20th Century Fox/Lucasfilm, Rated PG
Written and Directed by George Lucas

At long last, it has arrived and as usual no movie this big could live up to the hype. This film however seems to have survived a vicious media backlash and as for me, the visuals are so striking and the mysteries that we are being set up for in the next two installments in the Star Wars saga are so fantastic, that I can't help but love it. It pales in comparison with Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back however (the pacing in this movie is one big advantage of many over Return of the Jedi).
The story (if you have been under a rock for a year or so) concerns Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson, every bit the stoic Jedi) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, as a younger Alec Guiness, only getting to shine in one scene), sent to investigate the Trade Federation, who are declaring war on Naboo, a small planet ruled by the young Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman, in another great performance). Soon they must take the queen to safety to Tatooine where they meet a boy named Anakin (Jake Lloyd, in a performance barely on par with Mark Hammill's in the original) who is obviously strong in the Force.
The audience knows Anakin's fate as Darth Vader and much of the allure of the plot comes from this, wondering how things will shape up. This is basically one big intriguing setup for the next two episodes and what a setup it is. Visually stunning special effects, as well as a highly original complex plot. There are a few gaffes here and there (some of the acting and dialogue, but this IS Star Wars; the halfway annoying, but somewhat likable Jar Jar Binks) but the joys of this film (especially the climax set to a stunning John Williams score) far outweigh the problems. One cannot help but be amazed at the wonders of this film, a surefire nominee for Best Visual Effects, Costume Design, Sound, Sound Effects Editing and Art Direction if nothing else. No hype could live up to what was expected of this film, but it comes very close. This is not your father's Star Wars, but I am looking forward to the next installment with bated breath. *** 1/2