A good Kids movie....

Rating: 6/10 (7 February 2006)

You have to understand that I am a old school star wars fan. I am 29 years old and my first film seen in the theater was Return of the Jedi.
That said, when i heard a prequel to the original trilogy was coming out, I couldn't wait. Some friends and i took the day of from work, and went to the first show on opening day in our town.
Looking at it from an old school fan's point of view I didn't find what i was looking for, the same magic of the original. What i saw was a poor story concept , unbelievable good special effects, and a light saber duel that will blow you away.
I have a problem with the story, first of all I rolled my eyes when Qui-gon asks Anikin's mother who Anikin's father is, and she answers there was no father. In another words Ankin is Jesus Christ in a Galaxy far far away ? Come on, that was kinda lame. Also the whole concept that the FORCE is microscopic life forms constantly speaking, to us , telling us the will of the force...*rolls eyes again. What was wrong with the original explanation in star wars...the Force is a energy field that surrounds all living things.... Also its pretty clear if you watched the original 3 movies that senator Palpatine is going to be the emperor...I mean my star wars toy figure back then was called EMPORER PALPATINE....So that whole "Mystery" on who is the dark lord of the sith was kinda cheap.
I do have to say that the light saber duel is incredible. By far makes the original trilogy sword fights look like there in slow motion. Ray parks the stuntman who had little to say but could wield a double bladed light saber like no tomorrow impressed me beyond belief. Ewan McGregor as young Obi-Wan likewise, excellent.
I also enjoyed Liam Nealson as Qui-gon Jin. But on the flip side I wish i could erase Jar jar binks (the CG character) from my memory =P
On a side note my young nephew who never saw the original trilogy loved this film. I saw that same look in his eye that i had when i saw return of the Jedi, complete and utter awww at movie making magic. So Lucas does succeed in introducing the star wars universe to a new generation. Also when my nephew later watched the original movies with me, he said they where OK...But looked so Old...I could tell he was not impressed with them as much as he was with phantom menace.
However I'm sure many old school fans can only frown and wish for more, as we are grown up...and where desperately hoping for a film that would spark that youthful magic in us again...