Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

1999 • 136 minutes

About this movie

Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith.

Ratings and reviews

The prequel trilogy of Star Wars is a different breed than the original films, but all contained in the same universe with much of the same style and spirit. These movies also tell a much different story, with this first of three episodes focusing much more on the setup of a grand tale that gets paid off later on (making this film the brunt of much criticism and - amazingly - hatred). Still, it is a visually stunning piece of work, as fun and exhilarating as the original movies despite the heavier subtext. Clear your mind must be, if enjoy this movie you wish. While I never intend on making this the first movie to watch in the series (despite its episodic numbering), it still should be viewed under the pretense of having NO pretenses. It is an action/adventure, fun-filled flick that builds up slowly but deliberately and pays off in a superb montage of simultaneous battles. When you're done enjoying all that, check out some of the extra features and you'll get blown away again! Some of the best documentary pieces on a movie ever (sounds like I'm exaggerating, but not really) and feature after feature of making this amazing film (also great that they are here too, thanks Google!).

I have nostalgia for this thanks to some badass tie in games and videos like Mr. Plinkett's review. But if you never watch this movie you won't even be missing anything in the prequels. George could have just as easily started episode 1 with Shmi getting pregnant, or Plaqueis finding Palpatine or Obi Wan getting his lightsaber. None of this is relevant to anything.

Ich war leider etwas enttäuscht. Ich mag eigentlich die Star Wars Saga. Bisher kannte ich nur die ersten 3 (alten) Teile. Nun wollte ich doch man den ersten Teil ansehen. Der Film hat mich leider nicht gepackt. Ich fand, das zu viel palavert wurde. Wahrscheinlich liegt es einfach an der Zeit, man ist ja heutzutage mit Special Effects so verwöhnt, das man gar nicht richtig Lust auf die Geschichte bekommt.