The Phantom Menace was trashed. To a point where it was completely unfair, what happened was it became VERY fashionable to criticize the movie, George, and for some reason, the Trilogy.
Empire by far gave the best, most balanced review of the movie
... 'Americans occasionaly display a remarkable capacity for for getting things wrong. And so it came to pass with the US press screenings of Episode 1. "Star Bores!" scremed the tabloids. Yet by seeking a story rather than reviewing a movie a movie, the Yanks missed the point entirely. For, while scaling the heights of Episode IV or V, The Phantom Menace is a much more triumphant movie than any level-headed movie fan had the right to expect.
I admit. i disliked the movie for a long time, until its release on DVD that is. The all-access documentary, The Begginging- claimed by many reveiwers to be the single geratest DVD extra, and they're right. Lucas has managed to tap the true power of DVD - to create a package that is so good that it prompts a re-look at the movie itself.
Watching The Begginging definatly did that for me on several levels -first of all it reveal tha Lucas, never did anything wrong- TPM was a genuinly honest attempt on his part - watching his dishartened face after the rough cut screening is just - incredible.
Then there's returningto the movie, i've never been a big fan of the cinema, I prefer to watch movies in the comfort of my own home- bet it on TV, DVD or VHS, however The Phantom Menace was my first TRUE cinematic experience, i still remember watching in awe, those opening scenes, and how well the CG droids were, and that incredible feeling i got everytime Ian McDiarmid walked on screen, and ofcourse the Duel Of Fates.
After i left i remember being slightly dissapointed, but totally entertained and entralled in everything Star Wars - It richly expanded the universe, i spent ages staring at Doug Chiang's concept work, at the Art Of Star Wars books and even manged to go to the Art Of Star Wars exhibition when it was in London.
I assume it was because I was a fickle 13 year old, but everything just soured to a point when i hated TPM. It wasn't until it was released on DVD that i appreciated it, and how much i enjoyed it when it came out - I just can't forget how cool the teaser posters were, the trailers were, meeting Ray Park at Memorabilia 99, and re-creating the lightsabre fights with my friends- i may be a nostaligic idiot, but its rare, especially between the ages of 12 and 16 to experirience anything like that.
I once again enjoy the movie when i see it, but that doesn't neccesarily make it a good movie....
...." Ultimatly, how much you enjoy Episode 1 will depend on preconception: if you expect a life-changing, generation defining experience you will be sorely dissapointed; if you superbly fashioned blockbuster, then The Phantom Menace delivers" |
