New Film Dazzling...But Can't Top Original Three

by Jason R. Hewlett

The wait is over! For 16 years fans of the "Star Wars Trilogy" have yearned for George Lucas' prequel to the original film series and, after months of endless hype, it is here! Of course now comes the big question: is it any good? Film critics everywhere would make you think that it isn't, calling the film everything from crap to drawn-out nonsense. Pretty harsh words in my opinion.

Okay, let's get to the point. No, the film is not crap nor even a complete disappointment. It delivers everything one could want from a "Star Wars" film: action, stunning visuals, a few mind-blowing set-pieces, and enough fun to keep one glued to the screen for two hours. The film holds you to the screen and to your seats. Heck, I hit the 9:30 P.M. screening and there were repeat customers from the 12:01 A.M. screening back for another taste! The film warrants repeat viewing in order to take it all in is fun enough and more than entertaining enough to justify repeat viewing. This is a good, fun popcorn movie that leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

Let's start with the obvious: the special effects. Wow! There are entire sequences created entirely out of computer imagery (one scene is a wild battle between droids and an army of lizard-like aliens that has to be seen to be believed) that are so state-of-the-art that we'll never see anything better than it ever again. This is supposed to take place before the original three movies but they are far and away more advanced that the original films (and even recent releases like "The Mummy") are just not up to snuff. Lucas has created whole worlds before but none as well realized as this.

Also worth mentioning are a few set-pieces that are totally "Star Wars." We've got several moments in the film that are worth the price of admission alone. There's the pod race across the deserts of Tattoinne that makes the chariot race in "Ben Hur" look like a slow ride to grandma's house. There's a massive lightsaber dual between Obi Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master against cool new baddie Darth Maul that is beyond any lightsaber duel we've seen in a "Star Wars" Finally there's the final twenty minute battle sequence that leaves you pumped and on the edge of your seat.

The cast, headed by talented actors Ewen McGregor, Liam Neeson, and Natalie Portman, are do well in there roles. Some critics have called Lucas' direction lazy but I felt everyone handled themselves fine. I bought them in their roles at least. The big surprise for me was Jake Lloyd as young Anakin Skywalker. This kid did some good work. Usually kids in movies are annoying but he cut the mustard in a big way. My hats off to him!

There's also a few surprise appearances from characters in the original films and some cool tie-ins to the previous trilogy that put a smile on my face. The film is well mapped out. I don't want to say too much because it spoils the fun.

Okay, there are a few problems. What movie doesn't have a few problems!?! The film starts off slowly and is a bit clunky for about 45 minutes or so. Lucas' probably had some trouble warming up when it came to writing his screenplay. Sure, there are a few unanswered questions left at the conclusion but hey...it's a trilogy so get over it! I'd think the biggest problem for me is, that despite all the whizz-bang imagery and excitement the film lacked that awe and wonder that made the first three movies so darn captivating. I bought everything that I was seeing on screen but I knew I was watching a movie. When "Star Wars" first came out we had never seen anything like it ever before. Sure, "The Phantom Menace" is unlike anything we've seen before...but we've seen other "Star Wars" movies before and we'll never be able to forget them!

In short: George Lucas, you do know your stuff and you didn't completely let us down...but you can never top what you've done before!

9 out of 10!