Details
Movie Description
The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo, a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation, puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness, the older Obi-Wan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way, they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), or as STAR WARS fans know him, the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a goofy, lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo, the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the sinister Darth Maul.
One of the most anticipated films of all time, THE PHANTOM MENACE sets the stage for the tumultuous events to come. Lucas fills the screen with detailed sci-fi creatures and locations, revealing the most creative and exquisite sets, costumes, and character designs to hit the screen since the original trilogy.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: May 19, 1999.
Industry Reviews
"...Thrilling pod race and gorgeous images..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
Premiere - p.96 - Christopher Kelly (05/01/2000)
"...Impressive....A complex technical achievement..."
Sight and Sound - p.34-5 - Ken Hollings (07/01/1999)
"...It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway..."
New York Times - p.E1 - Janet Maslin (05/19/1999)
"...A visual circus of stunning effects. Once again, it simply boils down to a fight between good and evil, and the hordes of STAR warriors wouldn't have it any other way..."
USA Today - p.8E - Susan Wloszczyna (05/21/1999)
"...An astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking....George Lucas and his collaborators have filled THE PHANTOM MENACE with wonderful visuals..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (05/17/1999)
Quotations
"I have a bad feeling about this."--Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson)
"I don't sense anything."--Qui-Gon
"It's not about the mission, Master. It's something...elsewhere."--Obi-Wan
"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!"--Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman)
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you."--Yoda (the voice of Frank Oz) to Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd)
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