Your Guide to a GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY

THE PHANTOM MENACE

A generation before the original “Star Wars,” the peaceful Galactic Republic is struggling to retain its rule as turmoil engulfs the galaxy. While rescuing Queen Amidala of Naboo from an attack by the Trade Federation, the Republic’s Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi encounter 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker -- who is strong with the Force. Freed from slavery by the Jedis, the future Darth Vader begins a fateful journey that will change his destiny. A closer look at the characters and crafts of “The Phantom Menace”:

HOW IT FITS TOGETHER

“Episode I The Phantom Menace,” the first chapter in the mythic “Star Wars” tale, introduces some new and some familiar characters and develops their relationships. Episode II, due out in 2002, explores the transformation of the “good” Anakin Skywalker into the “evil” Darth Vader. In 2005, Episode III will follow the secret births of twins Luke and Leia and their father’s conversion to the dark side of the Force. The new “prequel” trilogy sets up the original trio -- “Star Wars” (1977), “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983).

HEROES & VILLAINS

Elaborately dressed teenage Queen Amidala of Naboo resists war with Trade Federation

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn travels galaxy protecting the Republic, upholding justice

Headstrong, impatient Obi-Wan Kenobi nears completion of his Jedi training under Qui-Gon

Jedi High Council relies on senior member Mace Windu for his legendary wisdom, guidance

Comic sidekick Jar Jar Binks rallies his underwater Gungan race to join forces with the Naboo

Winged Watto runs spaceport junkyard in Tatooine, bets heavily on pod races

Double-bladed light-saber-wielding Sith Lord Darth Maul pursues Queen Amidala, battles Jedis

Power-hungry Senator Palpatine ascends to Supreme Chancellor, succumbs to dark side of Force

Subservient Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray launches invasion of Naboo

THE YOUNG DARTH VADER

Good-hearted, mechanically inclined slave Anakin Skywalker dreams of becoming a starpilot, unaware of his dark destiny

QUEEN’S ROYAL STARSHIP

Queen Amidala’s unarmed ambassadorial vessel evades attackers with its exceptional speed, agility

* Deflector shield

* Hand-polished chromium finish

* Cockpit

* Sweptback wings

* Heat-sink engine finials

ANAKIN’S PODRACER

Pulled on cables behind powerful jet engines, open cockpit “pods” carry pilots in this dangerous spectator sport

* Turbine motor

* Air scoops

* Energy binder

* Control pod

* Flexible cables

STAR WARS TIMELINE

KEY:

BBY=Before the Battle of Yavin

ABY=After the Battle of Yavin

25,000 BBY: Rise of peaceful Old Republic, Jedi Knights first appear, hyperspace travel invented

5,200 BBY: Ex-Jedi Knights turn to dark side of force, form evil Sith Empire

896 BBY: Yoda born

600 BBY: Jabba the Hutt born on Nal Hutta

200 BBY: Chewbacca born on Kashyyyk

60 BBY: Obi-Wan Kenobi born

40 BBY: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader born

32 BBY: “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” (opens Wednesday), Anakin begins fateful journey as a Jedi Knight

29 BBY: Han Solo born on Corellia

22 BBY: “Star Wars Episode II” (due in 2002)

20 BBY: “Star Wars Episode III” (due in 2005)

18 BBY: Rise of evil Emperor Palpatine and the opposition Rebel Alliance, purge of the Jedi Knights by Vader, birth of Luke and Leia to Vader and Queen Amidala

0: Battle of Yavin in “Star Wars: A New Hope” (Episode IV in 1977), Vader kills Kenobi in lightsaber duel

3 ABY: Battle of Hoth in “The Empire Strikes Back” (Episode V in 1980), Yoda trains Luke as a Jedi, Luke confronts Vader

4 ABY: Battle of Endor in “Return of the Jedi” (Episode VI in 1983), Vader dies after killing Emperor Palpatine, evil Empire falls

8 ABY: Solo marries Leia, sires three children

9 ABY: Empire rises again

11 ABY: Luke trains new order of Jedi Knights

14 ABY: Solo children kidnapped

THEN & NOW

How the original movie compares with the latest release:

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“Star Wars” “Phantom Menace” Episode IV I Opening date 5/25/77 5/19/99 Screens 32 3,000 Tickets $2.50 $7.50 Running time 121 minutes 131 minutes Cost $11 million $115 million Action figures $1.99 $5.99

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DOUBLE-BLADED LIGHT SABER

Darth Maul’s twin blades of pure energy can cut through virtually anything except another lightsaber

Bladelike beam

Activator

Control lock

Hand grip

Blade modulation control

Sources: “Star Wars Episode I: Incredible Cross Sections,” www.starwars.com, “Star Wars Behind the Magic,” “Star Wars Episode I: Visual Dictionary,” “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace Movie Scrapbook,” Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century Fox