Story

Jedi Knights Qui Gon Jinn (Neeson) and Obi Wan Kenobi (McGregor) have been dispatched to negotiate with the trade federation and lift a blockade from over the peaceful planet of Naboo. Unfortunately events take a turn for the worse and the two Jedi have to rescue Naboos teenage monarch Queen Amidala (Portman) from the planet and escort her to the planet Coruscant where she will take her case before the galactic senate. As fate would have it their starship becomes damaged and they seek sanctuary on the desert planet of Tattoine where they encounter slave boy Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd) in the bustling market town of Mos Espa. Qui Gon detects that the force is unusually strong with this boy. So much so that he wagers his ship against the freedom of the boy in the local sport of Pod Racing in which the boy participates. From here our heroes head off to the Coruscant where the Queen engages in politics with the help of local senator Palpatine while Qui Gonn presents the boy as 'the chosen one' to the Jedi council and recommends he be trained as a Jedi. Meanwhile a darker force is at work in the shape of Sith Lords Darth Sidious and his agile apprentice Darth Maul who are plotting the downfall of the galactic senate, the people of Naboo and the Jedi and are planning domination throughout the galaxy which sets up the climax of the film.

Verdict

Being a mad Star Wars fan this film was met with extreme trepidation as first impressions from the States didn't appear to be favourable. Once the twentieth century fox fanfare was bleated out and the words 'a long time ago in a galaxy far far away' were displayed all fears were allayed. It was Star Wars again after sixteen years. WOW. George Lucas had a lot on his plate with this one including retaining continuity from the original trilogy, setting up the following two films and creating a standalone film in it's own right and I don't reckon any director could have pulled it off so successfully. I won't harp on about the stunning visuals and specialc effects or the phenomanal John Williams soundtrack as you have to experience it first hand to appreciate it fully but what I will elaborate on is the main character performances. Liam Neeson adds a touch of strong nobilitity to the Jedi and Ewen McGregor portrays the young Obi Wan well although his screen time is minimal. Natalie Portman plays a very queen like role with her stiff upper lip and monotone vocals. Jake Loyd is generally good as Anakin although there are a few sickening kid-like phrases. After all the bad press and degredation of the purely computer generated character Jar Jar Binks I was pleasantly surprised and found his dialect and portrayal quite funny even though I am aware it was aimed at the young kiddie end of the market. The finale to the film is absolutely stunning and is worth the entrance fee alone as it continually swaps between four different battle scenes. I don't know, maybe I'm just biased because I grew up with the original trilogy but I thought The Phantom Menace defied all the US critics and was an excellent film in it's own right and an excellent prelude to what is to come. Roll on 2002.