Directed by:
George LucasScreenplay:
George LucasCinematography:
David TattersallComposer:
John WilliamsCast:
Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Pernilla August, Ian McDiarmid, Oliver Ford Davies, Hugh Quarshie, Anthony Daniels, Ahmed Best (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Sci-fi adventure which takes place before the birth of Luke Skywalker, featuring the friendship between the young Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who would later become Darth Vader. The galactic government has been weakened, and when the peaceful planet of Naboo is threatened by the giant Trade Federation, it seems that nobody will step in to defend Queen Amidala and her people. Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to find a settlement and discover the extent of the planet's peril. In the course of their adventures, they find a young slave, Anakin, whom Qui-Gon senses is destined to bring balance to the Force. Against Obi-Wan's suspicions, he decides to train Anakin as a Jedi Knight. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (10)
The old trilogy was able to create a slightly stronger atmosphere, but I object to the waves of criticism regularly flowing towards the first chapter of these Chronicles of a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Even years later, I still dislike the violent contrast between repetitive political debates and the childish mood, led by the misfit Jar Jar, but the magical Padmé, the young Obi-Wan, or the evil Darth Maul are so amazing that my objections disintegrate as if with a wave of a lightsaber. Still, the biggest surprise remains the fact that the two most famous scenes (the pod race and the final Fatal Duel) would still be the event of the year in any adventure blockbuster, even today.
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What was cute in the original films is infantile here, what was thrilling in the original films is infantile here, what was charming in the original films is infantile here. George Lucas simply sewed up a teddy bear for big money, put a lot of stupid episodes in it that are hellishly melted, a demented eared reptile that pissed me off more than any other hero, and, by the way, there are moments spread out in there that are worthy of Star Wars. I am pleased only by the cast (but not the acting performances) and the excellent duel with Darth Maul. But as a whole, an almost perfect flop, and it’s better not to compare it to Episode IV and Episode V - otherwise there is the risk of cardiac arrest...
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Guilty pleasure. Gone are the fatality and overwhelming aura of the dark side that made the original trilogy the ultimate compact and unique experience; gone are the adult seriousness, the understated dry wit and the monumental nature of the more static and simple yet atmospheric action sequences. Episode I is a snub to hardcore SW fans, with many of the past tried-and-true essences giving way to Lucas's unrestrained visual fooling around and forcibly making the franchise accessible to a new generation led by open-mouthed, finger-in-the-nose ten-year-old kids. It’s undeniable that the atmosphere is magical, the story unfolds in an interesting way, the new characters are great, and the overall presentation of the setting and the associated gimmicks and attractions are among the high points of their time, but it still comes across as a dud with zero impact, especially compared to what the original films established. The only one who has really kept his creative form is veteran Williams, whose soundtrack has branched out nicely and had the lion's share in making at least the final fight one of the best of the whole saga. On the other hand, Jar Jar Binks's stupid squeal belongs in Luc Besson's worst films...
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Episode I is paradoxically Lucas’s only perfect Star Wars. Only with this one was Lucas not constrained by budget and the technological level of the tricks as in the first film; he was the main creative force behind the project unlike in Episode V and was not as limited by the unfolding story as in the other two parts of the prequel trilogy and Episode VI. Thus, he was able to fully let go of childishness and naïveté, build the narrative around spectacular adventures and expand the fairy-tale concept into an opulent mise-en-scene. Unlike the following two instalments, Episode I has a narrative that is entirely its own, with only sub-motifs establishing continuity with the series as a whole.
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Long-winded and, apart from the race scene and a couple of duels, offers nothing but “empty" over-combination that is so childish (the Ewoks etc.) that it borders on being a parody of itself. Not even Teletubbies give us such lameness given to us by the “fun element" Jar-Jar Binks and all of his people. This wouldn’t matter so much if Binks wasn’t given more room here than probably anybody else. Even if I ignore his presence, then the infantile nature of this, despite finding the complete opposite in the following, darker episodes, really bothers me and is worse than anything I have seen even in the very worst movies for kids. But I mustn’t only throw dirt on this... In technical terms, this movie is great, from special effects through production design to the music. But everything is just here for effect and flawless special effects don’t make a good movie. If it weren’t for Darth Maul and his duel underscored by “Duel of the Fates", then nothing at all works here, apart from the audiovisual side. I suppose it is good in a way, but only at about eight in the morning, as a double feature with Teletubbies.
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