Don't read unless you've seen

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 1999)

When my friends and I arrived an hour early for the matinee show (with advance tickets purchased last Wednesday, of course) we eagerly chattered about the coming epiphany. Then, after too many, too long previews, the Lucasfilm logo and that familiar soundtrack lit up the screen, followed by the most famous words in cinematic history. Those first few moments were my favorite in the movie. I describe myself as one of the countless sencond-generation SW lovers. And I'm a die-hard fanatic. But George, where's the emotion?? The Phantom Menace is not a bad movie. I will recommend it to my friends. But, although the effects were smashing and the technology mind-blowing, I felt a huge chunk of the Star Wars appeal was missing from Phantom. You've read it elsewhere, and here it is again: You just don't feel for the characters. No romance, no Harrison Ford (okay guys, and no Princess Leia in bikini), and no heartbreaking scenes. The final lightsaber battle wasn't bad in that regard, but when Neeson's character was killed, I didn't feel as I did when Obi-wan died in ANH. Why?? I don't know. The actors here are talented, but I feel someone told them not to ACT!! Natalie Portman is undeniably gifted, but she seems so dispassionate throughout. The film could have been greatly enhanced by a little emotion on everyone's behalf. I did not like the "touching" scene between Ani and his mother. Not only was it forced and unbelievable, the dialogue was not the quality of the first trilogy. I understand that, following the traditional three-act play format, George will introduce everyone here, then develop his characters in future films. I hope so. Enough rotten tomatoes. I DID love the final lightsaber battle-there was something ultimately menacing about Darth Maul's double-edged saber. But why must every saber battle take place beside an open pit?? And I'm so glad the Jawas made an appearance at the Podrace to deliver a resounding Ootidi! I suppose the things that pleased me most were those that reminded me of the first trilogy. My final word: I loved the foreshadowing of the impeding rise of the Dark Side--the reference to the Dark Lords and the profile shot of young Anakin and Senator Palpatine. But then came the ending--just too darn HAPPY!! I was looking for something a little more suspenseful, something that will lead into the coming films. But at least Ani finally got a haircut.