Review By Louis Turfrey

I'm writing this review now whilst the movie is still fresh in my mind. Episode I  is not the masterpiece of intergalactic story telling that Star Wars fans have been looking forward to, but it may well develop into a serious film classic over time. Confused ? So you should be ! Many of the people that saw the movie with me seem to have developed an air of slight disappointment, as if they were expecting more. How much more could they want!

To describe the complete story would be pointless, but its nowhere near as lame as people, especially some of the more critical reviewers, have made it out to be. There are lots of threads left untied, and more than a few seemingly mysterious moments that aren't immediately explained in this episode. There are also some points in the film that must be mentioned and commented upon, to set the record straight.

• Jar Jar Binks  - Okay, so he's not the most original character, but he does make you laugh. In fact he "mek yuze laft a much" as the character would say. I can see where his light relief will be needed in future episodes.
• Ewan McGreggor - Excellent ! Second only to Liam Neeson in his portrayal of a Jedi Knight. Ewan is vastly under used but by no means is his character a mere sidekick to Liam Neesons.
• Jake Lloyd - This kid can act. It's not an Oscar winning performance, but he more than carries off the role. You can almost see the black visor of Darth Vader in his eyes.
• Racial Stereotypes - Yes, here they are - one of the most talked about points in recent weeks. Anyone who sees the film will soon realise though that they are merely extensions of the story telling. Lets face it, no one gets upset that half the cast are speaking with British accents, so why not pidgin english or mock oriental?
• Darth Maul - Another under used character. I suspect he may turn up in more than one form within the next two movies. He didn't speak much though, just exuded menace.
• The Pod Race - What a "tour de force" of special effects imagery. If this doesn't win the special effects Oscar this year, then somebody has bribed the judge!

So does the movie inspire? No not yet. I'll have to see it a couple more times, just to catch the bits I've missed, and I think that's   where George hits the mark. The movie has the same episodic quality to the story as Empire Strikes Back did, all the action of Jedi, and most of the idealism of A New Hope. This movie will be many things to many people, but I am confident that it will pass the test of time.

I'll give the movie 10/10 for effort and 7/10 for content. It would have been 8/10 for content, but the last couple of minutes really annoyed me. As George Lucas says though, everything in the movie is relevant to the story.