Screen Spotlight Featured Reviews

Star Wars Phantom Menace 3D

User Rating:  / 0

Details

Written by Jonathan Jacobs

After a millennium in hiding while their powers have become indomitable, the Sith are ready to bring their version of order to the galaxy. While Lord Sidious is the public face of the Rule of Two ("there can only be two, a master and an apprentice, no more and no less") behind the scenes Darth Maul is busy shadow hunting Jedi and enemies of the Sith. Advising Darth Sidious is Hego Damask whose cognomen is Darth Plagueis "the wise". Only devotees of Star Wars literature would know that, particularly if you have read the perfectly timed prequel Darth Plagueis written by James Luceno.

At least the first trilogy, including The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith are scheduled to be released in complete three dimensionality. The question on everyone's minds is "is it worth dishing out the cash to see Star Wars in 3D?" The storyline is well known and quote frankly, Episodes I and II were disastrous for the franchise. Only the magnificent third installment, Revenge of the Sith, salvaged George Lucas' reputation and restored the devotion of Star Wars fans around the world. The answer is quite obvious I would think. If you love Star Wars go see them all in 3D. Is Phantom Menace the end-all-beat-all of 3D films? Absolutely not. In fact it is barely enhanced whatsoever. Having written that, ironically, I believe that had all three been made a few years later in the bronze age of 3D technology they would have seemed more palatable to audiences and garnered more attention for all the right reasons. Frankly, the special effects of 2001 seem like the bygone Mesozoic epoch when compared with what film technicians are capable of producing nowadays.

It is a true pleasure to watch the machinations of Lord Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) while Yoda (Frank Oz), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Master Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) become increasingly nonplussed while the Dark Side veils the future and clouds the visions brought on by the force. Cloaking themselves as ordinary and sincere politicians, the Sith are able to amass unstoppable power in the pubic arena. The Phantom Menace officially introduces other characters such as C Threepio (Anthony Daniels), R2D2, Jarjar Binks, Jabba the Hut, Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), and perhaps most importantly, Anakin Skywalker (played initially by Jake Lloyd). While there is so much to enjoy about The Phantom Menace, the infantile focus on Anakin, the lack of visuals showing death, and the hokey nature of the young chosen one's abilities is begrudgingly dreadful. Overall, 3D technology is just another excuse to make a dollar for George Lucas but it is a nice excuse for us geeks and losers to watch our favorite movies at the theater. We can feign the novelty for our old friends the Jedi. May the force be with you all!