Theater Review: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 3D

It's pretty much a known fact that I am a huge Star Wars fan, and although I do feel the prequel trilogy is a bit subpar compared to the original trilogy, I still find the need for them and have learned to enjoy what they do have to offer.

That being said, I know I am not going to chance anyone's feelings about the films. If you are like me and have learned to enjoy them, then you already enjoy them. But, if you like to pick things apart and truly hate the film, there is no way that I am changing your mind.

So, I was able to take my family to see Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D in the theater. Say what you want, but being able to experience a Star Wars film on the large screen is truly spectacular. The first time I heard John Williams' epic score as the crawl came on the screen always gives me goosebumps. And, it did again when I heard it this time.

My son has really started to enjoy the Star Wars franchise, much like I have. This was his first experience seeing one of the films on the big screen - and I am very excited that he was able to get that experience.

I guess I will just talk about a few parts of the film. The Phantom Menace, although needed in my opinion, is probably the worst of the six films.

There are two things, however, that The Phantom Menace has that may be superior to some of the other films.

First, the pod race. That is one of the most breathtaking scenes in the entire franchise. And, seeing it on the big screen - and in 3D - was spectacular.

Second, Darth Maul. I have said it before, but it is worth repeating, Darth Maul (Ray Park) is one of the best villains ever created. And, he hardly gets any screen time - and even gets killed off (though if you follow the Clone Wars this may not be true) near the end of the film. Maul was experienced in the Force, had martial arts training, and carried a double-bladed light saber - how cool is that?

Plus, he took on two of the most powerful Jedis - killed one and was surprised by the other. That is a great villain - and I am sad that we got saddled with Count Dooku over two films while Maul was limited to part of this one.

Now, the 3D portion of the film. If you are expecting crazy 3D like light sabers coming out of the screen at you, don't bother. This is the type of 3D that I enjoy - it shows the depth of the images and I felt it worked amazingly well.

I am truly excited to see each and every film in this franchise, and it is only going to get better as the movies progress. I wasn't expecting for these releases to take six years to finish, but I guess they are trying to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the original Star Wars when Return of the Jedi is finally released.

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Black Swan

Well, I had heard this film was a little bizarre, but that was putting it mildly.

It took a lot to follow this film as a lot was going on, some of which I wasn't sure if it was real or not.

Anyway, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers, an aspiring ballet dancer. Sayers has been doing her best to become the perfect dancer and be noticed by Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) in hopes to further her career (not in a sexual manner, but in a dancing manner).

As the season draws near the dancers find out that Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder), the main headlining dancer for years, is being forced into retirement. So, her position would be up for grabs.

Just as Sayers believes that this may in fact be her time to shine, a new dancer arrives from San Francisco, Lily (Mila Kunis). Lily is the opposite of Sayers, as she is a beautiful dancer, but doesn't stress and is more free-flowing, to Sayers' perfectionist.

Both are, as well as a few others, are chosen to tryout for the Swan Queen in the production of Swan Lake the company is putting on. Leroy watches Sayers performance and she knocks it out of the park - but he believes that she is only good enough to play the White Swan, not the much difficult Black Swan - but as the lead she would need to play both.

I don't think I am spoiling anything here (but if you think I may stop reading), but Sayers does manage to claim the part of the Swan Queen. And, this is sort of where things get crazy.

Sayers lives with her mother, Erica (Barbara Hershey), who is a former dancer herself, but never made it - possibly due to the fact that she got pregnant with Nina and had to stop dancing. It becomes pretty clear that they have an odd relationship, and that Erica may have a few screws loose.

With the dynamic between the two of them, as well as the major stress that comes from trying to become the best Swan Queen she can be - Nina becomes a little crazy herself and a lot of things begin to happen - as I said above, some of those things I had a hard time following if it was real or not.

I must say the film was a decent watch. I am not a huge fan of dance movers, especially ballet, but due to the amount of other things that were happening in the film I was able to get through it. As much as it was about ballet, it really wasn't - so that helped.

I did enjoy the movie, but I am not sure if I would ever watch it again. Perhaps I will once more to see if I missed anything that was happening, because there was an awful lot of things happening.

Portman was great in the lead role, and Kunis did a bang up job as her complete opposite - the more rogue ballet dancer. I always enjoy seeing Cassel in roles as I really began liking him in Ocean's 12.

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Thor

I am sure I have said this before, but it is probably worth restating - I love movies based on comic books, but I have never followed comic books. I was more of a sports card person than a comic book person.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the Iron Man films, so when they planned out this new Avengers film by releasing a few films beforehand I was pretty excited. I do think I am more excited about Captain America but this one still had me interested.

I knew nothing of Thor going in except that he was a god of some sort. So, I am not sure just how close to the comic books the film stayed.

So, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is, along with his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the son of the king of Asgard, Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Thor, along with his hammer, is a mighty warrior and the heir to thrown. He is, however, a bit of a hot head and very cocky. After he enters the Frost Giants home against his father's wishes, he finds himself banished from the kingdom - much to Loki's enjoyment.

Meanwhile, on Earth, a group of scientists, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) notice a strange happening in the sky and end up hitting a man with their car - that man turns out to be Thor.

I will not ruin the film for anyone, but let's just say the rest of the film is Thor trying to fit in on Earth and figuring out how to protect Asgard from his brother and the Frost Giants.

Not sure if I love this film or not, I think I will have to watch it again, but I definitely enjoyed it - possibly more than Iron Man 2.

I thought that everyone was great in their performance. I had only seen Hemsworth in his bit part as Kirk's father in Star Trek, but he carried this movie as the lead very well. And, much like Rachel mentioned, I kept thinking I was hearing Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale.

One person who I didn't even know had a role, but had a sort of small yet integral part was Heimdall (Idris Elba) the gate keeper. I really enjoyed him in this role.

So, the grade I give this film is my impression on first watch. I will definitely have to give it a second look when it comes out on DVD, but I really liked what I saw initially - but there is a good chance I could actually love it upon further review.

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