Weak beginning to a great saga...

Rating: 7/10 (7 May 2005)

I admit, I loved this movie when I first saw it in theaters. Walking out of the theater, I was dumbfounded. I think I was just getting over the shell-shock of seeing the newest movie in a series I have loved since childhood. The lightsaber duels are awesome. The starships are sleek and graceful. CGI creatures populating a giant, new galaxy.
Since then, I have noticed that the movie seems to be just that: all style and no substance. The movie does have a plot, just not much of one. The planet of Naboo is under siege by the Trade Federation and the Jedi Council sends Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to sort things out. I once read a review for the movie which called it "two hours of trade negotiations", which isn't far from the truth, I guess.
My biggest problem with the movie was the acting. Most of the cast gave wooden, emotionless performances, though there were a few exceptions. Natalie Portman, when not decked out in Queenly-gear, seemed almost human. Ray Park, who plays Sith apprentice Darth Maul, is probably my favorite cast member. His job is merely to look menacing and whoop ass, and he does both well. Jake Lloyd was at the opposite end of this spectrum. I personally think he did a terrible job as Anakin Skywalker. It confuses me to think that George Lucas had the opportunity to cast Haley Joel Osment and passed it up. Of course, it is obligational that I mention my contempt for the character of Jar Jar Binks. Binks, and the Gungan race in general, shows how Lucas was trying to appeal to the younger crowds to beef up merchandise sales. I was a little annoyed with the excessive toilet jokes, which I didn't think fit for a "Star Wars" movie.
Despite all this, I still enjoy this movie to an extent. The special effects are great and the fight scene choreography is extraordinary. Plus knowing that you are one step further towards the arrival of Darth Vader helps make the movie worth a viewing.