Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
It's hard to believe that there's anyone out there who hasn't seen this movie, or doesn't understand what Star Wars is about. However, my wife watched it with me at the cinema and fell asleep when I tried to get her to watch Episode IV...
It's hard to believe that there's anyone out there who hasn't seen this movie, or doesn't understand what Star Wars is about. However, my wife watched it with me at the cinema and fell asleep when I tried to get her to watch Episode IV. So on the basis that there are more like her (let's hope not), I'll explain the story.
Naboo is a quiet little planet, which is in dispute with the trade federation after it blocked their trade routes. When the Galactic Senators sends two Jedi Knights to negotiate a settlement, the trade federation try to assassinate the emissaries and start a full-blown invasion. Escaping to Naboo, the Knights - Qui-gon Jinn (Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) reach the Naboo capital with their guide, a Gungan called Jar Jar Binks (Best), and rescue the Naboo Monarch, Queen Amidala (Portman). Leaving the planet destined for the Galactic Senate, their ship is damaged, forcing them to land for repairs on the desert planet Tattooine. Here they meet a young boy, Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd) who is extraordinarily strong with the force, a mysterious energy that permeates the galaxy and gives the Jedi their power.
Then with Anakin in tow, the group leave for the galactic senate, where they are forced to return to Naboo and defend themselves in war with the Trade Federation. Meanwhile, the Evil Lord Sidious and his apprentice Darth Maul, evil Jedis called Sith, plot to overthrow the Queen.
Episode 1 sets the scene for the saga that concludes with Return of the Jedi. As such, it covers a lot of ground in introducing characters, themes, religions and settings that are used in later movies. It moves at pace, and for those who haven't seen the first trilogy (Episodes IV to VI), it will be hard to take in at times. A lot of comment is passed on how this film fares against the originals, and much criticism is passed on Episode 1 and I think that it is unfair. For those of us old enough to review films, we saw the original films as kids. Had the pyjamas, bought the toys and read the books. We watched the films with child's eyes, which is what Lucas always intended for the films. Look at his others - Howard the Duck, Willow and Indiana Jones, all playful fairytales made by someone who is still a child at heart. So watch this film through a child's eyes and you will love it. Weird and wonderful characters, heroic Knights and huge battles, plus a high-octane race segment straight out of a videogame. It's perfect popcorn stuff set in a universe we love.
There are a few things that grate, even through child's eyes - why Anakin has to be a immaculate conception I don't know, and the explanation of the Force is not as mystical as in the original films. Some things are left unexplained, but as the film is part of a trilogy this is acceptable, and in the bigger picture, important to the integrity of the story (probably).
So on to the DVD. Presented on 2 disks with smart disk art, is a wealth of extras. Popping a disk in to your player, you are presented with animated menus. There are 3 different themes, and one appears randomly each time you load a disk. Very cool. The most impressive one is the Coruscant, with its animation of the Queen's ship. Run the movie and you are presented with a near reference quality Anamorphic picture in absolutely glorious Dolby Digital 5.1. The surround channels are awash with effects, moving around you. John Williams mixes old and new themes with ease, and they sound incredible throughout. Get to the podrace sequence and let the subwoofer draw you straight in to the movie. No joking, this sequence is absolutely awesome in DD5.1. Lack of a DTS track is a disappointment, but with a soundtrack of this quality, I think I'll live. You'll also notice some new scenes, reintroduced once Lucas saw them completed for the DVD. They add landscape rather than subplots, but are a welcome addition, particularly the air taxi scene where we get to see more of Coruscant's awesome landscape. Flipping over to the commentary track, featuring an assortment of Lucasfilm bigwigs, including the biggest of all wigs, Mr Lucas himself. The commentary is insightful throughout, despite obviously being edited from several sessions rather than everyone in a room arguing about the movie, which is more fun, but often less technical. There are also a few clues as to what is to come in future episodes.
Playing the second disk opens up a whole can of worms. The biggest and best extra is "The Beginning" documentary, a 66-minute fly-on-the-wall look at the production of Episode 1 from concept to completion. It is an open, honest account at the the production process, showing budgeting, pre-production and the disastrous events in Tunisia where the set was all but destroyed by a storm. There's some genuinely priceless moments too - Ewan McGregor getting to pick his lightsaber, Jake Lloyd's screentest, Lucas showing Steven Spielberg around the set and, best of all, John Williams directing the orchestra during the Duel of the Fates recording.
Moving on to the web diaries, you have all of the featurettes that first appeared on the Star Wars website, but are greatly appreciated here, Best of all is the first one, the "All I need is an idea", where Lucas first sat down to write Episode 1. Added to this are a handful of 8 minute or so documentaries on various aspects of the film making process - special effects, costumes etc., all are insightful and open, showing production designs, concepts and ideas that did and didn't make it to celluloid.
One of the most eagerly anticipated features is the deleted scenes section. Featuring a handful of deleted scenes, they stand out for the fact that they are in anamorphic widescreen with Dolby digital 5.1 sound. As such they are worth their weight in gold. Fully completed, they feature new characters and some action well worth seeing. Best watched as part of the documentary, this method gives additional behind the scenes footage of production and a discussion of the editing process, featuring some rather impressive interviewees.
Add to this a set of trailers and the excellent MTV video to "Duel of the Fates" and you have an absolutely awesome DVD set. There are few DVDs out there with this much content, and even fewer with this quality of content, it has to rate as one of the best DVDs ever, and sets a welcome new standard for added value and production quality. If you liked the film, you'll love the DVD. If, you, like me, loved the film, then life won't be worth living without this in your collection.
This page has been read:
2250
times