This is the first film in director George Lucas' famous series (called Star Wars, for those of you who haven't already realized). However, the first three films in this great series were made after episodes IV, V, andVI (the original films that made the series famous). Everyone expected this film to be as great as the older films. That's why everyone was so disappointed in it. I didn't get my hopes up too high, so I enjoyed it to the fullest. It also helped that the first time I saw this movie, I was a young boy who really hadn't had much experience in films (every week it would just be the fourth, fifth and sixth episodes... over and over...). Now, I can professionally say that this movie was pretty bad. However, it can get away with it because it's freakin' Star Wars! The movie opens by explaining that there is a trading conflict between the many worlds in the universe and in an attempt to force trade, the Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) blockades the planet Naboo with his droid fleet to force a treaty by means of starvation. The situation grows worse when the fleet invades the planet, tightening its grip on the once-peaceful planet. In an attempt to reach a mutual agreement between the two parties, two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are sent to meet with the Viceroy. However, instead of talking, the Viceroy tries to exterminate, and the two lightsaber-wielding warriors are forced to flee. When they stow away on a transport and land in the forest of Naboo, they run into an extremely annoying character named Jar Jar Binks (voiced by Ahmed Best). After they save Jar Jar, the elephant-eared, hard to understand creature takes them to the underwater city of the Gungans, where they meet, and take advantage of (by means of mind controlling), Boss Nass (voiced by Brian Blessed). After an exciting ride (through the planet's core?!), the trio arrives at the city, rescues Queen Amidala (mostly Keira Knightley, and I won't explain what that means), and flies away in their newly-'borrowed' cruiser (well, technically, it was originally the Queen's, but whatever). Now, I gave such a detailed description of all this because it happens in the first thirty minutes (I know, right?). So, basically the starship is damaged in an attack and lands on the remote planet of Tatooine, where Qui-Gon runs into the young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). Anakin, a nine year-old slave boy, is an extremely talented child with an unusually high Midichlorian count (Midichlorians influence your ability to use the Force). The major setback is that he's nine, way past the age of training to become a Jedi. Since he is so old, he might not be allowed to train. Anyways, the Jedi council at the capital planet of Coruscant, led by the little green Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz), learns of a new threat, the return of the Sith, basically the anti-Jedi. A new Sith lord, Darth Sidious (can't tell you who that is until Episode III), has begun to stir things up with his new creepy-looking apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). See what happens and how the conflict is resolved! There is one important political change that I haven't mentioned yet; one that is extremely important if you plan on watching the sequels. The seemingly good-hearted Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) becomes Supreme Chancellor after Supreme Chancellor Valorum (Terence Stamp) fails to take immediate action regarding the Trade Federation incident. For those of you who have already seen Episodes IV, V, or VI (or any combination of those), here are some interesting facts for you. In this movie, we are introduced to C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), the comedic duo that never fails to make the audience laugh with their antics, as well as Jabba the Hutt. Episode I really annoyed me because of its tendency to attempt 'kiddie humor,' which was just lame and appalling to older viewers (like me, for example). Now, because this movie was made in 1999, most of the special effects were good, although there is some dicey animation for a few scenes (take Jar Jar Binks in some scenes, for example). The acting in this movie was on the dry side, especially on Natalie Portman and Jake Lloyd's parts, although I must say Jake Lloyd did a good job in the podracer and Naboo starfighter, it actually looked like he was piloting them. Another flaw I found: it's a little odd that Anakin is... well, Jesus. That is, his mother conceived him without the help of a father. Oh well, I guess it's a sign of... creativity? Memorable characters in this film are Darth Maul (Ray Park), Watto (voiced by Andrew Secombe), Anakin's mother, Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August), and Police Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie). All of these characters were performed by good actors, no matter how small the parts, and made for a colorful background. I guess the bottom line for this film is that you have to see this movie if you are going to see the rest of the Star Wars series, and you'll actually enjoy it if you're a kid. Buy it (a six-pack boxed set should be out eventually)!
