Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Name: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Released: May 19, 1999
Duration: 136 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman

1999

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1900 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1900 Ratings

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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: May 19, 1999 | PG

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman

Summary: 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 Skywalker, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home toStranded 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 Skywalker, 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.… Expand

Director: George Lucas

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 136 min

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Critic Reviews

Shawn Levy

Phantom may not be the best entry in the series, but it's the most technically accomplished, and it makes you as hungry for the next film as you've been for this one.

James Berardinelli

Not a masterpiece, but it's an example of how imagination, craftsmanship, and technological bravura can fashion superior entertainment out of something that is far from flawless. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

Let the killjoys squawk. Lucas has proved he has the Naboos to pull it off again. And again. And again. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Phantom is easily consumable eye candy, but it contains no nutrients for the heart or mind. Read full review

Film.com Sean Means

It earns an "Incomplete'' -- because we won't know the results until we see Lucas' next chapter.

Film.com John Hartl

Story. Character. They used to mean something to George Lucas. Read full review

Calum Marsh

It's difficult to discern precisely where this all went wrong, and even more difficult to speculate about possible improvements. Read full review

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User Reviews

MovieLonely94

Nov 1, 2010

George Lucas's epic masterpiece before the dark times.

49 of 120 users found this helpful4971

DBPirate1129

Apr 25, 2015

SKIP TO THE END FOR REVIEW SUMMARY.

The Phantom Menace is a divisive film, to say the least. Fan expectations were extremely high in 1999 when the film was released. However, I'd say that it's by no means as bad as people think. The Phantom Menace, the fourth Star Wars film but the firstSKIP TO THE END FOR REVIEW SUMMARY.

The Phantom Menace is a divisive film, to say the least. Fan expectations were extremely high in 1999 when the film was released. However, I'd say that it's by no means as bad as people think.

The Phantom Menace, the fourth Star Wars film but the first chronologically, follows Jedi Masters Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they help Queen Amidala save her planet of Naboo from invasion. Along their adventure, they meet Anakin Skywalker, who Qui-Gon believes to be the prophesied Chosen One that will bring balance to the Force. While the film seems inconsequential at first glance, it proves to be a worthwhile addition to the saga.

There are a few awkward lines here and there, but I find that the movie's plot, soundtrack, action, and effects more than make up for it. Qui-Gon, who we follow for most of the movie, is a rogue and idealistic Jedi. About midway through the movie, we get to see the other members of the Jedi Order and it's interesting to see how Qui-Gon clashes with their beliefs. Jar Jar Binks' (the controversial comic relief in the film) presence in the movie has definitely been exaggerated over the years. He by no means ruins the movie and even serves the story well by helping to set up the ending battle sequence. And I'm sure that most of you know already that the famous lightsaber battle at the end of the movie is well worth seeing. The film also benefits from the chemistry between Qui-Gon (Liam Neeson), Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August), and Anakin (Jake Lloyd).

I think that Star Wars fans today would really benefit from giving the prequels another go. They really aren't as bad as most people think. The Phantom Menace provides an engaging and interesting plot combined with some of the best action in the saga.

Review was redone ahead of The Last Jedi.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

pondelicious

Apr 22, 2014

I feel like people are far too harsh on The Phantom Menace. Sure the movie had its flaws (especially Jar Jar Binks and the Gungans) but I feel like the film had many great moments as well and did a great job of setting up the prequels. Qui Gon Jinh and Darth Maul were both great charactersI feel like people are far too harsh on The Phantom Menace. Sure the movie had its flaws (especially Jar Jar Binks and the Gungans) but I feel like the film had many great moments as well and did a great job of setting up the prequels. Qui Gon Jinh and Darth Maul were both great characters who rank among my favourite of all current films. The Medichlorian thing was strange but it doesn't bother me that much. I also believe that Episode 1 thankfully lacked the painful dialogue (except for Gunguns) that plagued the second and third films. Ultimately a great film… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

GrantD243

Apr 25, 2018

The Phantom Menace is another movie that had a crazy amount of hype behind it when it came out, or so I've been told... I actually didn't see it until around 2002 as I was still a very young chap when it came out in '99. And boy, I'm glad I didn't see this movie in the theaters. I can'tThe Phantom Menace is another movie that had a crazy amount of hype behind it when it came out, or so I've been told... I actually didn't see it until around 2002 as I was still a very young chap when it came out in '99. And boy, I'm glad I didn't see this movie in the theaters. I can't imagine how disappointed I would have been, and how quiet the car ride back home would have been. The characters are...okay, I guess? Darth Maul seems cool but we don't get a whole lot out of him (although his character was flushed out pretty well in the animated shows), young Anakin is...yeah, and Jar Jar is downright terrible. But hey, at least Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were pretty awesome. The plot is nothing special. It's essentially the story of how Anakin came to be trained by the Jedi (and how he met Padme), but it's not a very interesting story and honestly you could fast forward through most of this movie and you wouldn't miss much. Really, the only thing that redeems this movie for me is the duel between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan towards the end of the movie. Without that sequence, this would easily be the worst Star Wars movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Official

Dec 30, 2013

Not having watched the original "Star Wars" series, I thought that "The Phantom Menace" did not quite turn out as well as I expected. I mean, it has some cool scenes with the sabers and all that, but was quite boring and dull at times. I'm not even gonna mention some of the terrible acting.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

gameguardian21

Mar 6, 2016

Why did this happen. George Lucas made the best movie trilogy of all time, how could he screw this up. We had our expectations so high, we thought we were going to have the best movie experience after many years of waiting. But we were all so disappointed in this mess. The acting wasWhy did this happen. George Lucas made the best movie trilogy of all time, how could he screw this up. We had our expectations so high, we thought we were going to have the best movie experience after many years of waiting. But we were all so disappointed in this mess. The acting was terrible and awkward. The characters are undeveloped. The story sucks, and the cgi is way too much. At least we got on hell of a lightsaber fight, so we could calm down for a few minutes. I was very disappointed in this film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Bigmouth123

Jan 4, 2020

Horrible. Horrendous acting, dont get me started on Anakins horrible acting. Jar jar was even better than him tbh.

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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