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

User Rating:

6.4/10   

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:

Queen | Planet | Young Boy | Warrior | Apprentice

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 49 nominations

Cast

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:

133 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

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:

Qui-Gon's description of Mos Espa is almost the same, if not the same word for word, as Obi-Wan's description of Mos Eisley in Star Wars (1977).

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final fight scene with Obi-Wan and Darth Maul, Obi-Wan leaps up from the hole, and grabs the lightsaber with his left hand. As he twists above Darth Maul's head, the lightsaber is in his right hand, when he lands, it's in his left hand again.

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 Simpsons: Half-Decent Proposal (#13.10)" (2002)

TPM - Bashed for long enough?

Badly criticized by ..... critics who love to overintellectualize a film - you might find this worth watching if you already are a Star Wars fan. People say GL was saving the best for later (later prequel episodes) and its true that there are some juvenile sequences in the movie. But the backstory of Sidious pulling the strings to push the current Supreme Chancellor out of the picture as a devious prelude to his future schemes is what MAKES this movie. Only Star Wars fans can think something of this - even if you're not so keen. the story is THERE. The pacing is bad, but there are moments in this film that prove to be pure eye candy. The end duel with Darth Maul vs. Obi Wan and Qui Gon Jinn is one of the best fight scenes ever put on film despite this movie's imperfections. I rate this film an 8 out of 10. I certainly wish that this review is justified. Anyways, this could be a see and see again amongst Star Wars fans --- with fastforwards that is. (What I said about the pacing)