_____STAR WARS: EPISODE 1- THE PHANTOM MENACE is probably the most visually stunning movie in history. My eyes were straining to take it all in, and it still felt like I missed a lot. Hence I'm going back about 10 times. It seemed as though every shot had awesome special effects, from the nimbus of the lightsabre to the spectacular landscape shots. The special effects alone are worth the price of admission.

_____But THE PHANTOM MENACE is more than just an f/x movie. It's the first chapter in one of mankind's most beloved sagas. Under this pressure, did THE PHANTOM MENACE meet expectations? For me, HELL YEAH. It made me ache realizing I had to wait 3 years to watch Episode II. It reminded me of being a kid again. I felt the same dumbfounded wonderment and awe as I did on those summer afternoons ages ago. I was back in the Star Wars universe.

_____For me the best part of THE PHANTOM MENACE was the epic feel. And it wasn't from just the movie. The feeling of pumping adrenaline started brewing a few years ago, when EPISODE I went into production. Then came the homestretch until the release, and people were being whipped up into a frenzy in anticipation of the movie, and when it finally arrived, everyone was united. No color lines, just one harmonious cult of Star Wars lovers cheering during the movie. I've never felt a sense of camaraderie in a movie watching experience until THE PHANTOM MENACE.

_____But the movie itself was grand and epic as well. Its scope was so amibitious that we almost feel as if it's totally inundating us. Just when you thought it was safe to relax and breath again....... boom, George Lucas hits you with another gorgeous special effects shot or action sequence. The computer generated imagery was superbly integrated. The choreography of the combat scenes was marvelous. The entire efffort put into making THE PHANTOM MENACE look so slick and majestic just totally blows you away.

_____Here's a rundown of my favorite things about STAR WARS- THE PHANTOM MENACE:


ACTION SEQUENCES
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Escape by Bongo -

_____The movie started off w/ a bang, as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon swam down to Otoh Gunga, in order to ask that Boss Nass provide a transport to aid their access into the Theed Palace. The route they took, through the porous core of the Naboo was one of the best parts of the movie. Lucas could just let the Bongo move throughout the nooks and crannies of the canyons and reefs, but nope, we're treated to a wide variety of deep sea predators. Totally awesome. And they weren't no guppies. They were big enough to swallow the whole sub. Then when we were freaking out at one fish, another bigger one comes, then ANOTHER, and we're on the verge of a heart attack.

Pod Race -

_____Another exhilirating action sequence I loved was the Pod Race between Anakin and his other Tatooine rivals. I felt adrenaline and plenty of testerone since you know, us guys like to race. It fight like a Roman chariot race, and all the crowds were cheering like crazy for mass destruction. But once the race starts, the adrenaline quickly vanishes into utter fright since we're whisked along at breakneck speeds through threacherous mountains. Like Star Tours, except you're all alone and it's 10 times more dangerous. I swear, my knuckles were white from holding on to my sac so hard because I was afraid to piss my pants.

Gungan vs. Droid battle -

_____This was another awesome action sequence that is all the more amazing when you realize it was all CG!!! Those huge tanks and droid armies were all computer generated, as were the Gungans and their apatosaurs that carried the bubble/shield generators. But once the two armies collided, it was tremendously effective in showing the immensity of the Trade Federation's arsenal. I did have a minor problem w/ Jar Jar's Daffy Duck-like hijinks. I think it diminished the urgency of what was going on inside the palace......but still, I loved it.

Duel of the Fates -

_____This is probably my most favorite action sequence. The 3 way duel between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and our favorite badass Darth Maul. It wasn't like Jackie Chan movies, where even though 17 guys go after him, they make the mistake of sending one goon at a time. Nope, here, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon both try to take out Darth Maul together hoping that somehow they could stop him. For me, it felt like such a difficult task to defeat Darth Maul, since he has his dual lightsabre and is quite adept at using it. Plus he does more somersault kicks and roundhouses than the Jedis, so I felt the Jedis were no match for him. But the best part of this Duel sequence was like what Rice said. It wasn't all slow motioned to enhance the effect. It was fast and furious, showing how hand to hand combat w/ lightsabre/lightstaff should be fought. And Darth Maul's death was the most awesome exit I've seen in a while. Too bad I already saw it in the comic book beforer watching the movie, but it still felt sweet and vengeful.

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