Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace 2001 written and directed by George Lucas

I am reviewing the Star War films in the order made since all nine are completed. This is the fourth for me but the first chronologically. As a writer I’ll focus on the plot and characters. The special effects were impressive compared to the previous three, but the story relied too much on them. Since the only known characters were Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker and they were played by younger actors, they needed to develop the new characters more for a stronger connection.[image error]

Plot: If you don’t read the floating narrative at the beginning, you may not understand what is going on which is why the plot is lost to many. There is also the obvious plot and a secret plot. Unfortunately, the secret isn’t revealed until Star Wars 3 and leaves a lot of people confused.

The Galactic Republic has splinter groups like the Trade Federation causing problems. The have formed a blockade of Naboo. The Congress of the Republic debates it while the Supreme Chancellor Valorum (Terence Stamp) secretly dispatches two Jedi Knights to settle the conflict. A young Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and his master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) realize the Trade Federation is invading Naboo and rescue Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). They stop off on Tatooine to fix the ship and meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a slave, powerful in the Force. They take him to the Senate where Amidala pleads her case and frustrated, returns home where she makes an alliance with the Gunga to save their planet. Naboo’s Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is elected the new Chancellor. The Jedi realize there is a Sith Master and apprentice after Obi-Wan kills Darth Maul, who killed Qui-Gon Jinn. Yoda gives Obi-Wan permission to train Anakin. No one realizes the real threat is Palpatine who is plotting to become a dictator and destroy the Jedi – the secret plot.

A writer should introduce the conflict early in a story but it needs to be clear and the stakes should be personal. The story is about Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker’s friendship but this beginning focuses on Qui-Gon Jinn and his fascination with Anakin’s Jedi blood.

All of this story up to going to the Senate is unnecessary backstory. Writers need to be careful to start a story where the conflict begins for the hero. Then add backstory in small bits throughout the story. Someone wanted the podrace in the story but a sharp editing was needed. Don’t get married to your ideas when they don’t advance the story.

Previously, Lucas described how Anakin and Obi-Wan met. He was the best star pilot in the galaxy and a cunning warrior (A New Hope). He was a good friend. When I first knew him, great pilot but amazed by how strong the Force was with him and trained him as Jedi (The Empire Strikes Back). They were Jedi knights and fought in the Clone Wars.

This story should have begun with Obi-Wan convincing Anakin to leave the farm, and his stepbrother Owen thinks it’s foolish. Then add the problems of Naboo’s invasion and meeting Padme.

Lucas likes surprises but this has way too many. You have Padma who is really the Queen revealed at the end of 1, Palpatine who is the Sith Lord revealed at the end of 3, and the miraculous conception of Anakin explained in 9.

Problem: I could not wrap my mind around an elected Queen in a democracy, especially a teenage girl. Then she comes up with the battle plan and participates in the fight to take the throne room. It was farfetched. But not as far fetched as 10-year-old Ani accidentally saving the day at the end. Make your story believable even if it contains magical forces.

Jar Jar Binks “Me’s a” is a local who helps them, but his help isn’t essential. He provides the comic relief but is stupid funny? Have someone read what you think is funny because it may fall flat to your readers. I would have moved this story at least 10 years in the future with C3PO and R2D2 both present for the entire film. They are the storytellers, right? Be consistent in your series and link them together through common characters. You can write a separate story for a minor character.

Lucas shows Darth Sidious in a hologram and he tries to make Palpatine look innocent, but I would have liked more hints of Palpatine’s ambitions. All the other Sith lords were red herrings or false leads. Balance hints in a mystery.

Jinn says Anakin is the chosen one. This is the first we hear about a chosen one and no background is provided. Help out your readers when you introduce a new concept. Don’t wait until a future story to explain it. Some people won’t read the next book in your series. Each book should have enough information to satisfy the reader.

Problem: why do some Jedi disappear like Obi-Wan and Yoda when they die and others have to be cremated like Darth Vader and Qui-Gon Jinn?

For more book (movie) reviews go to authorfreeman.worpress.com