Well, everyone, today, in honor of the very first of the Star Wars prequels getting re-released in theaters, we review the very first Star Wars film that started it all, and set things up not only for the entire prequel trilogy, but also helped the original Star Wars trilogy be explained more in depth, and see some of those characters in the original trilogy be in the prequels in their younger years. Not only that, but this Star Wars film stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, a young Jake Lloyd at the time as Anakin Skywalker, and more. Ladies, and gentlemen, I give you all my review of the one, and only Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. So here we go, back to 1999, and now, 2024, when this film got released, and re-released in those years respectively. By the way, I bet some, if not all of you, wondering why I posted the 25th anniversary poster, instead of the original theatrical poster for this Star Wars film. Well, I did so mainly because of the fact that this film got re-released recently, and I thought it was just fitting to post this newer 25th anniversary poster instead, you know? Don’t worry! You guys can still look online for the original theatrical poster for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Anyway, without further ado, let’s dive into reviewing this film!
Plot: Set thirty years before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, Finis Valorum (Terence Stamp) the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, dispatches Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to negotiate with Viceroy Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) in order to prevent a full-scale invasion on the planet Naboo that is organized by two Sith lords named Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid), and his apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). When things go south, can the Jedi, with the help of newer friends, including Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), and a young former slave named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), with whom Qui-Gon believes the Force to be strong in, will the Jedi Knights still be able to prevent the full-scale war from occurring on Naboo, and possibly even the rest of the Galaxy?
Now, as I’m sure some of us know, while some critics said positive things about Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, there were quite a few others that gave negative feedback, saying things like the writing could have been better, some of the acting could have improved, and things like that. So, were some of those criticisms warranted? Well, in some ways, yes, and others, critics may have likely been a little too harsh with Star Wars Episode I. That being said, what were some of the things that could have made this first film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy a little better? Well, first of all, some of the writing could have maybe improved at times, particularly with the story not dragging on occasion, and maybe, sometimes not being a little too fast-paced at one, or two points. As for the acting, while most of the acting is great, Jake Lloyd’s acting for Anakin Skywalker at least could have improved at times. Don’t get me wrong, his acting for Anakin is still decent. It’s just that, well, I’m not sure how to properly explain it, except that either because he was a younger kid at the time, or it just may not have felt quite as genuine as one would like, Lloyd’s acting had a little more potential to be better when it came to playing young Anakin Skywalker. I heard that Jake Lloyd retired from acting a couple years after this film was first released. Did he do so because maybe a lot of other people felt the same way? Well, I obviously can’t advocate for other people, and their opinions. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that was the case. There was also some of the CGI at least on some of the characters. Okay, I’ll admit that the CGI was better in this prequel, as well as the other two films that followed this one. Still, it may have felt dated by today’s standards, and maybe even back then too. As for the complaint about Jar Jar Binks, he’s definitely a fun character, and deserves more credit than he’s given. Still, there were a couple times where he might have come off as a little annoying, and his goofiness may have been thrown in your face a little too much. Other than that, he’s still likable, like all the other characters in this Star Wars film, or other Star Wars movies.
With those out of the way, what were the good things about this film? Well, the first obvious one was the score by John Williams. Okay, there’s no doubt that his score in nearly any film, be it most of Star Wars, Home Alone, the Indiana Jones films, Jurassic Park, you name it, has been phenomenal. Well, here in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is no exception. It is truly an amazing experience to hear the score especially when seeing this film in theaters, most notably during the climax, when Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are facing off with Sith apprentice Darth Maul. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people might want to purchase the soundtrack of Star Wars Episode I for that “Duel Of The Fates” track alone. Next, there is some really cool action in this Saturday Wars film. Okay, there has always been some great action in these films. And sure, there may be less of it this time around. However, it probably works a little better that way mainly because, well, this is the first Star Wars film after all. Because of that, it was probably best that they focus more on establishing the characters, the world, and more, and less on cool action sequences, huge explosions, and things like that. And hey, at least we can be grateful for what action sequences that this film does have. Next, there is the character development. Wow, particularly with our main characters, this is where the movie in this area shines. To begin, who wouldn’t consider Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Qui-Gon Jinn to be the most memorable Jedi, and characters overall, in this one Star Wars film, especially since this was the only film that we get to see the latter in? Anakin was also a likable character, despite the actor’s acting for him not quite being the best. Even here, we can sense some of his cockiness, and potential foreshadowing of his future transformation into the evil Darth Vader. Okay, if you think that’s spoilers, then don’t forget that the back of the VHS of this film years ago would point out that “the journey that he’s on will transform him into the evil Darth Vader”. Well, with that kind, hopefully people who still desire to see Star Wars will desire to do so. The secondary characters were also very good, like Anakin’s mother, Shmi, Watto the flying alien that owned both Anakin, and Shmi as slaves, Sebulba, despite most of them having smaller roles in this film. But probably one of the best developed characters, in addition to Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker is definitely Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidious. Okay, when I saw this film as a kid, I don’t recall hearing that he was supposed to be the Sith Lord, and future evil Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Not until it was noted on the back of the old VHS of this film that Palpatine was “well known as the evil Emperor”. So, because of that, I ignorantly thought him to be a good character, just like Anakin Skywalker, as he mentioned in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, also did. However, after rewatching this film again for the first time in years, yeah, it’s probably easy to foreshadow his sly, and cunning nature. Palpatine is truly a representation of someone masquerading as an angel of light. He’s sly, cunning, deceptive, manipulative, and someone who will do whatever he can to get into power. Next, there is some of the CGI for this time around. I mentioned earlier that some of it was a little outdated by today’s standards. However, after seeing this 25th anniversary edition in theaters, I was happy to see hie much some of it improved, most notably by how Yoda looked this time around. I remember when this film came out back in 1999, him looking like a puppet, and him not having the best CGI because of that. Well, apparently many people seemed to also feel that way, as his design was then changed for the better in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. Well, he looked exactly the way that he did in those Star Wars films this time around, for the 25th anniversary edition of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. So, well done on that, filmmakers! There are also a couple very heartfelt moments in this movie as well that needed some time to play out. So, even if those might have dragged a little as well, it worked out for the best for those moments. Those emotional moments do know how to tug at your heartstrings. Additionally, like with all the other Star Wars movies, there was incredibly well-written symbolism incorporated into this film. Here, it especially seemed evident with Qui-Gon being a really great mentor, and an overall wise person, the Jedi being a force of good, vice versa for the Sith, and things like that. There were also really great lessons to take away, and be reminded of, like how things don’t happen by coincidence, how you need to be careful of who you should listen to, and not listen to, and more. Finally, there were some really funny moments in this film as well.
And that’s my review for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Even though some of it could have been better at times, this Star Wars film most definitely deserves more credit than it seems to have been given. Despite some of the acting feeling a little off, Jar Jar being a little too goofy at times, and things like that, the movie is an overall enjoyable experience. That is especially due to its phenomenal score, a very good storyline, and more. If, for some reason, you still have yet to see Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, then go see it. You will be glad that you did. Go see it at your local theater, if it’s still playing near you. You’ll most definitely be surprised by how fun it is to get a theatrical experience for this film. And hey, let’s hope that, maybe minus Episodes VII through Episode IX, we get to see the rest of the Star Wars films back in theaters like we did Phantom Menace.
Final Grade: B
P.S. Happy 25th to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace come this Sunday, on May 19th!
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 