The prequels are characterized by their wobbly acting and obsession with green screen, yet despite this they remain distinctive in their vision and imaginative in their execution, especially when it came to the assorted battles and skirmishes. Natalie Portman's Queen Amidala was a decidedly proactive royal who didn't see her role as simply sitting back and letting the men do the work. There came a time however when she really needed the services of a saber-swishing Jedi, and that was in her bedchamber of all places. After a hard day dealing with Jar Jar Binks you just want to get your head down, right? Unfortunately a peaceful night became the last order of business for Portman, as an unusual assassination attempt interrupted her Naboo nap time. Everyone's had a spider in their room, or a moth seemingly obsessed with landing on your face. The Trade Federation went one stage further by releasing two worm-like kouhuns to kill the snoozing lovely. Luckily Anakin and Obi Wan intercepted the dastardly plot, carried out by two-faced female gun for hire Zam Wesell. The sequence was a great example of how Lucas's much-criticized political plots received a shot in the arm via the strange and eye-catching aliens who were involved. The last thing people expected from the prequels was a talky thriller vibe. Though scenes like this definitely made the waffle worth it.
I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.
