Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Liam Neeson | ... | Qui-Gon Jinn | |
Ewan McGregor | ... | Obi-Wan Kenobi | |
Natalie Portman | ... | Queen Amidala / Padmé | |
Jake Lloyd | ... | Anakin Skywalker | |
Ian McDiarmid | ... | Senator Palpatine | |
Pernilla August | ... | Shmi Skywalker | |
Oliver Ford Davies | ... | Sio Bibble | |
Hugh Quarshie | ... | Captain Panaka | |
Ahmed Best | ... | Jar Jar Binks | |
Anthony Daniels | ... | C-3PO (voice) | |
Kenny Baker | ... | R2-D2 | |
Frank Oz | ... | Yoda (voice) | |
Terence Stamp | ... | Chancellor Valorum | |
Brian Blessed | ... | Boss Nass (voice) | |
Andy Secombe | ... | Watto (voice) (as Andrew Secombe) |
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
The Phantom Menace far surpassed my expectations, probably because my expectations had been lowered by much of the negative criticism this film generated, mostly by disgruntled geeks who are afraid of change, like hardened conservatives panicking when a democrat wins an election. It's really childish and pathetic.
The "magic" of Star Wars is still present in Episode 1. Although this first film seems slightly bent toward a more younger audience, this in no way affects the quality of the film. The acting, plot, visuals, audio are all top notch. The main complaints for this film seem to center around Jar Jar Binks, a character I happened to really like. The underwater trip to the Gungan city and then to the capitol of Naboo was one of the best parts of the film, and I thought the interaction between Jar Jar, Qui Gon, and Obi Wan was splendid entertainment at its finest! Sure there are a few clichés throughout this film that serve as minor annoyances but they don't in any way inhibit that "magic" from shining through.
Episode 1 is a fine edition to the Star Wars saga, and one that did not deserve the rampant criticism it received by many. This is top notch entertainment, and George Lucas' complete Star Wars saga is a stupendous success, an impressive result of a vision and the drive to fulfill that vision. Thank you Mr. Lucas!