"Star Wars Episode One": The Phantom Menace (Star Wars)

The book is very much like the film it's based on in that, whilst being an enjoyable story, it lacks any real depth either of plot or emotion. Where Brooks has been allowed to add his own touches is where you find this books best scenes, particularly of note are several scenes involving Anakin before he meets the Jedi, the best of which involves him saving an injured Tusken Raider (not quite what he does to them in Episode II eh?). Also added is a little bit of insight into the structure of the Sith Order, telling of how the Sith Lord Darth Bane created the rule that there could only ever be two Sith in the shadows at one time.

However, the fact that the book has things not in the film swings the other way. Only the most talented of authors and imaginative of readers could recreate the wonderful visual element of the film and I'm afraid that this isn't really the case here. The film's biggest pro factor was it's special effects, be it the awesomely dynamic podrace or the wonderful spectacle of twirling lightsabers in the final duel. Obviously, being a book, this novel has none of this eye candy and suffers for that fact.


A perfectly adequate novelization of the film   February 1, 2005
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

With the theatrical release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith only months away, it seems like a good time to begin preparing myself for the new film. While I did not judge Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace as harshly as many Star Wars fans did, there can be no doubt that the film paled in comparison to the force of the original trilogy. Even as a six-year old child, everything about the first Star Wars film in 1977 seemed seared into my memory, and it somewhat saddens me to know that the children of this generation, after seeing The Phantom Menace for the first time, will never know the power and obsessive joy that the original Star Wars trilogy invoked in the children of my generation. Frankly, after two viewings of Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace a few years ago, only bits and pieces resonate in my memory, and I really do need to review the people and events of this film (as well as Episode Two: Attack of the Clones) before I feel ready to see Episode Three.

The powers that be certainly found an illustrious author to transform George Lucas' screenplay and story into novelized form. I've been a fan of Terry Brooks ever since reading The Sword of Shannara as a child, and Brooks has done a thoroughly professional job with this novel. Everything that happened in the film is described with great discernment, the furious action of intense scenes such as the battle between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul is vividly rendered, the moments of light humor are translated expertly to the page, and the emotional aspects of the plot, especially those concerning Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, are drawn in tender yet meaningful strokes. This is truly a commendable and faithful novelization of the film.

Unfortunately, the problems of Lucas' story are also faithfully captured in this novelized retelling. These characters just do not fire the imagination in the way Luke, Han, Leia, and Darth Vader did. I consider only two of these characters to be truly strong ones: Anakin and Padme, and unfortunately, events of the future serve to diminish them in different ways. I love Padme, though, and she is every bit the future mother of Luke and Leia, a queen and a fighter who will risk anything for her people. That being said, I must say that Anakin (and I swear I will never get used to the future Darth Vader being referred to as "Annie") isn't everything I thought he should be. He's an extraordinary child, of course, thanks to all those midi-chlorians coursing through his blood, but I do not think his background as we learn it here provides for an acceptable future embrace of the dark side. So much is made here by the Jedi Council - and Yoda in particular - of the dangers represented by the child's anger, but I don't see such anger in a slave boy who loves his mother dearly and seems to get by pretty well indeed on his own. It may be wrong of me to criticize a story based on incongruities I see arising in a later installment, but I just don't think George Lucas (and thus, by implication, Terry Brooks) satisfactorily showed me how this dear, brave boy will soon become the exasperating young man we see in Episode Two.

The only other thing I would say about this perfectly satisfactory novelization is the fact that it really adds nothing to the film itself. Oftentimes, a novelization will add depth or better understanding to the film it is based upon, but that really isn't the case here. Questions I had about the movie (the true essence of Senator Palpatine, for example) were not threshed out in the book. In terms of refreshing my own memory of the story in preparation for the upcoming theatrical release of Revenge of the Sith, I could have saved myself some time and merely watched the film again.


A poetic and poignant novelisation of a terrible film   June 2, 2003
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

Brooks utilises poetic description and masterful story telling to transform the shallow, second rate film into a greatly memorable adventure. He cleverly manages to dampen Jar Jar's corniness and its impact on the story. Furthermore, he makes the character of Anakin far more believable and more respectable (dare I say tolerable?) than the bugging little kid in the movie. Brook's characterisation of Qui Gon Jinn is also very powerful and this novel gives a far deeper insight into the Master's past and experiences than the film ever could. Basically, Brooks makes this shabby movie into a far deeper, more mythical and emotion evoking story - what George Lucas really should have done first though.


Okay, all things considered....   August 14, 2002
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Considering, how disappointing the movie was I'm surprised at how well Brooks manages to get an okay book out of the mess. Some things make more sense after reading it, some seems just as confusing as they were before.
Readable for old Star Wars fans. New ones should begin with the Thrawn Trilogy or Young Jedi Knight depending on age.


The Phantom Menace now seems less of a money-making scam   January 13, 2002
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

As a Star Wars fanatic I was quite dissapointed with the movie. It seemed more like a large mass of computer generated effects than the beginning of the Star Wars saga. This book brings out the story commenting on the emotions of characters and a background on the situation shown in the story. I reccomend this to all Star Wars fans and also reccomend reading "Attack Of The Clones" before viewing it at the cinema.