Courtesy movies.sky.com

By Zack Gill
Arts Editor

“Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace” is the film we thought was awesome when we were six years old. Ten years after its initial theatrical run and after the loss of innocence of the entire film-going generation that saw “Episode I” as kids, the film leaves a sour taste in the mouths of viewers upon its 3D re-release.

Despite well-crafted, subtle 3D effects, “Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace” embodies the criticisms of the new “Star Wars” trilogy, with hammy acting, wooden dialogue, terrible pacing and overblown special effects.

“Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace” is the first installment of the prequel trilogy preceeding the original “Star Wars” films. “Episode I” introduces Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jin (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), as they are forced to negotiate a trade dispute between the peaceful planet of Naboo and the greedy Trade Federation.

Little do they know that the Trade Federation is controlled by two Sith lords, enemies to the Jedi Order. The Jedi Knights, along with Naboo’s Queen Amidalah (Natalie Portman), are forced to flee Naboo and seek refuge on Tatooine, where they meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a youngforce-sensitive prodigy. Together with Anakin, the Jedi Knights fight to take back Naboo.

If that description seems overly bloated, that’s because it is. An incredible amount of exposition occurs in the film’s just-over-two-hour run time, all of which must have gone over our heads in our youth, replaced in our memories with “lightsabers” and “that guy with the red makeup.” It’s hard to believe that the impetus of the entire plot is an interstellar commerce dispute – which seems trivial compared to the epic fantasy of the original trilogy.

With so much going on, the film should be exciting and entertaining. But that assumption is incorrect. George Lucas forgot everything he learned with his original trilogy and “American Graffiti” and decides to tell instead of show. Exposition is thrown out at the audience in endless scenes of dialogue, and the dialogue itself is poorly constructed and often unintentionally comical.

Still, the scenes that viewers remember well continue to be exhilarating, especially with the 3D effects. Pod racing, in which aliens and young Anakin Skywalker race hovercraft through treacherous Tatooine canyons, is particularly exciting, as it often takes a first-person perspective of the racers – especially impactful with the 3D. The epic Jedi battle climax is also still pretty awesome, although it often resembles something of a ballet piece.

The 3D is utilized intelligently, as well. Lucas opted out of gimmicky, pop-out 3D effects, and instead goes for the look that Pixar uses with its films. The 3D almost makes it feel as if the viewer is looking into a model. This adds a considerable amount of depth to the largely computer-generated scenery of the film.

Eventually, Lucas’ original “Star Wars” trilogy will be released in 3D, and everyone will be happy. Until then, though, we’re going to have to sit through two more vastly inferior films. “Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace” is rated PG and is playing in theaters nationwide.