Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Cast View all

	Liam Neeson	Qui-Gon Jinn
	Ewan McGregor	Obi-Wan Kenobi
	Natalie Portman	Queen Amidala
	Jake Lloyd	Anakin Skywalker
	Ian McDiarmid	Senator Palpatine
	Pernilla August	Shmi Skywalker
	Oliver Ford Davies	Sio Bibble
	Hugh Quarshie	Captain Panaka
	Ahmed Best	Jar Jar Binks
	Anthony Daniels	C-3PO
	Kenny Baker	R2-D2
	Frank Oz	Yoda
	Terence Stamp	Chancellor Valorum
	Brian Blessed	Boss Nass
	Andy Secombe	Watto
	Ray Park	Darth Maul
	Lewis Macleod	Sebulba
	Warwick Davis	Wald
	Steven Spiers	Captain Tarpals
	Silas Carson	Nute Gunray
	Jerome St. John Blake	Mas Amedda
	Alan Ruscoe	Daultay Dofine
	Ralph Brown	Ric Olié
	Celia Imrie	Fighter Pilot Bravo 5
	Benedict Taylor	Fighter Pilot Bravo 2

Crew View all

Director	George Lucas
Writer	George Lucas
Producer	George Lucas, Rick McCallum
Musician	John Williams
Photography	David Tattersall

Personal

Notes

Story Synopsis:
“Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace” opens with the Trade Federation, under the guidance of Darth Sidious, initiating a hostile takeover of the planet Naboo. Sent to negotiate, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) get caught up in the ensuing battle and flee along with Naboo’s leader, Queen Amidala (Portman). The group travel to the familiar desert planet of Tatooine to repair their ship that was damaged in the escape. It is there where they meet Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd). Sensing that young Anakin can bring balance to the Force, Qui-Gon begins training him as a Jedi. Later, on Coruscant, Amidala is aided in her plight by one Senator Palpatine (who suspiciously looks and sounds a lot like Darth Sidious, hmmm!). Traveling back to Naboo, the heroes join forces with the Gungans, the native inhabitants of Naboo, and wage battle with the Trade Federation’s army to restore freedom to the galaxy...and to set up “Episode II.” Note that this DVD edition runs approximately three minutes longer than the theatrical edition. (Michael Coate)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD picture is quite impressive. When compared to the previously reviewed Japanese import LaserDisc, the detail is excellent. Also very much improved is the contrast and color balance. Hues are better defined on the DVD, with no smearing. Viewed alone, images are sharp and finely detailed, though some scenes appear somewhat lacking soft. Colors are rich and well-balanced, with natural fleshtones, and truly deep blacks. Contrast and shadow delineation appear to be nicely rendered, providing excellent visual information in the darker scenes. Of course, the visual effects are stunning, and the many computer-generated images are sharp and detailed, with superb color. Unfortunately, the "dark side" of this DVD is unquestionably the amount of edge enhancement noticed throughout. Its presence can be downright terrible, but many scenes are free from its distraction. There is also some shimmering noticed in finer details. Overall, the visual presentation is truly an exciting experience, and the disc will surely be viewed many times over due to the exciting sonic experience. But sadly, edge enhancement can be obtrusive enough to downgrade the picture from reference quality. (Suzanne Hodges)


Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel discrete soundtrack is substantially lower in overall volume level than the previous Japanese import LaserDisc version, by around 7 dB. Even after compensating, the front and LFE levels still seem just slightly higher (about 1 dB), relative to the center channel, for the LaserDisc soundtrack, giving this version the slightest edge in terms of low-end punch. Otherwise as widely anticipated, the 5.1 audio is a superb sonic presentation that is a true testament to the achievements of the creative forces at Skywalker Sound. This is an aggressive, prominent film soundtrack that can be loud and possibly bright at times, even with Re-EQ engaged. Nonetheless, the fidelity is first-rate and indicative of an excellent film sound production. The engagement of the soundfield results in a fully spacious and enveloping listening experience that is highly worthy of commendation. All channels are actively engaged, yielding an energetic soundstage from all directions that places the listener right into the exciting and intense action sequences. The sound design of this film, from Ben Burtt is uniquely remarkable in that the crafting and placement of sound effects seems to create the intended visceral effect in ways that just aren’t experienced in other films. This is the first film to feature Dolby Digital Surround EX, which adds a back surround channel to the 5.1-channel configuration. Re-recording mixers Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson and Shawn Murphy have effectively and artfully engaged the back surround to elicit a convincing sense of both space and events happening from behind you. John William’s music score is exciting and engaging as usual, and Shawn Murphy’s excellent work with recording/mixing the score is revealed in the final sound mix. The result is a rich, expansive presence that is indicative of Murphy’s other works. The dialogue production is very good, with voices sounding natural and matching well with the visual environments. Perhaps the most noteworthy element of the soundtrack is the low frequencies, which distinguish themselves from other films in that the bass is incredibly deep, clean and penetrating with extension to well below 25Hz in all channels, to the extent that you can detect individual cycles of subsonic acoustic energies! Star Wars: Episode I continues the Lucasfilm tradition of offering great movie sound for a great movie experience, and the creative team behind the soundtrack deserves their credit for a wonderful production effort that fully delivers the intended visceral effect from the storytelling. (Perry Sun)


This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality
Superb Music Score Recording Quality
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality
Superb Color Fidelity
Superb Cinematography
Collector Edition

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