a supremely entertaining prequel

Rating: 9/10 (21 January 2008)

Episode 1-the phantom menace is much more Flash Gordon and serialized than Star Wars fans might have expected, unlike 4-6, this film is lots of exposition and character introductions. If seen with all the pre-conceived ideas and "this isn't how I thought it would be" bull its not great, if viewed on its own merit, I think Phantom Menace is one of the best films ever.
Our story starts with two Jedi sent to investigate the increasingly malicious acts of the Trade Federation. Qui-Gon and Ob-wan Kenobi, (hmm, he seems familiar) they're are ambushed and they both realize the young queen of the Naboo is in trouble. They rescue Amidala with the help of a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks, one of the most fully-realized animated characters ever. They end up on the barren two-suns world of Tattooine. Here they meet little Anakin Skywalker, who feels he should help them, he's also blown away by the beautiful handmaiden of the Queen, Padme. The only way they can get off Tattoine is by winning a high-speed pod race, with Anakin driving. The pod-race, a tribute to "Ben-Hur"s chariot race, is terrific, visually and sound wise.
Pursued by the ultra-scary Darth Maul, our heroes go to Coruscant, central system of the Galactic Republic, here Amidala will plead her case to the Senate, headed by Supreme Chancellor Valorum, played by stage vet Terence Stamp. They are aided by Senator Palpatine, who is unusually interested in their plight.
Sadly the Senate does nothing, though the scene is terrific FX, watch for cameos by E.T.!!! Amidala decides she must stop being reactive and pacifist and save her suffering people who are being held by the droid army of the federation. Qui-Gon, played brilliantly as a man full of regret by Liam Neeson, believes that Anakin maybe e the one, the one to restore balance to the Force. He also believes DArth Maul to a be a Sith. Neither Yoda or Mace Windu, played by the always welcome Sam Jackson, believe him, they are too confident in their power.
Our heroes are up against it on NAboo and Amidala seeks help form the Gungans. Their leader Boss Nass is suspicious but Jar Jar and Padme's confession that she is really Amidala, queen of the NAboo, convince him of their sincerity. Dorids R2-D2 and C-3po help out and they conceive of a plan to deactivate the droid army. "A well-conceived plan, however there's great risk."-Qui-gon. "That is why we must not fail to get the viceroy, everything depends on it."-Padme.
The battle for Naboo is played out like Spartacus against the Romans and its epic in scope and power. Even Anakin helps out with R2 and knocks the droid control ship out of the stars. But Darth Maul, under command of a mysterious Sith, confronts Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon! A terrific Duel of the fates takes place and Qui-Gon is killed. Obi-Wan vanquishes Maul, but must promise to train Anakin in the ways of the Force, something he is strangely reluctant to do.
Our heroes are honored by PAdme in a great Naboo ceremony, Qui-Gon is said goodbye to but both Yoda and Mace feel the danger is far from over. Absolutely great with a complex political plot, dangerously good FX and super performances. Natalie Portman is the only actress who could play Luke and LEia's mother and she does it so well! The age of Anakin, could a ten-year old really pull this off? And the timeline in relation to IV are the only quibbles with a great movie.