After a 16-year hiatus during which he made such classic films as "Howard the Duck," George Lucas returned to the Star Wars business with this "prequel," which is Episode I in the Star Wars series. Set 30 years before the original Star Wars, "The Phantom Menace" features the adventures of Darth Vader while he was still a kid.

The peaceful planet of Naboo, ruled by Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is threatened by the evil Trade Federation. Two intrepid Jedi knights, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) intervene on behalf of the Chancellor of the Republic (this is before the Republic was taken over by evil and turned into the Empire).

The Jedi knights rescue Amidala and take her to the Republic Senate, where Amidala plans to appeal for aid against the Trade Federation. On the way, they are temporarily marooned on the planet Tatioone, ruled by Jabba the Hutt. They rescue the boy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), but not before he competes in and wins a pod race, sort of a modern chariot race with jet engines substituting for horses.

The Republic Senate refuses to help Naboo but does elect a new chancellor, Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who beneath his genial surface appears to be the head Sith (renegade Jedi). Led by Amidala, our intrepid heroes return to Naboo to defeat the Trade Federation's robot army without the help of the Republic.

In keeping with Star Wars tradition, the most interesting character, Qui-Gon Jinn, is killed off, this time in a light saber duel with the apprentice Sith, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Maul is then himself chopped in half by Obi Wan Kenobi before falling in a bottomless pit.

Yoda makes an appearance as a member of the Jedi council, and the two robots C3PO and R2D2 are also seen. Samuel L. Jackson plays the head of the Jedi council.

George Lucas returned to the director's chair for this film.

-- T.J. Powers

Star Wars