While the visual effects, action sequences, musical score, and some performances (particularly Neeson and McGregor) were praised, criticism was largely focused on the screenplay, characterization, pacing, and the character of Jar Jar Binks.
Upon its release, The Phantom Menace received mixed reviews. The film's premiere was extensively covered by media and was greatly anticipated because of the large cultural following the Star Wars saga had cultivated. The Phantom Menace was released in theaters on May 19, 1999, almost 16 years after the premiere of Return of the Jedi. The film was Lucas's first directorial effort after a 22-year hiatus following the original Star Wars in 1977. Filming started on June 26, 1997, at locations including Leavesden Film Studios and the Tunisian desert and ended on September 30th. After he determined that computer-generated imagery (CGI) had advanced to the level he wanted for the prequel trilogy's visual effects, Lucas began writing The Phantom Menace in 1993 and production began in 1994. Joined by Anakin Skywalker-a young slave with unusually strong natural powers of the Force-they simultaneously contend with the mysterious return of the Sith.įollowing the release of Return of the Jedi, Lucas was unmotivated to return to the franchise and continue the story beyond Return of the Jedi, though the backstory he created on Anakin sparked interest in him to develop a prequel trilogy. Set 32 years before the original trilogy, during the era of the Galactic Republic, the plot follows Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi as they try to protect Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo in hopes of securing a peaceful end to an interplanetary trade dispute.
It is the fourth film in the Star Wars film series and first chronological chapter of the " Skywalker Saga". Older fans just have to tolerate a lot of tweaks.Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space-opera film written and directed by George Lucas, produced by Lucasfilm, distributed by 20th Century Fox and starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, and Frank Oz. Those DVDs - with “Limited Edition” in a gold banner atop the cover, including on "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" - start at $30-$42 from Amazon sellers and can be found easily on eBay.įor what it’s worth, the current Blu-ray release of the “Star Wars” saga presents the films in their best home-video presentations to date. The only problem? The letterboxed video was sourced from 1993 laserdiscs, resulting in poor image quality when played on modern high-def TVs. Lucas threw a bone to fans in 2006 when he released limited-edition DVDs of Episodes 4-6 that included the unaltered theatrical versions on a bonus disc. On the 2011 Blu-ray, the shots are nearly simultaneous. On the 2004 DVD release, the two shoot almost at the same time, but Greedo still pulls the trigger first. In the 1997 theatrical rerelease, Greedo shoots first and misses before Han returns fire. Take that confrontational scene between Han and the bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley cantina in “A New Hope.” In the 1977 theatrical release, Han shoots first.
Various Web pages chronicle all of the changes. That’s the conundrum for “Star Wars” fans who want to see the original trilogy’s films (Episodes 4-6) as they were when first released in theaters.Ĭreator George Lucas has continually tinkered with the films over the years, even the newer Episodes 1-3. If you want to see that scene from the original “Star Wars” film, the easiest way is to spring for an out-of-print 2006 DVD. Han Solo shot Greedo first, but that was a long time ago in a home video far, far away.