|
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Jake Lloyd. Cinematography by David Tattersall. Edited by Ben Burtt and Paul Martin Smith. Produced by Rick McCallum. Written and Directed by George Lucas.
Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) are commissioned to negotiate with the increasingly powerful Trade Federation regarding its blockade of the planet Naboo. The mediation turn violent and the Jedis escape to warn Naboo’s Queen Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) of an impending invasion. She reluctantly evacuates the planet but an attack from the Trade Federation leaves their ship damaged and they are forced to land on the desert planet of Tatooine.
While locating parts for their repairs they meet Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd), a young slave who appears to have a strong command of the Force. By means of a risky gamble, Anakin is released from captivity and travels back to Naboo with Queen Amidala and the Jedis to help free its people from the Federation’s occupation.
For years George Lucas had been dragging his feet towards launching a new Star Wars trilogy. One of his concerns about developing the prequel films was the limitations set upon him with existing special effects technology. If he was going to make the films, he was going to do them in a big way.
But when he saw what his special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, had produced for Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, he knew that the time had come to start developing the new project. So in late 1994 he dusted off the fifteen pages of notes he had written in the mid seventies as back story for Star Wars and went to work. The film would take place thirty some odd years before the first Star Wars film and would begin the chronicle of Anakin Skywalker’s inevitable journey to the dark side of the Force.
The anticipation for the new chapter in the Star Wars saga was nearly palpable. People literally lined up for weeks to get tickets to the first showing at their local theaters. Many movie houses reported huge increases in ticket sales to films that were simply featuring the Star Wars trailer prior to the show.
But when all was said and done, the fan reaction seemed to be rather mixed. The film is most certainly fun to watch and features some of the most breathtaking special effects shots ever seen in a film. There are also some incredible battle sequences that range from lightsaber duels to full fledged war between armies of thousands.
On the other hand, the film did seem to stray from the formula that was established in the original trilogy with its lack of speed and simplicity. The overall story is a bit more convoluted than one might have expected and there are a few sections that seem to drag on forever. Triumph or disappointment aside, Episode I was a huge financial success.
It set a new record for earnings in a single day with twenty eight point five million dollars and a five day record with almost one hundred and three million. It took less than a month to earn three hundred million and it just kept rolling until it was the fourth highest grossing film of all time. If Lucas had any concerns about being able to fund the entire trilogy by himself, The Phantom Menace dispelled them quickly.
Budget: $115,000,000
Total US Gross: $431,088,297
Genre: Science Fiction
Runtime: 133 Minutes
US Release Date: 5/19/99
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Awards:
Academy Awards:
Nominated for best sound effects, best visual effects, and best sound.
Tagline: Every Generation Has A Legend. Every Journey Has A First Step. Every Saga Has A Beginning.
Quote: “You refer to the prophecy of The One who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy?”
|
