It's been 10 years since the events of Episode I took place. This film is probably my least favorite of all six films, primarily due to the screenplay, but it does bring forth lots of new information.
The Jedi Council has dispatched Anakin to escort Padme (formerly Queen Amidala) back to Naboo, while Obi-Wan is sent to Kamino to investigate an assassination attempt on Padme's life. On Kamino, Obi-Wan finds out that a man named Sifo-Dyas placed an order for a gigantic clone army almost 10 years ago. What isn't known about this in the film, is that Sifo-Dyas never actually placed the order for the clone army. This action was completed by a changeling, disguised as Sifo-Dyas that Count Dooku hired shortly after the events of Episode I. Dyas had since been killed by the Emperor, because he refused to join the Emperor's cause in conquering the galaxy. There was another man who is not mentioned in the film who is known as Visivious Drakarn. Drakarn was a trouble-making, young Jedi who was punished for acts early on by the Jedi Order. In the meantime, the Emperor and Count Dooku sought him out. Still resentful regarding his punishment, Drakarn returned to Corruscant following his punishment and deleted the files in the database outlining Kamino's existence, by order of Count Dooku.
We see the start of the doomed-to-fail relationship between Anakin and Padme, as well as Anakin's continuing defiance of orders and authority. On Naboo, Anakin starts having nightmares about his mother being in danger. Vowing to protect his mother, Anakin and Padme leave Naboo and return to his home planet of Tatooine. There, he finds that his mother had been freed of her slave life, married a man named Cliegg Lars, but had also been captured by the Sand People. When Anakin's mother later dies in his arms, he becomes vengeful and destroys the Sand People's camp. There's an interesting scene where Yoda senses Anakin's anguish and if you listen close, you can hear Qui-Gon Jinn's voice yelling, "Anakin! Nooo!" (In reference to Anakin's vengeful slaughter of the Sand People.)
During the battle on Geonosis, Mace Windu, a formidable Jedi Council Member kills Jango Fett. Jango was responsible for the clone template used on Kamino to craft the clone army. Boba Fett, his son witnesses his father's demise on the battlefield at the hands of a Jedi. Thus, cementing Boba's hatred for the Jedi Knights, and ultimately his quest as a bounty hunter, like his father before him.
Near the end, we come to the lightsaber duel between Anakin, Obi-Wan, Count Dooku and Yoda. The duel with Obi-Wan and Anakin against Dooku while short-lived, illustrated Anakin's further disobedience with his Master. Dooku quickly put the young Jedi's attack down by cutting off his hand. (Something about Lucas and those limbs.) Yoda then enters the scene and lays the smack down on Dooku, who flees the cave.
It's all becoming more clear. Palpatine still remains the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic and the Senate. The Separatists are growing increasingly impatient over Palpatine's unwillingness to surrender power, in the efforts to restore democracy. Now, Palpatine has a grand clone army charged with protection of the Republic against the Separatists.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Post 4 of 6)
16 years after the release of 'Return of the Jedi', Lucas dominates the box office once again with Episode I, in May of 1999. Finally, we get to see how Anakin grows into the evil force we all know as Darth Vader. It's kind of an interesting twist from the original trilogy. In Episodes 4-6, Luke is pretty much the main character of the story who's quest grows into saving his father. In Episodes 1-3, Anakin becomes the main character fighting his destiny.
At this point, we have two visible entities of organized politics. We have the Trade Federation, and we have the Republic. The Jedi Knights are charged with the protecting the Republic when danger should arise and also to serve as Ambassadors to the Republic. The Republic stands for freedom and democracy throughout the belonging planets. The powerful Trade Federation seems to operate under their own beliefs, guided by a black, hooded figure who's identity has yet to be revealed. So, who's good? Who's evil? Presumably, in this film it's the Trade Federation.
We also meet the man the who trained Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn. Liam Neeson always seems to play the older, wiser characters. He does well in these roles. I also think that Ewan McGregor was a great choice for playing the younger Obi-Wan. You could tell early on that Jinn's relationship with Obi-Wan had history, as if they had been fighting together for many years.
Jake Lloyd's portrayal of young Anakin was enjoyable. Anakin, at this stage was approximately 10 years old. He dreamed all his life of becoming a Jedi and returning to Tatooine to free the other slaves, including his mother. Qui-Gon realizes early on that Anakin was meant for great things. Watto refuses a final bet in the pod races with Qui-Gon for the fate of Shmi, Anakin's mother. She stays behind, while Anakin's ventures to Corruscant to start his training as a Jedi. Senator Palpatine, who oddly enough comes from Naboo, becomes Supreme Chancellor of the Republic at this time.
Queen Amidala quickly realizes that the fate of her planet of Naboo rests in the hands of the Senate, who demands proof of the Trade Federation's blockade. She returns to Naboo to fight along side her people with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Here, we meet Darth Maul who has been sent to Naboo by the Emperor to force the planet's inhabitants into a settlement. The lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul is probably one of the best ever filmed. Maul was able to subdue Qui-Gon, but he wasn't as successful with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan defeats him after the fierce final duel. However, it is clear now, that the Sith have resurfaced after the Jedi thought them to be extinct for many years.
On Corruscant earlier in the film, Darth Maul tells his Master (the black hooded dude) that finally they will have their revenge on the Jedi. I had to do some digging to find out the meaning behind that statement. From what I understand, many years before the events of Episode I, the Jedi Order was responsible for killing one of the founding members of the Sith Order named Darth Mongerer. This was the Sith Lord that established the rule of two (a Master and an Apprentice.) Mongerer was succeeded by another Sith Lord who was also killed by the Jedi. I'm guessing that the Emperor and Maul knew of this and sought revenge against the Jedi for these acts.
At this point, we have two visible entities of organized politics. We have the Trade Federation, and we have the Republic. The Jedi Knights are charged with the protecting the Republic when danger should arise and also to serve as Ambassadors to the Republic. The Republic stands for freedom and democracy throughout the belonging planets. The powerful Trade Federation seems to operate under their own beliefs, guided by a black, hooded figure who's identity has yet to be revealed. So, who's good? Who's evil? Presumably, in this film it's the Trade Federation.
We also meet the man the who trained Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn. Liam Neeson always seems to play the older, wiser characters. He does well in these roles. I also think that Ewan McGregor was a great choice for playing the younger Obi-Wan. You could tell early on that Jinn's relationship with Obi-Wan had history, as if they had been fighting together for many years.
Jake Lloyd's portrayal of young Anakin was enjoyable. Anakin, at this stage was approximately 10 years old. He dreamed all his life of becoming a Jedi and returning to Tatooine to free the other slaves, including his mother. Qui-Gon realizes early on that Anakin was meant for great things. Watto refuses a final bet in the pod races with Qui-Gon for the fate of Shmi, Anakin's mother. She stays behind, while Anakin's ventures to Corruscant to start his training as a Jedi. Senator Palpatine, who oddly enough comes from Naboo, becomes Supreme Chancellor of the Republic at this time.
Queen Amidala quickly realizes that the fate of her planet of Naboo rests in the hands of the Senate, who demands proof of the Trade Federation's blockade. She returns to Naboo to fight along side her people with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Here, we meet Darth Maul who has been sent to Naboo by the Emperor to force the planet's inhabitants into a settlement. The lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul is probably one of the best ever filmed. Maul was able to subdue Qui-Gon, but he wasn't as successful with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan defeats him after the fierce final duel. However, it is clear now, that the Sith have resurfaced after the Jedi thought them to be extinct for many years.
On Corruscant earlier in the film, Darth Maul tells his Master (the black hooded dude) that finally they will have their revenge on the Jedi. I had to do some digging to find out the meaning behind that statement. From what I understand, many years before the events of Episode I, the Jedi Order was responsible for killing one of the founding members of the Sith Order named Darth Mongerer. This was the Sith Lord that established the rule of two (a Master and an Apprentice.) Mongerer was succeeded by another Sith Lord who was also killed by the Jedi. I'm guessing that the Emperor and Maul knew of this and sought revenge against the Jedi for these acts.