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| 2012 3-D poster |
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| Original 1999 movie poster |
In 1977 the first Star Wars film was released in theaters. Since then, it has become one of the most popular movie series of all time. Two sequels were made after Star Wars (renamed Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in 1999) in 1980 and 1983. Years later, a fourth Star Wars film was made, but it told the story of what came before the original films. Thus, The Phantom Menace was named Episode I...even though it was the fourth to be made. Slightly confusing?
The Phantom Menace broke box-office records at the time, passing The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It also quickly passed the popular Independence Day and Titanic. It was re-released in theater in 2012, where it currently is the 12th highest-grossing film ever. The movie's cast includes Liam Neeson as Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Natalie Portman as Queen Padmé Amidala.
SUMMARY
The greedy Trade Fedaration has blockaded the small planet Naboo in hopes building up their organization. The Chancellor of the Republic has sent two Jedi to negotiate a peace treaty with the Fedaration. Once on board, an attempt is made to poison them.
The Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his pupil Obi-Wan Kenobi escape to Naboo. They meet a creature named Jar Jar Binks who takes them to his hidden underwater city. The king sends the Jedi and Jar Jar away in a submarine. They head for the capital city Theed in order to warn the Queen and her advisors.
Once they reach the Queen, they persuade her to accompany them to the galactic capital Couruscant. During their escape, though, their ship is damaged and they must land on a desolate desert planet. There, they must depend on the racing talents of a young boy, Anakin Skywalker, to get their ship up and running.
After receiving no help from the corrupted Senate, the heroes return to Naboo where they make a daring plan to confront the evil Trade Fedaration and their droid army.
CONTENT
The violence is about the same as the previous Star Wars movies. Most of the casualties during battle are that of droid robots. Some humans and gungan creatures are killed, but nothing gory or violent is shown. There is one scene where an alien (that looks similar to a human) is cut in half with a lightsaber and the two pieces are seen falling down a pit. A man is also stabbed with a lightsaber and viewers briefly see the wound. Something to mention, though, is the evil Sith lord Darth Maul. His skin is red and black and he has horns on the top of his head, making his appearance frightening to younger viewers.
There is no language in the movie. Some of the aliens speaking in their languages are said in the subtitles to "curse."
As in the three previous Star Wars films, there is the use of the "energy field" called the Force. Qui-Gon meditates at one point in the film and he also explains about life forms known as Midi-Chlorians that are what produce life and tell the Jedi the will of the Force. Also, one of the characters has supposedly been "conceived" by the Force (though they don't specifically say this) and is called the Chosen One. I'm not sure whether or not the makers meant to mock Christianity and Jesus Christ, but I don't like these parts.
Despite some drawbacks, The Phantom Menace is an exciting adventure film. Being a Star Wars movie, it is one of the greater science fiction films. My dad is not a fan of science fiction films, but he still will watch it with us. With lightsabers, space battles, and droid armies, The Phantom Menace is, in my opinion, a great action movie!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 136 minutes
Rating: PG (for sci-fi action/violence)
Director: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Music: John Williams
Year of release: 1999
Primary audience: Pre-teens, teens, adults
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