Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
DIRECTOR: George Lucas
CAST: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Samuel L Jackson
CLASSIFICATION: 10M V
RUNNING TIME: 140 minutes
RATING: ****
Long ago in a galaxy not too far away, someone decided to bring us a film from one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises, in 3D. Give that man a Bells. Having first reached the big screen more than a decade ago, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace has been brought back to life.
This movie isn’t the first to be altered slightly, slapped with a 3D title on the poster with hopes of banking on nostalgia to boost the box office one more time. Just last year the 3D roar of The Lion King did more than its bite when it came to the final product. Somehow, Pride Rock didn’t look as majestic in three dimensions. The Phantom Menace is better than that.
For starters, the holograms used to communicate between the different dimensions appear fuller. There is a depth to the bodies of the characters.
Instead of exhibiting a dated look a la Dallas or Miami Vice and the like, this film actually doesn’t look all that out of place. It’s definitely fantasy and draws heavily on the Japanese fashion sense that was in vogue in recent years, so aesthetically it’s not far removed from the present day.
But it still manages to retain a sense of nostalgia. Perhaps it’s because here’s where we meet the young Anakin Skywalker or maybe it’s because it’s nice to be reminded of the peculiar way Yoda speaks. Very cool, it is. As you might remember, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and the youthful Obi-Wan Kenobi are tasked with protecting Queen Amidala (Portman with more meat on her bones) while contending with a Sith.
If you were a fan of the original series, you’ll have to stop yourself from being positively giddy throughout the two hours spent with light sabres swooshing over your head, mouthing “may the force be with you” at the right parts and scenes fading into each other as though they have extra layers.
The trouble with attempting to improve on something that was already good and had reached iconic status is there are people’s emotions involved. So it’s easier to miss than hit. But the 3D version of The Phantom Menace doesn’t take away from the legacy of the original production. The downside of this, though, is that the expectation to see this episode improved is not met. It’s a great trip down memory lane, but you’ll be okay if you own the DVD.
If you liked… any of the Star Wars films… then you’ll love this.