Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (19 May 1999)
directed by George Lucas
starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Oliver Ford Davies, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Ray Park
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MPAA rating: Studio: Lucasfilm Script: George Lucas Music: John Williams Running time: 136 minutes Tags: robots; Science Fiction; space Tactical strength: [7/10]
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for sci-fi action/violence
I avoided reading any reviews before seeing The Phantom Menace so that I could avoid spoilers and preconceived expectations. In that light, I will not summarize the plot here, but only comment on particular points.
First, I don't understand the name The Phantom Menace. To me the name implies that the plot will deal with a perceived menace that does not exist or a menace that has ghostlike qualities. Obviously, the characters deal with very real and menacing situations, so the first implication cannot apply. I can only justify the second implication by assuming that the phantom menace refers to the holographic projections of Darth Sidious as he commands the Trade Federation's viceroy.
I despise Lucas's explanation of the force as the result of a microcellular symbiotic organism. This reduces the force from an aspect of one's spiritual character to a quantifiable biochemical state. While the force was a spiritual characteristic, I could hope that anyone who devoted themselves to studying the force could become at least a practitioner of Jedi ways. Now, Lucas has relegated the force to a genetically elite class. Also, if one's power in the force truly emanates from the quantity of an organism in one's system, couldn't that lead to genetic engineering for these qualities or, perhaps, an injection -- literally a force booster shot.
I understand that Lucas would want to show parallels between Anakin and Luke, and I even agree that these parallels enhance the mystique of TPM. But, Lucas has ended three of the four movies by destroying the internal reactor of the enemy space station. There must be another way to destroy these ships, or another way for the underdog to achieve victory.
TPM also left me with too many questions about the Jedi society. How do the Jedi fit into the Republican government? Are the Jedi on the rise or already on the decline? In what ways did Qui-Gon defy the council? How can the Jedi claim to seek balance while purposely denying any effects from the dark side? If guided by the force, why would the Jedi need a code or even a council? Why does a Jedi need a sword at all?
I have seen TPM three times and have liked it better each time, in spite of the problems I had with Lucas's execution of the plot. Lucas truly has a unique vision and talent for creating fun, visually pleasing movies that one rarely tires of seeing.
Related Review
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace written by Patricia C. Wrede
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