The Force is....Not so Strong in This Film......

Rating: 6/10 (31 October 2011)

I imagine the hype that this film must have had on it before its release. After all, Star Wars is arguably the biggest franchise in film history, stretching out over all mediums possible from books, music and even fashion. Even before all the prequels, Star Wars was the undisputed king of all franchises in film. So its also easy for me to imagine why people where so disappointed when the film came out. But come on, I was only six when Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace came out. I was seeing this through the eyes of a child, and couldn't pick up on the very serious problems that I now see this film has, twelve years later.
So the story starts out in the familiar setting of a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Very quickly though, it is apparent that this is a much different galaxy to the one we have become accustomed to with the original Star Wars films. CGI and Jedi Knights galore, contradictory plot points and abdominal CGI characters fill our screens instead of the retro cool Luke Skywalker and Han Solo of the original trilogy.
The basic plot of this film bases around the young Obi Wan Kenobi and his master Qui Gon Jinn, who have been sent by the senate to settle a trade dispute on a planet called Naboo. Things go wrong very quickly and through circumstances too detailed to explain briefly they find themselves on Tatooine in which we see the story's genesis - the tale of Darth Vader aka Anakin Skywalker.
I think there is no main problem with The Phantom Menace, just many small problems that add up and outweigh anything that could be positive about this film. When I think of The Phantom Menace, I get a feeling of nausea and a headache rushes upon me, when it really should be the opposite of that because Star Wars has always made me feel youthful and as though anything is possible. That about really sums up everything I feel about this film, however there are a few diamonds in the rough with Ep1.
Liam Neeson does try his best to be subtle and wise as the Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn, however he really does say some stupid things and makes some idiotic decisions in this, which are very un-Jedi like. Sorry Liam Neeson, not enough to save the film. The Pod Races are a nice attraction and a good blend of live action sets and CGI, however it really could have all been skipped. Darth Maul, the evil assassin of which the film has its title of, is a dazzle to watch in the breathtaking saber battle at the climax of the film, but he barely says anything in the film and adds little intrigue to what the Sith even are. Another waste. There are several live action sets, which certainly help to give the film an organic sense of something actually happening, but then that is ruined as well with CGI backgrounds added. In fact, the only truly positive thing I can think about The Phantom Menace for is its score by John Williams, which is superb. Ow, and Yoda was still a puppet...that doesn't last for long either.
Then we reach the marvellously intriguing argument/debate on midechlorians, the supposed genesis of where the force comes from. Whilst I do understand the outrage this sub-plot produces, stating that the force comes from a biological genesis rather than a spiritual one (which the original films preached about) I do now think I understand what George Lucas wanted to achieve with this one. In my opinion, the midechlorians, at least from the point of the mythology of Star Wars, poses a certain contrast to how in real life, science tries to explain religion. Jedi's in the Star Wars universe may be split half way with the midechlorians too, with half of them feeling the need to push forward a new idea about the force (Qui Gon for example goes on about it quite a lot) and others may opt for the more traditional view of the force as a spiritual energy field (Yoda and Obi Wan).
In summary, I can only conclude that The Phantom Menace is a film for kids, if there ever was one. No doubt, the original Star Wars as a fantasy for kids and adults alike, but there is also no doubt in my mind that George Lucas concocted Jar Jar Binks as a marketing scheme, much like the rest of this film...and what a genius he is...look how rich he has become.