A phenomenal start to the saga, severely mistreated.

Rating: 10/10 (16 September 2005)

Frankly, when I walked out of this movie, I was positive that everyone around me, and not around me, were pretty much crazy. It was the first movie since Jurassic Park to totally take me out of my stiff theater seat and transport me into a place of pure magic. Right from the opening scene with the Jedi taking control of the situation and putting their lightsabers to good use, I knew I was in for it. I think this episode is a constant joy, constant magic and excitement, and it has it's fair share of mystery and emotion too. It's an all around great film, and a great Star Wars film - and I honestly - ESPECIALLY now, don't think Lucas could of started the story off any better. People complain about it being kid friendly and overly happy and all that, but it's mainly for contrast reasons - it's the whole point. I expected the galaxy to be a more happier and lush place, I expected a more lighthearted atmosphere, ...and that's what it gave. It's the Pride Lands before Scar (the Empire) takes over. You can't introduce a world that's going to fall apart and be shrouded in darkness, in a six part saga no less, all dark and creepy right off the bat; where would the emotion come from when everything actually does go to hell? Exactly, It'd be nonexistent.
That subject aside, I have to go against the "majority" when it comes to this movie. I'm as dazzled, amazed, moved, and awed by the atmosphere as I watch this movie as I am with the others. In some cases, more so. Ridiculous? If you call me that, I can't stop you. I'm just enhancing the idea of how much I in fact like Menace as the start of this treasure of a saga.
One of the main reasons why I wasn't disappointed came from plain logic: I knew before Episode I came out that we'd get a lighter film, with a lot of exposition and slow pace setting up the saga. It was pretty obvious to me that that's what we'd get in Episode I. We wouldn't get another Empire Strikes Back or a Jedi - we'd get a starting point of a six part story that acts as a set up. I walked out of Menace thoroughly satisfied while people next to me asked "From Empire to this ? That's just missing the point. I'll say it bluntly: A majority of people totally, and still are, missing the point. That's why Menace is so blasted. No kidding it's not like Empire, no kidding it's not like the "originals". I mean it is, where it counts - humor, action, and style and everything that makes Star Wars so fun - but again Menace isn't a hardcore dive into the fast moving meat of the story like Empire and Jedi are, along with Revenge of the Sith. This is why Sith so favored. People are like "ohhh this is what should of been the first time!". Sorry, but no. You don't start a six part story off like a bat out of hell immediately getting to the things that people really want to see. Everything Menace offered, while bashed, were extremely necessary and Sith wouldn't of been half the "finally, Star Wars is back in full swing" movie if it wasn't for this so called "inferior" and "lame" film. I just don't think people understand how it is you should start an epic story properly. This is why I put Menace proudly next to the latter films and call it a perfectly told saga.
On the subject of the often bashed Jake Lloyd, you know, it may come as no surprise but I thought he did great. Again, it's all about contrast. This movie needed to establish that Vader was once just... a pure innocent child like anyone else. That alone is very emotional to me. He was a complete 180. It much relates to serial killers. They didn't start off as evil monsters, but were more so made that way, and also made some very bad decisions. I thought Jake nailed Anakin as Lucas intended the character to be at this stage. Sure, things like "Now this is podracing!" cannot be done well ...by anyone; however I know where Lucas was going with this kind of thing. Even so, you won't hear me say everything Lucas writes is perfect. However, when we're treated to each and every conversation between Qui Gon Jinn and Shmi or and Anakin and Shmi ..."perfect" is a word you'll hear me utter tons. The conversations in this movie are fantastic. Much like Prisoner of Azkaban, some of this episode's strongest moments come out of simple conversation, and of course both films scenes are both aided by the masterful John Williams. The scene where Anakin runs back to his mother as he's about to leave to become a Jedi is one of the most powerful and heart wrenching moments in the entire saga, not to mention the utter brutality of emotion to follow just seconds later. After seeing Episode II, and soon Revenge of the Sith, this scene will be unbearable. Phantom Menace lacks emotion? What a gravely mistaken statement.
To conclude my newest review, I think it's a complete triumph of imagination and superior storytelling. It's treated so unfairly that it's just amusing to me more than anything else.
5/5 out of a solid 5/5 saga.