A Galaxy much too far away

Rating: 7/10 (13 March 2005)

I am sure I am one of many who almost cried upon this film's release. It is sad to acknowledge this not only falls short on anticipation. It also fails to compare to many contemporary Scifi greats EG 'The Matrix', a film which released in the same period, blew EP1 away in the genre.
Sure the look of SWE1 is great, and the combination of THX in theatres with ILM's effects does occasionally blow your head back, and the film does deliver in most areas that a SciFi film should. This. however isn't just a SciFi film .... This is STAR WARS! And as a result it needs to deliver more than most of it's rivals.
The commonly held flaw in this film is that it doesn't inspire the same 'awe' that the original trilogy did. Twenty years on the effects, though technically better do not seem as fantastic when measured against other effects laden extravaganzas that have been served up in recent years. (ID4) (Armageddon). The originals were made magnificent not only through their Special Effects, but the stories that supported them. It seems that where Star Wars set a benchmark, episode 1 fails to exceed.
If this was the only flaw then so well and so good, but the script is without doubt another great failing. At times too anxious to involve story aspects that might play well with the die hards, while at other times pandering to the new wave of Scifi fans while disregarding the purity of original continuity, this seems sketchy all too often. This is one aspect of the film's undoing. In essence there is way too much of trying to please too everyone and managing too please (well) few.
I have to admit though that this film is not without its plus points. The light sabre battle at the end between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn is simply outstanding (a real high point... considering the disappointment that the film had been until then), bringing it to an excellent climax that sets the form for eps II & III.
So to the reader of this review. You may discern a pattern of inconsistency...... Well that's because my feelings and my opinions are torn between my objectivity towards any sci-fi film and my adoration of StarWars. To be anal....
Let's look at the major let downs......
Characters.....
Qui-Gon Jinn.... Ultimately the hero of the film is killed off, and whereas Obi Wan is, as well, killed off in the original, he is not set up as the ultimate hero in the way that Qui-Gon is. There is no resurgence of the the character in the films that follow in the guise of a 'dead but with the force type mentor'.. most unfortunate.
Darth Maul.... His silence (lack of dialogue) adds to the film. A perfect representation of the dark side. (the pacing back and forward behind the energy barrier while awaiting the conclusion of the battle with Qui-Gon provides the best piece of anticipation in the whole film)Yet rather than carry the thread through the later episodes he is killed off in a most unsatisfactory, post Qui-gon demise confrontation with Obi-Wan. There is a need for a sustained contempt for a bad guy to carry through all the prequels (the references to senator Palatine are just too vague in the opening film and would mean nothing to anyone entering the star wars universe as a star wars virgin (so to speak). He was set up perfectly after killing Qui-Gon. It would have proved a great source of momentum for the films to follow.
Jar Jar Binks... George Lucas .... What were you thinking????? (enough said)
Padme... In attempt too pacify (or attract) the female audience... our queen much too easily becomes an action hero. (Lea had to prove herself over three films) She too easily assumes the mantle of hero.
Young Anakin... Too easy... no depth in his back-story... I mean the Jedi equivalent of Jesus Christ.... Please. He is what, 8, and he saves the day in a bumbling, fortunate way..... Twice! Too much and not enough all at the same time. He is to be the saviour and the undoing of the republic, though perhaps with a more capable young actor this might might have proved more plausible.
OK how bad the story was.....
There was an anticipation of commencement regarding the whole star wars universe about this title ... yet it began more or less the way the original did. Leaving the viewer to piece a lot of the story for him/her self.
Anakin Skywalker's mother has a virgin birth?? (meticurles and stuff.. more than Yoda) or something similar.
The whole thing just seemed tacked together. Jar Jar is an outcast,.. then a saviour. With bumbling ineptitude be causes enough of a set back-back in a battle to allow other factors to bring about victory.
All thing being equal though.....
This is still an above average Sci-Fi Film... Some well put together effects..... A reaching yet, just about plausible story line (if your a fan), with some great cast members. Makes it a must for anyone who has ever through any resource been part of the Star Wars universe.
The Light Sabre battle  Maul's pacing  Qui-Gon's Meditation. Is The ultimate high point in the film.
Star Wars (and its 2 sequels) is the pinnacle of big budget movie marking yet this prequel leaves much to be desired.
Lets face it... this is a film not to be missed ... but if it was two hours of a blank screen.... with its predestined anticipation it would still be a film not to be missed ...
That is the way of the force.