Politically Epic Beginning

Rating: 7/10 (23 May 2005)

I am treading on some dangerous ground here. Star Wars seems to be the most debatable of movie critiques. Some love it, some hate it, people are dead set harsh when it comes to their Star Wars. No matter what you have to give Lucas his props for bringing the Epic back after decades and starting it over with a prequel. When this first film was on the brink of being released I remember being immediately surprised as casting. Considering the original Star Wars was cast with virtual unknowns George Lucas chose to go with a much more main stream, and successful group of actors. Nonetheless they all seem to manage to put themselves into the Star Wars Universe quite flawlessly. Another surprise to me was the political undertone of the prequel films as the original films didn't have that.
The Phantom Menace begins on the small planet of Naboo where the Trade Federation has taken the planet hostage at the encouragement of the mysterious Darth Sidious. The Trade Federation intends on forcing the Naboo leader Queen Amidala into signing a trade agreement outside of the Senate's rules and regulations, basically making The Naboo in complete control of The Trade Federation. Two Jedi's are dispatched to help with the negotiations of this hostile take over but the negotiations take a turn for the worse when The Trade Federation all out attacks Naboo and takes control of it. Amidala, accompanied by the two Jedi's head out to plead with The Senate to stop the invasion. On their way they must stop on a rowdy non-republic planet of tattooine to get parts for their ship. While searching for these parts Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn comes across a young slave boy with Jedi powers unlike any he has ever seen. Using their love for gambling Qui-Gon makes a bet in order to get the boy into his company and to get the parts for their ship. With the boy in his care they continue on to the Senate home planet of Coruscant where Amidala pleads with the Senate to save her people. Qui-Gon visits the Jedi Council to insist they allow him to train the boy in the Jedi Ways. The Council is hesitant sensing some fear and anger in this young boy. When the Senate fails to push through an answer to Amidala's pleas, she returns to Naboo to rally a race of beings called The Gungans to help her stage an attack against the Trade Federation and take back her planet. The attack works and together with the Gungans, Amidala and her small army take back the palace and capture the viceroy of The Trade Federation. Darth Sidious, not wanting to go down without a fight, sends his well trained apprentice Darth Maul to stop the Jedi's in a final battle.
Liam Neeson as Master Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn does a great job. He fits in perfectly with everything around him and exudes confidence, and a headstrong attitude. We become very attached to his wise character. Ewan McGregor fills the shoes of Alec Guiness playing the young Obi Wan Kenobi. He also does a great job especially being he is playing a younger version of an already established Star Wars character. Natalie Portman plays the compassionate and fiery Queen Amidala. Her more emotional scenes are done without her saying anything. She shows a deep compassion for her people. At the same time she does her action scenes flawlessly. The young Anakin Skywalker...relative newcomer Jake Lloyd. His amateur acting does show through in several scenes but considering what he's been tasked with for this film he does an adequate job. One of the biggest accomplishments in my opinion is the way Lucas created the essence and beginning of a beautiful romance between the adult Queen Amidala and the young Anakin. They have more chemistry on screen then Hayden Christensen will share with her in the following film.
One of the greatest things about Phantom Menace is being introduced and shown the beginnings of it all. Seeing C3P0 for the first time, seeing his meeting with his lifetime friend R2-D2 is just classic. Seeing the Jedi Council and the beginnings of what caused the Clone Wars which is mentioned in the original trilogy. One thing Phantom Menace doesn't fall short on is the action. The action sequences are still as tense and exciting as they ever were. In fact, in my opinion, Phantom Menace features two great film things. First if the amazing and incredibly unfortunately underused evil villain in Darth Maul. Darth Maul is darker than Vader in many ways and seemingly better trained in the Jedi ways. Couple that with a duel edged Light Sabre and he's downright awesome!! Unfortunately they chose to only utilize him for this film, and ended his reign quickly. Nonetheless that all happens after one of the greatest film battles of all time. Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan take on Darth Maul on a catwalk similar and reminiscent of the battle between Vader and Luke in the earlier trilogy but different in many ways.
I think I will agree that The Phantom Menace is not as perhaps brilliant as the original Star Wars but I think it does the series justice and fits into the brilliant epic just fine. You can't not see The Phantom Menace if you're gonna see the rest of the Star Wars films. Overall Lucas does a brilliant job as always and I won't deny him that. 7.5/10