Book Review: Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
This essay is from Chris Early Published on May 11, 2002. Why We Love Star Wars (and Why it Doesn't Matter if Critics Don't) Admit it: you've been peeking. That's right, you've been reading spoilers and reviews, and if you are as naughty as I am, you've even read the book.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a very enjoyable movie that may even attract those who are not widely known to the Star Wars universe. I especially like the locations on some planets (the Naboo Palace and the wondrous city of Coruscant) as well as its awesome special effects.
The best example that I can think of is the modern day popular culture. In the movie “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”, it can be seen that the Trade Federation had blockaded the planet of Naboo due to the constant increase in the number of trade restrictions levied on them by the Galactic Republic.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Inciting Event: Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith, orders an invasion of the planet Naboo and the assassination of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. First Plot Point: The Jedi Knights survive the murder attempt, and flee to Tatooine with the Queen to replace her hyperdrive, which was damaged in the escape.
The Phantom Menace is generally reckoned to be the weakest of the Star Wars films, and I would agree with that. Nevertheless, this is a good novelisation, that expands on characters' background and motivations convincingly to give depth and colour to the backdrop of events, as befits a novel written by a celebrated author of best selling fantasy novels over a period of several decades.
Editions for The Phantom Menace: 0099409968 (Paperback published in 2000), 0345427653 (Hardcover published in 1999), 0345434110 (Paperback published in 2.
The Phantom Menace was a wonderful book to read. It was far more enjoyable than the movie, it better outlined the characters motives and feelings. For example, we get a better understanding of Qui-Gon's view of the Force and how this leads to Jar-Jar being kept around. In the movie, it's addressed but extremely briefly.