- #Star wars episode i the phantom menace poster plus
- #Star wars episode i the phantom menace poster series
#Star wars episode i the phantom menace poster series
It is the fourth film in the Star Wars film series and first chronological chapter of the " Skywalker Saga". Yes, the wrapper might be a tad bit flashier than the present inside, but its a gift given with a lot of heart and the best of intentions.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. Despite its many drawbacks, I am drawn continually to rewatch The Phantom Menace: for its artistry, for its lines ("There's always a bigger fish"), for those rare human moments, and to soak in this latest addition to the Star Wars text. I can see Academy Awards next year for all these achievements. The production design and cinematography (both real and CGI) create vistas of unparalleled beauty and richness: from the Italianate arches and domes on Naboo, to the art nouveau-inspired underwater air-globes of the Gungans, to the dramatic cityscapes of Coruscant. John Williams has certainly outdone himself with the soundtrack, particularly "Duel of the Fates," which introduces choral voices into the Star Wars musical repertoire, ominous voices that sometimes hiss and sometimes howl the forboding Sanskrit text. The costumes are outstanding, especially Queen Amidala's Asian-influenced wardrobe. Every step of the plot has the look of careful craftsmanship every twist and turn of the plot had relevance. It's the perfect smokescreen to disguise the rise of an evil empire. A trade dispute! Complete with procedural wranglings in a galactic senate rife with corruption and bureaucracy (watch for the cameo appearance of Spielberg's ETs) and a sinister Darth Sidious pulling the political strings. I love that all this begins with a trade dispute.
#Star wars episode i the phantom menace poster plus
On the plus side: Lucas can weave a wonderfully rich narrative tapestry. It was so blatant I began to wonder what other bits were modified that way. The first time I noticed it (it was the fourth time I've seen the film) I was taken aback. Pay special attention to Anakin after Shmi says, "He can help you, he was meant to help you." Anakin's face is clearly digitally manipulated to turn sideways. Those scenes were clearly doctored in post-production I believe Lucas took different takes of Lloyd saying lines and splicing those with Pernilla August's. Watch carefully his scenes at the dinner table, sitting with Qui-Gon at night, and saying goodbye to his mother. Traces of post-production fiddling is evidenced most forcefully with Jake Lloyd's Anakin. That hand on the shoulder was probably the BEST moment in that film, a sign of human connection in a swirling clash of galactic politics gone awry. Neeson revealed that it took him a long time to convince Lucas to allow Qui-Gon to place a hand on Shmi's shoulder after he convinces her to allow him to take Anakin away to Coruscant. In other words, Lucas simply expected the actors to say lines devoid of emotional content, as if the post-production could somehow invest emotional motivation. First, he noted that Lucas was reticent to give the actors any motivation for lines, expressions, or anything. In an interview in Premiere Magazine, Liam Neeson gave a telling anecdote that illustrates my point. To me, the best moments were those intimate, interpersonal moments-Padme giving Anakin a blanket, Qui-Gon placing his hands on Anakin's shoulders in the Jedi temple, and ESPECIALLY all those moments with Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother. PM is technically brilliant, yet it is so technically brilliant that it lacks a certain "human" warmth. Phantom Menace reminds me of something someone said of Citizen Kane: A hollow masterpiece. Overall, Episode One ranks above Episode Six, about par with Episode Four, but certainly nowhere near the grandeur and wit of Episode Five. But I am a committed fan (in the sense of being devoted, not insane), and I feel the need at least to declare publicly my admiration for Lucas' latest work, and also a few of my concerns. With all the voices and opinions and critical ravings about The Phantom Menace, I am sure that one more voice weighing in ain't gonna make that much of a ripple.
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