A Reel 20: STAR WARS EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE

“Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

This month marks the 20^thanniversary of George Lucas’ STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE. 

During the run of the original STAR WARS trilogy (1977-1983), series creator George Lucas spoke often of the saga eventually becoming six to nine films. But in the early 1990’s, things were quiet. STAR WARS had been out of theatres for a decade, with light merchandising and Expanded Universe novels and comics exploring events after RETURN OF THE JEDI. But in 1997, Lucas re-released the Original Trilogy into theatres, with a few edits and enhancements, as a test-run to see if the public still remembered or cared about that far, far away galaxy. The results were outstanding, and Lucas set to begin a new trilogy of films; a trilogy that would explore the backstory of the Old Republic, the Clone Wars, the fall of the Jedi, and the rise of Darth Vader; events merely mentioned in the Original Trilogy. 

The writing of the script for EPISODE I actually began in 1994, and it was adapted from Lucas’ 15-page outline that he had written for STAR WARS in 1976. With a large budget and new special effects called CGI at his disposal, he was able to write and think grander; doing things that no STAR WARS movie had done before. These new ventures would include a massive pod-race, CGI characters, and large set-pieces ranging from underwater cities, grassy plains, and exotic cities. 

The film was taking place 30 years before the events of STAR WARS, but characters from the Original Trilogy were able to be brought back…and the film benefitted from the original actors being available to reprise their roles. Ian McDiarmid returned as Palpatine; the man destined to become Emperor. He was joined by Frank Oz (Yoda), Anthony Daniels (C-3P0), and Kenny Baker (R2-D2). Newcomers to the STAR WARS galaxy included Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, veteran actor Liam Neeson as a Jedi Master, Natalie Portman as the Queen of Naboo and eventual mother to Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, and eight-year-old Jake Lloyd would play Anakin Skywalker; the boy who would grow up to become Darth Vader. Other cast members included Pernilla August, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Park, Terence Stamp, Keira Knightley, and Ahmed Best…who would play Jar Jar Binks…the first ever CGI character in history. 

Filming took place in Italy, Hertfordshire, and Tunisia; where the first STAR WARS was filmed. THE PHANTOM MENACE would break new ground in visual effects, with over 1,900 of the shots in the film requiring CGI. LucasFilm would use old and new techniques to bring it to life; using old-school models and brand-new CGI effects. John Williams returned to provide the score. 

THE PHANTOM MENACE would be met with mixed reviews from critics and fans, but was still a box office smash and broke many records at the time. It would finish as the third-highest grossing film of all time behind TITANIC (1997), and STAR WARS; a position it would hold until 2009. It was nominated for three Oscars; Best Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects, and Best Sound. 

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Today, THE PHANTOM MENACE is looked at with vile by many STAR WARS fans; vile that probably only half is deserved. The film had issues in pacing, acting, and sections of dialogue that sounded like it came out of the first-draft of the script, and Jar Jar Binks with his over-the-top comedy was not received well. But the positives are many; the pod-race and other action set-pieces were fantastic and brought us something new, and the epic lightsaber battle near the end…fought by three combatants…was not only fresh but finally showed us fully-trained Jedi and Sith in their prime. The production design was sleek and gorgeous, and John Williams’ score ranks as one of his best. Jar Jar may be looked upon with hate today, but without him, the industry would never have moved forward with other CGI characters such as Rocket and Groot, Gollum, and the apes from the new PLANET OF THE APES films. 

THE PHANTOM MENACE had a task of setting the stage for a new STAR WARS trilogy, and it was also made to bring in new fans. The older fans may rebel against the decisions made, but the newer ones look at it as their gateway to STAR WARS. That, and the many seeds planted by Lucas, which spread into the rest of the saga, gives the film a lasting legacy.  

“Your apprentice, Skywalker will be.”