Review by Mark Newbold

There have probably been more advance reviews of this film than any other in movie history and almost all of them fail to take into account this film’s place in the annals of Star Wars history. Knee-jerk reactions and vapid rumour mongering have been rife for the past sixteen years and particularly the past ten weeks, and although much of the constructive criticism is fair, for the most part it has been journalism of the cheapest kind – striking out at a film which has the potential to be the box-office champ of the century and the fourth instalment of the most beloved series in cinemas 100 year history.

So, what can be said about Episode One? Honestly? It’s a cracker. Not as wistful as Star Wars, or as dark as Empire Strikes Back, Phantom is much more in the vein of Return of the Jedi as we are whisked from location to location, meeting unfamiliar new allies and enemies. And whilst there are no Stormtroopers (instead we have the bird-like Battle Droids), no evil Empire (preceded in history by the oppressive Trade Federation) and no Millennium Falcon (the nearest example being the chromed starcruiser of Queen Amidala) what we do have are new worlds and new characters – something every Star Wars and sci-fi fan should relish and devour.

From the initial encounters with Battle and Destroyer Droids aboard the Trade Federations massive starship blockading the small world of Naboo we are instantly thrust into the classic age of the Star Wars universe, when Jedi Knights were agents of truth and justice, meeting out their own brand of law enforcement at the behest of the Republic and the Jedi Council. It is here that we first meet young Jedi padawan apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan Mcgregor in what is almost a supporting role) and his Jedi Knight teacher Qui-Gon Jinn (the confidant and assured Liam Neeson). Soon they arrive on Naboo where they encounter a native Gungan named Jar Jar Binks (Ahmet Best), a fantastical CGI character who joins them on their quest throughout the rest of the movie. Realising the danger they warn Queen Amidala (the exquisite Natalie Portman in a dual role) and leave Naboo bound for the Republic’s capital system of Coruscant. After our first chronological introduction to R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) they arrive on Tatooine for repairs where they soon encounter a young boy with a dark destiny – Anakin Skywalker (the excellent Jake Lloyd, soundly dispelling any Mannequin Skywalker rumours). After various happenings on Tatooine, including the now infamous pod race and an appearance by Jabba the Hutt (himself) the action moves to Coruscant where we meet Senator Palpatine (the ever brilliant Ian Mcdiarmid giving a layered and deep performance).

Without giving any more away about the plot than I already have, Episode One is a rollercoaster ride through a tight story, a good well-acted script which is embellished by undoubtedly Oscar winning effects and a soundtrack by John Williams that is destined to sell in the millions and secure him yet another Oscar nomination at the very least.

George Lucas’ direction, while at first seeming unremarkable, grows better with every subsequent watch, and that’s the real trick of the Phantom Menace. Lucas has constructed a movie that grows better with every succeeding viewing, and not in the obvious visual stakes. ILM are certainly more than five years ahead of their nearest competition, that’s a certainty, but it’s the story that grows deeper and deeper. Any true Star Wars fan will be unable to miss the real emotions of Anakin’s separation from his mother Shmi (the graceful Pernilla August), and will certainly realise the grave emotional scars that it left on the young would be Jedi. And the scheming of the Machiavellian Darth Sideous and his evil protégé Darth Maul (the menacing and acrobatic Ray Park) sit well alongside the later scheming of Darth Vader and his Emperor. Jar Jar Binks is not nearly as annoying as had been feared and you find yourself rooting for him soon into the movie – he’s an honest and trustworthy character in the Star Wars tradition who soon seems at home with the rest of the cast. The sight of C-3PO (voiced by stalwart Anthony Daniels) is a welcome throwback to the previous trilogy, despite his character being in the film for only a few brief scenes, and the bombastic presence of Brian Blessed as Boss Nass is evident, even though the hulking thesp is never actually seen on screen.

Regular cinemagoers may possibly have problems with this film, bemoaning the lack of Darth Vader or the familiar sights and sounds of the original trilogy. Those who berated it for it’s child-like story are presumably not the same people who have slated it for its heavy trade routes and taxation sub-plots. But on a visual level the film scores a perfect ten. From a fan point of view it answers many old questions while laying many more onto the table and whetting the appetite for the following two instalments.

So, my Star Wars hunger is well and truly sated. Just three years to wait for the next one. Better get over to the Setnin Sector Guide and see what the ramifications are on that particular part of the Star Wars universe.