Defending Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
By Scott Mendelson
TrendPK.com: Like so many who read and write about movies, I saw Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace on Wednesday, May 19th, at 12:01am. Like many who read and write about movies, I did not think it was the greatest film of all time. But like the majority of the movie-going public, I also did not think it was the worst film of all time, nor did I find it to be some kind of glorious affront to cinema as an art form. And 13 years later, it is what it always was: a Star Wars movie through-and-through. It has problems unique to itself, unique to the prequel trilogy, and even some problems that have existed in the series right at the start. Taking away the fact that one film was a cinematic breakthrough an launched the fandom of a hundred-million would-be movie lovers and the other was released under the crushing expectations of two generations of film fans, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is really no better or worse than Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
One is overly revered because it was the first film in the series and had the benefit that comes with discovery. The other was crushed by the weight of impossible expectations. Objectively speaking, they are both fine introductions to their respective trilogies which pave the way for arguably superior sequels (you may prefer Star Wars to Return of the Jedi, I happen to prefer The Phantom Menace to the somewhat pandering but admittedly more entertaining Attack of the Clones). They both suffer from campy acting, stilted dialogue and inconsistent pacing. The Phantom Menace lacks a rouge-ish Han Solo character, even if the film (by virtue of being the fourth entry in a long-running series) doesn’t need a cynical ‘audience surrogate’ this time around. Natalie Portman was always unfairly derided for not playing Queen Amadala as a clone of Carrie Fisher’s Princess Lea. Her somewhat cold, Elizabethan portrayal is both her best performance in the prequel trilogy and a prime example of fans objecting primarily because it wasn’t identical to the previous Star Wars universe (Lucas’s apparent cave in Attack of the Clones, making Padme ‘sexier’, is one reason Episode II is the weakest of the series). That The Phantom Menace (and by proxy the prequel trilogy) operates differently than the first three Star Wars films does not automatically make them inferior, merely different.
Taken as an individual film or the start of a three-film saga, it has eye-popping visuals, at least three terrific performances (Liam Neeson, Ian McDiarmid, and Pernilla August), a fine (if famously compromised) score by John Williams, and a politically wonky story that took hits for being overly complicated while serving was a chilling modern-day parable (a ‘good’ politician brought down by “baseless accusations of scandal” – remind you of anyone who was president in 1999?). Yes, the original Star Wars had a simple narrative, basically following the Joseph Campbell heroic journey. But Phantom Menace (and the prequel trilogy overall) compensates for its admittedly inferior characters with a more complicated and morally grey plot. Critics and pundits always complain about the simplicity and spoon-fed narratives of mainstream films. Yet when one comes along that actually requires audience to pay attention (Mission: Impossible, Quantum Of Solace, etc), they all complain that “It’s too confusing!” or “It’s too complicated and muddled!”. You won’t get me to admit that Jake Lloyd is cooler (or a better actor) than Mark Hamill, but I have always appreciated the intricate plotting of the more ambitious prequel trilogy. And for a film that’s been knocked as ‘kid-friendly’ (more on that later), it always struck me as darkly ironic that the entire journey in The Phantom Menace is basically a trick in order to pull off a Senatorial coup, replacing the decent Chancellor Valorum (Terence Stamp) with Palpatine (who is, of course, not so decent). Maybe kids didn’t realize it at the time, but every single character, be they good or evil, was working for the villain to further his authoritarian goals (this is actually the running subtext behind the fantastic Clone Wars cartoon series that premiered in late 2008).
Whether you like the pod-race or not (admission – I don’t and usually skip it when I watch the film), it is a triumph of technical action film-making. Of course, it’s also the scene where Lucas’s tilt toward ‘juvenility’, also represented by Jar Jar Binks and Jake Lloyd’s performance as Anakin Skywalker, hits hardest, as the use of comedic announcers with cartoon-ish vocals stands out as something that just doesn’t fit within the Star Wars universe. Whether or not the god-awful narration is evened-out by darkly comic relief (where Tusken Raiders murder the other pod racers purely for kicks… I always laughed at that) is a judgment call. But one bad scene, which sits awkwardly in tone with the rest of the six film-saga, does not a movie make. And if one centerpiece action scene doesn’t quite hold up to repeat viewings, the other one does. Even the most virulent detractors of the picture openly admit that the climactic light-saber fight between Darth Maul and the two Jedi warriors (Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi) is exactly what we nerds waited sixteen years to see. It’s not as emotionally engaging as the high-water mark duels in The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi, (my wife and I affectionately call it ‘Duel of the Red-Shirts’) but it is the most technically perfect light-saber fight in the entire six-film series and it beats the living crap out of the downright pathetic ‘old man vs. asthmatic robot’ slap-fight in Star Wars.
Of course the film does have its issues, some of which were noted above. Perhaps because Lucas knew that he was going to get to make the next two chapters, The Phantom Menace lacks any real character arc for any of its major players. The dialogue is occasionally stilted and delivered in a relatively rigid fashion, as if most of the cast was directed to ‘do what Guinness did in A New Hope’. In terms of plot, it is quite self-contained, but as a character piece it is clearly just part one of a three (or six) part story. The four-part action climax, a clear attempt by Lucas to top the three-pronged finale of Return of the Jedi, suffers from a lack of engagement in three of those action sequences. The space dog-fight, the Padme blaster shoot-out, and the large-scale battle of Naboo feel more perfunctory, which is ironic since they are the sequences that resolve the prime conflict, while the light-saber battle is basically two Jedis dealing with unrelated Jedi business. Slight digression, but I love that the two Jedi stumble upon the first Sith warrior seen in centuries and they immediately set out to kill him as quickly as possible. Simple questions like “Who are you? What do you want? Who are you working for?” never come up.
Arguably the biggest story problem is that Anakin saves the day completely by accident, while the biggest character issues is that Jake Lloyd is pretty terrible as Anakin Skywalker (if you watch the terrific documentary on the Phantom Menace DVD, titled “The Beginning”, you can literally watch Lucas pick the wrong kid to play young Skywalker). That the Jedi are cold, unfeeling bastards basically sets up their downfall in the next two films. That Anakin is such a naive and wide-eyed innocent actually makes his final destiny that much more heartbreaking. Lucas didn’t want an obviously troubled and disturbed Anakin turning into Darth Vader. He wanted a completely good young child to slowly morph into a person capable of complete evil. Just as, over the course of the prequel trilogy, the seemingly good Republic allows itself to become a tyrannical dictatorship out of fear, so too does Anakin’s fear allow him to be undone. Point being, especially if you know what’s coming, this is all pretty heavy stuff for a ‘kids’ film’.
But in the end, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace *is* a kids’ film. It is a sci-fi outer-space fantasy adventure designed to appeal to kids who are about as young as you were when you first saw Star Wars. We may cringe at Jar Jar Binks (even as we ignore that he’s barely in the film after his introductory moments), but younger audiences do find him funny and charming. We may wish that Jake Lloyd was a bit darker and introspective as the boy who would be Darth Vader, but younger boys see themselves in him and his wish-fulfillment fantasy adventure. Come what may, warts and all, The Phantom Menace was always intended as a gateway drug, a kid-friendly space opera designed to snag young audiences into the world of Star Wars just as it was being reborn. In the 13 years since it was first released, an entire generation of moviegoers grown up loving or liking The Phantom Menace in the same way we fell for Star Wars all those decades ago. If Lucas had given us the Star Wars prequel that was tailored-made for the now-adult audience that grew up on the franchise, if he had made Anakin quasi-evil right from the start, had he filled the film with unrelentingly graphic violence and characters that lacked any real kid-appeal, there is little chance that kids today would still be playing Star Wars on playgrounds all across America.
In all objectivity, I wish The Phantom Menace was a better movie. I wish it was a tighter picture, that the all-important pod race sequence wasn’t overlong and relatively suspense-less. I wish Lucas didn’t feel the need to make the enemy robot army into chit-chatting clowns and that he had cast a better actor as Anakin. But The Phantom Menace is still a good fantasy adventure picture, arguably better plotted and more visually imaginative than any number of would-be blockbusters that have followed its path over the last decade. And it is absolutely a Star Wars movie that holds its own against pretty much any entry in the series with the arguable exception of The Empire Strikes Back (which, with its scaled-back and character-driven intimacy, is the odd-man out in the six film saga). And as a gateway drug that successfully ensnared an entire generation of young kids and turned them into Star Wars junkies as well, it is an unqualified success.
You can still find kids playing Star Wars adventures on the playground this very day. They pretend to be Anakin Skywalker, Padme, Obi-Wan Kenobi and any number of characters from both trilogies. You don’t hear them complaining that “Jar Jar sucks!”. You don’t hear them protesting that “George Lucas raped my childhood!”. For a generation of kids who came of age 13 years ago, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith ARE their childhood.
To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos
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‘Jersey Shore’s’ Snooki, JWOWW have found a city to film in
TrendPK.com: ‘Jersey Shore’ stars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWOWW” Farley are apparently all set to go with their spin-off as they have finally found a city to film in.
The two will reportedly be filming their spin-off in Jersey City after being turned away from Hoboken, states E! News. And the girls will apparently receive a warm welcome there.
“My view is the more people that see anything about Jersey City and see what we have in Jersey, the better it is for Jersey City,” Mayor Jerramiah Healy commented about the show filming there.
Production will allegedly begin this month.
Are you going to watch the spin-off?
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Christina Aguilera on possibly working on relationship with dad
TrendPK.com: Christina Aguilera has been open about having a broken relationship with her father, Fausto, but it seems she may now want to do something about it.
Aguilera recently commented that she may want to face that relationship after reporting that he was emotionally and physically abusive in the past, states Hollyscoop. “I’ve talked about how rough things were for me, and I’m sure he’s heard it. He can’t be thrilled about it. So maybe one day we can do lunch…I’m 31 years old now. Maybe it’s time,” Aguilera commented.
Aguilera has reportedly not seen her father in about 12 years.
Do you think they’ll mend their relationship?
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Beyonce and Jay-Z reportedly trademarking daughter’s name
TrendPK.com: Beyonce and Jay-Z are apparently taking their daughter’s name very seriously as they are reportedly trademarking the name Blue Ivy.
The two have allegedly filed documents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to prevent businesses from using the now very famous name, states Hollyscoop. It is rumored that attempts to use the name have already been turned down by the office.
Beyonce and Jay-Z are allegedly doing this in order to make sure that it doesn’t seem they are endorsing different businesses.
Do you think this is a good move?
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Brooke Mueller reportedly moving right along with rehab
TrendPK.com: Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, has been in rehab for a bit now, and it seems that this may be the time that it finally works.
Mueller is allegedly at Cirque Lodge in Utah, and after staying there for about a month, she is continuing her rehabilitation treatment a little bit longer, states TMZ. Mueller reportedly plans to continue for about another 30-45 days.
While she was completing the program through in-patient treatment, she is now allegedly renting a home nearby to adjust back to normal life while still going through out-patient treatment.
Do you think she’ll get better this time?
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Oscars: Can George Clooney upset Jean Dujardin in the Best Actor category? – AWARDS ALLEY
By Sean O’Connell
TrendPK.com: With the Oscars on the horizon, only a handful of races remain up in the air … at least, if you pay attention to the “experts.”
Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” appears to be this year’s Best Picture frontrunner, with momentum still swinging between “The Descendants” and “The Help.” Martin Scorsese could steal a few key votes away from Hazanavicius in the Best Director race. And if you put your ear to the ground, you’ll hear more than a few people asking if George Clooney can prevail over Jean Dujardin in the Best Actor category.
Why not? Clooney is beloved, and few are better on the Oscar campaign trail than the endlessly charming actor. He’s also won a few choice awards along the way, from the Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Actor to a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Tide seems to be sweeping up Dujardin as “The Artist” marches to the podium, and Dujardin – as well as his winning co-star Berenice Bejo – are working the circuit. Hard. So anything’s possible.
Clooney’s performance in Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” has stood above the fray from the minute this rewarding drama world premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September.
“There’s plenty to chew on regarding family connections, heritage, loyalty to one’s location in life, the cycles we go through when confronting death, and the challenge of being a stable force during trying times,” I wrote from the Toronto International Film Festival after seeing Payne’s film. “But Clooney’s an outstanding guide on this journey, and I’m confident we’ll see his name in the Best Actor race as the marathon continues.”
“The Descendants” is a special film. An honest film. It addresses personal issues, and offsets them with Payne’s quirky humor. And it boasts a jaw-dropping performance by Clooney, who somehow ignores every trick in his acting arsenal yet still wins our heart with a vulnerable side that solidifies him as one of our strongest working actors.
If you ask him, though, he’s just lucky.
That was Clooney’s message when he accepted the Hollywood Actor Award for his “Descendants” performance in October. It’s an extremely humble speech, one laced with wit and self-awareness. Just like the man, himself.
Here’s exclusive video of Clooney from that gala, as his latest film, “The Descendants,” competes for the Oscar.
Awards Alley brings you the best Oscar coverage. Click below to read our exclusive interviews with:
– Harvey Weinstein
– The cast of “The Artist.”
– Kenneth Branagh for “My Week With Marilyn.”
– Bennett Miller talks “Moneyball.”
– Producer Jim Burke for “The Descendants.”
– Sir Ben Kingsley and Chloe Grace Moretz for “Hugo.”
– Tilda Swinton for “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”
– David Fincher, Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
– Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for “The Help.”
– Tate Taylor for “The Help.”
– Woody Harrelson for “Rampart.”
– Gavin O’Connor for “Warrior.”
– Gary Oldman and Colin Firth for “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.”
– Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody for “Young Adult.”
– Steve McQueen for “Shame.”
– Glenn Close for “Albert Nobbs.”
– Seth Rogen and Will Reiser for “50/50.”
– Producer Grant Heslov for “The Ides of March.”
For complete Oscar and Film Festival coverage, visit our Awards Alley for the latest news items, reviews and interviews all season long.
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Deepika paired opposite Rajinikanth in Kochadaiyaan
Life surely has come full circle for Deepika Padukone. The actress was to star opposite Superstar Rajinikanth in Rana and even shot for the film but unfortunately due to Rajini Sir’s ill-health the project had to be put on hold. However Deepika can now rejoice as she has been confirmed to play the female lead opposite Rajinikanth in the actor’s next project Kochadaiyaan.
Kochadaiyaan directed by Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya R.Ashwin is a multi-lingual 3D film that will have music by none other than A.R.Rahman. Besides Rajini Sir and Deepika, the film stars Shobhana, Nassar, R.Sarath Kumar and Jackie Shroff in a cameo.
Lady Gaga reportedly launching new social network site
TrendPK.com: Lady Gaga is definitely big on social network sites, apparently so big that she has decided to launch a new social networking site.
Gaga is reportedly launching a site under the online address of littlemonsters.com which will specifically be for Gaga’s devoted fans, states Hollyscoop. The site is reportedly still being worked on, but fans can sign up and wait for the official launch.
Gaga currently has over 18 million followers on Twitter, so surely the new site will be a success.
Will you check out the new site?
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Are Zooey Deschanel and Russell Brand flirting?
TrendPK.com: Zooey Deschanel and Russell Brand both recently split from their significant others, but are they already possibly rebounding with each other?
It is being rumored that the two have been sending flirty texts back and forth ever since splitting up with their former loves, states Hollyscoop.
It is also rumored that he is not only enjoying their private talk, but thinks they would be good together in a film or something.
Now, it may just be a matter of time before they are together on or off screen.
Do you like these two as a possible couple? Or possible costars?
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Kris Humphries reportedly not ready to date either
TrendPK.com: Kim Kardashian may not be the only one looking to stay single for now as it is rumored that Kris Humphries also has no plans to start dating again.
While there have reportedly been rumors about Kris dating, it seems that he is only focusing on his basketball career these days, states TMZ. Kris has reportedly not gone on a single date because he wants to work on basketball which seems to be helping.
He is reportedly averaging career highs with points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
Do you think he’ll date another celebrity?
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