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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) 6.5
Ratings:
6.5/10 from 324,033 users
Metascore: 51/100
Reviews: 3,422 user | 331 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com Two Jedi Knights escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to reclaim their old glory. Director:George LucasWriter:George Lucas |
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Liam Neeson | ... | ||
| Ewan McGregor | ... | ||
| Natalie Portman | ... | ||
| Jake Lloyd | ... | ||
| Ian McDiarmid | ... | ||
| Pernilla August | ... | ||
| Oliver Ford Davies | ... | ||
| Hugh Quarshie | ... | ||
| Ahmed Best | ... |
Jar Jar Binks
(voice)
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| Anthony Daniels | ... |
C-3PO
(voice)
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| Kenny Baker | ... | ||
| Frank Oz | ... |
Yoda
(voice)
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| Terence Stamp | ... | ||
| Brian Blessed | ... |
Boss Nass
(voice)
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| Andy Secombe | ... |
Watto
(as Andrew Secombe)
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to confront the leaders. But not everything goes to plan. The two Jedi escape, and along with their new Gungan friend, Jar Jar Binks head to Naboo to warn Queen Amidala, but droids have already started to capture Naboo and the Queen is not safe there. Eventually, they land on Tatooine, where they become friends with a young boy known as Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon is curious about the boy, and sees a bright future for him. The group must now find a way of getting to Coruscant and to finally solve this trade dispute, but there is someone else hiding in the shadows. Are the Sith really extinct? Is the Queen really who she says she is? And what's so special about this young boy? Written by simon
Taglines:
Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
19 May 1999 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace See more »Box Office
Budget:
$115,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$210,600,000 (Non-US) (6 August 1999)Gross:
$474,544,677 (USA) (1 June 2012)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
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.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Dates in Star Wars are based around the Battle of Yavin (in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope):- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace takes place 32 years BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin),
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones is 22 BBY,
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is 19 BBY,
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope: is 0 BBY,
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is 3 years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin),
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is 4 ABY.
Goofs
When listing candidates for Chancellor, Captain Panaka includes "Bail Antilles of Alderaan." Some viewers think he means Bail Organa of Alderaan (played by Jimmy Smits in later movies). However, there is nothing unusual about two men from the same province having the same first name. The script explains that these are indeed two different characters. See more »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.
See more »
I have been a 'Star Wars' fan since first seeing it back in 1977 at the age of thirteen. I've seen 'A New Hope' at least twenty times, 'The Empire Strikes Back' about a dozen, and 'Return of the Jedi' more than once. I've read many of the novels and to this day still collect toys and action figures. I spent eight hours in line for tickets and a seat, finally seeing 'The Phantom Menace' on the first day at 3:00 AM. I desperately wanted to like it, and made every attempt to make allowances and keep an open mind.
But I couldn't do it. It was just too pathetic.
Had this movie been made by someone else, I might not be so critical. But George Lucas has always insisted that cutting-edge effects are secondary to a good story. Too bad someone close to him doesn't remind him of this. I've heard Lucas say he hates to write. Well, it shows. Most scenes are just tedious, obligatory filler material between spectacular effects sequences. Rather than illustrate character through action and behavior, the script delegates that task to other characters to say aloud.
Even though the first movies appealed to both children and adults, many defend 'The Phantom Menace' by saying it was made just for kids. But I find it hard to imagine children caring about trade disputes. And the level of violence is more suitable for teens and adults. Besides, how will these children in the audience react in a few years when their hero 'Ani' grows up, turns evil and kills everyone?
Perhaps George Lucas' biggest crime is his attempt to explain the Force in scientific terms. This not only contradicted what had been established in the other films, but it eliminated the one thing that distinguished 'Star Wars' from standard science fictions films - an element of fantasy.
Although all the archetypes of the original are here: a wide-eyed youth, a wise mentor, an alien sidekick and a royal damsel in distress, this time it doesn't work. Keen characters and witty dialog have been replaced by potty humor and pratfalls. This will be the last 'Star Wars' film I ever see.