Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Director:

George Lucas

Writer:

George Lucas (written by)

Release Date:

19 May 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.

Plot:

The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo....

Plot Keywords:

Planet | Queen | Warrior | Apprentice | Young Boy

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 49 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Liam Neeson	...	Qui-Gon Jinn
Ewan McGregor	...	Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman	...	Queen Padmé Amidala
Jake Lloyd	...	Anakin Skywalker
Pernilla August	...	Shmi Skywalker
Frank Oz	...	Yoda (voice)
Ian McDiarmid	...	Senator Palpatine
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Gov. Sio Bibble
Ray Park	...	Darth Maul
Hugh Quarshie	...	Capt. Panaka
Ahmed Best	...	Jar Jar Binks (voice)
Anthony Daniels	...	C-3PO
Kenny Baker	...	R2-D2
Terence Stamp	...	Supreme Chancellor Valorum
Brian Blessed	...	Boss Nass (voice)

Also Known As:

Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace (USA) (video box title)
Star Wars: Episode I (USA) (working title)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Beginning (USA) (working title)
The Phantom Menace (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action/violence.

Runtime:

136 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS (8 channels) | DTS-ES

Certification:

Iceland:10 (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Malaysia:U | Brazil:Livre | South Africa:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-12/9 (original rating) | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:PG | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:G

Filming Locations:

CTV Services, Tunisia

Company:

Lucasfilm

Trivia:

George Lucas approached David Hare to write the screenplay and even co-direct the film. Lucas confessed he had reservations about working with the actors, and hoped that he could focus on the action while Hare focused on the acting. Hare declined.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As Qui-Gon, Padme, and R2 enter Anakin Skywalker's home Qui-gon introduces himself to Anakin's mother. As Qui-Gon says, "I'm Qui-Gon Jinn", Padme mouths these same words. This might not be visible in the pan and scan version of the film.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Qui-Gon Jinn: Captain.
Radiant VII captain: Yes, sir?
Qui-Gon Jinn: Tell them we wish to board at once.
Radiant VII captain: [to communication device] With all due respect, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately.
Nute Gunray: [on view screen] Yes, of course. As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: (#1.13)" (2009)

The Disenchantment of Star Wars

Keep in mind while reading my comments that I am - and always will be - an avid Star Wars fan. The first three films helped define my childhood and have stayed with me into early adulthood. The themes and the sheer FUN of the trilogy are truly rare in this day and age.

That being said, "The Phantom Menace" is perhaps one of the worst films I have ever had to sit through, and a disgrace to both Star Wars and Lucasfilm. A true embarrassment, I was near tears through most of the film. Seeing it on opening night, I was thrilled as the trademark intro script scrolled up the screen. Everything that followed was truly horrifying, starting with the most ridiculously stereotypical Asian alien bad guys this side of Ming the Merciless. Add to that a completely dreadful script, way too many effects, no discernable plot line, and dreary "action" sequences, and you have yourself a real stinker. And I won't waste any space talking about the apocalyptic disaster that is Jar Jar Binks.

Poor Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, and Natalie Portman!! Three of the finest actors to grace the screen today, and they have nothing at all to work with. Meanwhile all the dialogue goes to Jar Jar and Anakin, played awfully by Jake Lloyd. Sidenote: Am I the only one concerned with the fact that through the whole movie everyone calls the future Darth Vader "Annie"???

Darth Maul would be a formidable villain, assuming, of course, that he had any lines, which he doesn't. He is silent during his entire lightsaber duel with Neeson and McGregor, eliminating the verbal duel that was at the heart of Vader's fights with Luke in the original series. His role seems detached and his presence does not seem to effect the sequence of events in the least.

And let me say this: there are too many effects. They are not even that impressive, not for a lack of technical wizardry, but because the action they portray is either confusing or non-existent, and there is none of the tension in any of the battle scenes which is even close to that found in its technologically ancient granddaddy, "A New Hope". In fact, considering the technology available, the scenario of the battle scenes seems pretty ho-hum-ish if not trite.

There is not enough room to write all the terrible things about this movie. They even reduce the Force to microscopic organisms that live in the bloodstream. This was the most disappointing movie experience I have ever had. Mr. Lucas, if you or any of your people read this, please take to heart the ramblings of a disgruntled but faithful fan in order to make Episode II much better.