n an effort to compel Queen Amidala (Portman), the benevolent ruler of
the small planet Naboo, to meet their outrageous demands, the Trade
Federation has set up a blockade around her world. Jedi warrior Qui-Gon Jinn
(Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) hope to find a peaceful
solution to the simmering conflict, but when they board a Federation
battleship, their less-than-friendly reception convinces them that negotiation
is not a viable option.
After a dramatic escape from the vessel, the duo discovers that a
full-scale invasion of Naboo is imminent. They quickly travel to the royal
palace via a secret route disclosed by newfound friend Jar Jar Binks (voiced by Ahmed Best), and
whisk Amidala off the planet to the out-of-the-way world of Tatooine.
There the group meets the young slave Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd), who Jinn
senses has the potential to become a powerful Jedi Knight. The child lends
credence to those beliefs when he wins a dangerous Podrace, a victory which
not only allows the political refugees to leave Tatooine but also gains the
boy his freedom.
Arriving on the planet Coruscant, Amidala intends to plead her case before
the Galactic Senate while Jinn hopes to receive permission to begin
Skywalker's training. However, Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) has other
plans, and the band soon find themselves back on Naboo, facing the evil Darth
Maul (Ray Park) and fighting for the survival of nearly every creature on the
planet.
A glorious adventure
Though excessive media hype has likely built up audience expectations for this movie far
beyond what anyone could reasonably expect, most SF fans should find The
Phantom Menace to be a monumental motion picture. George Lucas has
created a truly glorious adventure, combining a familiar scenario with
wondrous new worlds, vivid villains and an awe-inspiring story.
With the exception of a few relatively minor computer-generated entities, the
much-ballyhooed special effects are consistently amazing, providing realistic
representations of everything from huge droid invasion forces to flashy
starfighters. Most of the flesh-and-blood actors are outstanding too, with
McGregor marvelously matching the vocal cadence of the aged Obi-Wan and
Portman echoing the fiery feistiness of her as-yet-unborn daughter
Leia. Meanwhile, Neeson exhibits the quiet dignity and poise one would expect
from a genuine Jedi master, while Lloyd is appropriately hopeful and
innocent.
Yet the film isn't completely flawless. Some early sections are rather
slow-moving, since Lucas spends considerable time detailing various
political machinations and introducing new characters. And although
computer-generated comedic foil Jar Jar Binks should appeal to children, most
adults will likely find his prattle and personality extremely annoying.
Notwithstanding such shortcomings, Lucas has produced a movie that
suitably embellishes his already highly imaginative Star Wars
universe. The Phantom Menace may not be 100 percent perfect, but it's
safe to say that most SF fans will find the flick favorable, fantastical
and, most important of all, fun.
rekkies, viewers are told at the beginning of this documentary, are
the only fans listed in the Oxford English Dictionary. Under the guidance
of co-executive producer and actress Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar of Star
Trek: The Next Generation), the audience finds out why as it boldly
goes where only true believers have gone before: deep into the heart of
Trek.
This often hysterically funny documentary centers on the stories of a
handful of die-hard Trek fans. There's Barbara "Bobbie" Adams, the
Little Rock, Ark., woman who gained worldwide fame as the Whitewater juror
who wore her Starfleet uniform to court every day. There's 14-year-old Gabriel Koerner of Bakersfield, Calif., a veteran of
28 Star Trek conventions whose father's truck has a
shuttlecraft-shaped camper shell. There's Denis Bourguignon, a Florida
dentist whose Starbase Dental practice is housed in a Trek-themed
office and who requires his staff to wear Starfleet uniforms.
And there are stories about the terminally ill fan who attributed his
longer-than-expected life span to Star Trek, and whose name is
commemorated by the character of Geordi La Forge. Or the invalid fan who
says that her only respite from pain is the hour she spends viewing Star
Trek.
As the audience follows these and other fans, the documentary makes
first contact with the creators of the various Star Trek shows. They
express affection for and bewilderment, discomfort and amusement at the
fandom that has clearly overwhelmed them all.
The documentary touches all the bases, in and out of conventions and
club meetings. There's a bit on the Klingon language school in Minnesota,
and a look at why Klingons have become the most popular aliens in the
Trek menagerie. A visit to a convention in Pasadena, Calif.,
includes a sweep through the ranks of trading tables and anecdotes about
collectors--including the guy who paid $60 for John de Lancie's ("Q")
germ-ridden water glass. The film takes a look at underground fan fiction (a.k.a. fanfic), in which various Trek characters are paired with others in ways that wouldn't even make it onto cable. And yes, the debate over "Trekkies" vs. "Trekkers" gets an airing.
"It's starting to become normal"
In Trekkies, director Roger Nygard and Crosby have filmed perhaps the most comprehensive, knowing and non-judgmental account of the Trek
phenomenon yet. In segments alternately hilarious and sobering, the
audience is introduced to Star Trek fandom in all its hideous bad
taste, ennobling sentiment and touching reality.
Given that the documentary is being distributed by Paramount
Studios, the owner and guardian of "the franchise," it's surprising how
honest and unflinching this chronicle is. In the end, the audience actually
comes a little closer to understanding why Trekkies--and perhaps any
fans--come to be. The audience sees that, yes, some Trekkies are very odd, ridiculous or downright creepy. (Though, as Brent "Data" Spiner observes: "I
don't think I've ever met anyone, Star Trek fan or not, who wasn't
peculiar.")
Odd, as in Anne Murphy, the self-styled "Spiner femme," who bought a
house with a view of her favorite star's abode. Creepy, as in the
cross-dressing man who sings Klingon anthems with deep conviction. Or
ridiculous, as in David and Laurel Greenstein, who dress their poodle,
Tammi, in a Trek uniform. David's even a little out there for his wife, who looks on incredulously as David confesses that he would have his ears
surgically pointed if only he had the money.
But the film wouldn't be so good if it just made fun of Trekkies. It
also captures their heartfelt conviction, even their pain. A caller to the
"Talk Trek" radio show in Sunland, Calif., thanks Crosby for her
performance in a TNG episode that helped him grieve for his father.
James Doohan ("Scotty") tells about the young suicidal woman he persuaded
to hang on just until the next convention, then the next one, until eight
years later she had recovered enough to become, yes, an engineer.
There are the platitudes about how fans love the hopeful future
envisioned by Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. More convincing,
though, are the testimonials by fans who confess that, in Trek,
they've found the families they never had. As one says, "Nobody's
estranged at a convention."
