A welcome addition to a legendary series

Rating: 9/10 (10 April 2000)

This prequel to the Star Wars series is a welcome addition to the hexology. The story is entertaining and fills us in on the early times of characters we know such as Obi-Wan Kanobi and Anakin Skywalker as well as R2D2 and C3PO. This derivative work is crafted like a jigsaw puzzle where we already know what the picture looks like in the later episodes, but we don't have the details on how the pieces all came together.
Even if you are the only cave dweller on the planet who hasn't seen any of the Star Wars episodes previously, you won't be disappointed by this film. It stands on its own as a solid sci-fi action adventure entry.

Critical to the success of any Star Wars film are the special effects, and in this regard 16 years of technology has moved the art form to new heights. The animation of Jar Jar Binks, the droid army and the panoramic city scenes with the hustle bustle of the futuristic cities was mind boggling. The pod race was a dizzying rocket ride. In every regard, the effects were an improvement over previous generations.
Liam Neeson was a bit too stoic in the role of Qui-Gon Jinn, but his performance in the action sequences involving the light saber were excellent. Neeson has the intensity to play the character more expressively, so I have to wonder if he was being directed to be more phlegmatic by George Lucas. Ewan McGregor was excellent as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi, but I found Natalie Portman to be wimpy and flaccid as Queen Amidala. Carrie Fisher she ain't. Jake Lloyd was a treat as the young Anakin. He has a lot of spunk and it will be interesting to see if he can convert that potential from child phenom to solid actor.
I'm sure I could pick out little things I wish were different, but this is fantasy entertainment at its finest, so other than a few weak acting performances I have to give this film a 9/10 just for sheer enjoyment and marvelous special effects.