"Menace" amazes and confuses

There are disturbances in The Force.

Much like the original Star Wars, this first installment of its prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace, is strong on the good side of The Force. In some ways, even stronger. Heck, it can be downright amazingly strong. But with a few important elements missing, it also harbors elements of the dark side.

On the bright side, Writer/Director/Executive Producer George Lucas has created a cinematic marvel. He has realized several jaw-dropping worlds. One astonishing city covers an entire planet, blanketing the globe with miles-high skyscrapers. Another burg might be considered more modest-if it weren't standing underwater. His palaces, meanwhile, boast a familiar pomp, yet with circumstance entirely fresh and new.

For the spaceship junkies out there, there's a buggy for every whim. From the souped-up junk pods of planet Tatooine to the sharp, lemon-yellow fleet of Naboo Starfighters to the ultra sleek, shining chrome of the queen's ship, there's no lack of speed. In fact, a Tatooine pod competition ranks in the very best tradition of filmdom's epic chariot races (Attention Academy Members: Don't wait till next spring. Award Phantom the sound effects editing prize today!)

In the 22 years since Star Wars first threw down the gauntlet-er. . .light saber-in special effects technology, the field has undergone a revolution (much of it helmed by Lucas himself through his company, Industrial Light and Magic). And still, even the jaded moviegoer seeing this new Star Wars installment will likely feel a Phantom rush.

And the story, while somewhat familiar after three previous episodes, still manages to grip. We see Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor in the Alec Guinness role) as a younger man, training for the Jedi knighthood under Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson). The two knights-galactic peace-keepers, if you will-head for the small planet of Naboo to negotiate a settlement involving a tariff conflict between the planet and the powerful Trade Federation. The Federation, however, seems more interested in starting a war and dominating Naboo, much to the disdain of its strong-willed teen Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman).

Meanwhile, in the political arena, Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) maneuvers to gain power in the planetary (Galaxitary? Universaltary?) Republic. And before it's all over, the Jedi knights will team with an earnest young slave boy strong in the Force who will eventually grow to become the dreaded Darth Vader.

Where the film falters is its lack of heart. The absence of the Luke/Leia/Han triangle from the previous trilogy leaves vacant black hole devoid of romance and whimsy. (Though, somewhere out there in a galaxy far, far away exists, no doubt, some life-form who found the whole Luke/Leia/Han thing corny.)

In place of said romance, we get an over-the-top dose of alien shtick in the form of a clumsy, long-eared varmint named Jar Jar Binks. Speaking in a sometimes baffling Caribbean-like patois, Jar Jar is like a Jamaican Roger Rabbit. While sometimes endearing, this entirely computer generated beast (glitchless in every technical way) has the power to. . .well, as Jar Jar himself might say. . .Me-sa think Ja Ja gon drivin' you crazy!

And then, there's the confusion. The plot centers on the Republic and the Trade Federation. How they mesh together or relate lacks clarity. As does the position of Darth Sidius, Dark Lord of Sith and forerunner to the one we knew in Return of the Jedi as the Emperor Palpatine. And just what is the relationship between Jedi's Emperor Palpatine, Phantom's Senator Palpatine, and Darth Sidius, all of whom (both of whom?) are played by McDiarmid? Even less clear is the story behind his new apprentice, Darth Maul, the horned, face-painted, devilish warrior no doubt coming to a stoop near you this Halloween.

Dare we say this prequel needs a prequel?

Flaws aside, The Phantom Menace still rates as a "must-see"-and not just for the sake of keeping up with the Skywalkers. After all, can a movie that already has some early viewers lining up for seconds be so lacking?

With any luck, director George Lucas will compensate for these shortcomings in Episode II, which is already generating rumors on Aint-It-Cool-News.com . (Someone heard through the grapevine that the next installment will be a romance). Until then, we urge Lucas to weigh any criticism but ultimately follow his own muse. In essence, to him we say, Use the force, Lucas!

Written by Rob Medich