STAR WARS EPISODE 1 Review

This movie will affect you the same way the original Star Wars did. Huge fans like myself will love it. Critics hated the first one, so it seems natural that they would hate this one. Those who kind of liked the original trilogy may be expecting Episode 1 to be much bigger and better, but those people will be disappointed.

Synopsis: Two Jedi Knights are dispatched to settle a dispute between the Trade Federation, lead by a naive Viceroy who is a puppet of Darth Sideous, and the small planet of Naboo, lead by the young and presumably naive Queen Amidala. We soon learn of Darth Sideous' plan to take over Naboo, as we are thrust into the hunting of the Jedi Knights and the invasion of the planet by the Battle Droid army.

When the Jedi Knights escape the planet with the Queen and their new friend Jar Jar Binks, damage to their ship forces them to land on the desert planet of Tatooine. this is the home of many introductions, notably, C3PO meets R2D2 (later to become inseparable pals), and Anakin Skywalker meets Obi-Wan Kenobi (he later kills Obi-Wan as Darth Vader). The group also meets their Nemesis, Darth Maul, Sith Lord and assistant to Darth Sideous.

After the truly amazing Pod Racing sequence, Anakin is compelled to leave his mother to join the Jedi and fight against the Trade Federation in the climactic battle scene. Anakin, a young boy, is thought to be 'the chosen one' who has been created by the force (he has no father), and will therefore bring balance to the force.

In the climactic battle scenes, the Battle Droids go head to head with Naboo's underwater population of Gungans while the Queen and her soldiers attack the palace to capture the Viceroy and the fighter ships attack the Droid control ship.

While the battles for the planet are exciting, the true climax of the film is the light-sabre battle between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The outcome of these scenes has much more bearing on what will happen in future Episodes than does the fight for Naboo. Our only real interest in this planet is the fate of it's queen, who later will bear twins named Luke and Leia.

Meanwhile, the Galactic Senate is stuck in endless debates over what to do about the conflict between the Trade Federation and Naboo. The endless debates eventually lead to the Supreme Chancellor's ousting, and his succession by Naboo's Senator Palpatine.

Qui-Gon Jinn seems to be the main character, who leads Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jar Jar Binks, Watto, Queen Amidala, the Gungans, and Anakin Skywalker toward their eventual destinies. So it is appropriate that they found a recognized and talented actor (Liam Neeson) to play the part.