everything that Star Wars should be

Rating: 9/10 (19 May 2005)

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace reviewed by Sam Osborn
rating: 3.5 out of 4
In taking up this momentous task of creating an entire trilogy that chronologically precedes his legendary original three films, George Lucas is a madman. Although I wasn't alive during the original's release, this new generation can at least relate to the complete chaos that it sparked. We have The Matrix. And when the prequels roll around in another decade or so, which you know they will, all us 35 year old geeks will be on tip-toes in line to get the midnight tickets too. But that isn't what The Phantom Menace is about. The Phantom Menace is about bringing to life what has been swirling around in the inconceivable depths of Lucas' mind years before Star Wars: A New Hope was even pitched to Universal Studios (and actually turned down). It's the opening act to a nine-part saga (the last three of which probably won't see the screen) that unites all humanity under one big foundation of a Japanese legend created by Akira Kurosawa in The Hidden Fortress (which we'll get into with a later review).
The film opens with the trade blockade of a gorgeous little planet named Naboo. There to settle disputes with the Trade Federation and the Republic are two Jedi Ambassadors, Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), meeting with the Federation Viceroys. But when the Viceroys are ordered by a mysterious robed force to kill the Jedi's and begin the invasion of Naboo, negotiations are ground to a halt.
Already old-time Star Wars fans are shaking their heads in confusion. Why are there Viceroys and Ambassadors? When did Star Wars become a bad analogy for the United Nations? Well, that's an aspect of these three prequels that people are just going to have to get used to. Instead of haphazard adventure and swashbuckling Han Solo, we get galactic politics. One reason behind this shift in perspective is in the simple fact that Science Fiction films have become undeniably more "intelligent" in the last 30 years. Releasing a prequel that contains little more than adventure and romance would do nothing for the saga. In order to impress both the last generation of Star Wars fans and the new one, Lucas had to smarten his films up a bit. Also, he has to start the lineage that leads to Luke Skywalker while, at the same time, start a civil war within the Republic. He has to mix the politics of the war with the beginning of events the that lead to Luke's birth. And while doing this, George Lucas also has to create three films that work as complete entities all on their own. Pretty tricky stuff if you ask me.
Anyway, after Naboo is invaded and the Queen has been captured, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jin rush in to rescue her with the help of the controversial sea creature Jar Jar Binks. To put it simply, old-timers hate him, young people love him. Lucas' way of hitting up the new generation for ticket sales. From there, the three and company have to escape to the Outer Rim planet of Tatooine (ring a bell?) and find some parts to repair their ship.
What Lucas preserved from the original films is their spectacular sense of pacing. We're taken across the galaxy, to three drastically different planets that all have their own dialects, life forms, climates, architecture, and political stance. The sense of adventure, despite the inclusion of heavy politics, is still blissfully present. We're still treated to blistering chases, this time in the form of a visceral "pod race", epic battles, now between the indigenous Gunguns and the Federation droids, and lighting fast lightsaber duels, now between the menacing Darth Maul and our two favorite Jedi. It's all still here, but sometimes now plays to the influence of a new generation of film.
What really helps The Phantom Menace is its cast. Although Jake Lloyd playing Anakin has some trouble with his lines, casting choices like Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor are all spot on. They fit so ideally in their roles, all being well-known actors but not tabloid superstars, making their inclusion more fitting than box office slimy. If I were to see Brad Pitt as Obi-Wan and Julia Roberts playing Queen Amidala, tears would come to my eyes.
But what everyone wants to know is if The Phantom Menace is a fitting addition to the Star War legend. In my opinion, yes. People debate that it's too wordy and political for Star Wars, but in reality, the politics are kind of a relief. They pull us deeper into Lucas' universe, making us understand it instead of simply letting it become the backdrop. And the politics play ideally into the lineage of Luke Skywalker and the division of the Republic. Also, The Phantom Menace manages to keep itself contained. As a stand-alone film, The Phantom Menace still holds up. Its plot, although another link in the chain, manages to hold its own as a viable story and plays itself out in traditional adventurous swagger. It's everything that Star Wars should be, a swashbuckling adventure that lifts us out of our world and into one that lived "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."