(100% Natalie-Portman.net) - Here is my review (webmaster) of the Phantom Menace. If you haven't seen the movie yet and you're afraid of being spoiled, this is my fair warning. Here are the final touches of my review which was posted to the NP message board in rough draft format several days ago.
Phantom Menace ReviewReview Date: 05/19/1999
People Watching - The Audience
I got to see Phantom Menace on opening day at 9:40 PM PST Wednesday night. When I got in line at around 8:20, I learned that there were people there since noon. But heck, me and my nephew got great seats near the top center and we only waited in line for less than an hour before going in the theater early. It seemed to be a predominantly male crowd with guys outnumbering gals around 3-1. The crowd had an average age of low 20's. Hardly any kids maybe 'cause of the late showing. There were several lines for each showing at AMC. Even though the theaters were new, I had to wonder why it was a bit warm in the theater (like the air conditioning couldn't handle the full crowd). Everyone was excited. Bunch of light sabers waving around. It was a rowdy bunch that did waves in the movie theater. The top section was trying to out-wave the bottom section. Pretty hilarious. Anyhow, as the lights toned down, everyone started cheering. The crowd booed the "Wild Wild West" trailer for some reasons I'm not sure about. I think Will Smith playing a Cowboy and all the technology in the 1800's is a bit far off. Or maybe they thought it would compete with Phantom Menace. The crowd roared when the movie started and at the opening credits and roared in appreciation of familiar characters from the Tuskin Raiders to the Jawas. The audience also gave a clap of approval for the ending.
The Movie
Anyhow, the movie started out fast paced and moved along rather quickly. The special effects were awesome. Jar Jar and the other slimy creatures looked like they were really there and not some computer generated animation. I thought I would hate Jar Jar but I found him tolerable and quite funny at times though I don't think the audience would miss him if they left that character out. The movie's central theme is based on politics which is something I'm not too interested in. This may pose a problem with the target audience (kids) who aren't familiar with politics, treaties, and embargoes.
Natalie as the Queen
Highlights for Natalie included any time she was on screen. I thought she had great stage presence even tho' Lucas made her limit her acting skills she's capable of due to her playing a royal. I think this role helped explore her range of acting ability. Many still see her as just a kid, but hopefully this role will establish her as a young adult.
Other Characters
I wish they could have explored more of Darth Maul's past. He seems like Boba Fett; characters that seem pretty cool (even tho' they're bad guys) but we know nothing about them and they end up making a quick exit. As for the kid, played by Jake (Anakin Skywalker) Lloyd, I enjoyed his performance. I think they picked the perfect kid. Why? Because he was cute but not lovable. I thought the kid was a bit cocky and he seemed to be a "know-it-all" and I sensed a mean streak in the kid just like Yoda did. Great job by Jake & good choice by Lucas. Obi Wan was played nicely. I enjoyed Ewan's take on Obi Wan as he got the accent perfectly right and played Obi Wan as a wild yet disciplined Jedi in training. I can't say I enjoyed Liam Neeson's performance. He played and acted well, but it seemed like the role was played like he really didn't care or put as much effort as he could have.
Lowlights
The movie lacked any emotional appeal and had no romance at all. The jokes were forced and it contained a lot of slapstick humor. I wasn't too happy about the main characters fighting robots. I think suspense and endangerment builds when fighting real live humanoids/aliens unless you're talking Terminator. The Control Ship was "accidentally" blown up by Skywalker. They could at least built up some suspense which the movie didn't have much of.
Highlights
The battle scenes at the end were awesome from young Skywalker in the Naboo fighter to the Jedi scenes. I could tell a lot of work went into the martial arts aspect. Utterly beautiful. The special effects were awesome. The computer generated imagery is very believable. The overall political implications of this movie were very important to the Star Wars saga. Very much worth seeing again this opening weekend.
Score
2.75 out of 4 stars
- chi
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