star wars : episode
i - the phantom menace review a review by jamey hughton stars ) starring - liam neeson , ewan mcgregor , natalie portman and jake lloyd director - george lucas rated g with all the hype that star wars : episode 1-
the phantom menace has been receiving , it seems almost impossible to avoid interest in seeing the film .
the movie is easily the most anticipated motion picture ever , with a marketing campaign so strong it has brought colonel sanders , the taco bell chihuahua and pizza hut together .
can george lucas succeed yet again with transporting us back a long time ago , in a galaxy far , far away . . . . ?
yes .
this star wars prequel may be the worst of the bunch , with amateurish dialogue and an overall lack of humanity .
but that does n't mean it fails to comply on the basis of solid entertainment .
the phantom menace features the most eye - catching , jaw - dropping visual look in cinematic history .
the tremendous action sequences will have you clinging to your arm rest , and the special effects are nothing short of the best
( and most plentiful ) to ever be caught on film .
the vast digitized worlds and sheer imagination that was applied to this project is astounding .
the phantom menace is a delectable feast for the senses , even if it has some disappointing aspects .
after we 're treated to the famous prologue in the sky , with john williams ' thundering score , we meet qui - gon jonn ( liam neeson ) and young obi - wan kenobi ( ewan mcgregor ) , a jedi master and his trainee ` padawan ' .
they are on the ship accommodating the fleet headquarters for the evil trade federation , and have been sent to settle disputes regarding the taxation of trade routes to the planet of naboo .
oh ,
but enough about that .
the prime concern for this prequel is introducing young anakin skywalker ( jake lloyd ) into the picture .
as you already know , this seemingly charming lad is the boy who will soon become darth vader .
a spectacular pod race comes soon hereafter .
this particular race is the most exciting , energetic , high - octane action sequence that you 'll ever see .
one of the delights of the series is meeting the newest set of strange alien creatures that lucas has devised , and the phantom menace is no exception .
i loved sebulba , the rat - like scoundrel whom anakin has to face in the pod race , and boss nass , the leader of the gungans ( who are a neighbouring species to naboo ) .
one character who has been subject to criticism is jar - jar binks , a member of the gungan race .
jar - jar speaks like roger rabbit on a hallucinogenic drug , and is there for the sole purpose of supplying comic relief .
yes , he is initially annoying , but i can admit to laughing over some of his harmless , goofy antics .
there is some lack of dramatic pull in this star wars entry , but the presentation almost makes you forget the plot and character lapses .
the final light - saber battle , between the jedi 's and the horrific ( and terminally underused ) villain darth maul , is spectacular to behold .
jabba the hutt , yoda , c-3po and r2-d2 have cameo appearances .
lucas has not forget how to captivate an audience , even if his latest shows obvious signs of tiredness .
one can only wonder what the possible technology will present for the next two installments , episode 's i and ii .
when they arrive , you 'll know where to find me .
Output: P