The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo, a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation, puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness, the older Obi-Wan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way, they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), or as STAR WARS fans know him, the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a goofy, lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo, the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the sinister Darth Maul.
One of the most anticipated films of all time, THE PHANTOM MENACE sets the stage for the tumultuous events to come. Lucas fills the screen with detailed sci-fi creatures and locations, revealing the most creative and exquisite sets, costumes, and character designs to hit the screen since the original trilogy.
Theatrical release: May 19, 1999.
Excerpt: "I have a bad feeling about this."--Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson)
"I don't sense anything."--Qui-Gon
"It's not about the mission, Master. It's something...elsewhere."--Obi-Wan
"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!"--Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman)
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you."--Yoda (the voice of Frank Oz) to Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
2-Disc Set
Disc 1
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 EX - English
Dolby Surround - English
Dolby Surround - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. George Lucas - Writer/Director, Rick McCallum - Producer, Ben Burtt - Co-Editor/Sound Designer, Rob Coleman - ILM Animation Director, John Knoll - Visual Effects Supervisor, Dennis Muren - Visual Effects Supervisor, Scott Squires - Visual Effects Supervisor
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Disc 2
Featurettes - 1. "The Beginning"
2. Deleted Scenes Documentary with 7 Deleted Sequences with Full Visual Effects
3. Storyline
4. Design
5. Costumes
6. Visual Effects
7. Fight Sequences
8. "Star Wars: Starfighter - The Making of a Game" from LucasArts
Making-Of - 12-Part Web Documentary
Multiple Angles Storyboard-to-Animatic-to-Film Comparisons - Submarine and Podrace Lap 1
Music Video - John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra - "Duel of the Fates"
Trailers - 1. Teaser
2. Original Theatrical Trailers
3. 7 TV Spots
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/ Photo Galleries:
Stills/ Photos
Poster Art
DVD-ROM Features:
Web Links
Animation Director
Rob Coleman: Visual Effects Designer
Assistant Director
Ben Howarth: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Assistant Director
Bernard Bellew: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Assistant Director
Chris Newman: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Casting
Robin Gurland: CASTING
Costume Designer
Trisha Biggar: COSTUME DESIGNER
Design Consultant
Doug Chiang: Production Designer, THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004)
Director of Photography
David Tattersall:
Executive Producer
George Lucas: Director/Producer, STAR WARS (1977)
Production Designer
Gavin Bocquet: Production Designer, XXX (2002)
Sound Design
Ben Burtt: Sound Designer - Star Wars films
Special Effects Supervisor
Nick Dudman: Makeup Designer/"Joker"
Stunt Coordinator
Nick Gillard: STUNT COORDINATOR
Visual Effects Supervisor
Dennis Muren: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects Supervisor
John Knoll: Visual Effects Designer
Visual Effects Supervisor
Scott Squires: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Special Effects
Industrial Light and Magic:
Review 1:
"...Thrilling pod race and gorgeous images..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
Source: Premiere
p.96 05/01/2000
Review 2:
"...A visual circus of stunning effects. Once again, it simply boils down to a fight between good and evil, and the hordes of STAR warriors wouldn't have it any other way..."
Source: USA Today
p.8E 05/21/1999
Review 3:
"...An astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking....George Lucas and his collaborators have filled THE PHANTOM MENACE with wonderful visuals..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.33 05/17/1999
Review 4:
"...Impressive....A complex technical achievement..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.34-5 07/??/1999
Review 5:
"...It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway..."
Source: New York Times
p.E1 05/19/1999
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