Every Saga As A Beginning

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Pernilla August, Samuel L. Jackson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don't think. Trust your instincts." – Qui-Gon Jinn, to young Anakin

Why watch this? The prequel buzz was overwhelming. The film itself... wasn't.

Plot Summary: When the peaceful planet of Naboo is blockaded by the Trade Federation, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are sent to resolve the dispute. They encounter a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker who possesses a strong connection to the Force and join forces with Queen Amidala to expose the plot behind Naboo's invasion.

Dad's Preview: There was such hope that Lucas could recapture the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy. There are moments. Neeson, Portman and McGregor are perfectly cast. It is great to see Lucas' vision realized. The pod race is pretty cool. Unfortunately, there are several missteps: There is nothing about Anakin that even hints of who he will become. There's also no way a child could pilot a ship in space with NO TRAINING. Then there's Jar-Jar Binks - what was Lucas thinking? On one hand, Lucas tried to make it kid-friendly with too many dumb lines. On the other hand, he over-complicated the plot with trade disputes and negotiations. As a whole, the first film in the prequel trilogy looks great and does mildly entertain, but for rabid fans, it fell short.

Lucasfilm Ltd.; 20th Century Fox