"Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" A new myth revived after 16 years

"Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" Synopsis

After rescuing Queen Amidala from the planet Naboo, which was on the brink of invasion, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan (apprentice) Obi-Wan Kenobi stop by the desert planet Tatooine. There, they meet Anakin, a slave boy with an extraordinary strength in the Force. After a fierce battle, Anakin wins the pod race and gains his freedom, and begins training to become a Jedi knight. After that, the group returns to Naboo, where the queen and Anakin face the invading army, and Darth Maul stands in Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's way. However, this invasion was only the beginning of the evil plan of the Sith, who have regained their powers once again...

Index

• George Lucas returns to directing after 22 years
• Silent movie experience
• Climax cross-cut structure
• Jar Jar Binks, a victim of the internet age

George Lucas returns to directing after 22 years

I remember well the year 1999 when "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" (1999) was released. It was the first new movie in 16 years since " Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi " (1983), and the excitement was building as the release date approached. At the time, I was studying English in New York, and the idiot boys at school were always talking about "Star Wars." I studied the original trilogy so much that I was worn out, watched the trailer for "Episode 1" on my computer's QuickTime, and rushed to the movie theater in Jedi mode both in body and mind.

I think I went to see it the day after the release date (May 19th) or the day after. Even so, the theater was packed with enthusiastic fans dressed up as Boba Fett or Darth Maul. In the seats right next to me, a couple of Stormtroopers were chatting away to each other. Directly behind me, a family wearing Star Wars shirts were stuffing their faces with huge bowls of popcorn. Right in front of the screen, kids were fighting with lightsabers, screaming. The atmosphere was more like an amusement park than a movie theater. Every time we made eye contact, someone would say, "May the force be with you."

And as soon as the words "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." appeared on the screen, the audience erupted in excitement. After that, when R2-D2 appeared, they applauded loudly, and when C-3PO appeared, they screamed loudly, creating a festive atmosphere that you can't experience in Japan. I will never have such a movie experience again. I was able to fully enjoy the joy of watching the new Star Wars movie with the fans.

Originally, George Lucas intended to end the great saga with " Return of the Jedi ". However, his friend Steven Spielberg was impressed by the CG that brought ancient dinosaurs to life in " Jurassic Park " (1993), and decided that with today's special effects technology, he could achieve a look that was appropriate for telling the new "Star Wars". The project for the new trilogy (prequel trilogy), which depicts Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side, has finally begun.

Lucas had no intention of returning to directing, as he had done in 1980 when he entrusted the direction of " The Empire Strikes Back " to Irvin Kershner and in 1989 when he entrusted the direction of " Return of the Jedi " to Richard Marquand. Ron Howard, known for " Apollo 13 " (1995) and " A Beautiful Mind " (2001), has revealed that he was approached to direct "The Phantom Menace." He was also a friend of Lucas's, having appeared in his breakthrough film " American Graffiti " (1973) during his acting days.

"Lucas approached me about directing. He talked to Robert Zemeckis, me, and Steven Spielberg. But everyone said, 'George, you should do it!' I don't think anyone wanted to take up the offer at that point. It would have been a great honor, but it would have been too difficult." (*1)

With persuasion from those around him, Lucas returned to directing for the first time in 22 years since " Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope " (1977). For someone who is originally an introvert, he must have been very anxious. The title "The Phantom Menace" refers to the Sith (those who control the dark side of the Force), who were supposed to have been extinct 1,000 years ago, but it may also have contained Lucas' own feelings about taking on the challenge of directing for the first time in a long time.

Silent movie experience