"Not Bad Star Wars Prequel!"

Rating: 5/10 (9 May 2012)

Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Jake Lloyd, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz and Ian McDiarmid star in this 1999 sci-fi prequel directed by George Lucas. This first chapter of the "Star Wars" Saga begins focusing on Luke Skywalker's father Anakin. Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn (Neeson) and his protégé, Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) are sent to settle a trade dispute among the leaders where they travel to planets, Naboo, Coruscant and Tattooine. They help protect a young Queen, Amidala/Padme (Portman) and meet a young boy, Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd) who could be a chosen savior to the galaxy. They face Darth Maul (Ray Park) an apprentice of the evil Sith Lord, Darth Sidious aka Senator Palpatine (McDiarmid) who's determined to become Supreme Chancellor. Soon, Qi-Gon asks Obi-Wan to train Anakin to become a Jedi. Jackson plays Jedi master, Mace Winu, Daniels reprises the voice of C-3P0, Baker reprises R2-D2 and Oz reprises the voice of Yoda in this and the other prequels. It's also nice to see McDiarmid reprise his role as Palpatine. Jar-Jar Binks is an annoying character, but this isn't a bad Star Wars prequel and I still recommend it.