The legend continues

Rating: 8/10 (6 December 1999)

I was one of the few people I knew who was reading about the making of the original Star Wars months before it's release and looking forward to seeing it. The trilogy broke new ground in story-telling, special effects, and movie genres, and deserved all the recognition it got.
Like everyone else, I anxiously awaited the release of more movies, and hearing of Episode 1, waited the eighteen months or so before it finally arrived in our cinemas then rushed out to see it. On one level I was not disappointed - new characters, new stories, filling in some holes, and great special effects. On another level I was a little let down - perhaps I was expecting too much, but the marketing, pre-release promotion and hoopla certainly encouraged me to.
I'm very pleased with Anakin, and I am not looking forward to seeing him turn to the dark side. I like him now, and I don't want him spoiled - yet I know it must happen.
I was disappointed with Obi-wan. While Ewan McGregor has made me believe that he will grow into the character as portrayed by Sir Alec Guiness, the character was still flat, and seemed to have little to do or say.
Qui-Gon Jinn seemed to be developing nicely, and was killed far too early. It seemed to me that this was little more than plot mimicry - we killed Obi-Wan early in Star Wars and it worked, we need to do it again this time. He had scope, and Liam Neeson lent the stage a presence. Not a good idea. He will, no doubt, be resurrected in spirit form during the next movies (as was Obi-Wan), but that will be little consolation.
Queen Amidala needs a little more work, and I look forward to seeing Natalie Portman develop her further. She's a great actress and was underutilised in this film. Perhaps when she and Anakin get it together the love story there will allow her to grow - and perhaps watching Anakin turn to the dark side will see her blossom.
I take it we wont see Jar Jar Binks any more. My daughter likes him, and I thought he was okay, but he grated a little after a while.
The script was trying to achieve too much, I thought. There were so many stories, sub-plots and twists that my daughters started to lose track of it all. Not a good sign. A little more pacing would have helped.
Still, a brilliant addition to the legend, and a worthy start to the next trilogy. It can only get better from here.
And George, if you need someone to direct the next one, my phone number is....