Phantom Menace, The

Jedi master Qui-Don Jinn (Liam Neeson) and apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor with an Alec Guinness burnish in his voice) are sent to negotiate a dispute between the Trade Federation and planet Naboo’s Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman). They rescue the royal lady with help from amphibious Jar Jar Binks and befriend the immaculately conceived 9-year-old slave boy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), whom we know will become Darth Vader in future episodes. George Lucas waited until computer generated imagery caught up with his fertile vision. The visuals are indeed eye-popping, but I was left with no vested emotional tie to either story or characters. May the spectacle be with you.