Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (film)
"Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace" is the first installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and was released in 1999, marking the franchise's return after a 16-year hiatus. Directed by George Lucas, the film shifts focus from the original trilogy's protagonist, Luke Skywalker, to the early life of Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes the infamous Darth Vader. The narrative introduces Anakin as a young boy with exceptional talents, while also featuring characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor, and Queen Padmé Amidala, portrayed by Natalie Portman.
Set against a backdrop of political turmoil, "The Phantom Menace" explores themes of destiny, good versus evil, and the consequences of power. The film is noted for its groundbreaking special effects, showcasing advanced CGI characters like Jar-Jar Binks. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and some disappointment from long-time fans, it achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $430 million in the U.S. and nearly $1 billion globally. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards in technical categories, highlighting its impact on the industry. The film's release reignited interest in the Star Wars saga and contributed to its enduring cultural legacy.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (film)
Director and writer George Lucas (1944- )
Date Released on May 19, 1999
A long-awaited fourth film in the Star Wars saga and the first story in the chronology, this prequel was met with mixed reviews by fans and critics. Nevertheless, the film’s visual artistry earned praise from a number of reviewers.
The Phantom Menace was the first Star Wars movie to be released in sixteen years, following Star Wars (1977; later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope), Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983). George Lucas conceived of the saga as akin to old-time serials such as Flash Gordon, billing the 1977 film in its novelization as being “From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker.”
Luke is a young man from a backwater planet who is told by Obi-Wan Kenobi that his father was a Jedi Knight, one of the psychically talented guardians of the universe betrayed, and was killed by one of their own number, Darth Vader. This leads Luke and his ragtag group of companions, including Princess Leia and Han Solo, into a conflict with the Galactic Empire, which had seized power from the Old Republic. As the story unfolds in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Luke undergoes Jedi training and learns that Vader is his father, tricked and manipulated by the powerful Emperor into turning to the Dark Side as a Sith lord. He has a confrontation with the Emperor in which Vader saves Luke’s life but loses his own.
Even before the last two segments of the story, Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith (2005), audiences realized with The Phantom Menace that the latest saga was not about Luke Skywalker at all but about the early life of Darth Vader, taking the series in an unanticipated direction. The film was not a sequel but a prequel revealing the boyhood days of Anakin Skywalker, played by Jake Lloyd in this film and later by Hayden Christensen. The Phantom Menace also starred Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, Liam Neeson as Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, and Natalie Portman as Queen Padmé Amidala, the future mother of Luke and Leia.
Lucas had waited for the development of new special effects before attempting The Phantom Menace, which was also the first film recorded in Dolby Digital Surround EX. The film featured Jar-Jar Binks, a detailed computer-generated character that interacted extensively with the live actors.
Impact
Star Wars and its many spin-offs had always been in the pop culture background of youngsters born around the early 1990’s. It had influenced the science-fiction genre in many ways, including the special effects taken for granted in such films, and references to its characters and themes were part of everyday conversations. It was not until nearly the end of the decade, however, that they got to see something new in the science-fiction universe created by George Lucas. Toys and other merchandise were successfully marketed, and lines formed at some theaters for weeks before the film’s premiere. Despite a generally poor critical reception and the disappointment of some longtime fans, The Phantom Menace earned more than $430 million in the United States and almost $1 billion worldwide and was nominated for three Academy Awards in technical categories.
Bibliography
Hearn, Marcus. The Cinema of George Lucas. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2005.
Pollock, Dale. Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas. Updated ed. New York: Da Capo Press, 1999.