The Phantom MenaceDirected by George LucasStarring: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie PortmanThe Phantom Menace: Movie B-, DVD A The DVD for Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace is probably one of the best DVD packages I have come across. The one hour behind the scenes documentary alone makes this DVD worth getting. The documentary gives a taste of what goes on during the making of a Star Wars movie. In addition to this documentary there are twelve short behind the scenes films. Each short deals with a different subject such as costume design or music, altogether these short films give us nearly an addition hour of behind the scenes footage. There are several deleted scenes and a deleted scenes documentary, and with the movie there is a commentary that includes George Lucas and a few other production people. All told these are some of the best DVD extras I have ever seen. My only actual complaint is there is a few minutes of deleted scenes added back into the movie. Personally I would have liked to have had the original theatrical version, especially since all the same deleted scenes are included separately. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the movie itself. I have to say The Phantom Menace is just okay. I don't think it's bad, but I don't think it's that good either. Despite what many people say, I don't blame the Jar Jar character for everything that is wrong with this movie. Jar Jar is only a very small part of the problem. My main problem is that the movie is just not that engaging. I found it hard to get involved with the characters. This movie is devoid a true hero the audience can get excited about and root for, like Luke in the original trilogy. This character could have easily been the young Obi Wan Kenobi, but instead he is left sitting on a ship for a good portion of the movie. The movie also could have revolved around Queen Amidala, as a tragic hero. Since this movie is building up to Episode 4 A New Hope, it seems to really be lacking focus. There are alot of different characters who don't really seem to be good or bad. While there is some immediate danger for the characters there is no real driving force. There are some good things about the movie though. The Jedi duel between Obi Wan, Qui Gonn, and Darth Maul made me remember why I like Star Wars movies. I also like the character of Qui Gonn, but I think it would have been better if he had been more in the background and Obi Wan had been doing more. In the grand scheme of things the Qui Gonn character doesn't really make sense. He is of course never mentioned in the original movies, even though he trained Obi Wan Kenobi. You would think he would have been worth mentioning at some point, but of course he wasn't planned for back then. He is the main focus of The Phantom Menace, but he is not continuing with the rest of the movie. Now that I've seen Attack of the Clones I know he doesn't even have the same kind of presence Obi Wan Kenobi has in the original trilogy. Despite all this, I did like the character, but thinking on a larger scale I think the character should have been handled differently. A lot of people have complained about the juvenile nature of the movie, and I can't say I disagree. I could have done with a little less Jar Jar, and without any of the "bathroom" humor. I also didn't like the two headed sportscaster at the pod race. I thought their banter was too "earth" like. Speaking of the pod race, I know many people love it, but it doesn't make sense either. Tatooine is supposed to be a desolate planet, that's why they landed there. That's why Luke and Obi Wan are hiding there later. So it doesn't make sense that there is this huge race with thousands of spectators. I don't feel it's necessary to go into the performance of the actors. I can't really say if they did a good or a bad job. There just wasn't enough for them to do. I was excited when I found out Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Liam Neeson were in this movie, because I think they are all great actors. However, their performances seemed hindered by the far too numerous special effects and awkward lines. I don't think Jake Lloyd gave a poor performance. Ultimately, especially when it comes to children, the director is responsible. Lucas chose Lloyd for the part and he gave him the lines to read, so it's unfair to blame an eight year old for a bad character. The Anakin characters reminds me that I didn't need to see Darth Vader as a child. In this case the movie can't beat what was already in my imagination. Review by Sherry Read my Attack of the Cones review. |
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