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My 2¢ on Star Wars:The Phantom Menace

Posted by Tom S. on May 26, 1999 at 10:08:47:
If I am going to give my "review" of this movie, then I should outline the context in which it was viewed. I saw the movie at a recently built (<6 months old) "THX certified" theatre. The theatre had stadium style seating with very comfortable chairs (nice padding w/lumbar support). The screen was slighty concave and about 80 feet wide (the screen went from wall to wall). I sat 6 rows back from the front and in the center. It was a tuesday afternoon matinee and there were about 30 people in the theatre (which could probably accomodate 150 people). Nobody sat in the rows in front of me and nobody else but myself sat in my row. There was a 10 foot aisle behind me separating me from the people behind me. In short, the most distraction-free and visually intense position to see the movie.
I must point out that I knew the plot points of the movie before entering the theatre. Some people have said that their expectations were too high going in to the movie. My expectation was that I was going to see the backstory of the original trilogy. I wasn't let down. There has been lots of critics (and some "fans" of the original trilogy) slamming this movie. I don't think that is fair. What was it that they were expecting? An intense out-of-body experience induced by the movie? A religious revelation brought forth by thought provoking dialogue and plot line? An end to world suffering? Another Citizen Cane? Natilie Portman to strip naked and thrust herself on every male movie attendee (or female if they like it like that)? I was expecting to see another part of the Star Wars story. Anyone who criticizes this movie might as well judge the intellectual aspects of a fireworks display if they want to continue a futile gesture. I would venture to say that some people blast the movie "just to be different". As Lisa Simpson would say "How rebelious! In a conformist sort of way."
I would say the visual effects of this movie are as groundbreaking as the effects were in the original Star Wars. There was just too much visual information for me to digest at one time. Very intricate and detailed battle scenes. I couldn't help but be reminded of Braveheart-style choreography while watching the battle on the planet between the Gungans and the droids.
THX sound--I have to say that this was my first time in a theatre that had a THX sound system. Going back to the fireworks analogy, It's like hearing initial impact of the firework's explosions but without feeling the rumbling aftershocks. It does get very loud and exciting but those lowest frequencies just aren't there to provide a sense of uneasiness. I suppose it's more of a taste in sonics issue than anything else. THX is rolled-off at 30hz........
As for stacking up against the original trilogy, I'd say this movie is right at home. It compliments the other three movies quite well. If you were to ask me to rate the four movies in order of preference, I'd say that they are all good.
Go see this movie in the theatre and make your own judgement call. Forget what "critics" and "long-time fans" say about the movie. They contribute to the hype (negatively) just as much as advertisers and "THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST" raving lunatics (positively).
Tom S.