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Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace

Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace

George Lucas (1999)

132min
U Certificate
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Review

Our Score
No matter how hard George Lucas has tried to recapture the magic, that vital sense of wonder is missing from this first prequel to the original Star Wars films. Instead, Lucas provides a welter of incident, cosmic dilemmas, cryptic forebodings and idiotic dialogue. It's absolutely phenomenal on the visual front, but completely mindless in the story department as characters are placed in position to explain what we already know. Forget the overworked plot about Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) trying to stop the Trade Federation invading her peaceful planet with help from Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Marvel instead at the state-of-the-art technical wizardry and fizzing action that's just enough to keep nostalgic wistfulness at bay.

Summary

Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn are instructed to protect Queen Amidala when her planet is invaded. Escorting her away from danger, they meet gifted youngster Anakin Skywalker, who seems ideally suited to join the pair's order - but is unaware of just how powerful he could become. Sci-fi prequel, starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Ray Park.

Cast & Crew

Qui-Gon Jinn Liam Neeson
Obi-Wan Kenobi Ewan McGregor
Queen Amidala/Padme Naberrie Natalie Portman
Darth Maul Ray Park
Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidious Ian McDiarmid
Anakin Skywalker Jake Lloyd
Boss Nass Brian Blessed
C-3PO Anthony Daniels
R2-D2 Kenny Baker
Shmi Skywalker Pernilla August
Mace Windu Samuel L Jackson
Jar Jar Binks Ahmed Best
Director George Lucas
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Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: 20th Century Fox Film Co. LtdGuidance: Some violence. Available on: video, DVD and Blu-ray
Drama
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