These would be re-released in episode order, beginning with The Phantom Menace, which was released to cinemas on February 10, 2012. I wasn't involved in the story and the scenes lacked tension and danger.2) The film only truly started for me on reaching Tatooine. I finally got a chance to get to know the characters. [103], The teaser poster, featuring Anakin with his shadow forming Darth Vader's silhouette, was released on November 10, 1998. [37], Within three to four months of Lucas beginning the writing process, Chiang and his design team started a two-year process of reviewing thousands of designs for the film. [80] A two-disc "Ultimate Edition" was released on November 14, 2000. A pinball machine was created by WMS Industries. If you've discovered Unfortunately, this did not kick things off to a good start. [126], Lucas stated the 3D re-release was "just a conversion" of the film's 2011 Blu-ray release and no additional changes were made. [94], Despite worries about the film being finished on time, two weeks before its theatrical release Lucasfilm moved the release date from May 21 to 19, 1999. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, or simply known as The Phantom Menace, is a 1999 film and the first film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. [91] However, after meetings with the National Association of Theatre Owners, Lucasfilm agreed to allow advance ticket sales on May 12, 1999, provided there was a limit of 12 tickets per customer. The Trade Federation upsets order in the Galactic Republic by blockading the planet Naboo in preparation for a full-scale invasion. [63][77], As with previous Star Wars films, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace's score was composed and conducted by John Williams. Except for Jake Lloyd inside a hydraulically controlled cockpit and a few practical podracer models, the entire podracing scene—which the effects crew designed to be as "out of this world" as possible—is computer-generated. Some scenes, mostly of elements filmed by the special effects team, were shot on high definition, digital video tapes to test the performance of digital recordings, which Lucas and McCallum considered the next logical step because of the amount of digitizing—an expensive process compared to recording directly on digital media—for the compositing of computer-generated effects. It is written and directed by franchise creator George Lucas, who takes the director's chair for the first time since A New Hope.It was released on May 19 th, 1999.. Why would a commerical institution have an armada of deadly battleships? [88] Employment consultant firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimated that 2.2 million full-time employees missed work to attend the film, resulting in a US$293 million loss of productivity. Lucas began production of this film after he determined that computer-generated imagery (CGI) had advanced to the level he wanted for the prequel trilogy's visual effects. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Movies123: 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 … In its first two days of availability, the regular version sold 4.5 million copies and the limited edition sold 500,000. A Republic Cruiser landed in the Trade Federation Control Ship. However, because Lucas had developed most of the backstory, the idea of prequels continued to fascinate him. The words Ch'i (Chinese), gi (Korean), ki (Japanese), and the Indian term "Prana" all refer to the energy that is thought to flow through all living things, from the source of all chi (or power), which is "The Way" or "The Tao" in Chinese philosophy. After the Rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader and a bounty hunter named Boba Fett all over the galaxy. Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader. Duality is a frequent theme; Amidala is a queen who passes as a handmaiden, Palpatine plays on both sides of the war, among others. Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of the Force within Anakin, and is convinced that he is the prophesied "Chosen One," destined to restore balance to the Force. A funeral is held for Qui-Gon, attended by the other Jedi, who contemplate that there is still one Sith remaining. This page contains a list of cheats, codes, Easter eggs, tips, and other secrets for Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace for PC. Its an insult to the audience's intelligence (In a full theatre I swear I didn't see a single soul who looked under sixteen! During the invasion, Qui-Gon saves the life of a Gungan outcast, Jar Jar Binks. Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK. The film was nominated Choice Movie: Drama, Choice Movie: Villain and Choice Movie: Summer at 1999 Teen Choice Awards, but both lost to Cruel Intentions and Big Daddy, respectively. Particularly Natalie Portman and Pernilla August.3) The Pod Race was exciting and amusing.4) The final sabre duel was quite fantastic : Darth Maul prowling up and down like a caged tiger was a particularly excellent touch - it added real tension and anticipation to the scene.5) The music as always was magnificent. In 2012, IGN named Maul the 16th greatest Star Wars character. [102] A bootlegged version of the preview was leaked to the Internet the same day. [97], Lucasfilm spent US$20 million on the film's advertising campaign and made promotional licensing deals with Hasbro, Lego, Tricon Global Restaurants, and PepsiCo. - has George forgotten about the original fans). "[141] Georgetown University professor of African-American studies Michael Eric Dyson says that the entire Gungan species seems suggestive of a primitive African tribe, with Boss Nass portrayed as "a fat, bumbling ... caricature of a stereotypical African tribal chieftain. They went to a MTT Cruiser to escape. [59] The forest scenes on Naboo were filmed at Cassiobury Park in Watford, Hertfordshire. Eventually, they land on Tatooine, where they become friends with a young boy known as Anakin Skywalker. Sally Hawkins made her screen debut as an uncredited villager. Designer Trisha Biggar and her team created over 1,000 costumes that were inspired by various cultures. While fans were focused on Baby Yoda's return in 'The Mandalorian' season 2, the premiere featured a surprising 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' Easter egg. [125] However, the 3D re-releases of Episodes II–VI were postponed or canceled after Lucasfilm was bought by The Walt Disney Company, who decided to focus on the development of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Star Wars films typically mix several concepts from different mythologies together, drawing heavily from the hero's journey, an archetypical template developed by comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell. Two Jedi 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 claim their original glory. [29] Anakin was first written as a twelve-year-old, but Lucas reduced his age to nine because he felt that the lower age would better fit the plot point of Anakin being affected by his mother's separation from him. Directed by George Lucas. The film was the first of the prequel trilogy and is followed by Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and it was written and directed by Star Wars creator George Lucas. The production was quickly rescheduled to allow for repairs and was able to leave Tunisia on the date originally planned. Knoll, who remained on set through most of the production, worked closely with Tatterstall to ensure that the shots were suitable to add effects later. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is a bit of a sore spot for many Star Wars fans. However, unlike Jesus, Anakin will eventually fall from grace and seemingly fail to fulfill his destiny (until the prophecy comes true in Return of the Jedi). Lucas saw that there was still a large audience for his idea of a prequel trilogy, and with the development of special effects generated with computer-generated imagery (CGI), Lucas considered returning to his saga and directing the film. Lucas offered Coppola a role in the royal entourage, which she accepted because it "seemed like a good vantage point to watch without getting in the way". The voice actors were then removed and the live-action actors would perform the same scene alone. [186], "Star Wars I" redirects here. The Jedi escape and flee to Naboo. Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. McCallum stated that his experience with The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles led to many of his decisions on The Phantom Menace, such as long-term deals with actors and soundstages, the employment of recent graduates with no film experience, and the creation of sets and landscapes with digital technology. A relic of the original outline was that Anakin would, like his son, grow up on Tatooine. Joined by Anakin Skywalker—a young slave with unusually strong natural powers of the Force—they simultaneously contend with the mysterious return of the Sith. A 3D reissue, which earned an additional $102.7 million at the box office and brought the film's overall worldwide takings to over $1 billion, was released in February 2012. [82] The Star Wars film cycle features a similar Christian narrative involving Anakin Skywalker; he is the "Chosen One"—the individual prophesied to bring balance to the Force—who was conceived of a virgin birth. The preference of hand-to-hand combat was intended to give a spiritual and intellectual role to the Jedi. [42] Lucas later referred to the Jedi as "negotiators" rather than high-casualty soldiers. Another [172][173] The film won Saturn Awards for Best Costumes and Best Special Effects,[174] the MTV Movie Award for Best Action Scene,[175] and a Young Artist Award for Jake Lloyd's performance. After rescuing Queen Padmé Amidala, the group make their escape from Naboo aboard her Royal Starship, intending to reach the Republic capital planet of Coruscant. During a battle in the hangar, Anakin flees to a starfighter and accidentally triggers its autopilot, traveling to the battle against the Federation droid control ship and inadvertently causing its destruction from within, deactivating the droid army. Film historian Daniel Dinello says, "Anathema to Star Wars fanatics who thought they reduced the Force to a kind of viral infection, midi-chlorians provide a biological interface, the link between physical bodies and spiritual energy. [27] Lucas also began to change the prequels' timeline relative to the original series; instead of filling in the tangential history, they would form the beginning of a long story that started with Anakin's childhood and ended with his death. During a celebratory parade on Naboo, Padmé presents a gift of thanks to Boss Nass and the Gungans to establish peace. [124] Prime Focus Limited did the conversion under the supervision of ILM. [143] In an Entertainment Weekly review for the DVD release, Marc Bernardin gave the film a "C–", calling it "haplessly plotted, horribly written, and juvenile". Following the battle, Gunray is arrested by the Republic and Palpatine is elected Chancellor. Despite the anticipation, it received mixed reviews; critics praised the visuals, action sequences, themes, John Williams' musical score, and some of the performances (notably Neeson and McGregor), but criticized the screenplay, characterization, and the respective performances of Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks and Lloyd as Anakin. [98] Lucasfilm also helped the Star Wars fan club to organize an event called Star Wars Celebration, which was held in Denver, Colorado between April 30 and May 2, 1999. Biggar also consulted Gillard to ensure that the costumes would accommodate action scenes, and consulted the creature department to find which fabrics "wouldn't wear too heavily" on the alien skins. There wasn't a lot to like about the movie, and two of the best characters introduced in it died during the final lightsaber duel. Dudman's team was told where the creatures would be required six months before principal photography begun, and they rushed the production. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The scene in which toxic gas is released on the Jedi is the only sequence with no digital alteration. [168] In North America, its ranking on the Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation list climbed to 16th place—one place behind Return of the Jedi. Dominic West plays the role of an unnamed Naboo guard, and Sofia Coppola appears as Saché, one of Amidala's handmaidens. [137], Many aspects of the scripting and characters were criticized, especially that of Jar Jar Binks, who was regarded by many members of the older fan community as toyetic—a merchandising opportunity rather than a serious character. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. About 1,950 of the shots in The Phantom Menace have visual effects. It just ruins the mystique.6) Can we have less of the mindless gaffes that occur in the final battle scenes (You know the ones that save the day!) But not everything goes to plan. It's a shame that The Phantom Menace doesn't hold up to adult standards as well as most of the original three Star Wars films did. View production, box office, & company info. Knoll and his visual effects team wrote new computer software, including cloth simulators to allow a realistic depiction of the digital characters' clothing, to create certain shots. With the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, this is the perfect opportunity to recap the epic space opera audiences have enjoyed for over 40 years. Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, astromech droid R2-D2, and Padmé—disguised as one of her handmaidens—visit the settlement of Mos Espa to purchase a new part for their hyperdrive. It broke The Lost World: Jurassic Park's records for the largest single-day gross for taking more than $28 million in the opening day and fastest to gross $100 million in five days. The surviving members of the resistance face the First Order once again, and the legendary conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its peak bringing the Skywalker saga to its end. [74], Lucas, who had previously confronted problems with the props used to depict R2-D2, allowed ILM and the production's British special effects department to create their own versions of the robot. It grossed $64.8 million in its opening weekend, the second-ever highest at the time. They encounter a junk dealer, Watto, and his nine-year-old slave, Anakin Skywalker, a gifted pilot and engineer who has built a protocol droid, C-3PO. Title: [182], A sequel, Attack of the Clones, was released in 2002. [92] As a result, some advance tickets were sold by scalpers at prices as high as US$100 apiece, which a distribution chief called "horrible" and said was exactly what they wanted to avoid. As Obi-Wan pursues a new threat, Anakin acts as a double agent between the Jedi Council and Palpatine and is lured into a sinister plan to rule the galaxy. [120], Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment reissued The Phantom Menace on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download on September 22, 2019. [138][139] Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times described Binks as "a major miscue, a comic-relief character who's frankly not funny". This album featured the score, which Williams restructured as a listening experience; it is not presented in film order and omits many notable cues from the film because of the space restriction of the compact disc. Directed since Star Wars: Episode I - the Phantom Menace, which was for... 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