Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

***Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace*** is a 1999 American epic space opera film written an directit bi George Lucas.

## Plot
In response tae taxation on trade routes in the Galactic Republic, the Trade Federation organizes a blockade o battleships aroond the planet Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Valorum dispatches Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn an his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi tae negotiate wi the Trade Federation leadership tae end the blockade. Darth Sidious, a Sith Lord an the Trade Federation's secret adviser, orders Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray tae kill the Jedi an invade Naboo wi an airmy o battle droids. The Jedi flee tae Naboo, whaur Qui-Gon saves Gungan ootcast Jar Jar Binks frae bein killed during the invasion. Indebtit tae the Jedi, Jar Jar leads them tae an unnerwatter Gungan ceety. Thare the Jedi try but fail tae persuade the Gungan leader, Boss Nass intae helpin the fowk o Naboo, tho thay are able tae obtain transportation tae Theed, the caipital ceety on the surface. Thay rescue Queen Amidala, the ruler o the Naboo fowk, an escape the planet on her ryal starship, which is damaged as thay pass the Federation blockade.

Amidala's ship is unable tae sustain its hyperdrive an launds for repairs on the desert planet Tatooine. Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, astromech droid R2-D2, an Amidala's handmaiden Padmé veesit the dounset o Mos Espa tae buy new pairts at a junk shop. Thare thay meet the shop's ainer Watto an his nine-year-auld sclave Anakin Skywalker, who is a giftit Podracer pilot an ingineer, an haes creatit a protocol droid cried C-3PO. Qui-Gon senses a strang presence o the Force within Anakin an is convinced that he is the "chosen ane" o Jedi prophecy who will bring balance tae the Force. Qui-Gon wagers Anakin's freedom wi Watto in a Podrace, which Anakin wins. Anakin joins the group tae be trained as a Jedi, leavin his mither Shmi behind. En route tae thair repaired starnship, Qui-Gon enters a brief lichtsaber duel wi Darth Maul, Darth Sidious' Sith apprentice who wis sent tae captur Amidala.

The Jedi escort Amidala tae the Republic caipital planet Coruscant sae she can plead her fowk's case tae Chancellor Valorum in the Galactic Senate. Qui-Gon asks the Jedi Cooncil tae train Anakin as a Jedi, but the Cooncil are concerned that Anakin is vulnerable tae the dark side o the Force an decline. Undauntit, Qui-Gon vows tae train Anakin himsel. Meanwhile, Naboo senator Palpatine persuades Amidala tae mak a vote o no confidence in Valorum tae elect a mair capable chancellor tae resolve the crisis on Naboo. Tho she pushes for the vote, Amidala grows frustratit wi the corruption in the Senate an decides tae return tae Naboo wi the Jedi.

On Naboo, Padmé reveals hersel tae the Gungans as Queen Amidala an persuades them intae an alliance against the Trade Federation. Jar Jar leads his fowk in a battle against the droid airmy while Padmé leads the hunt for Gunray in Theed, eventually capturin him an his aide, Rune Haako. In a starship hangar, Anakin enters a vacant starfighter an inadvertently triggers its autopilot, joinin the battle against the Federation droid control ship in space. Anakin ventures intae the ship an destroys it frae within, deactivatin the droid airmy. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon an Obi-Wan battle Darth Maul, who mortally woonds Qui-Gon afore bein bisectit bi Obi-Wan. As he dies, Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan tae train Anakin. Subsequently, Palpatine is electit as the new Supreme Chancellor an Gunray an is formally arrestit. The Jedi Cooncil maks Obi-Wan a fully fledged Jedi Knight an reluctantly accepts Anakin as Obi-Wan's apprentice. At a festive ceremony, Padmé presents a gift o appreciation an friendship tae the Gungans.

## References