Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, Frank Oz, Ahmed Best, Terence Stamp, Brian Blessed, Ray Park, Samuel L Jackson,
Director: George Lucas
Running Time: 131 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: pg
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
On DVD Liam Neeson is Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Knight who travels to the planet of Naboo to help Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) negotiate a treaty to prevent the imminent conflict between the powerful Trade Federation and her peaceful planet. Accompanying Qui-Gon is his padawan learner or apprentice, the young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). While they are on Naboo, the planet is invaded and they are forced to evacuate the Queen and her court, with the help of an outcast Gungan - another native race of Naboo - called Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best). They set out for Coruscant, the planet where the senate meets, but are intercepted by the Federation and must escape.
In a damaged ship, they head for the desert planet of Tatooine to make repairs, where they meet a slave boy called Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). The boy immediately catches their attention, as he is unusually strong in the force. To win his freedom, and the parts to make the ship repairs, Anakin will have to win a dangerous pod race. Unfortunately, even if the Jedi succeed in leaving with Anakin, they will have to deal with the mysterious Darth Sidious, Sith Lord and leader of the Trade Federation, and his apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park) - unstoppably capable with a lightsaber.
Not terribly well-received by many old Star Wars fans, this movie had a hill to climb and at the time of release it only just succeeded. In many ways, it could never have lived up to all the expectations fans had of it. In particular, there were many negative comments about the character of Jar Jar Binks, who was unfortunately too irritating to be easily tolerated by anyone over the age of 12. Interestingly though, his image became one of the top-selling Star Wars toys, so it would appear that Lucas succeeded in his goal of making it a movie to draw new youngsters to the franchise. Otherwise, Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor turn in convincing performances as the two Jedi, and we get to see a younger Yoda (Frank Oz - voice). Production values are high with the costume people going crazy with Queen Amidala and the special effects of the pod race providing a highlight.
DVD Extras: There's plenty here, and it takes a long afternoon to enjoy it all.
Extras: Deleted scenes documentary, Hour-long documentary - The Beginning, Multi-angle storyboard-to-animatic-to-film segment, Five featurettes, Award-winning 12-part web documentary series, Production photo gallery with caption feature, Theatrical posters and print campaign, Theatrical teaser, Launch trailers, 7 TV spots, Star Wars: Starfighter - The Making of a Game featurette,
Music Video: 'Duel of the Fates' - John Williams
DVD-ROM: Weblink to exclusive Star Wars content.
It's Got: Fine lightsaber sequences
It Needs: Jar Jar Binks to stop talking.
Alternatives: Any other Star Wars film (Star Wars Episode II - Attack Of The Clones), Titan AE, Planet of the Apes (2001)
Summary: Not quite as bad as many have said, this one has certainly been most enjoyed by youngsters new to Star Wars and is still worth spending a couple of hours with.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 5th November 2003
External Links
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace at the IMDB
