|
Actors: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson
|
|
| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Phantom Menace |
|---|
As war develops between the powerful Trade Federation and the tranquil planet of Naboo, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi travel to Naboo to warn Queen Amidala of the conflict soon to come. When Naboo is invaded, the Jedis evacuate the planet, taking the Queen and her court with them. Their journey takes them to the desert planet of Tatooine where they encounter a slave boy named Anakin Skywalker who Qui-Gon Jinn believes to be very strong in the way of the Force. Qui-Gon wins Anakins freedom in a podrace bet and takes him under his wing as his new padawan.
With the bumbling help of Jar Jar Binks, a clumsy Naboo native of the underwater city Otoh Gunga, Queen Amidala manages to forge an alliance with the Gungans and form a formidable army against the Trade Federation. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan battle Darth Maul, a double lightsaber wielding apprentice of the thought to be extinct Sith.
--Brandy Todd, Resident Scholar
|
Qui-Gon, and his apprentice, Obi-Wan are on a peace mission, but something goes wrong, a war starts. They get stranded on the planet of Tatooine with the Queen, her servant Padme, two droids, and a strange creature called Jar-Jar Binks. There, they meet young Anakin Skywalker, who Qui-Gon feels can bring order to the galaxy. He brings him with him to the Jedi Council, where Anakin is told by the master of Yoda that "sadness leads to anger, and anger lead to the dark side." This film is very masterful with its secial effects. The best scene comes from the pod race. The annoying things in the film, though, are Jar-Jar, and Jake Lloyd.
--Estefan Ellison, Resident Scholar
|
Two Jedi Knights intervene in a trade dispute that is the tip of a powerplay to bring down the Galactic Republic. Rescuing Naboo's Queen Amidala, they flee to Tatooine, where they stumble across a young boy with tremendous potential as a Jedi. Spectacular effects and good performances from Natalie Portman and Ewan MacGregor, but lacks the inspired energy of the original trilogy.
--Artemis, Resident Scholar
|
A young and inexperienced queen (Natalie Portman) has been elected to rule the pacifist planet of Naboo. She enlists the help of the Jedi (Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson) to help her get rid of the blackade imposed by the Trade Federation. She, the Jedi, and some select handmaidens escape but are forced to land on the desert world of Tatooine for parts where the must buy parts with nil to trade and meet a small boy with great potential (Jake Lloyd). They then make it to the capitol of the galaxy to plead for help only to be turned away. The evil Darth Sidious and Darth Maul (Ian McDiramid and Ray Park) attack when the heroes return to Naboo.
--Mara Jade, Resident Scholar
|
The worst Star Wars movie so far, the only redeemable part is the lightsaber fight at the end with Darth Maul, perhaps the best saber to saber combat ever in any Star Wars movie.
--steve, Resident Scholar
|
| Analysis of Star Wars Movies |
|---|
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
books by breaking them down into many different literary
elements, all of which are searchable (click here). |
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 50%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- science fiction story
kind of powers:
- clash between people with mental powers
War and Invasion
Yes
Major kinds of combat:
- laser battles
Part of a series?
- Star Wars
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can read emotions
- mind reading
- mind control
- is very quick
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Body type
- muscular (man)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- Very athletic
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average build (man)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male Alien
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- is very quick
- telekinesis
- mind control
- can see into the future
- can read emotions
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- bald
Hair style
- (man) bald
Body type
- muscular (man)
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Physical condition
- very athletic
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
A substantial portion of this movie takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
- inhabited by friendly aliens
- unfriendly aliens
- neutral aliens
- primative aliens
- big overbuilt futuristic city
Planet outside our solar system?
Yes
Takes place in spaceship?
Yes
Big cities?
Yes
Kind of city
- Beautiful sparkling advanced city
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Any profanity?
- None
Kinds of F/X
- exploding vehicles
- exploding spaceships
- exotic spaceships
- exotic aliens
- exotic big cities
- exotic alien landscape
If Soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Orchestra/classical
|
| Most similar reviews by Gordonator ranking |
|---|
| Star Wars Revenge of the Sith
starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman/Hershlag
|
| Star Wars - Attack of the Clones
starring Natalie Hershlag, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid
|
| The Empire Strikes Back
starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill
|
| Return of the Jedi
starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford
|
| Star Wars: A New Hope
starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
|
|
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
|
