A visually beautiful introduction to the world we know as Star Wars

Rating: 8/10 (24 June 1999)

The Grand ambience and aura of this film and the majestic world that George Lucas brings to the screen is that of the world of Star Wars, and George Lucas lets us into his imagination as if we could see into his dreams and watch his world unfold onto the screen. The power of the galactic senate, the secrets and mysteries of the jedi and the darkness of the Sith. It's almost as if we believe this world exists. It's almost as if we could hope to become Jedi ourselves and travel to distant worlds to face the Sith and the darkside. There is more power in Episode I then there is the other Star Wars movies and George gives us the mystical dreamworld that will serve as the backdrop for the entire series. We can almost smell the evil in the crumbling senate. We can sense the fear in Anakin and we can also feel the mystery of the Jedi. In episodes 4-6 we are introduced to this world and the story seems more majestic than the world itself. That's where Episode I is different. The ambience of the film itself out does the script and characters and it leaves us some to be desired in the story itself. Which the reverse is true in 4-6. The hope that we have in Episode I is that a lot is left unresolved and it can only mean for a much better story in Episodes II-III, in which when the story will fit perfectly within its world. However, what Episode I did acheive, is a perfect lead-in story. It gives us the opportunity to ask questions and have a reason to see if they will be resolved. All the questions we have about the Sith and the Jedi and the republic will be answered and when that happens we will look back at Episode I and say "Now I understand." Overall I liked the Phantom Menace and it accomplished the one mission that George Lucas wanted to achieve.. and that's to leave us thirsting for Episode II and III. I know that there are alot of questions I would like to see answered, and I'm sure that George Lucas will not disappoint.