Star Wars fans across the nation waited sixteen years this and they shouldn’t be disappointed as I thought that it was a great movie. "The Phantom Menace" is that it is perhaps the most visually astounding motion picture I have ever seen, far more exciting than the previous "Star Wars" movies, due to excessive visual effects. Words really can't describe the visual experience of "The Phantom Menace," but every frame in the 131-minute movie is great to look at. This film dazzles viewers with sci-fi adventure, strange new worlds and computer-generated characters. It also reveals more about the Star Wars legend. The history.
The Star Wars movies have always relied on the nobility of heroes and the nastiness of villains, and The Phantom Menace is no exception. The good guys win in the end, but not without a great deal of courage, ingenuity, and luck.
The heroes of the film were Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Anakin Sky Walker and Jar Jar. Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) who is a Jedi and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), set off for Naboo to rescue the Queen (Natalie Portman) and take her to Tatooine, a planet of safety. When their spacecraft breaks down, they search for spacecraft parts in a small desert town where they come into contact with young Anakin Skywalker (Jack Lloyd) a slave child with amazing potential in the Force. Qui-gon also takes the trouble to free Jar Jar Binks a fish/bird-like creature (voiced by Ahmed Best) from the Gungans.
The villains of the film were Darth Sidious, and Darth Maul. Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) is the current Sith Master makes a chilling villain but mainly stays in the shadows and Darth Maul (Ray Park) is his Apprentice who doesn't say much, but compensates with threatening stares and quick reflexes.
Some images I will never forget include: the view of the lost city, which is below surface and the dreamy overhead views of the city skyscrapers in the planet. The special FX is brilliant and this is about the best done so far. Including an exciting, superbly crafted pod race that Anakin enters in with a pod he has made himself. Flying through rocks and down cliffs, this scene is the first sign that tells us we are back in "Star Wars" territory. This is where young Anakin Skywalker shows off his agility. The pod race lasts about seven minutes, and it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
There are three other action storylines, including a war in the fields of Naboo between an army of robots and Naboo residents; a fight to the death between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi; a space battle between Anakin and enemy troops. The Phantom Menace shares the same synopsis plot as another venerable science fiction series, Star Trek.
In many ways, the music for Star Wars has been as important and enduring as the images. When the famous title theme comes on, it seeks the attention of all the viewers and prepares them for the film. Music is played throughout the film in different scenes.
Star Wars: Episode 1--The Phantom Menace" captured my imagination and I enjoyed it. The film is not a masterpiece, but it's an example of how imagination and technology can create superior entertainment. If you like science-fiction films and you haven’t seen the film already I recommend that you should see it in a good cinema so you can be; Sitting in a darkened theater, staring at the screen, and absorbing the sounds and images of a science-fiction phenomenon.
I'm ready for Episode II, as watching young Skywalker become corrupted by the dark side has got to be one hell of a story. It is a great idea to show us this boy when we know he will become the evil Darth Vader in the later films because it will explain why he changed from a Jedi of the Force to a villain who’s against the Force.
By Muzaffer Hayat
Muzaffer Hayat Class: Eng 002 Teacher: Mrs. G Grant
