Book Review: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Two Jedi knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with a Naboo outcast, named Jar Jar Binks, must help Queen Padmé Amidala save her world from greedy trade executives, and along the way, they discover a young boy, named Anakin Skywalker, who has the potential to be a powerful Jedi himself.

Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi are dispatched to the planet Naboo to settle a dispute between the Trade Federation and Queen Amidala (Padmé). The Federation has blockaded Naboo to force them into signing an unfavorable trade agreement. Unknown to the galactic senate, the Federation has formed an alliance with Darth Sidious, a Sith Lord. The Sith are former Jedi who succumbed to the Force's dark side, although their order was thought to be long extinct.

Before negotiations begin, the viceroy attempts to assassinate Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, but the two Jedi escape to the planet surface. They have discovered a droid invasion army hidden aboard the Federation ship. With the help of Jar Jar Binks, an outcast Gungan (aquatic-living creatures), they make their way to Queen Amidala's palace in Theed. To avoid signing the treaty, Amidala escapes with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Captain Panaka and Jar Jar Binks and heads to Coruscant, the galactic seat of government. Amidala intends to present her case to the Galactic senate. En route, they divert to the desert planet Tatooine for repairs to their damaged ship. At a salvage shop, Qui-Gon, Padmé (Amidala in disguise), and Jar Jar meet Anakin Skywalker, a young slave boy. Watto, Anakin's master, refuses to sell the part Qui-Gon needs for Republic credits, and Qui-Gon must somehow raise money. As a sudden desert storm approaches, Anakin offers the group refuge at his home. Qui-Gon discovers Anakin possesses undeveloped Jedi abilities and believes he may be the Chosen One destined to return balance to the Force. He's further convinced when Anakin's mother, Shmi, says Anakin was conceived without a biological father.

To help Qui-Gon get the part for the spaceship, Anakin offers to enter his own racer in a dangerous pod race. Qui-Gon bets Watto the Queen's space ship and the entire winner's purse against the part for the ship and Anakin's freedom. Greedy Watto accepts the bet certain that Anakin will lose. Anakin wins and Watto reluctantly frees him. Wanting a better life for her son, Shmi allows Anakin to leave with Qui-Gon to become a Jedi.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are unaware they have been tracked to Tatooine by Darth Maul, a Sith Lord and Darth Sidious's apprentice. Maul attacks the group as they are about to take off, but they escape. On Coruscant, Qui-Gon reports the reemergence of the Sith to a skeptical Jedi Council. The council denies Qui-Gon's request to train Anakin as a Jedi, claiming he's too old, but Master Yoda has sensed something dangerous in him. Defiant, Qui-Gon says Anakin will be his padawan (apprentice) with or without the Council's approval.

Meanwhile, Queen Amidala presents her case to the Senate. Senator Palpatine persuades her that Supreme Chancellor Valorum is a weak and ineffective leader. In fact, Valorum is attempting to aid Amidala but is stymied by a bureaucratic and increasingly corrupt senate. Urged by Palpatine, Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence against Valorum, and he is removed from office. Palpatine is nominated to replace him. Frustrated by the Senate's inaction, Amidala returns to Naboo accompanied by Qui-Gon, Panaka, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Jar Jar.

Once there, they meet with the remainder of the Gungans in their sacred place, after Jar Jar has searched Otoh Gunga. There, Padmé reveals herself as the true Amidala (Sabé is her double) and convinces the Gungans to fight with them against the Trade Federation. The Gungans create a diversionary battle in order for the Naboo underground movement to gain entry to the palace. They gain entry and attempt to reach the viceroy, who has taken cover in the throne room. On the way, the party is ambushed by Darth Maul, and the two Jedi engage in a battle, while Anakin and R2-D2 take cover in a starfighter. He attempts to help Padmé by firing at droids that have also ambushed them. He inadvertently presses the power switch, which activates the autopilot to take him to the space battle to knock out the droid control ship. There is a heated battle in space which ends with Anakin destroying the control ship.

Padmé reaches the viceroy in the throne room, but her party is captured by droidekas. Sabé arrives with a diversion, and the viceroy sends all troops after her, thinking that Padmé is a decoy. Padmé gets two blasters out of her throne and capture the viceroy.

Meanwhile, the Jedi continue their duel with Maul, and go through many rooms and walkways, until they are separated by laser walls. Qui Gon and maul get through and continue their duel, while Kenobi watches helplessly. Qui-Gon is eventually slain by Maul, and Kenobi continues the fight and almost defeats Maul before he is knocked into a plasma input chute. There, Maul attempts to knock him down, but Kenobi performs a Force jump out of the pit, summoning his master's lightsaber as he goes. He lands and cuts Maul in half. Qui-Gon's last wish is for kenobi to train Anakin as a jedi. This wish is granted by Yoda at Qui-Gon's funeral, as well as making Kenobi a Jedi knight, his killing of Darth Maul, Sith lord, a sufficient trial.



Everyone knows this one, there were some cool extra things that didn't make the movie.