‘Star Wars’ 3D Offers No New Hope for Fans

Is “Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace” the worst Star Wars movie ever made?

Yes.

The original “Star Wars” was cool and “The Empire Strikes Back” had action, adventure and romance. “Return of the Jedi” had … Ewoks. It’s been all downhill from there. 

Instead of leaving well enough alone, George Lucas created “The Phantom Menace” as the prequel to “Star Wars.” The plot, such as it is, centers around a conflict between the evil Trade Federation and the peaceful planet of Naboo. There are also pod races and lightsaber battles and Siths, not necessarily in that order.

For me, the Star Trek franchise always has been and always will be the superior sci-fi adventure series. Those who cannot differentiate between a Rebel X-wing and a Klingon Bird of Prey may be able to find a way to enjoy “The Phantom Menace,” but everyone else is likely to have a problem.

As surely as Han shot first, Star Wars in 3D is nothing more that an attempt to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. It cannot be done.

The Herald Sun agrees, “For the most part, the sludgy re-processing of the original 1999 footage leaves everything looking as if it was lensed through a wet, worn sock. The film itself remains as chunky and clunky an origin story as you will ever encounter.”

Chunky and clunky is an understatement. It is truly hard to say what I hated most about this movie – the plot, Jar Jar Binks, the excessive CGI, the desperate use of Samuel L. Jackson in an attempt to breathe some coolness into the movie (Dammit George, he's an actor, not a miracle worker!).

The only bright spots in this movie were Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn and, sure enough – as if Lucas realized Neeson was just too darn good for this franchise – Qui-Gon was killed off before the final credits rolled.

Not everyone thinks Star Wars in 3D is a waste of time and money for moviegoers. Darren Bavan at TVNZ writes, “I think there will be another generation of fans who will flock to watch this simply because they've never seen it on the big screen; and sure, it's fair to say, confused story aside, this is still an iconic film and sounds sensational with its stunning score.”

Whatever.

David Lillywhite of The Void, who mercifully “watched [The Phantom Menace] so you don’t have to,” summed it up as follows, “This is not a film that demands eloquent journalism, it should anger anyone that even has a passing interest in cinema. Movie as toy commercial. It’s been done before and it will be done again but to such stratospheric heights of clunking bland? Probably not.”

Is "The Phantom Menace" the worst Star Wars film ever made? Which is the better franchise - Star Trek or Star Wars? Tell us in the comments.

 

Showtimes: Great Escape 14

Planning to see "The Phantom Menace in 3D"? Head to , 2160 Hamilton Creek Parkway. For more theater information and links to showtimes and pricing,  or call 678-482-0624.