Review of Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 1999)

After sixteen years, the time between Return of the Jedi and the newest Star Wars movie, is over. The new movie, which I saw on opening night, as I did the re-releases, starts it all, Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace, is written and directed by George Lucas. The highly anticipated prequel that shows us the start of the man who would become Darth Vader, only, his name now is Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd). In this, Anakin is a 9 year-old slave boy. It also stars a pair of Jedi Knights, Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor, not Sir Alec Guinness) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Nesson), Queen Amidala (the lovely Natalie Portman), a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks, who you have to listen to carefully to understand ("Da Force? What tis da force? Maxibig thing, dis Force, yous betcha. Gonna save me, yous, all us, huh?"), and other unruly creatures that seem familiar to die-hard Star Wars fans, others, brand new.
Also, a fabulous new sport, Podracing. A sport, that in the scene shown, makes you grip your seat and clench your seat. Also, look for Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi Master Mace Windu, and the ever short, old, and wise Yoda. And, R2-D2 and C-3PO make a return, only, don't let the kids see, C-3PO is really See-throughPO (see the movie and you'll understand). When all is said and done, the only questionable aspect of Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace is the casting job of Jake Lloyd, honestly, a better actor could've been picked. I personally loved Jar Jar, thought he was maxibig funny. Others will disagree, but I say he's a great comic relief, and I can't wait for Episode II, you can bet, I'll be there on opening day. Rating as a fan: A As a critic: B-
Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace
Rated PG for cartoonish violence and adult language Starring Ewan McGregor, Liam Nesson, Natalie Portman Directed by George Lucas Running time 2 hours 11 minutes