Star Wars: Episode 1--The Phantom Menace Movie Review 1999

Lucas' first "Star Wars" film in 16 years is also the beginning of his prequel trilogy. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and rebellious apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) are sent to the peaceful planet Naboo to aid young Queen Amidala (Portman), who is being forced to sign a Trade Federation treaty. When the Jedis escape to Tatooine with Amidala, they encounter a slave boy, Anakin (Lloyd), whom Jinn realizes is enpowered by the Force, and are pursued by the Federation and evil Dark Lord, Darth Maul (Park). The special effects are all they're cracked up to be (practically the whole thing is computer generated, but doesn't look it), and the action scenes have the zip and excitement you'd expect. The characters and story may aim a little more at kids than some would like, but those kids will be the teenagers that flock to see the next two. Some plot holes, but that's to be expected in the first installment of a trilogy.

Distribution

Fox Home Entertainment, PO Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213, Phone: (310)369-3900, Toll-free: 888-223-4FOX, Fax: (310)369-5811, URL: http://www.foxmovies.com/index1.html, Remarks: Also known as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 130 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Sci Fi, Alien Beings--Benign, Alien Beings--Vicious, Big Battles, Robots & Androids, Star Wars, Coming of Age, Childhood Visions, Top Grossing Films of 1999

Screenplay

George Lucas

Cast

Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Park, Pernilla August, Terence Stamp, Brian Blessed, Oliver Ford Davies, Hugh Quarshie, Ralph Brown, Sofia Coppola

Cinematography

David Tattersall

Director

George Lucas

Music

John Williams

Other

Ahmed Best, Frank Oz

Producer

Rick McCallum, Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century-Fox

Awards

MTV Movie Awards 2000: Action Seq.