They Can't Fathom the Phantom menace!

Rating: 7/10 (23 May 1999)

I've have to admit up front that I wasn't stunned in to awe and wonder by the new Episode One, but most of that was the utter joy of seeing something truly new and exciting in the movie house's of 1977!! This is a serious expression of the story we've speculated and surmised all along. And its delivery is in serious everyday conversational English. The dialog is rather drab and straightforward. The critics are having a field day because it's tepid and not profound! Believe me I wish it was the Gettysburg address for George Lucas, but it isn't. Still, they need to lighten up, it was a most enjoyable 2 plus hours with inspirational cityscapes and graphics. The story goes along rather slowly and I missed the opportunities they had on Tatooine for the verbal jousting we had with Hans, Luke and Leia. I think Mr. Lucas missed the boat on several character building moments that would of swept us into really caring for our heroines. Natalie Portman is a joy, Jake Lloyd was just too unbelievable to possess his supposed skills at that age, but he plays a mean 9 year old well enough. Ewan and Liam were all to serious and didn't get the range of acting their capable of. The music wasn't intrusive and the effects were also mindful of the dialog, which I appreciate. It's bad enough to scold an audience member, but to have the movie drown itself out is inexcusable. All is fair in Naboo and Tatooine for now. I'll be there in 2001 to see how they proceed from here. I give the experience a rousing 7 out of ten. Go see this movie for yourself with the open mind of the youngster you were in 1977 and enjoy the renewal of the saga of good vs evil.