The Beginning Of Star Wars

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2005)

This is Episode 1, the very first installment of the Star Wars saga, which finishes with Episode 6: Return of the Jedi. Released in May of 1999, this film was a box office smash and Star Wars fans had waited years for the release of the prequels. Jake Lloyd stars as the child Anakin Skywalker of the planet Tatooine, who meets up with Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson) Obi-Won Kenobi (Ewan Mcgregor) Jedi master and apprentice and Padme Amidala, Queen of Naboo (Natalie Portman. When I first saw this in 1999, I had no clue what was going on, especially in the first half hour or so. I am one of the many that dislike the character of Jar Jar Binks, who is in-you-face annoying, talks like a pre-Civil War black slave i.e. "You- sah thinking your people dying ?" or "When sa you sa thinking' we'z in trouble". The character of Jar Jar was Lucas being like Disney in efforst to get the little kids into Star Wars. Well, not even as a kid would I have enjoyed this character. Other than the disappointing Jar Jar, the film is the best in the series next to Empire and the newer Revenge of the Sith. The look of the film, visually and cinematic ally, is a miracle. Another disappoint for me, nonetheless, was the fact they used Yoda again as a puppet, as he was in Empire. He would later become a computer-generated character in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, since he fights in light saber duels. But here he is nothing more than a puppet sitting on a chair in the Jedi Council. Naboo, with its waterfalls, green pastures and Renaissance-style city is lovely to look at. The light saber duel with Darth Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-Won has to be the best in the series, a duel played against fatalistic Carmina Burana like chorus piece- Duel of the Fates. So many things to like about this movie. Natalie Portman (this is the first time I was introduced to the young actress) is a riot in her out-of-this world costumes, the Pod-Race between little Anakin and Sebulba is visually and technically perfect, even reminiscent of American Graffiti (also a Lucas project) or Ben-Hur. Liam Neesson is always great at every role he takes on and as Qui-Gon he is extraordinary.The plot is relatively simple: The Trade Federation, composed of greedy and corrupt aliens, make a deal with the Sith Lord Darth Sidious (later revealed to be the unassuming Senator Palpatine who gets his chance to become Supreme Chancellor in this film). Consequently, the planet Naboo is invaded by battle droids and it's up to Qui-Gon, Obi Won and even Anakin to save the day. The music by John Williams (who wrote the music for the other Star Wars films 1977-1983) is once again brilliant and whimsical as well as dramatic. Anakin's theme is melodic and innocent-sounding, while at the same time giving the impression that he yearns of space adventure. Who would have thought that this boy would become Darth Vader. But already we see how much he is attached to his mother, which later becomes part of his decline. The film is wonderful, and truly Star Wars fans will never tire of watching it time and again.