Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3D
Chris Landis, PNN Staff
February 16, 2012
Filed under Entertainment, Movies, Top Stories
“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate, and hate… leads to suffering. Alas, I sense much fear in you.”
Skepticism was in the air when I piled into a theatre Sat. night for my screening of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The place was packed with, naturally, people of all ages. Anyone who’s familiar with the space opera is aware of all the controversy surrounding the re-releases: Lucas is just trying to make more bank, Lucas changing pivotal scenes, etc. Regardless, people came out for the shows. A lot of people. I’m going to focus this review on mainly the experience.
Faithful fans of the series weren’t really sure what to expect, but the crowd’s excitement was audible when the “Please put on your 3D glasses now” notice flashed on the screen. The Lucasfilm logo was given a refresh, it seems it shines more now than ever before. The opening crawl has not changed text (Thank God) but looks pretty shining. The opening scene aboard the battle station establishes a feel of contentment in time for the political debates, a logical strategy.
The film’s second half in 3D was unfortunately like “The Ides of March” in space, in 3D. But that’s to be expected. When you’re converting the greatest epic sci-fi film series in history into 3D, you’re naturally doing it for the action sequences, which did redeem the middle portion of the film. Having bought the VHS when the movie was originally released in 2000, it was nice to see the Duel of the Fates, the film’s climactic final lightsaber duel, in letterbox again.
In regards to the changes in the film, there’s nothing as monumental in ANY of the new releases as Greedo shooting first in Episode 4 (I own the Blu-ray releases, which were the cuts of the movies converted to 3D) In this episode in particular, most of the changes come in the form of quick, added on sequences in the podracing scene. One immediately comes to mind of Anakin securing a loose hose on his pod during the race. There is at least one scene with extended conversation which only serves to add to the plot. The changes are most damning for those (like myself) who have, from countless viewings, memorized the film’s rhythm of sounds, lines, and scenes. They are certainly more prone to spotting the changes than the casual observer, one of whom sat in the back row of our showing, burst out laughing at every slightly comedic moment, and shouted “I loved you in “Black Swan!” as Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala reached center. I was not quite as amused: I was in good humor, but I enjoyed the “comic relief” of Jar Jar Binks MAYBE once… if that.
MPAA (That’s, Motion Picture Association of America) rules and regulations state that the previews preceding a film must be rated similarly to that film. “EI:TPM” is rated PG, but interestingly enough, preceding its presentation are 3D trailers for two of 2012′s most anticpiated films: “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” Both are expected to be rated PG-13. Being of an age where film TRULY matters to me, I can now sit and watch the movie all the way through, and appreciate its cinematic value, rather than shout off lines, the meanings of which I don’t even understand at my age.
Will I go see Episode II when its 3D release arrives? Probably not. But only because it’s the most boring of the series (IMO).
Movie: 3.5/5
Experience: 3/5
MPAA: PG / Dir: George Lucas / Running time: 133 min / Release: 2/10/12 / Screened: 2/11/12 Review: 2/12/12
