A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Star Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Date Viewed: 5/28/99

Details:

Pernilla August

Jake Lloyd

Ewan McGregor

Liam Neeson

Natalie Portman

Score: John Williams

Director: George Lucas

Score: +

The Review: One of the problems I encounter trying to remain independent as a reviewer is how to avoid the opinion-biasing opinions of others -- I prefer to see a movie with as little preconception as possible, either of primary plot or secondary commentary. Normally this means turning down the volume of a radio review or bypassing reading a review until later, although it is difficult to avoid in-theatre trailers. But with The Phantom Menace, it has meant trying (in vain) to avoid an information barrage with all the (purported) impact of a significant global cultural event. "Hype" doesn't even begin to describe it, and avoidance has been nearly impossible if one is to coexist in the same society as one's companions. So much for the tribulations of autonomy.

It deserves to be said: the special effects are overwhelming and engrossing. And whoever was responsible for "world design" did a great job! The details of the ecosystems and the critters are fabulous, from the scope of an entire world down to the gait of the characters: the shuffling rasta walk of the Gungans (Jar Jar Binks) which transforms marvelously into a military march; the jerky hand-walking of the scruffy pod pilot Sebulba.

The science of Star Wars occasionally extrudes past the science fiction: it is sometimes curious, sometimes bogus. Symbiosis is a frequently (and explicitly) stated relationship (a not so subtle ecotrophic education). On a macro-scale, this is illustrated by the two larger sapient forms on Naboo, although the nature of the symbiosis does not ever get clarified. Then there is the "big fish, little fish" food chain, humorously illustrated on an underwater trek. On a micro-scale, it is announced that humans posses subcellular endosymbionts called "midi-chlorians" which act as intermediaries for the Force, and without whom humans would not exist. While this may be merely Jedi lore, perhaps we now know yet another function for what is currently understood as energy-transforming mitochondria: a conduit to the Force masquerading as crucial (but normal) organelles in eukaryotic systems. The mystery of parthenogenesis is somehow connected with the midi-chlorians, although there is no mention of the source of the sex-determining Y-chromosome (unless human evolution has radically changed in the ensuing years).

The pod race is nearly a virtual re-enactment of the chariot race from Ben Hur, complete with a parade of banners, the antics of famous spectators (indeed, I'm told that in profile, Jabba even resembles Caesar), aggressive opponents, cycling multiple times through an arena.

After all these years, it's nice to get some official background detail. Episode 1 truly is earlier in time -- on the cusp in a change in government format; when Jedi's were known to the population at large and the Jedi Council still existed and obviously carried weight (my favorite Jedi aphorism this time is: "your focus determines your reality"). Tatooine is fleshed out a bit more (pardon the expression): scum of the universe, gamblers all, controlled by a mob-like cabal called "the Hutt" -- witness Jabba and Mrs. Jabba. The core planet of the Republic, Coruscant, covered as if by one continuous city, is reminiscent of (Asimov's) Trantor in that respect, but still at a stage where it is open to the sky and not dominantly underground.

One wag has said "phantom menace; phantom plot." I disagree. Yes, the pacing is both erratic and slow. The chariot race (er, pod race) could have been cut dramatically. The development of Anakin as a character seemed overly drawn out, but, in retrospect, it is setting a mood and state of knowledge for the next 8 episodes. But dry? Yes; what humor there is comes from the alien color, for the humans are almost uniformly dour or sober. In a work of fiction this large, there are sure to be thin spots, and the niggling mind finds them.

• The geology of Naboo is a bit suspect, even if it is a stunning setting. Incredulity is strained by underwater navigation starting at a forested lake- or shore-side (traveling "through the core"? -- even if figurative, is problematic) ending up in a lake at the center of an elevated city on the edge of a cliff. Although I suppose this implies an aspheric geoid, I doubt that was forethought.
• Has the "bumblebee heuristic" -- the ratio of carrying weight to wing-area for moveable wings -- been repealed in this future? Otherwise, I suspect that the wing-tips of the junkyard trader Watto would have to move at supersonic speeds. I missed that noise in the soundtrack (and the fraying of the organic wingtips), but perhaps this was just good audio engineering? Or perhaps the character is wearing an agrav weight-neutralizing belt?, and I wasn't paying attention?
• What type of government do the humans have on Naboo? What type of constitutional monarchy elects royalty?, or elects into royal roles?
• If Dark Sith Lords are so rare they're almost legendary and forgotten, then why must we await The Chosen One to bring balance to the Force?
• More to the point, how do I get the lucrative (and over the top!) contract for costuming Queen Amidala, or for her hair styling?! And speaking of hair style, why does female royalty get such a bad break with hair in the Star Wars series?: Princess Leia and Queen Amidala both. Maybe bad hair runs in the blood?
• And why do all personal duels occur in the vicinity of deep ventilation tubes and narrow walkways? How often have you ever seen Lucas (or any fight designer) stage a duel on a flat surface with no elevation gradients or hazards? After all this time, I'd expect this simplification to be a challenge.

In summary, over the last 22 years, Lucas has evolved the Star Wars movie (surely an archetype on its own) from fast-moving plot-centered action supported by special effects, to a special effects and world-creation bonanza, while downplaying the plot and providing essentially formulaic action. There's the formula sword fight, the formula pod race, the formula space battle with single-man fighters, the formula lousy-shot enemies and the crack-shot heroes, the formula final award ceremony. But for all that, this is entertainment, and it does deliver. Is it high drama? No. Would I pay to see it again? Yes, if only as an anthropologist: there is a wealth of visual detail and a lot of cultural design details. For all the effort devoted to their creation, these deserve careful enjoyment. So enjoy!

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