The Phantom Menace, the 1999 prequel, is the first 3D re-release of the entire Star Wars saga. George Lucas' Lucas Film and Industrial Light & Magic are undertaking the "cutting edge" 3D conversion process.
Says ILM: "Getting good results on a stereo conversion is a matter of taking the time and getting it right. It takes a critical and artistic eye along with an incredible attention to detail. We will take our time, applying everything we know both aesthetically and technically to bring audiences a fantastic new Star Wars experience."
On the planet of Naboo, peace is under threat from the manipulating forces of evil within the Trade Federation. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) attempt to safely escort Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from Naboo, but are attacked and forced to land on the planet Tatooine. There, they discover a young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) - a slave boy with the powers of The Force. Together they face Darth Sidious, leader of the Trade Federation, and his dark apprentice, Darth Maul.
In 3D-ifying his six film saga, George Lucas has found yet another way to gather revenue from the increasingly less beloved franchise (I can't wait for the holocube editions in 2021!), but it must bother him that the first one to be released is the most famously derided film of the last twenty years. Still, I embrace any opportunity to see an old film on the big screen and I was curious to see how this would hold up a decade after I last watched it.
The things that were good about The Phantom Menace in 1999 now seem even cooler: the pod race (which feels right at home in 3D); the undersea monsters and the final showdown with Darth Maul.
Conversely, the stuff that reeked in 1999 is now even more painful – the yawn-inducing political plot; those weird Asian stereotype aliens; people saying 'mesa' and 'yousa' and Jake-freaking-Lloyd. Indeed, more than any other single element (save perhaps, the script), Lloyd's terrible performance as young Anakin Skywalker ruins The Phantom Menace (He's a grown up now, he can take it).
The 3D effect in the film is relatively (and pleasingly) subtle, with a slight fuzziness marking this separate from the crystal clarity of other recent 3D sci-fi movies. It can't do much, however, to distract you from the fact that this film remains one of the most devastating fudged opportunities in the history of cinema. Kids might like it, though.
By Dominic Corry, Flicks.co.nz
Not only is this by far the worst of the Star Wars films, the 3D was totally underwhelming. The best part was the Lucasfilms logo before the film even started. The 3D did nothing to enhance the film and is a rip-off of the extra ticket price. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. (No Stars rating)
Well, I may not be a long time Star Wars fan, having just got into all that kind of Sci-fi stuff recently, but I can't help disagreeing with the Flicks reviewer! I really enjoyed the whole film itself, don't really see what was so terrible about it. I mean, for one, I thought young Anakin was really rather cute. Jar Jar Binks was hilarious, of course. As for the 3D element, I'm one of the poor people who have to wear normal glasses underneath 3D glasses, but this film was worth the awkward position - the stars looked amazing, as did the wide scenic shots of the Senate and the planets etc. I reckon it's well worth a trip to the cinema to see the new 3D release, if only to see it on the big screen - it simply is much more spectacular! :)
An often deliriously exciting adventure, hitting the target audience of 10-year olds and satisfying long-time fans.
There is a sense of discovery in scene after scene of The Phantom Menace.
The most disappointing film of all time it remains, but with the galaxy of hype now far, far away Menace seems much less of a public menace than it did in the summer of 1999.
Nothing has the right to bore and disappoint us this much.
Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace seems designed more as a promotion for Lucasfilm's billion-dollar merchandising concerns than a meaningful chapter in the Star Wars canon.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 9th Feb 2012.
Release date: February 9th 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
