Geek Review: Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace in 3D

An admittedly geeky review of Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 3D starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd and more directed by George Lucas.

Before starting, let's us all thank our friends from 20th Century Fox for the invitation to see this screening. If you want to get to hear the latest news for Fox movies, just LIKE their Facebook page - HERE

So, here we are, one year after the announcement of the re-release of the entire Star Wars saga in glorious 3D. I must say I wasn't prepared just yet to see the prequel movies because it was still fresh in my mind but I got reeled in because it was going to be show in 3D. 

If you're a Star Wars fan, who missed out on the time the original trilogy came out then this new release is for you. If' you're a fan of Star Wars and managed to catch Episode I, its still for you because you get to relive the adventure again this time in a whole new level. The film would also be for you if you're new to the Star Wars universe and you wanted to catch a glimpse of how it all started. 

By this time, I'm going to assume that we've all seen the Episode I (If you're from the US, I'm even going to assume that you camped out during the midnight screenings) so there's really no need to go and do a synopsis. This also means that I can completely jump right to the things I've loved about the 3D version of the movie together with some of the things that I found annoying and finally, the verdict for this film. 

LIKED:

• The pod race segment for the film was the biggest thrill to watch in the 3D version of the film. Watching the whole race between a young Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba was definitely something to behold in and of itself. 
• The fight between Obi Wan Kenobi; Qui Gon Jinn and Darth Maul is still epic and I will never get tired of seeing this fight scene. 
• The death of Qui Gon Jinn is still a shocker for me even if its been a decade since the original version came out. Liam Neeson's death was a surprise back in '99 and I'm saying that right now, it's still a surprise and big "whoa" moment.
• The epic space battles between the Naboo pilots and the droids were also a great visual treat and really ask you to see this on 3D to heighten the experience. 
• The blossoming romance between Anakin Skywalker and Queen Amidala is also somethings really worth watching. 
• Musical score provided by John Williams was totally impressive and the Star Wars theme was still an audio treat not just for Star Wars geeks but also for the casual moviegoer. 

DIS-LIKED

• Jar Jar Binks was annoying. period. He may have been funny in a few scenes but he will never be able to provide the warm fuzzy feeling we get seeing Chewbacca on screen.
• Remember the epic space battle between the Naboo forces and the trade federation? Well it was too short. Even back then, it was too short, the movie just reminded me that it was really too short..

The screening by the way was packed with cosplayers from the Philippine Post of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers.

Verdict: 10/10 - I rarely  place my biases when doing reviews but this one certainly is one of the few cases wherein I exercise and listen to my biases and preferences.