The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo, a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation, puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness, the older Obi-Wan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way, they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), or as STAR WARS fans know him, the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a goofy, lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo, the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the sinister Darth Maul.
One of the most anticipated films of all time, THE PHANTOM MENACE sets the stage for the tumultuous events to come. Lucas fills the screen with detailed sci-fi creatures and locations, revealing the most creative and exquisite sets, costumes, and character designs to hit the screen since the original trilogy.
Rating: PG (MPAA) Rating Reason: For sci-fi action and violence. Runtime: 133 minutes DVD Code: Region 1 US, CA Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy Color: Color 2-Disc Set; Widescreen; Checkpoint Rating: DVD Features: 2-Disc Set Region 1 Keep Case - Checkpoint Full Frame - 1.33 Interactive Features: Scene Selection Interactive Menus Disc 1: STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE - Feature Presentation Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX - English Dolby Surround - English, Spanish Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary: George Lucas - Writer/Director; Rick McCallum - Producer; Ben Burtt - Co-Editor/Sound Designer; Rob Coleman - ILM Animation Director; John Knoll - Visual Effects Supervisor; Dennis Muren - Visual Effects Supervisor; Scott Squires - Visual Effects Supervisor Disc 2: STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE - Supplemental Material Additional Release Material: Music Video: John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra - "Duel of the Fates" Making Of: Part Web Documentary Featurette: 1. "The Beginning" 2. Deleted Scenes Documentary with 7 Deleted Sequences with Full Visual Effects 3. Storyline 4. Design 5. Costumes 6. Visual Effects 7. Fight Sequences 8. "Star Wars: Starfighter - The Making of a Game" from LucasArts Trailers: 1. Teaser 2. Original Theatrical Trailer 3. 7 TV Spots Interactive Features: Multiple Angles: Storyboard-to-Animatic-to-Film Comparisons - Submarine and Podrace Lap 1 Text/Photo Galleries: Stills/Photos Galleries: Poster Art DVD-ROM Features: Weblinks Pernilla August, Frank Oz, Frank Oznowicz, Ahmed Best, Hugh Quarshie, Liam Neeson, Anthony Daniels, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Adrian Dunbar, Ewan McGregor, Warwick Davis, Terence Stamp, Ralph Brown, Oliver Ford Davies, Samuel L. Jackson, Silas Carson, Kenny Baker, Kenneth George Baker, Brian Blessed, Natalie Portman, Ray Park
George Lucas
The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo, a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation, puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness, the older Obi-Wan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way, they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), or as STAR WARS fans know him, the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a goofy, lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo, the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the sinister Darth Maul. One of the most anticipated films of all time, THE PHANTOM MENACE sets the stage for the tumultuous events to come. Lucas fills the screen with detailed sci-fi creatures and locations, revealing the most creative and exquisite sets, costumes, and character designs to hit the screen since the original trilogy. () "...Impressive....A complex technical achievement..."
Sight and Sound (07/??/1999) "...Thrilling pod race and gorgeous images..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
Premiere (05/01/2000) "I have a bad feeling about this."--Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson)
"I don't sense anything."--Qui-Gon
"It's not about the mission, Master. It's something...elsewhere."--Obi-Wan
"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!"--Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman)
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you."--Yoda (the voice of Frank Oz) to Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd)
() "...It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway..."
New York Times (05/19/1999) Theatrical release: May 19, 1999.
() "...A visual circus of stunning effects. Once again, it simply boils down to a fight between good and evil, and the hordes of STAR warriors wouldn't have it any other way..."
USA Today (05/21/1999) "...An astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking....George Lucas and his collaborators have filled THE PHANTOM MENACE with wonderful visuals..."
Chicago Sun-Times (05/17/1999) |
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