Episode I is the first movie in the prequel trilogy (episodes I-III) which happened in film time before the original trilogy (episodes IV-VI). This means that chronologically speaking, the events in the Star Wars movies happened in the order of episodes I-VI. In real time, episodes IV-VI were released from 1977-1983, while episodes I-III were released from 1999-2005.
Episode I is the first movie in the prequel trilogy that provides the back story to the original trilogy. The plot mainly focuses on how the Trade Federation has a blockade of battleships around the planet of Naboo in response to a taxation on trade routes. The Supreme Chancellor Valorum reacts by sending two Jedi knights, Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson and his Padawan (apprentice), Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor to negotiate with the Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray and end the blockade.
Along
the way we meet the 14-year-old queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, played by
Natalie Portman who travels with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. With a stop on the sandy, desert-like planet of
Tatooine, we also meet a 9-year-old slave, Anakin Skywalker, played by Jake
Lloyd. Qui-Gon senses that the Force is
strong with Anakin and believes that he is the "Chosen One" from Jedi
prophecy who will bring balance to the force.
Anakin leaves Tatooine and his mother to eventually become Obi-Wan's
Padawan.
All
of the film scores from the Star Wars movies were composed and conducted by the
brilliant maestro, John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony
Orchestra. Two songs from this episode
that I especially like are Anakin's Theme and Duel of the Fates. I feel like Anakin's Theme really captures
the essence of Anakin's character, beginning with a sweet, innocent melody and ending
with a sense of impending doom as the audience knows of Anakin's destiny as
Darth Vader.
The other huge action sequence occurs during the pod race scene with Anakin. This scene is always thrilling to watch and you almost feel as if you're pod racing yourself with the sound of the engines constantly right behind Anakin's tail. The landscapes are completely computer generated and truly incredible. I have played Star Wars: Racer Arcade before and I think it would be epic if pod racing were real.
Because this episode came out 16 years after episode IV, there was a great hype surrounding it and Star Wars fans basically went nuts when they heard that the Star Wars film series was revived again. The midnight premieres themselves were huge with fans camping out several weeks, even months, outside the theater to buy tickets. One midnight premiere that stands out in my mind was actually in San Francisco at the Coronet movie theater on Geary Boulevard at Palm Ave. in the Richmond District, a few blocks away from where my dad used to live. Sadly this movie theater closed down and was demolished in 2005.
Episode
I was re-released in 3D in theaters for a limited time on February 10,
2012. To this day I still deeply regret
missing out on the experience because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience
and the other five episodes will most likely not be re-released in 3D in
theaters. Plus the 2 versions of the 3D glasses were collector's
items. One looks like the goggles that Anakin wore
during the pod race and the other one is red with a Darth Maul design.
Even though episode I is probably the most disliked episode, I believe that without it the Star Wars saga would be incomplete. Do you like episode I? Leave your comment below.
I have never seen a single Star Wars episode, but I agree with you that without the 1st episode, the rest of the saga would be incomplete. The first episode is special!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy how elaborate your posts are :) If I need information on Star Wars in a simpler form, I know where to go!
Oh you should definitely watch them. I actually never really watched them until last July. LOL. I agree that without it it would be incomplete and that it's very special. I think it's underrated and that people don't appreciate it. Thanks!
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