My Thoughts on "The Phantom Menace" (Spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (13 November 2000)

People have told me that the only reason that I liked `SWE1: TPM' is because it has the `Star Wars' name attached to it. But I think this has an opposite effect; it gives it an enormous amount for it to live up to, since the original films are three of the greatest and most successful films ever made.
It doesn't live up to any of them, but it does succeed in some places greatly, on its own. The movie has already become one of the most discussed films of all time, so forgive me when I inevitably tread into familiar territory...
THE WEAKNESSES: I didn't hate Jar Jar Binks as much as many people did, but he does bring down the movie. His presence is quite embarrassing, especially when sharing a scene with dignified characters, such as Obi Wan and Qui Gonn Jinn. But multiple viewings definitely reduce his annoyingness, since you will know what to expect. You may even start to like him, maybe more so in the next episode. Jake Lloyd is sometimes so-so, but sometimes terrible as Anakin. I feel it may be unfair to dump such criticism on a 10 year old actor, but Lucas should share the blame as well. I really wanted to see Anakin as one messed up kid! A moody, dark child who has the potential to go either way in his future. Kind of like Haley Joel in "The Sixth Sense"--why didn't they just get him to play the part of Anakin?
The main flaws with this movie are in the script. I really didn't like or buy many of the coincidences that Lucas created for this story, and this includes his reliance on characters we have already seen, both major and minor. This is a prequel to the Star Wars trilogy, so why not work with more fresh characters? That Anakin built C-3P0 and piloted a spacecraft navigated by R2-D2 is totally absurd. And we don't need to see Jabba the Hut, the Tuskin Raiders, or other aliens from the previous movies to remind us that we are watching a "Star Wars" film. They in some cases almost undermine the vastness of the "Star Wars" galaxy.
The story can be difficult to follow at times, and it reminds us that one of the strengths of the originals was what simple stories they were. The movie is so enormous that is actually quite overwhelming. Countless establishing shots of new worlds is common throughout it.
THE STRENGTHS: The overwhelming epic that this movie is can also be looked at as a positive. So many worlds, and so much going on. The worlds are all beautiful to look at and incredibly imaginative.
Darth Maul is easily the best new character. He is so silent and mysterious, yet so demonic and forceful. He hardly speaks, and paces like a tiger when blocked by a forcefield-barrier, staring at his victim. The final lightsaber duel is the greatest scene in the movie, and the only place where the film actually manages to top the originals. It's fast, furious, and enthralling; Every time I see it I get chills when it begins. The other battle sequences in the conclusion are also pretty spectacular, filled with great sound and visual effects.
The storyline starts to get really good when Senator Palpatine, played by Ian McDairmid, starts to take on a significant role. He manipulatively encourages Queen Amidala to vote against a particular senate leader (played by Terrance Stamp), whose downfall leads to Palpatine's nomination, and eventual election, to leader of the senate council. It is quite chilling when we see him up close, after Yoda and Mace Windu claim that they know there is still an evil Sith somewhere out there, plotting against them. Apart from when he appears as a hologramed Darth Sidious, we never see any evidence of Palpatine's objectives, but since we are already aware them, he appears ever more sinister.
I am still a little confused on what "The Phantom Menace" actually was; I'd assume it was Anakin Skywalker's destiny, but could it have been more subtle? Could it have been Qui Gon Jinn's failure to become a phantom spectre after his demise?
Despite its flaws, "SWE1:TPM" is a creative, magical, and entertaining thrill ride, and I look forward to "Episode II". Grade: B+