Where are the people?

Rating: 7/10 (23 May 1999)

Remember in the first three Star Wars, how there were many scenes where people talked? That's all they were, talking. Getting to know the characters, getting to feel their emotions. No THX sound, no special effects, just the people. That's was what was missing from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. There was no time where we could really see the characters themselves, with no hi-tech gadgets surrounding them. Remember the scene in the Ewok Village with Han and Leia on the bridge? It was moments like that, moments that brought the characters out to us. These are the things that make Star Wars so good. The effects in this one were unsurpassable. The characters are what is needed to be improved upon. Hopefully this will be done in the next two. Even though its shortcomings, you can tell this looks to be the beginning of a great saga, equaling the measure of its three sequels 20 years ago.