Movie Review: Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace 3D

Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Story: Episode 1 of the Star Wars Prequels. The origin of Anakin Skywalker before he became one of the iconic antagonists in Sci-Fi history.

Review: It's been twelve years since Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. Ever since the first trilogy especially Episode 4: A New Hope, fans are already wondering what happened during the Clone Wars? What was it like before the Empire? What was it like being a Jedi in the Old Republic?

These questions are answered part by part in the prequels. Episode 1 The Phantom Menace also reintroduced characters from the first trilogy such as the young Jedi apprentice Obiwan Kenobi, R2D2, a bare C3PO without the gold plates, Yoda and Jabba the Hutt plus cameo of some Wookies and Tusken Raiders. Look for the not-yet-popular Keira Knightley in the movie. She plays a significant character in Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.

The movie also focuses that before the Empire, as Obiwan said to Luke in Episode 4, that the Jedis are the guardians in the Old Republic. The Jedi lifestyle can be compared to Shaolin monks. Religious as well as trained fighters. When George Lucas first came up with Star Wars in Episode 4, the idea of Star Wars was influenced  by Akira Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress. So you can imagine why Jedis dressed like wearing Japanese robes and fight like samurais holding a Japanese katana. Speaking of fight scenes, the Jedi duel between Darth Maul and Qui Gon/Obiwan was unlike any Jedi duels. Ray Park really kick butt with his double lightsaber and displayed martial arts moves. He is just as menacing as Darth Vader.

The vehicles in the movie like the design of Naboo Starfighters are similar to World War II fighter planes that could look like older than the original trilogy's vehicles. The pod racers and the race itself was similar to Roman chariot races.but way much cooler. Unlike the first trilogy which focuses on Luke, Anakin shared equal status with Obiwan and and his master

Watching it again will be worthwhile because there will be scenes not shown back in 1999. The 3D is only applicable to specific scenes in the movie but nevertheless, it made the fans nostalgic with matching cheers and applause when John Williams and band started playing the Star Wars original theme while the title sequence and introduction scrolled in the screen during the advance screening at Megamall. Star Wars is really meant to watch in cinemas. I look forward to Episode 2 Attack Of The Clones in 3D next time. Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace 3D is released and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox and will be shown in the Philippine cinemas on February 9, 2012.