"Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning."
Directed by George Lucas
Produced by Rick McCallum
Written by George Lucas
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Ahmed Best, Ray Park, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, Frank Oz
Music by John Williams
Cinematography: David Tattersall
Edited by Ben Burtt, Paul Martin Smith
Production company: Lucasfilm
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date: 19 May 1999 (Canada)
Running time: 133 minutes
Country: United States, Italy, Tunisia, United Kingdom
Budget: $115 million
Box office: $1.027 billion
"Star Wars. Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is an action adventure fantasy film written and directed by George Lucas. It's the first installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy which tells the story of two Jedi Knights founding a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to reclaim their old glory.
- Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Natalie Portman as Queen Padmé Amidala
- Ian McDiarmid as Senator/Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious
- Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker
- Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker
- Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks
- Ray Park as Darth Maul
- Anthony Daniels voices C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2
- Silas Carson as Nute Gunray
- Hugh Quarshie as Captain Panaka
- Frank Oz voices Yoda
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
- Terence Stamp as Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum
- Andy Secombe voices Watto
- Lewis MacLeod voices Sebulba
- Brian Blessed voices Boss Nass
- Greg Proops and Scott Capurro voice Fode and Beed
- Sofia Coppola as Saché
- Ralph Brown as Ric Olié
- Steven Speirs as Captain Tarpals
- Keira Knightley as Sabé
Let "Star Wars" begin, or it's better to say let us know how the cult saga has begun. And yes, "The Phantom Menace" gives viewers and fans a chance but not in the best way, unfortunately: something is not enough and that's why the original trilogy looks much more exciting. Or probably no Harrison Ford is my reason of boredom? It may well be true.
But seriously speaking, this film don't seem like a total disaster: almost nothing contradicts "Star Wars" from 80s and everything is quite logically explained. Moreover, such actors as Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson can't not appeal to the eye.
Advantages
- Special effects
- Music
- Yoda
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
- Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
Disadvantages
- A little bit boring
"Strangenesses"
- Jar Jar Binks
Clue Moments
- The Trade Federation
- Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi's visit
- Meeting with Jar Jar Binks
- Boss Nass
- Padmé Amidala
- Watto
- The race
- Senator Palpatine
- The battle
- Anakin in the starfighter
- Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's battle Darth Maul
- Qui-Gon's death
- The festive ceremony
Opening Crawl
"Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute.
Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo.
While the Congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict...."
Soundtracks
- John Williams - Star Wars Main Title and The Arrival at Naboo
- John Williams - Duel of the Fates
- John Williams - Anakin's Theme
- John Williams - Jar Jar's Introduction and The Swim to Otoh Gunga
- John Williams - The Sith Spacecraft and The Droid Battle
- John Williams - The Trip to the Naboo Temple and The Audience With Boss Nass
- John Williams - The Arrival at Tatooine and The Flag Parade
- John Williams - He Is the Chosen One
- John Williams - Anakin Defeats Sebulba
- John Williams - Passage Through the Planet Core
- John Williams - Watto's Deal and Kids at Play
- John Williams - Panaka and the Queen's Protectors
- John Williams - Queen Amidala and The Naboo Palace
- John Williams - The Droid Invasion and The Appearance of Darth Maul
- John Williams - Qui-Gon's Noble End
- John Williams - The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon's Funeral
- John Williams - Augie's Great Municipal Band and End Credits
Quotations
* * *
Yoda: How feel you?Anakin: Cold, sir.
Yoda: Afraid are you?
Anakin: No, sir.
Yoda: See through you we can.
Mace Windu: Be mindful of your feelings.
Ki-Adi-Mundi: Your thoughts dwell on your mother.
Anakin: I miss her.
Yoda: Afraid to lose her I think, hmm?
Anakin: What has that got to do with anything?
Yoda: Everything! 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.
* * *
Qui-Gon Jinn: There's always a bigger fish.
* * *
Qui-Gon Jinn: Remember: Your focus determines your reality.
* * *
Anakin: Mom, you said that the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other.
* * *
Anakin: You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?Qui-Gon Jinn: What makes you think that?
Anakin: I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon.
Qui-Gon Jinn: Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him.
Anakin: I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi.
Qui-Gon Jinn: I wish that were so.
* * *
Obi-Wan: But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future.Qui-Gon Jinn: But not at the expense of the moment.
* * *
Anakin: I've built a racer. It's the fastest ever! There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod. It's all but finished...Shmi Skywalker: Anakin, Watto won't let you...
Anakin: Watto, doesn't know I've built it. You could make him think it was yours and you could get him to let me pilot it for you.
Shmi Skywalker: I don't want you to race Anni, it's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it.
Anakin: But mom, I love it. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need.
* * *
Qui-Gon Jinn: Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.
* * *
Obi-Wan: The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you?
* * *
Anakin: But what about mom? Is she free too? You're coming too, aren't you mom?Qui-Gon Jinn: I tried to free your mother Anni, but Watto wouldn't have it.
Shmi Skywalker: Son, my place is here, my future is here. It is time for you to let go.
* * *
Anakin: I will come back and free you mom, I promise.
* * *
Shmi Skywalker: Can you help him?Qui-Gon Jinn: I don't know. I didn't actually come here to free slaves.
* * *
Qui-Gon Jinn: There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There's no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you.
* * *
Yoda: May the force be with you.
* * *
Qui-Gon Jinn: I don't presume...Yoda: But you do! Revealed, your opinion is.
* * *
Jar Jar Binks: Where wesa goin?Qui-Gon Jinn: Don't worry. The Force will guide us.
Jar Jar Binks: Ohh, maxi big da Force. Well dat smells stinkowiff.
* * *
You may see the trailer here.
Plot: 5/10
Entertainment: 6/10
Acting: 6/10
Originality: 7/10
Music and Sound: 8/10
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