Salzmank Watches “Star Wars”

TPM is a gorgeous film (visually). I will give it that. The cinematography and golden age style directing are both stellar. It is also brimming with creativity and imagination. So far so good. I wish TFA and the other two prequels had those things going for them.

BUT... The story is a mess. Who is the protagonist here? It's not Anakin. He's not introduced until well into act two. Is it Padme? It is after all the story of her planet yet she is often the least important character on screen. So it's Qui Gonn then. But WHY? He dies at the end and has no part in the next two movies! What an odd choice.

The pod race, while visually magnificent, is a self indulgent diversion from the story. Is it about Naboo anymore? Or is it now about Anakin? How many things are they trying to do in this movie??

WHY is Anakin a child?? How can you build a trilogy when the main character switches actors??

WHY is Obi Wan so unimportant here???

How bout that dialogue? Wooden and flat.

And I must of course mention the Gungans and Jar Jar. Infantile and cringe worthy.

Still, year after year I find myself watching this again because of the pros I mentioned up top. If only the script could match the visuals and imagination this would've been a masterpiece.