Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) - FilmReview

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"Hello, I'm going to be responsible for helping to eliminate the Jedi."

It had to happen! Following on from my review of Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones comes a look at how it all began: Midi-chlorians included!

Back in 1999 I had been excited at the news concerning brand new Star wars; George Lucas was a Hollywood God in my eyes, a man who could do no wrong: he had given my childhood an amazing gift, one that I am eternally grateful for, so no "He's ruined my childhood" comments in this article! I was 25 years-old when the eagerly awaited Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace was released, and there was so much excitement it could barely be contained in one body. Thankfully I didn't explode. But witnessing the birth of a new trilogy in the Star wars saga was almost like discovering a single rare crystal leading to a pool of treasure. My first taste of this new movie wasn't at the theatre but on VHS cassette - yes, I was yet to embrace the beauty of the DVD player! And so, crystal in hand, I sat to watch this magnificent piece of cinematic magic...

Trade dispute? Strange-looking aliens out of lip sync? Not exactly the beginning I was looking for, but still... plenty of promise... Then come the Battle droids, not exactly Stormtroopers, are they? So we are introduced to the Trade Federation. I guess the main issue with TPM is just how political it becomes, and how we witness Senator Palpatine's manipulation as a shadow threatens to engulf the Senate. We already know that it is Palpatine who ends up playing such a vital part in the "original trilogy", and that he is actually Sith Lord Darth Sidious. But it seems we must learn just how he becomes so powerful politically. And we get to meet a young Anakin Skywalker, portrayed by Jake Lloyd (who has gone on record saying that the film actually did ruin his childhood, and acting career - I've seen "Jingle All The Way", so I can honestly say George Lucas can't be completely blamed).

Of all the actors to star in TPM, Ewan McGregor is the most interesting, a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, apprentice to Liam Neeson's Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Originally played by legend Sir Alec Guinness, Obi-Wan remains an intriguing character, whose eventual escape following Order 66 (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith) leads him to live as a hermit on the planet Tatooine. In "Episode I" he is young and impatient, more reflective of how Luke Skywalker appeared in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back. That said, the "prequels" are less about the heroes and more about how Anakin Skywalker becomes the evil Darth Vader. Young he may well be but Anakin is already showing signs of being exceptional, even if he does ask the strangest questions: "Are you an angel?" No, she's co-star Natalie Portman aka Queen Padmé Amidala!

"Meeza fan!"

I find it fascinating how any actor can claim that a movie either destroyed their career, or nearly did so, and Portman is another reported to have made such a statement. Personally I rate her highly, and have enjoyed performances in movies such as Léon (1994), V for Vendetta (2006), and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). To step away from near disaster and actually make good is a sign of a talented actor! I like Padmé very much. And though she doesn't have the strong character of Leia Organa, her presence in TPM is a vital one, giving warmth to an otherwise lifeless world. Considering how the next two instalments connect the Queen of Naboo and a future Sith Lord romantically, it certainly would have been far more consistent for Anakin to have been represented by someone older than Lloyd, too - I find it odd how we leap from Lloyd to Hayden Christensen in the first two films.

Just imagine if, for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, we had had someone other than Mark Hamill to play a young Luke Skywalker, only for Hamill to take the reigns in TESB (The Empire Strikes Back).

Much is made of the mystery surrounding the Sith Master (Palpatine) and his apprentice (I shall come to Darth Maul in a moment), just as TPM seems obsessed with suspicion and plot: it could almost be a futuristic Guy Fawkes feature, with the Jedi Council stepping in for Parliament. If it had morphed into a sci-fi thriller then okay, I'm totally fine with that, but George Lucas' script fails to satisfy any need for true suspense or drama. Instead, everything feels convoluted and in need of strict editing. The Battle Droids make for a weak nemesis. Even the Jedi never live up to expectations - "For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire." If Ben Kenobi's mention of this ancient "religion" felt exciting and mysterious then going back to a time when they were still present only goes to show them as lacking in greatness. Sad but true! Only Nute Gunray, viceroy of the Trade Federation, seemed wary of them. There is also so much going on in this movie, including the Battle of Naboo, that most Jedi are off "investigating", it seems, or sat around pondering. After doing some research into Jedi mythology, I am amazed by its richness, something that is never truly realised onscreen.

Many fans have taken dislike to both the Midi-chlorians explanation regarding the Force, and the introduction of Gungan Jar Jar Binks. The latter is fine with me, a character that brings light relief. Let's face it, the original trilogy had enough light-hearted humour to entertain, such as the Ewoks, Chewbacca's Tarzan antics, and most of C-3PO's scenes. Is a native of Naboo (Jar Jar) really that big of a deal? And I certainly don't get the racial caricature allegations: he's an alien from a galaxy far far away, not a Jamaican... He certainly doesn't deserve to be described as "the most hated character in cinema". How wude!

Alistair Crighton writes an interesting article on Star Wars stereotypes for Aljazeera. On a personal note, all I see are characters whose motivations have nothing to do with the real world - it's called escapism...

So, back to the film. If TPM delivers an ace from up its sleeve then let's take a look at Sith apprentice Darth Maul, whose presence is severely lacking and needed much development. For the most part he skulks, only fully engaging in the movie twice: both times to clash lightsabers with Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson). The climax sees both Qui-Gon and Maul killed, but what a waste of an opportunity to extend the latter's legacy - it could have been him instead of Christopher Lee's Count Dooku who faces off against Yoda in Attack of the Clones and is eventually executed by Anakin (at Palpatine's invitation) in Revenge of the Sith after he outlives his usefulness, marking a path for the new Galactic Empire (and Darth Vader's rise to power within). Just like Vader, Maul is portrayed by two people: Ray Park and Peter Serafinowicz (the latter for the voice). It is a crime that this Sith wasn't given more to do other than looking like a model for a toy line. Yes, in the end it's all about profit but let's make the character earn his money, shall we?

As Qui-Gonn is cremated on a funeral pyre, Yoda says, "Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice." We know the answer. But the mystery remains for the Jedi, as the Clone War approaches. Thankfully by then C-3PO will be less "naked"; Jar Jar will appear less frequently, and Anakin will have grown to fancy his "angel". Sadly, Samuel L. Jackson's look of boredom will continue. At least Mace Windu has something exciting to do in the sequel, with a purple lightsaber...

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

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Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of The Clones (2002) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash
"At the right time, in the right light, everything is extraordinary"

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"There is unrest in the Galactic Senate. Several thousand solar systems have declared their intentions to leave the Republic."

It has been ten years since the battle on Naboo, and yet there is still much to discover regarding the Sith and its plans. Following a failed assassination attempt on the life of Padmé Amidala (former Queen of Naboo and now a Senator of the Republic), Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker are assigned to protect her. It is during a second attempt that they chase after a female shapeshifter assassin named Zam Wesell (Google is a wondrous creature) through the city, finally confronting her; she is, however, quickly silenced by her accomplice, a bounty hunter later to be revealed as Jango Fett (portrayed by New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison), who fires a toxic dart before fleeing the scene. Meanwhile, there is much unrest as war threatens to take hold of a galaxy so close to the brink...

What began with "The Phantom Menace", in 1999, George Lucas' extended vision has been in danger of tarnishing what had preceded it all those many years ago. For fans who lived through the original trilogy, this new installment was far from what had been expected. If Episodes IV-VI gave us adventure, and hope, then "Episode I" (Phantom Menace) tore through the very fabric with politics and conspiracies, a formula that neatly repeated itself in the second chapter of this prequel trilogy. I will, however, let you into a little secret - after fresh viewing, I am now prepared to look favourably upon Lucas' prequel trilogy. Perhaps the passing of time has made it easier to relive the films without anger or frustration; an awkward acceptance, if you will. But, in truth, there really are some good moments in "Attack of The Clones" that make worthy contributions to the Star Wars Universe.

Getting this out of the way early, it is still a major gripe that the over-used CGI regarding battle scenes and alien lifeforms should have been religiously employed by Lucas - far too much feels artificial and digitally contaminated. That said, the world of Naboo is beautifully recreated and realised, as Padmé and Anakin's relationship develops; it is just a shame that actor Hayden Christensen (who was still a better choice for the role than young Jake Lloyd, from the previous film) doesn't rise up to the occasion (so to speak) during what could have been some truly heartfelt scenes.

I will say this for Lucas, when he does get it right there can be no doubt of his creative talent. Obi-Wan's arrival on Kamino, for example, is a wonderful moment. An ocean planet, Kamino conceals a secret: an army of clone troopers being grown and trained for the Republic. The tall Kaminoans are a sight to behold, and have to be one of the most magnificent CGI creations in the film series. Even the Jedi Knight's first encounter with Jango and a very young Boba Fett in their room in Tipoca City on Kamino works well, later resulting in a fight sequence between Obi-Wan and the bounty hunter on a landing platform, only to follow on into an exciting space sequence as Jango attempts to destroy the Jedi and his ship after the latter planted a homing beacon to the outer hull of Jango's craft.

If Christensen does manage to steal any part of this installment then the death of Anakin's mother, Shmi Lars (née Skywalker), and the resulting execution of the Tusken Raiders ("Sand People") who held her captive and tortured her, truly demonstrates that the actor wasn't entirely miscast. With a vengeful look in his eyes, opening his soul to the dark side for the first time, Anakin raises his lightsaber and cuts them down, slaughtering the tribe, women and children. It is this loss of a parent that will ultimately send him on a path to seek the power to prevent death. For now, he mourns for the woman he loved but could not save: his mother. It may have been a brief role for Swedish actress and screenwriter Pernilla August (reprising the role from Chapter I), but Shmi's final moments are played beautifully.

The final act of "Attack of The Clones" certainly makes up for some of the earlier slower pieces, as Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor's excellent portrayal of this maturing Jedi should be applauded), Anakin and Padmé fight for their lives in an arena against grotesque monsters. They triumph, but face an execution squad of droideka (battle droids). This is when an appearance by various Jedi Knights leads to one of the most impressive lightsaber battles in Star Wars history. It is breathtaking, a visual feast of action and well-structured choreography. Even actor Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi Master Mace Windu gets to join in. By comparison, the lightsaber duel between Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) and Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) is a little bland and stilted, including the "Force lightening" and object manipulation scene as the Sith Lord tries to crush his opponent. Perhaps this is as a result of there being an actor verses CGI character, opposed to the powerfully realised duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in "Return of the Jedi". It should be noted that Vader's similar moment in "The Empire Strike Back", use of the Force to manipulate matter in a sequence against Luke in Cloud City, holds much more skill of direction, emotion and drama, however.

So, to the end. And the sight of a Clone army, preparing for battle... The final scene falls on Anakin and Padmé, in a nod to the closing seconds from "The Empire Strikes Back". It gives hope for a third chapter, as something dark approaches. A war. And, just as in the original trilogy, nothing will ever be the same again. As a fan, I can now put to rest one ghost: though deeply troubled, "Attack of The Clones" does at least manage to impress far more than "Phantom Menace" ever could, both in story and set pieces. There are glimpses of the original trilogy style in the mix, though more would have been better.

Final thought on actress Natalie Portman. Padmé Amidala is clearly no Leia Organa. They share a determination, but the latter reveals a fiery nature, stubborn and easily frustrated. By comparison, Padmé is patient, a romantic with ideals. Portman's performance works well considering the shortage of great dialogue or direction. Sadly however, Padmé serves to be a less memorable character than Leia. That said, I do like her. And was that actress Rose Byrne (Insidious) in a brief scene as handmaiden to Padmé in this feature?

"Attack of the Clones" certainly has its problems: one example, C3PO is suddenly a rather too flexible-looking CGI in one of the factory scenes on the planet Geonosis, making him look like a computer game character rather than something in a big budget motion picture - a major problem with much of Lucas' prequels. And please don't get me started on Anakin and Padmé's assembly line shenanigans! Still, there is much to be thankful for, and revenge is just around the corner, as "Episode III" waits to work its magic. Or does it?

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Image source courtesy of lucasfilm.com. Article © Alwyn Ash 2015.
Quotes (if applicable) used for publicity purposes only; no infringement of copyright is intended.

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