Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms of story chronology. The film was also Lucas' first production as a film director after a 22-year hiatus following the original Star Wars film, and only his fourth overall.
The film follows the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, who escort and protect Queen Amidala in traveling from the planet Naboo to the planet Coruscant in the hope of finding a peaceful end to a large-scale interplanetary trade dispute. It also features a young Anakin Skywalker before he became a Jedi, introduced as a young slave boy who seems to be unusually strong with nascent powers of The Force, and must contend with the mysterious return of the Sith.
Lucas began production of this film after he had concluded that the science of film special effects had advanced to the level of what he wanted for his fourth film in the saga. Its filming took place during 1997 (started on June 26, 1997) at various locations including Leavesden Film Studios and the Tunisian desert. Its special effects included extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), with some of its characters and its settings being completely computerized and not existing at all in the real world.
The film premiered in theaters on May 19, 1999, sixteen years after the 1983 premiere of the previous Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. The film's premiere was accompanied by considerable hype, extensive media coverage and great anticipation, due to the large cultural following its predecessors had created. Despite mixed reviews by critics, who tended to praise the visuals and action sequences but criticize the writing, characterization and acting, it grossed $924.3 million worldwide during its initial run in theaters, making it the highest-grossing Star Wars film (unadjusted for inflation). A 3D reissue was released in February 2012, which has earned an additional $102.7 million at the box office, bringing the film's overall worldwide total to over $1 billion, making it the 12th highest-grossing film of all time.
Synopsis
The film begins with an opening crawl saying that the Galactic Republic is in a period of decline in the last few years. In response to a taxation on trade routes, the Trade Federation organizes a blockade of battleships around the planet of Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum dispatches two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, to negotiate with Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray to end the blockade route.
However, the Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious, orders the Viceroy to kill the Jedi Knights and invade Naboo with an army of battle droids. The two Jedi escape by stowing aboard landing craft and escaping to Naboo. There, Qui-Gon saves Gungan outcast Jar Jar Binks from being crushed alive by a Federation tank. Indebted to the Jedi, Jar Jar leads them to the underwater Gungan city of Otoh Gunga; there, the Jedi unsuccessfully attempt to persuade the Gungans to help Naboo, though they are able to obtain a transport to reach the Capital city of Theed on the surface of Naboo.
The leader of Naboo, Queen Amidala, is captured by the Federation army, but is rescued by the Jedi. The Queen escapes Naboo with the Jedi on her personal starship, which is damaged on its way through the blockade surrounding the planet, forcing them to land on the planet Tatooine for repairs. Qui-Gon ventures into the settlement of Mos Espa with Jar Jar and the astromech droid R2-D2 to a junk shop to purchase a new hyperdrive generator. The queen allows Padmé, a handmaiden and her servant, to journey along with them.
While cruising around the planet of Tatooine, they meet a slave child named Anakin Skywalker, a gifted pilot and engineer who has created his own protocol droid, C-3PO, who helps him around with the house chores. Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of the Force within the boy, and suspects he may be the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who will bring balance to the Force. Qui-Gon makes a bet with Anakin's owner, Watto, to enter him in a podracing tournament; if Anakin wins, he will be freed. Qui-Gon also lies that the ship Anakin built is his own. Anakin wins the race and joins the group to be trained as a Jedi, but he is forced to leave his mother Shmi behind. They are attacked by Darth Sidious' apprentice, Darth Maul, who was dispatched to capture the Queen.
Having escaped the attack, the Jedi escort the Queen to the Republic's capital planet of Coruscant so she can plead her people's case to the Galactic Senate. Qui-Gon informs the Jedi Council about his recent attack on Tatooine and suspects of his attacker being a Sith. Qui-Gon also asks to train Anakin as a Jedi, but the Council, concerned that the boy's future is clouded by fear, refuses to let him. Meanwhile, Senator Palpatine of Naboo convinces the Queen to make a motion of no confidence in Valorum in attempt to vote for a stronger Chancellor who will help end the conflict. She pushes such a vote, but grows frustrated with the corruption in the Senate, ultimately deciding to return to Naboo with the Jedi Knights.
Back on Naboo, Padmé reveals herself to be the real Queen Amidala, the other "Queen" having been a decoy. Padmé manages to convince the Gungans to form an alliance against the Trade Federation. While Jar Jar leads his people in a battle against the droid army, the Queen tries to capture Gunray in Theed, Anakin pilots a vacant starfighter (by an accident) and joins the fight against the Federation droid control ship in space. Trying to find a way to leave the battle, he accidentally ventures into the ship, but then blasts through the ship and disables the sensors and the ship's engines, destroying the ship, thus deactivating the droid army down on Naboo.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon encounter Darth Maul once more and engage him in a lightsaber duel. Despite Maul's enormous skill, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon gradually force him to give ground; however, Obi-Wan is delayed when Maul knocks him off a platform, and when he catches up to them a temporary energy barrier prevents him from rejoining the duel. Facing Qui-Gon alone, Maul stabs him through the chest, mortally wounding him. Obi-Wan arrives, and in a fit of rage cuts away half of Maul's double-bladed lightsaber; however, Maul wears him down and disarms him, trapping him on the edge of an abyss. As Maul gloats, Obi-Wan calms himself, leaping out of the pit and summoning Qui-Gon's lightsaber; he cuts Maul in half, knocking him into the abyss. Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan to train Anakin and become his teacher, then dies. Palpatine is elected as the new Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, the Federation leader Viceroy is sent to stand trial for his crimes, Obi-Wan is bestowed the rank of Jedi Knight, and the Jedi Council accepts Anakin as Obi-Wan's young padawan (apprentice). However, the Jedi are still mystified by the recent reemergence of the Sith, and even at Qui-Gon's funeral they are left to wonder if Darth Maul was the Sith master or merely the apprentice, since there are always two of them. At a festive ceremony, Padmé presents a gift of appreciation and friendship to the Gungans, and smiles at Anakin.
