The prequel trilogy received mixed reviews, generally improving in critical reception with each installment. Common criticisms surrounded the over-reliance on computer-generated imagery and green screens, melodramatic and wooden dialogue (including scenes of romance between Anakin and Padmé), slow-paced political scenes,[1] and the comic relief character of Jar Jar Binks, whose role was reduced after the first film.[2][a]
Several alien characters introduced in The Phantom Menace have been subject to accusations of racial stereotypes. Jar Jar is asserted to caricature a stereotyped Jamaican,[4][5] while the Gungan species at large has been said to suggest a primitive African tribe.[2] The greedy Neimoidians of the Trade Federation have been noted as resembling East Asian stereotypes[6] with some deliberately given Thai accents,[7] and Watto's mannerisms and hooked nose appearance were based on footage of Alec Guinness as the Jewish character Fagin in the 1948 film Oliver Twist,[8] leading some to assert that the slave-owning character is a Jewish stereotype.[9] Lucas denied all accusations of racial stereotypes.[2][10]
Many expressed their disappointment with the trilogy's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, particularly calling the writing weak and the dialogue wooden, although Hayden Christensen's performance in the third film was more well-received.[11] Contrarily, Ewan McGregor's portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, following in the footsteps of Alec Guinness, has been generally praised.[12] Natalie Portman has expressed her disappointment with the trilogy's negative reception, saying that "When something has that much anticipation it can almost only disappoint." She also acknowledged that "With the perspective of time, it's been re-evaluated by a lot of people who actually really love them now."[13]
Main cast
List indicators
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.
An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
C indicates a cameo role.
E indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi Master partnered with his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tasked with protecting the Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, Jinn discovers Anakin Skywalker as a slave on the desert planet of Tatooine. Known for his unconventional methods (that have cost him a seat on the Jedi Council), Jinn implores the Council to allow him to train Anakin despite already having an apprentice in Kenobi, and Anakin being too old to begin the training. When Amidala returns to Naboo to liberate her people from the Trade Federation blockade, Jinn is mortally wounded in a lightsaber duel against Darth Maul. With his dying words, he tasks Kenobi with training Anakin.
The character was portrayed by Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace, and archival audio is heard as Yoda meditates in Attack of the Clones.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi Master and former student of Qui-Gon Jinn whose training is completed by Master Yoda. Kenobi trains Anakin Skywalker to be a Jedi per his former master's dying wish. The two form an extremely close friendship despite Skywalker's penchant for breaking the rules.
The character was portrayed by Ewan McGregor in all three films.
Padmé Amidala served as the queen and later senator for Naboo. She secretly marries Anakin Skywalker, and following his turn to the Dark Side, she dies in childbirth with twins- Luke and Leia.
The character was portrayed by Natalie Portman in all three films.
Anakin Skywalker is a powerful Jedi Knight believed by some to be the "Chosen One" who will bring balance to the Force. While headstrong, he forms a close friendship with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Skywalker descends towards the Dark Side of the Force after his mother is killed by Tusken Raiders, and he begins having dreams that something similar will happen to Padmé, whom he secretly married. Skywalker is manipulated by Palpatine (actually the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious) into becoming his apprentice, Darth Vader.
The character was portrayed as a child by Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace, and as a young man by Hayden Christensen in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. James Earl Jones returned to voice Darth Vader once the character is entombed in the life support suit following the duel on Mustafar.
Sheev Palpatine is a senator from Naboo who ascends to become the Chancellor of the Republic following the vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum during the Naboo crisis. However, his true identity is the Sith Lord called Darth Sidious. As both Chancellor of the Republic and master to Count Dooku (leader of the Separatist factions), Palpatine puppeteers a never-ending war between the two factions to consolidate power. When Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi discover his true identity, Palpatine successfully manipulates Anakin into becoming his apprentice, but not before becoming heavily deformed by Mace Windu. Palpatine uses the attack to declare himself Emperor and reorganize the Republic under his imperial rule.
The character was portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, reprising his role from the original trilogy.
R2-D2 is an astromech droid serving the government of Naboo.
The character was portrayed by Kenny Baker, reprising his role from the original trilogy.
Shmi Skywalker
Shmi Skywalker is the mother of Anakin Skywalker, who tells Qui-Gon Jinn that there was no father. She is later married to Cliegg Lars before her death at the hands of the Tusken Raiders.
The character was portrayed by Pernilla August in the first two films.
Count Dooku is the former master of Qui-Gon Jinn before he left the order, citing the corruption of the Jedi. He then becomes Palpatine's second Sith apprentice, and he leads the Separatist Alliance against the Republic.
The character was portrayed by Christopher Lee in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
Bail Organa
Bail Organa is the senator from Alderaan, and one of the leading voices to resist the growing consolidation of power by Chancellor Palpatine, laying the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance. He is married to Breha Organa, the Queen of Alderaan.
Ric Olié (Ralph Brown) – leader of Bravo Flight, pilot of the Naboo Royal Starship
Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) – Queen Amidala's protector during the Trade Federation crisis
Boss Nass (Brian Blessed) – the proud leader of the Gungans
Captain Tarpals (Steve Speirs) – leader of the Gungan Grand Army
Captain Typho (Jay Laga'aia) – head of Amidala's security detail
Tatooine
Fodesinbeed Annodue (Greg Proops and Scott Capurro) – also known as Fode & Beed, the Troig celebrity podracing announcer
Owen and Beru Lars (Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse) – Anakin's step-brother and sister-in-law following Cliegg Lars' marriage to Shmi Skywalker; entrusted with the care of Luke Skywalker following the death of Padmé, the fall of Anakin, and the rise of the Empire
Cliegg Lars (Jack Thompson) – moisture farmer and father to Owen Lars, freed Shmi Skywalker from Watto and eventually married her
Sebulba (Lewis MacLeod) – a Dug podracer who frequently antagonizes young Anakin
Aurra Sing (Michonne Bourriague) – Palliduvan bounty hunter who frequents the podracing tournaments on Tatooine
Watto (Andy Secombe) – a Toydarian mechanic who owned Anakin and his mother Shmi on Tatooine
Republic Leadership
Ask Aak (Steven Boyle, Paul Spence) – Gran senator representing Malastare
Mas Amedda (Jerome Blake, David Bowers) – Chagrian politician and one of the few to know Palpatine's true identity
Tion Medon (Bruce Spence) – Pau'an politication held hostage by Grievous on Utapau
Sly Moore (Sandi Finlay) – Umbaran aid to Palpatine
Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) – Neimoidian executive and politician leading the Trade Federation
Rune Haako (Jerome Blake, James Taylor, Alan Ruscoe, Chris Truswell, Sandy Thompson)[clarification needed] – Neimoidian official who worked closely with Viceroy Gunray
Poggle the Lesser (portrayed by Marton Csokas, voiced by Ernie Fosselius) – Geonosian leader who controlled the battle droid factories and oversaw the preliminary designs for the Death Star
Wat Tambor (Chris Truswell) – Skakoan Foreman of the Techno Union and Executive of Baktoid Armor Workshop before and during the Clone Wars
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