Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (Film Review)

1999 20th Century Fox
Written and Directed by: George Lucas
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, and Frank Oz
MPAA Rating: PG; Running Time: 133 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 8/10

The peaceful outer rim planet of Naboo is invaded by the Trade Federation, an organization who wasn't previously known for aggressive decisions. Two Jedi are caught in the middle of the conflict, and soon find themselves escaping Naboo with the planet's Queen. Unfortunately, their ship is crippled, and they must make an emergency landing on the dusty planet of Tatooine, where they search for a part to get the ship running again. They find an ally in a strange slave child with preternatural abilities and a skill at the dangerous sport of podracing. With the child's help, they're able to get the part they need, freeing him in the process, and then are able to head back to their home planet of Coruscant, the galactic capital and headquarters for the Jedi. Unfortunately for the two Jedi, the Queen, and the newly freed child, both the government and the Jedi are mired in bureaucracy and stale thinking, and can do nothing to help Naboo. Now, our motley group must head back to the invaded planet, to fight for its freedom. Unfortunately, the Trade Federation have a dangerous ally: the Sith, sworn enemy of the Jedi. Also, there's this other annoying character named Jar Jar.
Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace was received quizzically by adults, and generally loved by children. 25 years later, writer and director George Lucas is looking a lot better than he did in 1999. The Phantom Menace is a visually stunning film, the perfect synthesis of incredible artistic vision and execution with both practical and digital effects. The vivid colors, the stunning alien environments and character design, the wardrobe--this movie is a 133-minute feast for the eyes.
Of course, many criticized the film's complex plot, involving the taxation of trade routes and the failures of a several millennia old bureaucracy. Now, those things feel prophetic, and are appreciated world building. Perhaps it's due to the existence of the abysmal Disney Star Wars trilogy, but Lucas' prequels, including this one, feel like they're full of storytelling depth and thematic richness: the insidious nature of evil, the failure of cold, dogmatic heroes to stand against it. I'm here to say that in 2024, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace is a good movie...but it's not without its flaws.
For instance, Jar Jar. I've heard several people say, "I'm here to say that in 2024, Jar Jar is a good character." I guess as a character, he's fine. But his dialogue and his line delivery are very annoying, and Lucas can't help but insert the technological marvel into nearly every significant moment of the film, as the floppy Gungan reacts or provides idiotic commentary. If his screen time was cut even just in half, he'd be far more tolerable, though at least Ahmed Best's physical performance as this constant pest is excellent. Secondly, dialogue has never been George Lucas' strong suit, but while it isn't great here, it isn't necessarily bad, either, and certainly has its moments. And finally, as great an actress as Natalie Portman has proven to be, she's quite odd here, perhaps because she's playing dual characters who are posing as each other, each with a different alien accent. Her performance has its defenders, but it's still strange.
However, the positives far outweigh the negatives here, and quite unlike Disney's abominations, the negatives are actually kind of charming (Jar Jar excluded). I've found in 25 years that I'm far more forgiving of some silly dialogue or line readings than I am for nonsensical, poor plotting, empty characterizations, and thematic emptiness. The plot as well as themes here (and for all the prequels) are great, and the characters are actually memorable .
 The musical score and sound effects are also of the highest tier. John Williams is composing out of his mind. His themes are mind-blowing, brilliant, and he scores every scene with a skill that no longer exists in today's cinematic landscape. Meanwhile, Ben Burtt is Williams' equivalent in the sound effects department, showcasing genius level innovation, giving this film (and all the prequels) a unique and supremely satisfying audio landscape. For some, especially those who can never get over their disappointment that this film's tone and structure are different from that of the original trilogy, The Phantom Menace will always be a torturous experience. I used to be one of those people. I became a legal adult the year this film was released, and I liked it at first, then backtracked on that opinion, and couldn't stand it. However, time has been kind to my opinion of the prequels. This movie was a treat for me in the theater. In 2024, it's a treat for me again.