Plot
Opening Crawl:
STAR WARS
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic
Republic.
The taxation of trade routes to
outlying
star systems is in dispute.
Hoping to resolve the matter with a
blockade
of deadly battleships, the
greedy Trade
Federation has stopped all
shipping to the small planet of Naboo.
While the Congress of the Republic endlessly
debates this alarming chain of events,
the Supreme
Chancellor has secretly
dispatched two
Jedi Knights, the guardians
of peace, to settle the conflict...
"The Phantom Menace" will begin with a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight, and mentor to Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) on a Republic Cruiser on their way to Naboo. They were sent by the Supreme Chancellor to try and calm feelings between the Naboo and the Trade Federation. On Naboo, Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) warns the Nemoidians. The Federation knocks out Naboo's communcations, and Governor Sio Bibble says, "a communications disruption can only mean one thing - invasion". After the Federation attempts to kill the ambassadors, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon board the Nemoidian's Trade Federation spaceship only to realize that the invasion of Naboo has already started.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon safely make it to the Naboo surface. They soon meet a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks (CGI Character). Gungans are natives of Naboo, and live underwater. Qui-Gon saves the Gungan from the battle droids. Jar Jar then takes Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon secret Gungan city of Otoh Gunga. There they meet Boss Nass, the leader of the Gungans. Qui-Gon asks Boss Nass to help the Naboo to fight the Federation, but Boss refuses. He sends the Jedi away, giving them a "bongo" submarine, to go through the planet core. Jar Jar, having been previously banished by the Gungans, has broken the Gungan's "nocomebackie law" and is scheduled to be pounded to death. Qui-Gon saves his life again by taking him as the Jedi's navigator aboard their new submarine.
As the sub moves through the ocean depths towards Theed, the Naboo Capital, they are pursued the Opee Sea Killer. They arrive at Theed and meet the recently elected Queen Amidala. The Queen goes under the alias Padm� Naberrie and leaves Naboo with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Captain Panaka, Jar-Jar, and her handmaidens. Their destination is Coruscant, where they will ask the Galactic Senate to help them in their struggle with the Trade Federation.
The Queen's ship falls under attack from the Federation. They have no weapons, and their ship is damaged. R2-D2 repairs the ship and saves the day. The result is a damaged hyperdrive and the Queen is forced to land on Tatooine to repair it. Meanwhile Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) has sent his apprentice, Darth Maul(Ray Park) to find Amidala.
On Tatooine, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, Padm�, and R2-D2 travel to Mos Espa spaceport to purchase the necessary parts to repair the ship. They explore Watto's Junkyard and find the parts needed. However, they have no way to pay Watto, (CGI Character) a Toydorian for the parts. Working in the shop is slave boy, Anakin Skywalker.
A sandstorm hits Tatooine, and Anakin shelters Qui-Gon in his home. They meet his mother Shmi Skywalker. They soon discover that Anakin can race pods. Racing pods recquires great skill, as well as Jedi reflexes, and Anakin is the only human who can race them. Anakin is building his own podracer as well. Qui-Gon can see that the Force is with Anakin. This leads him to believe that Anakin may fulfill that Jedi Prophecy. The one who will bring "Balance to the Force".
Qui-Gon later returns to Watto's Junkyard. Qui-Gon makes a wager with Watto: Anakin will race the "Qui-Gon's" pod in the Boonta Eve race. If Anakin wins, they will receive the parts they need. If he doesn't, Watto keeps the ship. Later, he bets Anakin's freedom from slavery against the podracer if he wins the race. Although Watto can see Anakin's skills, he doesn't think Anakin can win the race. Watto tells Sebulba to sabotage Anakin's Pod. Jabba the Hutt starts the race, which will go through Beggar's Canyon. Meanwhile, Darth Maul has made it Tatooine and, using his Sith speeder, has dispatched Sith probe droids to search for the Jedi and the Queen.
Despite the sabotage, Anakin manages to repair his Pod mid-race and defeat Sebulba and the rest of the racers. Watto tries to avoid the deal, reluctantly agrees. Shmi lets Anakin go with Qui-Gon to Coruscant to begin his Jedi training. However, Darth Maul has located the group, using probe droids, and is waiting for them at their ship. There is a fierce lightsabre battle between Qui-Gon and Maul. Qui-Gon barely manages to escape, and our group heads for Coruscant.
When they arrive, they are met by Naboo's Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) and Chancellor Valorum (Terence Stamp). Palpatine tells Queen Amidala that the Chancellor will not help their position, and the only way to save Naboo is the remove the Chancellor from power. She agrees and moves for Valorum to be removed from office. Palpatine is nominated to succeed him, and is later elected. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon meets with the Jedi Council. He tells them about the invasion of the planet, and the Sith involvement as well. He also tells the council that he beleives that Anakin will bring balance to the force. The Council strongly disagrees, but agree to test the boy. Yoda senses Anakin's fear and the council decides not to train the boy. Believing that the Jedi Council has made a mistake, Qui-Gon decides to train Anakin anyway.
Queen Amidala soon hears of the death toll of her planet. She returns to Naboo to take control of it once again. Jar Jar takes them all to the sacred hiding place of the Gungans. After telling Boss Nass about the Federation's invasion, the Naboo and Gungans form an alliance. The Gungans divert the attention of the Federation Battle Droids. Using this diversion, the Naboo people to mount a counter offensive. However, the Naboo are a peaceful people. Their army is very small and poorly equipped. Most of their star fighters are elegant escort craft and their pilots not well trained in combat. The Queen's Chief Security Officer, Captain Panaka does not believe they can prevail. However, now with the help of the Gungans, a counter offensive is Naboo's only hope. During the fighting, Anakin sneaks into a Naboo starfighter and flies it towards the Federation Battle Droid Control Ship. He destroys the ship singlehandedly, and deactivates the Battle Droids.
In the Main Hangar, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are met Darth Maul. A vicious fight occurs. After several tense moments, Qui-Gon is stabbed by Maul. Obi-Wan fiercly attacks Maul, and out of rage for the death of Qui-Gon, chops him in half. Obi-Wan promises to train Anakin, and Anakin's future is now Obi-Wan's responsibility. Obi-Wan asks Yoda if he can train the boy. Yoda reluctantly agrees with him. The last scenes are with a big funeral for Qui-Gon, and a celebration for the Naboo and Gungans.
� 1999 Jason Lee, [email protected]
"Star Wars: A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Return of the Jedi," "The Phantom Menace"
� Lucasfilm Ltd.