An exhilarating beginning

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 1999)

This movie just kicks bantha ass. The space battle sequences are dizzying; the pod race sequence is exhilarating (and so much fun -- watch for familiar Tatooinians popping up along the way!); and the lightsaber battle at the end is SO good, so fierce and fast-paced, and so fulfilling. It is a funny, goodhearted movie, one that doesn't mind rooting for the good guys and cheering when they win. The touches of the "Dark Side" are subtle -- the last speaking sequence of the movie, with Yoda speculating about the existence of other Sith lords, gives us the slightest shudder of apprehension, and makes us just the slightest bit upset that there are three years until the next installment.
Many critics have decided to jump on the "no character development" bandwagon. Trust me: ignore this. What do these critics mean by "character development"? How much more do we need? Anyone who goes into the movie with the slightest knowledge of what _Star Wars_ is all about knows who these characters are and where they come from. I don't read _Morte Darthur_ asking "Where did this character's motivation come from?" We know plenty about these characters, these representatives of good and evil, of dignity and recklessness, of strength and vengeance. We hiss Darth Maul, the most vile and violent malfeasor in the series (he doesn't do a Vader 180 turn!). We cheer for Anakin, even if it bothers us that he says "Yippee!", because we feel his innocence and his desire to succeed. These characters are so developed we know them before we even meet them; they are already part of our familiar world. I loved this movie. I loved every minute of it, every dot of it, every sound (with the exception of the Neimoidian's Charlie-Channish voices), every laser blast and droid beep. I haven't ever had as much fun at a movie, and I have never left the theater feeling so content. I entered the theater trying to clear my mind of worldly concerns, and trying to experience this new installment with the mind of a child; but I quickly realized that this was not necessary. The movie makes no demands on your consciousness. Go see it. Let yourself smile as you experience this new but familiar galaxy.