Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy [DVD]

Contains EPISODE 1 EPISODE 2 and EPISODE 3 of George Lucass STAR WARS series. The films are otherwise known as THE PHANTOM MENACE ATTACK OF THE CLONES and REVENGE OF THE SITH and serve as a prequel to STAR WARS A NEW HOPE (EPISODE 4) THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (EPISODE 5) and RETURN OF THE JEDI (EPISODE 6).BRThe first of three prequels to George Lucass celebrated STAR WARS films EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE 4 A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights QuiGon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and ObiWan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness the older ObiWan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) or as STAR WARS fans know him the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) a goofy lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while QuiGon and ObiWan face off against the sinister Darth Maul.BRIn the second installment of the STAR WARS series EPISODE 2 ATTACK OF THE CLONES Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is now a teenage Jedi apprentice to ObiWan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Together they must protect Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) from a militant group of political activists who are trying to assassinate her. This group is led by the evil Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). But aside from other troubles Anakin faces some hard choices as he begins to fall in love with Padme a love that is forbidden by the Jedi knights creed. In addition Anakin begins to show his rebellious attraction to the dark sidewhich will eventually conquer him when he becomes the future Darth Vader.BRIn EPISODE 3 REVENGE OF THE SITH Anakin Skywalker remains the Jedi apprentice of master ObiWan Kenobi. Battling dark forces that threaten the Republic the duo quickly eliminates enemy Count Dooku and Anakin proves as he states more than once that his powers have doubled. An intimidating warrior with superior knowledge of the Force Anakin becomes the pet of Chancellor Palpatine who is connected to the dark side. Meanwhile Padmethe senator and former queen who is secretly married to Anakinis pregnant and Anakin is tortured by dreams of her dying in childbirth. With ObiWan on Utapau battling cyborg General Grievous and Yoda joining the Wookiees of Kashyyyk the sage warnings of the Jedi council go unheard by Anakin. His moodiness and glowering are a clear precursor to his inevitable terrifying metamorphosis into Darth Vader the dark leader of the evil Empire who haunts the remainder of the series.