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EPISODE I
THE PHANTOM MENACE
16 years have passed since George Lucas gave us Return of the Jedi, and there
has never been a movie more anticipated than 1999's Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
I first saw Star Wars in 1977, and as young as I was, I still was amazed and thrilled by the movie,
the story, the effects, the space battles, everything! So I'll be happily standing in line with the rest of the die-
hards, May 19, 1999 at the movie's Tucson premiere. Episode I will debut in 18 American cities on May 16 for
the purpose of raising money for local charities. Lucas has two sequels planned for the next five years, and there have
been suggestions of another trilogy set far in the
future, and more likely, a syndicated television series deal for Star Wars...
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(Star Wars songs sung to the tune of "You Shook Me All Night Long", "Copacabana", etc.)
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Here's a few small pictures lifted from the Internet:
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Ewan McGregor as young Obi Wan Kenobi. |
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This scene of Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter on Tatooine was cut from Star Wars (1977). In it, Luke spots a battle in space with his hyperbinoculars, but is unable to convince his friends at a local club that anything out of the ordinary is going on. Biggs is on leave from his duty with the Imperial Army (soon to defect to the rebellion) and he tries to convince Luke that the time is now to get away from his uncle's farm and leave Tatooine. |
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A smallish picture of Boba Fett, the most fearsome bounty hunter in the known galaxy. Fett captured Han Solo for Jabba the Hutt in Cloud City. He met his doom at the hands of Luke Skywalker and his friends, when he fell into the Sarlacc Pit on Tatooine. Rumors persist he escaped from the Sarlacc. Apparently he'll have some sort of role in Episode II. |
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Collage of scenes and characters from the Star Wars
films. From left to right, Liam Neeson as Qui Gon, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, R2D2 and C3PO, and an Imperial Walker (AT-AT). |
Episode I Premiered May 19,1999...
I wound up with a killer sunburn, but I stood in line for 2 hours and got tickets for the 12:30AM showing of The Phantom Menace in Tucson, May 19. The place was packed, and as soon as "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" flashed onto the screen, the cheers erupted. The words "THE PHANTOM MENACE" also brought lots of wild applause.
I really enjoyed The Phantom Menace. Still, I couldn't help feeling a little disappointment at a couple of things in the film. For one, George Lucas used entirely too many computer-generated scenes and characters. Some of the scenes look like something you'd see in a CD-ROM game; they look fake. Also, I thought Jar Jar Binks was cute at first, but I think he got too much screen time and wasn't really funny. He is obviously there for comic relief and for the kids. For some reason, everyone wants to add comic relief to drama. Jar Jar isn't funny. Luckily though, Phantom Menace wrapped up Jar Jar's role pretty well though, and I think he won't be back in Episode II. After all, if he did come back, he'd eventually have to be killed off, wouldn't he? Finally, I wasn't happy with the alien trade federation leaders, who spoke like actors in a bad Bruce Lee martial arts film, and the voice dubbing was just as bad!! But...for all that, I still loved this film!! The acting, I thought, was terrific. Liam Neeson ought to get a Best Actor nomination for Qui Gon, and Natalie Portman was excellent as Queen Amidala. Even little Jake Lloyd did a fine job; hey, it's hard to cheer for Darth Vader!! The lightsaber duels were exciting and breathtaking at times; the climactic battle with Darth Maul at the film's end is spectacular. And as always, the special effects were amazing.
May the Force Be With You!