Made in 1999, “The Phantom Menace” was the beginning of the prequels to the original three “Star Wars” films. This movie is used as a backbone to provide an origin story to what would be presented in the original trilogy. This movie shows who trained Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and how he became one of the most skillful Jedi Knight’s to ever exist. His master, Qui-Gon Jinn, was portrayed as a very wise Jedi Master. This movie also introduces drama between the Republic and the Trade Federation, and also a plotline involving a new Sith apprentice.
The Trade Federation was viewed on the bad side, because of the trade block on Naboo. This was their way of going against the Senate’s decision to tax shipping in free trading zones and planets. This created issues within the Senate, causing it to reelect members. While they had issues with reelecting with candidates working together, like Chancellor Palpatine and Queen Amidala, major war broke out between the Republic and the Trade Federation. The Trade Federation is also involved with the Sith. A big character in this movie is Chancellor Palpatine, he is seen in the movie being a member of the Senate of Naboo fighting against the blockade from the Trade Federation. He is also seen supposedly as Darth Sidious, the one who is training his apprentice Darth Maul. Darth Maul caused huge issues within the Galactic Republic, killing Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and almost succeeding in ending Obi-Wan’s life.
Days before his death, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Padme Amidala, and Jar Jar Binks crash landed on the planet Tatooine. and they needed new parts for their ship. On their trip they met an enslaved boy called Anakin Skywalker, a talented young boy who loved to pod race. Unable to purchase the parts they needed, Qui-Gon bet on Anakin winning a pod race; surprisingly, Anakin won. They had secured not only their parts but also Anakin’s freedom. Qui-Gon took Anakin under his wing, and started to train him after he saw something special in Skywalker. Anakin grew a deep connection to all of them, especially Padme. He eventually began training to become a Jedi after meeting the Jedi Council—consisting of 12 of the wisest Jedi, including Mace Windu and Yoda. After the death of Qui-Gon, the war settled down once the Republic defeated the Trade Federation and the Sith (for now). Obi-Wan was appointed to train the young Skywalker by Jedi Master Yoda, but Yoda identified major issues with Anakin being afraid of losing his mother, and repeatedly claiming that his future as a Jedi was “unclear”.
“The Phantom Menace” is one of the best movies for the aspect of foreshadowing. The movie hints at so many things like Chancellor Palpatine eventually becoming corrupt and Anakin’s future as a Jedi eventually being tragic after the council said his future was cloudy. They also hint at the his mother’s death in episode two from how much Anakin fears leaving his mother, and what would happen to her in episode one. The movie foreshadows how much Anakin and Padme would care for each other at such a young age. Lastly, the quote from Yoda being “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering.” This quote would have incredible significance due to what would eventually contribute to Anakin’s downfall due to his original fear. Overall, I would rate this movie a seven out of ten, because I love the foreshadowing, and how the movie explains almost everything from its roots. What brings the rating down is the government, and political drama can get confusing. However, I think it adds depth to what the drama in each movie would eventually become.
