Headline: It’s okay to read this Star Wars review
Deck: I promise not to ruin the movie for you.
By: John Gallucci
5/13/1999

After I saw “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” a lot of people asked me about the movie, as was to be expected. However, I noticed a pattern developing where every question was accompanied by a phrase similar to “Don’t tell me what happened!” So as I do this review, I will only comment on elements that have been revealed during the trailers. I had formed some negative opinions based on the trailers, (which I address in this article) but most of these were forgotten within the first half-hour of the movie. If you are curious about the plot, a novel based on the screenplay by Terry Brooks is available nearly everywhere and is good enough to tide you over until you get tickets. I recommend staying away from the book if you want to be surprised throughout the movie.

Along with questions about the film, there were questions about the security and the goings on at the advance screening for the media, where I saw the film. I will talk about that too.

As I arrived at the Lloyd Cinemas, I noticed that two lines had formed. On the south side of the entrance were the fanatics. These people had set up tents, movie projectors, and portable coffee makers to make their wait in line to buy tickets more comfortable. On the north side a line of local Portland celebrities ranging from the familiar (Jim Bosley) to the annoying (husband and wife duo John Marler and Cathy Marshall) to the very lucky to be there (me). The line with the tents appeared to be more fun to be in, but the line I was in was going to see the film eight days before the other, so I stayed put. Once inside, however, things got scary.

“You aren’t on the list! You can’t see the film if you’re not on the list!” Security was tight at the “Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace” media pre-screening, and the first checkpoint had a problem with me because they had an outdated invitation list. How embarrassing this was. After spending forty-five minutes in line with some of the most recognized faces and voices in local Portland media, They had to watch me explain to some ticket taker that the publicity company made some sort of mistake (they did) and that I really belonged in that theater. I was two seconds away from waving my hand across her face and announcing to her “I don’t need a ticket--I belong in that theater,” but Jedi mind tricks makes you look like an ass when they don’t work, so I just argued and finally they let me in.

Once everyone (who made it through the checkpoints) was seated, we were asked to report anyone we saw with a camcorder or audio recorder to security. “It would be bad if this ended up on the Internet!” exclaimed the publicist representative. You’ll never hear that request before a screening of, say, a David Spade movie, I thought to myself. All of this hubbub accompanying the screening, along with the buzz of anticipation that filled the theater made me realize that I was a part of something really big.

But not so big that the audio track wouldn’t cut out during the first ten minutes of the film, which it did. After the film was stopped and the publicists apologized, the most anticipated film of all time was threaded through a different projector and continued.

I had my reservations and fears about the film, which for the most part were unfounded. Here are four of them.

Fear #1: “The Computer generated space ships will look goofy compared to the models that were used in the earlier films. The look and movement won’t be the same and maybe even look too phony.” George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic has outdone themselves again with the effects on this film. I didn’t learn until after I saw “Menace” that all but one shot had some sort of digital effect added to it. Models and computer animation were used together, and under my close scrutiny I couldn’t tell the difference.

Fear #2: “The Battle Droids, who presumably fill the role of the Stormtroopers as a uniformed mass army of bad guys will be unrealistic since they too are computer animated.” The more close up the camera appeared to get to the Battle Droids, the more realistic they seemed. They aren’t very intimidating, however. These droids are clumsy, sometimes confused, and are skinny. Their tinny voices are reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica’s “Cylons.” The Battle Droids’ deployment for the battle of Naboo is one of the most impressive examples of computer animation I have ever seen.

Fear #3: “Will Jar Jar Binks annoy me?” Yes, he did. The fully digitized comical sidekick to the two Jedi Knights wasn’t that bad, it’s just that this character carried on with slapstick comedy throughout the entire movie. He is very funny at times and I enjoyed a lot of the humor he provided. I understand that Jar Jar Binks was intended to appeal to the kids more than the adults, but it was just laid on a little too thick for me. However, I do like him better than the Ewoks from “Return of the Jedi.”

Fear #4: “A 10 year old kid is the hero of the film?” I don’t really care for kid actors very much, ever since Macaulay Caulkin became the most loved kid actor in the world in the early nineties. Jake Lloyd surprised me. He is a good actor! I believe that everything that George Lucas wanted to accomplish with this kid in the film, he did. Young Anakin, who Lloyd plays, is a believable hero in an unusual yet believable way.

Other items of interest in “The Phantom Menace…”

The much-talked about pod races lived up to their expectations. The speed of the pods and the danger that is portrayed to be inherent in these races makes the scene a suspenseful one to watch. There is a two headed ESPN type announcer(s) that adds too much of an Earth-like element in my opinion. Otherwise, the vehicles that resemble a sled with two F-14 engines attached to it were just as fun to watch as the “Return of the Jedi’s” speeders on Endor.

The light saber duels were better than in “Star Wars: A New Hope”, but lacked the intensity and anger of the battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in “Return of the Jedi.” Darth Maul, the red and black makeup wearing bad guy almost seems to be dancing at times. There appeared to be a little more choreography, or it was just more evident, in the light saber fights in “Menace.”

A device used too much in “Menace” was the “accidentally killed the bad guy” scenes. Remember when Han Solo accidentally bumps into his subduer, “Boba Fett,” and knocks him into the Sarlacc Pit in “Return of the Jedi?” “Menace” has those scenes in abundance. I lost count at five different times that someone clumsily or accidentally takes out multiple bad guys with one misguided action. The Jar Jar Binks character does this to excess in the final battle on Naboo.

“The Phantom Menace” is a welcome and fitting addition to the “Star Wars” series of films. The themes of loyalty, friendship, romance, religion, and yearning for a better life are continued in this prequel. I wouldn’t dare attempt to guess as to why the Star Wars films are so popular. I’m comfortable in saying that nearly anyone who watches a Star Wars film will find himself or herself relating to one or more of the characters. A mother who has to say goodbye to their child. Anyone who has lost a dear friend. Anyone looking for a better life, or “a life away from here”. These are among the issues that are addressed in the “Star Wars” saga. Should you see “The Phantom Menace?” Not if you didn’t like the first trilogy. If you did like episodes IV through VI, then go find a long line and stand in it. You won’t regret it.