Use the Force (Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace / Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones (DVD))

Member Name: thespurs

Product:	Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace / Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones (DVD)
Date:	25/04/05 (266 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining and dramatic throughout, Fills in the story - Start to complete trilogy

Disadvantages: Not one

#Introduction#

I am a massive fan of the Star Wars series and I can't wait for the final episode in the trilogy to be released. Episode III, Revenge of Sith, is released on the of 19th of May in cinemas across Great Britain. It completes the story and will be the last of the six films to be made.

The first and second episodes in the Star Wars trilogy are called The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. They have preceded the release of Episode III, but they were produced and released after the original episodes. Episodes 4-6 to were the first to be produced and were released between 1977 and 1983.

There has been an awful lot of criticism directed at the two newest Star Wars episodes. Many people have said that they don't even come close to the quality of the original episodes. They say that there are too many special effects, not enough action and that the story is boring and in some cases less believable. I believe that people expect and want the new episodes to be very similar to the original set of films. I think that there has been a welcome change in direction that has brought the whole concept more up-to-date with modern society.


#Episode I - The Phantom Menace#

The first episode takes us right back to the start, in terms of the Star Wars story. It tells the story from the beginning and it starts to show how and what events took place that lead to the events seen in episodes 4 to 6. The first notable character that we meet is Obi Wan Kenobi. He is only an apprentice at this time (Padawan) but he is clearly talented. The only other familiar character is Yoda. He is on the Jedi council and is an immense fighter. We see C-3PO, in his early development and R2-D2 throughout.

The new characters that we meet are somewhat different to what you may expect, but entirely feasible in the context of Star Wars. There is Queen Amidala, who rules the planet of Naboo. She has a key role right from the off and it is clear that she will feature in a big way as the trilogy progresses. Played by Natalie Portman, she is a focused and intelligent individual. Jar Jar Binks, is a Gungan reject, who is saved by the two Jedi, when Trade Federation forces land. He is regarded by some viewers as a very annoying and unnecessary character. Qui-Gon Jinn is the Jedi master, trying to train his apprentice Kenobi.

The basic plot of the first episode, is that the two Jedi have to help Queen Amidala and her aides and fellow residents to preserve their planet from the impending attack. They are initially driven away by the heightened security threat, but return to fight a battle with limited man power and armoury. They enlist the help of the native Gungans and begin a battle against the trade federation.

The early parts of the film, see the characters trying to bring about a peaceful solution to a crisis that threatens to turn deadly. The Trade Federation is mobilising its droid army and blockading the planet of Naboo. The two Jedi and the Queen, get stranded on a remote planet and the only way to get away is to find money to replace the broken parts of the ship. They stumble across a young boy, a slave to the owner of the spare parts shop, and he offers to enter the pod race on their behalf. They seem to have discovered a special boy and they end up taking him with them.

It is a great start to the whole trilogy and you see how things started to change. It is incredibly moving in certain parts, the drama and the emotion that you feel can really get to you. It isn't the best Star Wars film yet, but it certainly has its part in the trilogy and it makes a good start that you can draw certain things from. It is a good launch pad for the second episode, which has plenty of areas to expand upon.


#Episode II - Attack of The Clones#

We return to see the young apprentice all grown up and his now master Obi Wan is in his prime as a Jedi. They are charged with protecting the now senator Amidala. They investigate the attempted assassination of their subject and it leads to a quite remarkable discovery that changes a lot.

We see the darker side of the young Jedi, as he discovers the death of his enslaved mother. He can't contain his emotions and lashes out against the perpetrators of his mothers downfall, going against the Jedi code: A Jedi Shall Not Know Anger. Nor Hatred. Nor Love. He does incidentally seem to find love, another sign of a weakness that may soon be exploited by the force of evil. He has always admire Padme Amidala and they share many emotional experiences throughout the film.

Towards the end, a massive battle and epic fight scene takes place, the most dramatic yet in many ways. The emotions of the two young lovers come to a head and much against the Jedi councils wishes, they marry. Padme and Annakin are now deeply involved and the consequences still be proven. It seems that a new dawn is upon the planet or Naboo and the republic in general. They are now protected and they have to strong people at the heart of it.

I really enjoyed this film and in parts it was the best that Star Wars has ever seen. It was so intense and the action and drama was ever present. The love scenes did add to it, because it is a very real concept that hasn't previously been explored in the Star Wars films. It is a really great prequel to the third and final episode and it is many ways a cliff hanger. We don't know what will happen next, but you can see evidence of certain situations ready to take the forefront.


#Acting and Casting#

I think that they got the right mix of actors to play the characters in this film. Natalie Portman is very much in the mould of Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia). They are both very attractive, but quite dainty characters and it is good that they kept that same sort of theme running throughout. She gives very good performaces throughout and she really puts everything into it. Liam Neeson did well in his short stint, always convincing in his role as a Jedi master and speaker. Ewan McGregor is immense from start to finish and I look forward to seeing him in the final episode.

Annakin Skywalker has been played by two different people. Jake Lloyd played him in his earlier years in Episode I and then Hayden Christensen in the next. They both do very good jobs and portray different sides of his personality very well. His caring side and then his more violent tendencies are very carefully done, ensuring that they aren't too over the top. Mace Windu, played by Samuel L. Jackson, gives a solid performance but his role is relatively limited.

George Lucas and his team clearly took great care in selecting actors that would fit the mould of the characters perfectly. The chose the right sort of person for each role and clearly motivated the actors to give it their all. I can't pick out any character who I thought could have been done more justice by any other actor. They all performed brilliantly and this is just another reason why I adore Star Wars Episodes I and II.


#Special Effects#

The special effects have come on leaps and bounds since the very first episode from 1977. The film world has made many advances in the field and many of today's action films are computer generated for the most part. I believe that all but 15 minutes of Episode I is filmed using special effects. They make sure that they get the most from the visual effects and they really do look amazing at times.

I do think that they add to the film and that the vast majority of the special effects are done in such a way that you don't really think about it when you are watching. Unlike films such as the Matrix, you almost forget that it isn't real and it is genuinely believable. Much of the film has to be computer generated because many of the scenes are so detailed, it is the only way of doing it. The scenes that depict large cities or stretches of space littered with spaceships, can't be filmed live, so they have to use the technology available to create such effects.


#Soundtrack#

The music remains very similar in both films and very much on a par with the original soundtrack. The much renowned open title music is still present at the start of each film and when you hear it, you get a tingle down the back of your neck. The imperial march music, that you tend to get when the dark side are being focused on is still ever present throughout. All of the music is still conducted by the now legendary John Williams, who does a really fantastic job. I really enjoy all of the music and it is often very emotional in a certain way.

#DVD Extras#

I have always found that Star Wars DVD's and videos, are jammed full of extras and special features. They seem to take great care including extra things for the viewers to get their teeth into. There are plenty of never before seen scenes, that have been cut out of the final release for one reason or another. It is interesting to see these and learn why they were not included in the films. The director, George Lucas, speaks about the films and gives his audio commentary. It is good to hear what he has to say about his new films and having been away from the directors chair for such a long time, he had responded well. There are numerous other features, some of greater interest than others.

All in all, the extras are well worth having a good look through. There have been some other films, where they may as well have not bothered including any bonus features because they were so dire. However, there has been a great effort on behalf of the producers, to include material that is genuinely interesting to view. They haven't gone too over the top but have left enough to make watching the footage worthwhile.


#What I Think#

These two episodes of Star Wars, offered a lot of enjoyment for me. They also stirred up several different emotions, something that all of the Star Wars films seem to have done. The ups and downs, the highs and lows throughout are what makes the films, for me the best that have ever been made. These two latest episodes to tend to have more feeling in them, in terms of what the characters go through, than the original set of films. I do like this in a way, because it adds that extra dimension to things.

Although there is a distinct inevitability about where the whole Star Wars story will go, it is still good to watch. It is difficult to know what exactly is going to happen next and also to know what the effects will be of certain details that on the face of it may seem rather irrelevant at the time. Bits of the puzzle will start to click together and you will be always mindful of what is going to occur next.


#Conclusion#

The Star Wars series is undoubtedly the most recognised collection of films around the globe. Although the concept doesn't appeal to absolutely everyone, the draw of Star Wars is very expansive. Therefore, it is a must have in any DVD or video collection. The trilogy is one for all of the family, people young and old are sure to enjoy it. It can be pulled out at Christmas or at the weekend and you can all sit round and enjoy it.

I'm not sure that I will ever tire of watching Star Wars Episodes I and II for an awful long time to come. They both offer so much entertainment and excitement throughout, enough enjoyment to last for numerous viewings. I have also found that you spot new things if you watch them again and they make the story that much clearer and enables you to make various links between certain events that have happened.

I would certainly recommend that you pick up a copy of Episodes I and II and watch them over and over again. It would be ideal to watch them both now, in preparation for the release of Episode III in May. They can be purchased for around £35, although their availability is a problem. It is going to be a case of searching around to find them, but it is well worth it.

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