What’s the pitch?
After 16 long years, George Lucas returned to the ‘Star Wars’ universe to tell the story of how the Republic fell, the Empire rose and apple-cheeked Anakin Skywalker became the most feared heavy-breather in the galaxy. Anticipation was sky-high, queues were ten-deep, thousands of us skipped work, that familiar logo rumbled across the screen and then… disappointment.
What went wrong?
You can complain all you like about midichlorians, battle droids and Jar Jar bloody Binks, but the real problem with ‘The Phantom Menace’ is that it’s all so bloodless. From the robotic line delivery to the uninvolving action, the entire film just feels a bit limp. It’s a shame, because there are flashes of brilliance in the effects and especially in John Williams’s epic score, which constantly seems to be trying to gee up the rest of the film.
Killer line:
‘Ye Gods, whatta meesa sayin’?’
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From a spaceship on strings to guy-in-a-rubber-suit aliens, cardboard robots, Mick Jagger in leather chaps and John Travolta with dreadlocks, the worst sci-fi movies offer us a whole universe of wrong. Strap on your blaster, pour yourself a Romulan ale and take a detour to the very worst movies from this or any other galaxy…
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