“Peace!”

From Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

In a universe that is both vast and diverse, there is a group of people that seek to do good and keep the peace all across the galaxy: the Jedi.  In an attempt to end a trade blockade of a small planet, the Republic Senate has sent Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to negotiate with the Trade Federation.  The Trade Federation is working with the Sith (users of the dark side of the Force) in an attempt to take over the planet of Naboo and the young Queen Amidala.  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are able to sneak the Queen and several of her guards and handmaidens (including the very bold Padme played by Natalie Portman) off Naboo.  Their journey lands them on the small desert planet of Tatooine where Qui-Gon finds a young slave named Anakin Skywalker, who seems to have a natural control of the Force.  It will be up to the two Jedi to keep Amidala and her handmaidens safe, end the Federation occupation of Naboo, discover the mystery surrounding Anakin, and defeat the Sith.

While this movie is Episode I in the Star Wars saga, it is the fourth movie that was released; this prequel lays the groundwork for the rest of the series, both to fill in the gaps created by the other previous movies and to develop the story for the following movies in the prequel trilogy.  The story is entertaining and multi-layered as a whole, but it is hard to connect with certain aspects of the movie because the timing of certain explanations are later than would have been helpful.  The visual effects are a bit rough, but also better that the original trilogy.  The introduction of the new (and younger) characters is handled well.  Overall, this is a movie that starts the saga off with a bang and helps to create a full story for Star Wars fans everywhere.

| Rated: PG | Running Time: 136 minutes |Genre: fantasy/action/sci-fi |

||Family Viewing||Cursing: 0 of 10|Nudity: 0 of 10|Sexuality: 0 of 10|Gore: 2 of 10

|AVAILABLE FOR HOME VIEWING|