogue. Let me pose this question, what the hell did you expect? The Godfather? Goodfellas? Citizen Kane? Now let me get one thing straight. I am a huge film buff. I love every genre and I like watching everything from Scorsese films to Orson Welles films to Kubrick films. I love the art of cinema. I also happen to love Star Wars. I did not come to see Episode I expecting a script written with such creativity as say Paul Schrader would do. I came to see a Star Wars film. I came to see epic battles, fantastic worlds, interesting characters(yes I loved Jar Jar), and incredible thrills. Episode I delivered with a bang, no wait, it delivered with a thunderous boom. It was a hoot from start to finish. I loved how Darth Vader is actually the person who builds C3P0. I love Ewan MacGregor doing Obi-Wan flawlessly. I loved finally being able to see the Jedi Council. I loved that hard Jedi stare so perfectly done by Liam Neeson. I loved the strength behind Natalie Portman(especially in the Galactic Senate scene). I loved Jar Jar's silly humor(yes, I like slapstick humor). I loved the cameo's by Jabba the Hutt and Warwick Davis(who played Wicket in ROTJ). I loved the thrilling PodRace sequence which took my breath away. I loved John Williams' fresh, heart pounding score. I loved seeing Darth Maul and Darth Sidious interact and do their dirty work. I think I better stop or else I will go on and on.
If you're into deep emotional character development and a slick Usual Suspects' type plot then why in the hell are you going to see a Star Wars film? That's great if you are because I am too, but in some movies it isn't necessary to make the film incredible. None of the Star Wars films are known for having a complex story and character development. I think you people who are trashing Episode I for it's "childlike" appeal will look forward to Episode II and III. Episode II is supposedely the "romantic" one which sounds really interesting and Episode III is supposed to be somewhat darker in tone for obvious reasons that I'm sure you can figure out. I'm sure that's why they call Episode IV A New Hope, because a lot of bad things happen in Episode III. This is one film buff who is definetely looking forward to what George Lucas can come up with next in Episode II. See you in line.