Cinefantastique Online

There was no shortage of curiosity when George Lucas announced that he was converting his STAR WARS features to 3D, and no little disappointment when it was revealed that the first film to undergo the process would be the almost universally reviled EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE. Nevertheless here we are at the longest of those long times ago, back in that galaxy far, far away, watching once more as Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his talented padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) try to rescues Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from the clutches of the evil Trade Federation, in the process stumbling upon Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young boy with such formidable attributes — including single-handedly building C-3PO and having just by chance been born of immaculate conception — that he might well be the Chosen One, the one destined to bring Balance to the Force. That is, if instead he doesn’t turn to the Dark Side and become… well, let’s just say the name rhymes with Marth Frader.

Our special guest, chronicrift.com’s John Drew, joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they revisit the newly dimensionalized version of this “first” installment and discuss whether the upgrade is worth donning the special, “Collectible Keepsake” 3D glasses. Also: Larry and Steve give their capsule reviews of JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Plus: What’s coming in theaters and on home video.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

GOING TO GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE THIS WEEKEND?
TWEET YOUR #WalkAwayReview TO @cfqspotlight
(Please don’t tweet during the movie!)