An hour and a half ago in a theatre not far from my house, I saw a movie that I had waited patiently for for the last 16 years of my life. I spent years of tallied up time either watching the movies or playing with the toys. The amount of money invested in the phenomenon by my mother could buy me the skywalker ranch, and the amount of bent up anticipation rivals anything ever conceived – and it was all worth it.

I must confess that my emotions regarding this movie became quite erratic as we approached opening day. When I first heard about the movie coming out, I experienced the same jubilation that archaeologists have when they unearth a lost city, because by studying that city and its people – we can see how it all began…

Which is what the primary focus is of George Lucas’ latest – or first installment – Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace is all about. The beginning of the universe that we all know the end of. The story focuses on the people of the planet Naboo, who are subject to an invasion by what appears to be the beginnings of the Empire. In a desperate attempt to save her people Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) seeks help from Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). The story follows the three heroes as they attempt to save the people from the Empire while trying to escape with their lives (sound familiar?). The plot had many twists, turns and surprises, you learn a couple of things you didn’t know before (like who built C3PO), and they dropped a lot of hints as to the future of the past. There were some old faces, and the first meeting of C3PO and R2D2, which was pretty cool.

The effects were something to behold. Let me ask you a question, when you saw the original Star Wars for the very first time on the big screen, and you saw the space fight scenes, you were mesmerized, right? When you see the effects in this movie, you will have that feeling all over again. From the droids to the cities to the space fights. I could only say this; good things come to those who wait. There is one technological flaw I found in the movie – a character named Jar Jar Binks, a creature from an underground civilization who’s sole purpose was to be really annoying. His constant moving, his voice that was hard to understand at times and his behavior being something between Wonderdog from the Superfriends, and Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Then, if he’s not bad enough, there are suddenly grillions of them, they offer to help fight the Empire, and then they remain on the screen for the rest of the movie which culminates in a corny song and dance number. (sound familiar?)

One thing I must compliment Lucas for is how he expertly combined ancient civilization-type architecture, primitive dinosaur-type creatures, and advanced technology at the same time. I was quite impressed with that.

Everything I just mentioned aside, just seeing the words scroll on the screen the same way, hearing the same music playing during new fight scenes, and seeing the formation of some characters and the culmination of others, was great in itself, and all in all, the movie was great. I can’t wait to spend the next three to five years waiting for the next one.

May the force be with us.