Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Review

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Release Date: 3rd June 1999 – Australia

Production Companies

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 133 minutes

                136 minutes (DVD)


Budget: $115,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,046,515,409 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When the greedy Trade

Federation invaded the

peaceful planet of Naboo,

it fell to Jedi Master

Qui-Gon Jinn and his

apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi,

to stop its leader, Nute

Gunray, from seizing control

of the planet. After rescuing

the Queen from the invasion,

they end up stranded in

the desert world of Tatooine,

where they encounter a

young boy named Anakin

Skywalker, who possesses

the unique power of the

Force. After winning the

podrace, Anakin joins the

Jedi, Queen Amidala, her

trusted bodyguard, Captain

Panaka, and a banished

Gungan, Jar Jar Binks,

to liberate Naboo, confront

the Trade Federation, and

a dangerous enemy named

Darth Maul.

Little did they know that the invasion was the first part of a grander scheme by an evil force, shrouded in darkness, known as the Sith.


Cast

Liam Neeson – Qui-Gon Jinn

Ewan McGregor – Obi-Wan
Kenobi

Natalie Portman – Queen
Amidala/Padmé

Jake Lloyd – Anakin Skywalker

Ian McDiarmid – Senator

Palpatine/Darth Sidious

Ahmed Best – Jar Jar Binks

Pernilla August – Shmi Skywalker

Ray Park – Darth Maul

Peter Serafinowicz – Darth
Maul/Battle Droid Commander/

Gungan Scout (Voice)

Anthony Daniels – C-3PO (Voice)

Kenny Baker – R2-D2

Silas Carson – Nute Gunray/
Ki-Adi-Mundi/Lott Dod/

Republic Cruiser Pilot

Jerome St. John Blake – Rune Haako/Mas Amedda/

Oppo Rancisis/Horox Ryyder/

Graxol Kelvynn/Mik Regrap

Hugh Quarshie – Captain

Panaka

Andy Secombe – Watto (Voice)

Frank Oz – Yoda (Voice)

Samuel L. Jackson – Mace

Windu

Terence Stamp – Supreme
Chancellor Finis Valorum

Brian Blessed – Boss Nass
(Voice)
Lewis Macleod – Sebulba (Voice)

Oliver Ford Davies – Sio Bibble
Warwick Davis – Wald/Pod

Racer Spectator/Mos Espa Citizen

Ralph Brown – Ric Olié
Steve Speirs – Captain Tarpals
James Taylor – Rune Haako (Voice)
Greg Proops – Fode (Voice)
Scott Capurro – Beed (Voice)

Dhruv Chanchani – Kitster
John Fensom – TC-14
Lindsay Duncan – TC-14 (Voice)

Alan Ruscoe – Daultay Dofine/Plo Koon/

Bib Fortuna
Margaret Towner – Kira
Chris Sanders – Daultay Dofine (Voice)
Hassani Shapi – Eeth Koth
Gin Clarke – Adi Gallia
Khan Bonfis – Saesee Tiin
Michaela Cottrell – Even Piell
Dipka O'Neill Joti – Depa Billaba

Michelle Taylor – Yarael Poof

Phil Eason – Yaddle

Mark Coulier - Aks Moe

Celia Imrie – Fighter Pilot Bravo 5

Benedict Taylor – Fighter Pilot Bravo 2

Clarence Smith – Fighter Pilot Bravo 3

Dominic West – Palace Guard

Karol Silva – Rabé

Sofia Coppola – Saché
Keira Knightley – Sabé

Bronagh Gallagher – Republic Cruiser Captain

Amanda Lucas – Tey How (Voice)/

Diva Funquita

Toby Longworth – Lott Dod/Gragra (Voice)

Marc Silk - Aks Moe/Sil Unch (Voice)

Matthew Wood – Bib Fortuna/

Ody Mandrell (Voice) (Uncredited)

Sally Hawkins – Villager (Uncredited)

Roman Coppola – Senate Guard (Uncredited)

Richard Armitage – Naboo Fighter

Pilot (Uncredited)

John Knoll – Lt. Rya Kirsch – Bravo 4/

Flag Bearer (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Rick McCallum – Naboo Courier (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Ben Burtt – Naboo Courier (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Paul Martin Smith – Naboo Courier (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Dan Madsen – Kaadu Handler (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Crew

Writer/Executive Producer/Director –

George Lucas

Script Supervisor – Jayne-Ann Tenggren

Producer – Rick McCallum

Casting Director – Robin Gurland

Production Designer – Gavin Bocquet

Design Director/Visual Effects

Production Designer: ILM – Doug Chiang

Concept Artists: USA – Marc Gabbana,

Kurt Kaufman, Iain McCaig, Ed Natividad,

Jay Shuster and Terryl Whitlatch

Supervising Art Director – Peter Russell

Art Directors – Phil Harvey, Fred Hole,

John King and Rod McLean

Art Director: Second Unit – Ricky Eyres

Art Director: Tunisia – Ben Scott
Set Decorator – Peter Walpole
Property Master – Ty Teiger

Live-Action Creature Effects Supervisor –

Nick Dudman

Chief Makeup Artist – Paul Engelen

Costume Designer – Trisha Biggar

Director of Photography – David Tattersall

Director of Photography: Second Unit –

Giles Nuttgens

Production Supervisor – David Brown

Production Manager – Jo Burn

Production Manager: Tunisia – Peter Heslop

Unit Manager: Tunisia – Jeremy Johns

First Assistant Director – Christopher Newman

Second Assistant Director – Bernard Bellew

Third Assistant Director – Ben Howarth

Location Managers – Robert Jordan and

Richard Sharkey

Second Unit Director – Roger Christian

Helicopter Pilot – Marc Wolff

Stunt Coordinator/Sword Master – Nick Gillard

Special Effects Supervisor: ILM – Geoff Heron

Animatronic Model Design Supervisor – Chris Barton

Visual Effects Supervisors – Dennis Muren,
John Knoll and Scott Squires
Additional Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM –

Scott Farrar
Associate Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM –

Barry Armour

Visual Effects Producers: ILM – Ned Gorman,
Jeff Olson, Heather Smith, Ginger Theisen
and Judith Weaver

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM – David Nakabayashi

Visual Effects Storyboard/Conceptual Artists:

ILM – Brice Cox Jr., Warren Fu, Jules Mann

and Noel Rubin

Effects Directors of Photography: ILM –

Martin Rosenberg, Pat Turner, Ray Gilberti

and Pat Sweeney

Camera Operators: ILM – Carl Miller and

Vance Piper
Animation Director – Rob Coleman

Animation Supervisor: Ground Battle, ILM –

Tom Bertino

Technical Animation Supervisor: ILM –

James Tooley

Lead Computer Graphics Supervisor: ILM –

Kevin Rafferty

Computer Graphics Supervisors: ILM – Jon &

Tim Alexander, Christophe Hery, Greg Maloney,

Patrick T. Myers, Douglas Smythe,

Euan K. MacDonald, Habib Zargarpour
and Tom L. Hutchinson

Pre-Visualisation/Effects Supervisor – David Dozoretz

Viewpaint Supervisor: ILM – Jean Bolte

Motion Capture Supervisor: ILM – Jeffrey B. Light
Digital Modelling Supervisor: ILM – Geoff Campbell

Model Supervisor: ILM – Steve Gawley

Chief Model Makers: ILM – Charles Bailey,

William Beck, Barbara Affonso, Brian Gernand,

Keith London, Ira Keeler, Giovanni Donovan,

Lorne Peterson and Steve Walton

Chief Model Maker: ILM/Puppeteer: C-3PO

(Uncredited) – Michael Lynch

Model Maker: ILM/Puppeteer: R2-D2

(Uncredited) – Don Bies

Editor/Sound Design/Supervising

Sound Editor – Ben Burtt

Editor – Paul Martin Smith

Supervising Sound Editor – Tom Bellfort

Supervising Sound Editor/ADR Recordist –

Matthew Wood

Sound Recordist – John Midgley

Sound Effects Editors – Teresa Eckton

and Christopher Scarabosio

Foley Editors – Bruce Lacey and

Marian Wilde

Foley Mixer – Tony Eckert

Foley Artists – Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance

Dialogue/ADR Editors – Sara Bolder

and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Re-Recording Mixers – Tom Johnson

and Gary Rydstrom

Re-Recording Mixer/Scoring Engineer –

Shawn Murphy

Music – John Williams

Music Editor – Kenneth Wannberg


Awards

2000 Academy Awards
Best Sound – Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson,
Shawn Murphy and John Midgley (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing – Ben Burtt and Tom Bellfort
(Nominated)
Best Visual Effects – John Knoll, Dennis Muren,
Scott Squires and Rob Coleman (Nominated)

Review

In 1999, the most overhyped film was STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE. The movie promised to take audiences on a planet-hopping adventure through the Star Wars universe, featuring good action sequences and groundbreaking visuals (mostly CGI). Unlike the other Star Wars movies, THE PHANTOM MENACE was not as good as many fans had hoped.

I liked the impressive scenes, such as the podracing sequence and the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan vs. Darth Maul. The acting of Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman was good. However, the plot is too convoluted. Not to mention, the film is overloaded with exposition. Jar Jar Binks was a comedian and probably the worst character ever to appear in the franchise. I hate to criticise Jake Lloyd for his performance as little Anakin Skywalker. He tried his hardest and did his best.

For the music, John Williams did not disappoint the fans with an iconic score that redeems what is not a favourite of mine, including themes like the epic "Duel of the Fates."

The whole feature was a bit disappointing, yet it did a great job of bringing the franchise back to the big screen and launching the prequel trilogy, which leads directly into both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. If you have seen THE PHANTOM MENACE, you must check out my review of the 3D version.

Star rating: (3/5) Average

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Batman Forever Review

Batman Forever

Release Date: 29th June 1995 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (produced
in association with)

Genre: Action

Rating: PG

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $100,000,000

Box Office Gross: $336,567,158 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Batman has to defend Gotham City once more against the two united adversaries. Harvey Dent, a former district attorney who goes by his new name, Two-Face, and Edward Nygma, a scientist and disgruntled employee of Wayne Enterprises, now known as the Riddler. These two are for revenge, not just for Batman but for his civilian identity, Bruce Wayne. They mistakenly believed that he was responsible for ruining both of their lives. Meanwhile, Bruce is in love with a female psychologist named Dr Chase Meridan. He even gained a ward, Dick Grayson, a former circus acrobat whose family Two-Face had killed and later became Batman's new sidekick, Robin.

Cast

Val Kilmer - Bruce Wayne/Batman

Tommy Lee Jones - Harvey Dent/Two-Face

Jim Carrey - Dr. Edward Nygma/The Riddler

Nicole Kidman - Dr. Chase Meridian

Chris O'Donnell - Dick Grayson/Robin

Michael Gough - Alfred Pennyworth

Pat Hingle - Commissioner James Gordon

Ed Begley Jr. - Fred Stickley (Uncredited)
Drew Barrymore - Sugar
Debi Mazar - Spice
Elizabeth Sanders - Gossip Gerty
Rene Auberjonois - Dr. Burton

Joe Grifasi - Bank Guard

Phillip Moon - Newscaster

Jessica Tuck - Female Newscaster

Dennis Paladino - Crime Boss Moroni

Kimberly Scott - Margaret

Michael Paul Chan - Executive

Jon Favreau - Assistant

Greg Lauren - Aide

Ramsay Ellis - Young Bruce Wayne

Michael Scranton - Thomas Wayne

Eileen Seeley - Martha Wayne

David U. Hughes - Shooter

Jack Betts - Fisherman

Tim Jackson - Municipal Police Guard

Daniel Reichert - Ringmaster

Glory Fioramonti - Mom Grayson

Larry A. Lee - Dad Grayson

Bruce Roberts - Handsome Reporter

George Wallace - Mayor

Bob Zmuda - Electronic Store Owner

Rebecca Budig - Teenage Girl

Don Wilson - Gang Leader

Sydney D. Minickler - Teen Gang Member

Maxine Jones - Girl on Corner #1

Terry Ellis - Girl on Corner #2

Cindy Herron - Girl on Corner #3

Dawn Robinson - Girl on Corner #4

Gary Kasper - Pilot

Amanda Trees - Paparazzi Reporter

Andrea Fletcher - Reporter

Ria Coyne - Socialite

Jed Curtis - Chubby Businessman

William Mesnik - Bald Guy

Marga Gómez - Journalist

Kelly Vaughn - Showgirl

John Fink - Deputy

Patrick Leahy - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - Joel Schumacher

Based on Batman Characters/
Project Consultant - Bob Kane
Based on Batman Characters - Bill Finger
(Uncredited)
Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Robin &
Thomas Wayne - Jerry Robinson (Uncredited)

Story/Screenplay - Lee & Janet Scott Batchler

Screenplay - Akiva Goldsman

Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds

Associate Producer - Mitchell E. Dauterive

Executive Producers - Benjamin Melniker
and Michael E. Uslan

Producers - Tim Burton and Peter MacGregor-Scott

Casting Director - Mali Finn

Production Designer - Barbara Ling

Illustrators - James Carson,

Robert Consing, Tim Flattery, Joe Griffith,

Sean Hargreaves, Martin A. Kline, David Lowery,

Peter Ramsey, Christopher S. Ross, Oliver Scholl

and Mauro Borrelli (Uncredited)

Art Directors - Christopher Burian-Mohr
and Joseph P. Lucky

Set Designers - James R. Bayliss,

John Berger, Sean Haworth, Peter J. Kelly,

Patricia Klawonn, Gene Nollman and

Brad Ricker

Set Decorator - Cricket Rowland

Property Master - Brad Einhorn

Costume Designers - Ingrid Ferrin and
Bob Ringwood

Designer: Robin Costume - Miles Teves (Uncredited)

Costume Supervisors - Elaine Maser

and James W. Tyson

Costume Coordinator - Randy Gardell

Lead Sculptor: Batsuits - Jose Fernandez (Uncredited)

Batsuit Wrangler - Day Murch

Special Makeup Designer & Creator -
Rick Baker

Key Makeup Artist - Ve Neill

Director of Photography - Stephen Goldblatt

Director of Photography: Underwater Unit -

Pete Romano

First Assistant Camera: Second Unit -

Gregory Irwin, Steve McLean and

Harry Zimmerman

Assistant Camera: Underwater Unit -

Wayne Baker and Eric Dyson

First Assistant Director - William M. Elwin

Location Manager - Laura Sode-Matteson

Second Unit Director - David Hogan

Director: Underwater Unit/Stunt Coordinator -

Conrad E. Palmisano
Special Effects Coordinator - Thomas L. Fisher

Head Animatronic Designer/Puppeteer:

Rick Baker/Cinovation Studio Crew - Mark Setrakian

Head Sculptor: Rick Baker/Cinovation Studio

Crew - Matt Rose

Shop Foreman: Rick Baker/Cinovation Studio

Crew - Bill Sturgeon

Vehicle Production Supervisors - Charley Zurian

and Allen Pike

Visual Effects Supervisors - Andrew Adamson,
Eric Durst, John Dykstra, Boyd Shermis,
David Stump and Stephen Brand (Uncredited)

Supervisor: Pacific Data Images - Richard Chuang
Post Production Supervisor: Visual Effects -

Nick Davis

Supervisor: Grant McCune Design -

Grant McCune

Effects Supervisor: The Chandler Group -

Don Baker

Supervisor: Warner Bros. Imaging Technology -

John Scheele

Supervisor: Batwing Underwater Sequence, 

VIFX - Gregory L. McMurry

Art Director: Visual Effects - James Hegedus

Directors of Photography: Visual Effects -

Les Bernstein and Bruce Logan

Visual Effects Director of Photography:

The Chandler Group - Tim Angulo

Camera Operator: Visual Effects - James Balsam

Model Shop Supervisor - Michael Joyce

Technical Supervisors: Pacific Data Images -

Philippe Gluckman and Wendy Rogers

Animation Supervisor: Pacific Data Images -

Raman Hui

Film Editors - Mark Stevens and Dennis Virkler

Supervising Sound Editors - John Leveque

and Bruce Stambler

Supervising Dialogue Editor - Becky Sullivan

Dialogue Editor - Kimberly Ellen Lowe

Sound Designers - Lance Brown,

Frank Kniest and Roland N. Thai

Re-Recording Mixers - Michael Herbick,

Donald O. Mitchell and Frank A. Montano

Additional Re-Recording Mixers - Jeffrey J. Haboush

and Kevin E. Carpenter

Music - Elliot Goldenthal

Music Editors - Zigmund Gron and Joe E. Rand


Awards

1996 Academy Awards
Best Cinematography - Stephen Goldblatt (Nominated)
Best Sound - Donald O. Mitchell,

Frank A. Montano, Michael Herbick and

Petur Hiddal (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - John Leveque and

Bruce Stambler (Nominated)

Review

BATMAN FOREVER was a little dark yet lighthearted, fun, and entertaining compared to the other movies in the franchise. It was the first Batman instalment from director Joel Schumacher, who nearly matched the standards set by Tim Burton's interpretation of the franchise. This neon, colourful style wasn't appropriate for the third movie, as it ran counter to fans' expectations for a dark, grim, and gothic Batman universe. Although Tommy Lee Jones's portrayal of Two-Face was overacted and comical, Jim Carrey's performance as the Riddler smashed Jones's. While a bold casting decision, Val Kilmer has the looks and charisma to play Bruce Wayne. The remaining cast gave solid performances, including Nicole Kidman and Chris O'Donnell. Additionally, the soundtrack, featuring songs from Seal and U2, is a surprise addition to the movie.

Besides the campier tone and Lee Jones' goofier portrayal of Two-Face, my only grievance with the movie is those darn nipples on the Batsuit. Other than that, this was an explosive movie with an all-star cast.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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The Lost World: Jurassic Park Review

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Release Date: 26th May 1997 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)
Amblin Entertainment

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG 

 

Runtime: 129 minutes


Budget: $73,000,000

Box Office Gross: $618,638,999 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After a small group of
compsognathus attacks
a young child, Ian
Malcolm learns that a

second island exists,

filled with dinosaur species.

Dr John Hammond wants
Malcolm and the three
adventurers to observe

and monitor any dinosaur
activity before INGEN

moves forward in
controlling the island.

Not liking the idea, Ian

Malcolm intends to contact

the other three members,

but before he can reach

them, he discovers that his

girlfriend, Sarah Harding,
is already on the island.
Now, what started as a
natural viewing of the
incredible creatures in their
habitats has become a
rescue mission with

everyone's lives in jeopardy.


Cast
Jeff Goldblum - Dr. Ian Malcolm
Julianne Moore - Dr. Sarah
Harding
Pete Postlethwaite - Roland
Tembo

Arliss Howard - Peter Ludlow
Richard Attenborough - John Hammond
Vince Vaughn - Nick Van Owen
Vanessa Lee Chester - Kelly Curtis Malcolm
Peter Stormare - Dieter Stark
Richard Schiff - Eddie Carr
Thomas F. Duffy - Dr. Robert Burke
Thomas Rosales Jr. - Carter
Ariana Richards - Lex Murphy
Joseph Mazzello - Tim Murphy
Camilla Belle - Cathy Bowman
Cyd Strittmater - Mrs. Bowman
Robin Sachs - Mr. Bowman
Ross Patridge - Curious Man

Colton James - Benjamin

Steven Spielberg - Popcorn
Eating Man (Cameo)

Crew
Director - Steven Spielberg
Based on the Novel "The Lost World" - Michael Crichton

Screenplay/Second Unit Director - David Koepp
Executive Producer - Kathleen Kennedy
Producers - Gerald R. Molen and Colin Wilson
Casting Directors - Janet
Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins

Consultant: Museum of the Rockies - Jack Horner

Production Designer - Rick Carter
Art Directors - Lauren E. Polizzi,
Paul Sonski and William James Teegarden

Assistant Art Directors - John Berger,

Matt Codd, Sean Hargreaves and David Lowery
Set Decorator - Gary Fettis

Property Master - Jerry Moss

Supervising Key Makeup Artist - Christina Smith
Director of Photography - Janusz Kaminski

Unit Production Manager - D. Scott Easton

Production Supervisor - Peter M. Tobayansen
First Assistant Director - Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

Second Assistant Director - Sean Hobin

Second Assistant Assistant Directors -

Lars P. Winther and William D. Robinson (Uncredited)

Aerial Unit Director - David B. Nowell

Stunt Coordinators - M. James Arnett and
Gary Hymes
Special Dinosaur Effects - Michael Lantieri

Creature Effects Supervisor/Puppeteer - John Rosengrant
Live-Action Dinosaurs - Stan Winston

Full-Motion Dinosaurs - Dennis Muren
Visual Effects Dinosaur Motion Supervisor -

Randal M. Dutra
Effects Supervisor: Stan Winston Studio - Shane Mahan
Effects Supervisor: Stan Winston Studio/

Puppeteer - Alan Scott

Effects/Concept Art Director/Designer/Effects

Supervisor: Stan Winston Studio - Mark 'Crash' McCreery
Mechanical Effects Supervisor - Geoff Heron
Associate Visual Effects Supervisor - Rick Schulze
Visual Effects Producer - Ned Gorman
Visual Effects Art Director - George Hull

Visual Effects Director of Photography - Pat Sweeney

Computer Graphics Supervisor - Kevin Rafferty
Computer Graphic Designer - Alex Mann

Computer Graphics Development Supervisor -

Euan K. MacDonald

CG Sequence Supervisors - Erik Mattson

and Ben Snow

Lead Digital Character Animator - Daniel Jeannette

Digital Model Supervisor - Paul Giacoppo

Model Shop Project Supervisor - Lorne Peterson

Compositing Supervisors - Pablo Helman

and Jon Alexander
Film Editor - Michael Kahn
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Rydstrom

Assistant Sound Designer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns

Supervising ADR Editor - Michael Silvers

Sound Effects Editors - Teresa Eckton,

Ken Fischer and Larry Oatfield

Foley Editors - Sandina Bailo-Lape

and Bruce Lacey

Foley Mixer - Tony Eckert

Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe

and Jana Vance

Re-Recording/Score Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Summers

Re-Recordists - Scott Levy and Al Nelson
Music - John Williams

Music Editor - Kenneth Wannberg

Awards

1998 Academy Awards

Best Visual Effects - Dennis Muren, Michael Lantieri,
Randal M. Dutra & Stan Winston (Nominated)

Review

Never dull but often overlooked, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK was an incredible film, though not much better than the first instalment (click here). The movie has a darker tone, better CGI, and more dinosaurs. It even has more action. The storyline was allowed to develop from the first movie. In its first half, the terrain of the jungle setting of THE LOST WORLD makes for more tension and suspense; in its second half, the urban city environment creates a good contrast. The film began to feel like a monster movie, like Godzilla or King Kong. The movie's parts relate to the T. rex who stumbles upon a neighbourhood, and guess what he's been doing! 

THE LOST WORLD is a worthy sequel that exceeds the standards of the original hit but keeps its momentum. I found it very enjoyable, though some people didn't. It's a must-see for fans of the original Jurassic Park.

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

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Johnny English Review

Johnny English


Release Date: 10th April 2003 - Australia


Production Companies
Working Title Films
Rogue Male Films Ltd. (Uncredited)
Studio Canal
Universal Pictures

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 89 minutes


Budget: $40,000,000

Box Office Gross: $161,735,791 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

When a Frenchman steals Her Majesty's crown jewels and all of Britain's agents are killed in a sudden bomb attack on MI7, a bumbling but confident spy named Johnny English is the only one left. He is the nation's last hope of defending his country. He and his faithful assistant, Bough, get thrown into the case, where they must retrieve the jewels and uncover a devious plot to sit on the throne as King of England.

Cast
Rowan Atkinson - Johnny English
Ben Miller - Angus Bough
John Malkovich - Pascal

Sauvage
Oliver Ford Davies - Archbishop of Canterbury
Natalie Imbruglia - Lorna
Campbell
Tim Pigott-Smith - Pegasus
Nina Young - Pegasus' Secretary
Kevin McNally - Prime Minister
Douglas McFerran - Carlos Vendetta
Steve Nicolson - Dieter Klein
Greg Wise - Agent One
Tim Berrington - Roger
Prunella Scales - Queen

Elizabeth II
Rowland Davies - Sir Anthony Chevenix

Tasha de Vasconcelos - Exotic Woman

Terence Harvey - Official at Funeral

Philippa Fordham - Snobby Woman

Simon Bernstein - Assailant

Martin Lawton - Hearse Driver

Neville Phillips - Priest

Takuya Matsumoto - Sushi Waiter

Peter Tenn - Sushi Bar Customer

Sam Beazley - Elderly Man

Kevin Moore - Doctor

Faruk Pruti - Truth Serum Guard

Marc Danbury - Guard

Jack Raymond - French Reception Waiter

Jenny Galloway - Foreign Secretary

Chris Tarrant - Radio Announcer

James Greene - Scottish Bishop

Clive Graham - Welsh Bishop

Trevor McDonald - Newscaster

Peter Howitt - Man at Crowning Ceremony

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer (Uncredited)/Director - Peter Howitt
Writers - Neal Purvis, Robert Wade

and William Davies
Associate Producer - Chris Clark
Producers - Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner

and Mark Huffam
Co-Producers - Jo Burn, Liza Chasin

and Debra Hayward
Casting Director - Priscilla John
Production Designer - Chris Seagers

Supervising Art Director - John Frankish
Art Directors - Alan Gilmore and David Warren
Set Decorator - John Bush
Costume Designer - Jill Taylor

Hair & Makeup Designer - Graham Johnston
Director of Photography - Remi Adefarasin

Aerial Cameraman - Adam Dale

"B" Camera Operator: Additional Shooting -

David Worley

Production Manager: Additional Shooting -

Bernard Bellew

First Assistant Director - Adam Somner

Location Managers - Angus More Gordon

and Simon McNair Scott
Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor -
Peter Chiang
Stunt Coordinator - Paul Jennings

Action Vehicles Coordinator - Graham Kelly
Special Effects Supervisor - Richard Conway

Special Effects Coordinator - Andrew Kelly

Special Effects Workshop Supervisor - Andy Bunce

Digital Effects Supervisor: Double Negative -

Richard Briscoe
CG Supervisor: Double Negative -

Jesper Kjolsrud

Sequence Supervisors - John Moffatt,

Jody Johnson, Tom Bebenham and

Jeremy Hattingh
Editor - Robin Sales

Supervising Sound Editor - Glenn Freemantle

Re-Recording Mixers - Ray Merrin,

John Hayward, Adam & Graham Daniel

and Andrew Caller (Uncredited)

Foley Artists - Paula Boram and Diane Greaves
Composer: "A Man for All Seasons" -

Hans Zimmer

Performer: "A Man for All Seasons" -

Robbie Williams
Music - Ed Shearmur

Music Supervisor - Nick Angel

Music Editor - Michael Higham


Review
The spy comedy JOHNNY ENGLISH is a barrel of laughs and is considered a parody of the James Bond films. It's also developed from a series of credit card commercials featuring Rowan Atkinson as a secret agent, who would later bear the same name as the movie. While other critics deemed the film not funny, audiences reacted differently to JOHNNY ENGLISH because of its British humour. I liked the scene when Johnny gets himself covered in poo and forced to get showered, and the other when Johnny shows everyone the Archbishop's buttocks,  leaving them all in stitches.

John Malkovich's performance as the French villain was convincing, thanks to his fake accent. He seems to enjoy it. Atkinson did a splendid job of playing the title character, who was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. His spy protagonist is clueless but slightly competent and clumsier than Maxwell Smart and Inspector Clouseau. It also reminds me of Atkinson's other role as Mr Bean. His antics, madness, and stupidity provide a gut-busting and hilarious viewing experience.

I find JOHNNY ENGLISH to be an underrated film. It's nowhere near the same style as the Austin Powers series, a similar parody of the James Bond flicks, but it had charm. If you have seen the first movie, its sequel, Johnny English Reborn, is now available on DVD & Blu-ray.

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

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Star Wars, All hope is gone

A recent editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald announces that George Lucas is considering changing the ending of Return of the Jedi for its release on Blu-ray. By all means, have an alternate ending on Blu-ray, but the original movie should be kept untouched. I am hoping that this is a practical joke. Stay tuned for further news on this topic.

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Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Review

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi

Release Date: 27th October 1983 – Australia

Production Companies

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 132 minutes

                 134 minutes
                 (special edition)

                 135 minutes (2004

                 edition)

Budget: $42,700,000

Box Office Gross: $482,466,382 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
After venturing to Tatooine to rescue Han Solo from the notorious crime lord Jabba the Hutt, Luke Skywalker, Han, and Princess Leia travel to the forest moon of Endor to help the Rebels mount a full-scale assault on the Imperial base. Along the way, they gain unexpected allies in the form of a primitive race known as the Ewoks.

Luke must confront Darth Vader and the Emperor as they attempt to convert him to the dark side. They were also constructing a second Death Star, which the Rebels intended to destroy.

Cast

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford – Han Solo

Carrie Fisher – Princess

Leia Organa

Billy Dee Williams – Lando
Calrissian

Anthony Daniels – C-3PO

Kenny Baker – R2-D2/Paploo

Peter Mayhew – Chewbacca

David Prowse – Darth Vader

James Earl Jones – Darth Vader (Voice)

Ian McDiarmid – The Emperor

Sebastian Shaw – Anakin Skywalker
Hayden Christensen – Anakin Skywalker (2004 Edition) (Uncredited)

Alec Guinness – Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi

Frank Oz – Yoda (Voice)

Denis Lawson – Wedge Antilles

Kenneth Colley – Admiral Piett

Michael Pennington – Moff

Jerjerrod

Warwick Davis – Wicket

Jeremy Bulloch – Boba Fett
Larry Ward – Jabba the Hutt
(Voice) (Uncredited)
Tim Rose – Admiral Ackbar
Caroline Blakiston – Mon

Mothma
Dermot Crowley – General Madine
Michael Carter – Bib Fortuna
Erik Bauersfeld – Bib

Fortuna/Admiral Ackbar (Voices)
Femi Taylor – Oola

Annie Arbogast – Sy Snootles

Claire Davenport – Fat Dancer
Jack Purvis – Teebo
Mike Edmonds – Logray

Jane Busby – Chief Chirpa

Malcolm Dixon – Ewok Warrior

Mike Cottrell – Ewok Warrior

Debbie Lee Carrington – Romba Ewok

Nicolas Read – Nicki

Adam Bareham – Stardestroyer Controller #1

Jonathan Oliver – Stardestroyer Controller #2

Pip Miller – Stardestroyer Captain #1

Ton Mannion – Stardestroyer Captain #2

Mike Quinn – Nien Nunb/Ree-Yees/

Sy Snootles/Yoda/Wol Cabbashite (Uncredited)

Pat Welsh – Boushh (Voice) (Uncredited)
Kipsang Rotich – Nien Nunb (Voice) (Uncredited)

Mark Dodson – Salacious Crumb (Voice) (Uncredited)

Deep Roy – Droopy McCool (Uncredited)

Maurice Bush – Dengar – The Bounty Hunter

(Uncredited)

Paul Brooke – Malakili – The Rancor Keeper

(Uncredited)

Gerald Home – Tessek/Mon Calamari Officer

(Uncredited)

Simon J. Williamson – Max Rebo (Uncredited)

Don Bies – Barquin D'an/Boba Fett

(Special Edition) (Uncredited)

Nelson Hall – Doda Bodonawieedo/

Boba Fett (Special Edition) (Uncredited)

Sean Crawford – Saelt 'Yak Face' Marae –

Member of Jabba's Gang/Mon Calamari

Officer (Uncredited)

Tim Dry – J'Quille – Jabba's Bounty Hunter/

Tanus Spijek – Jabba's Informat (Uncredited)

Dickey Baer – Barada/Stormtrooper/Biker Scout

(Uncredited)

Alisa Berk – Amanaman – Jabba's Bounty Hunter

(Uncredited)

Philip Herbert – Hermi Odle – Jabba's 2nd Servant

(Uncredited)

John Simpkin – Klaatu (Uncredited)

Corey Dee Williams – Klaatu (Uncredited)

Larry Holt – Taym Dren-garen/Biker Scout/

Sergeant Bruckman (Uncredited)

Hugh Spight – Gamorrean Guard (Uncredited)

Trevor Butterfield – Lieutenant Blount –

Rebel Soldier/Trandoshan – Member of

Jabba's Gang/Stormtrooper/Calamari Warrior/

Giran – Malakili's Assistant (Uncredited)

Richard Bonehill – Nien Numb/Stormtrooper/

Mon Calamari/Ree-Yees/Mosep/Z-Winged Pilot/

Tie Pilot (Uncredited)

Hilton McRae – Arvel Crynyd (Uncredited)

Billy J. Mitchell – Keir Santage (Red Seven)

(Uncredited)

Eiji Kusuhara – Lieutenant Telsij – Grey Squadron

(Uncredited)

Poppy Hands – Rebel Pilot Sila Knott (Uncredited)

Michael Drew – Jake Farrell – Lead Rebel A-Wing Pilot

Peter Roy – Major Olander Brit – Rebel

Glyn Baker – Lieutenant Endicott – Imperial Officer

(Uncredited)

Jasper Jacob – Captain Yorr – Imperial Pilot of

ST321 (Uncredited)

Mike Havord – Colonel Jendon – Imperial Co-Pilot

of ST321 (Uncredited)

Barrie Holland – Lt. Renz

Ben Burtt – "Freeze" Officer in Endor Bunker/

Tortured Power Droid (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Richard Marquand – Maj. Marquand – AT-ST

Driver/EV-9D9 (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Robert Watts – Lt. Watts – AT-ST Driver

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director – Richard Marquand

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer/

Second Unit Director (Uncredited) – George Lucas

Screenplay – Lawrence Kazdan

Producers – Howard G. Kazanjian and

Rick McCallum (Special Edition)
Co-Producers – Robert Watts and Jim Bloom

Casting Director – Mary Selway

Production Designer – Norman Reynolds

Conceptual Artist – Ralph McQuarrie

Art Directors – Fred Hole and James L. Schoppe

Assistant Art Directors – Richard Dawking,

John Fenner and Michael Lamont

Set Decorators – Michael Ford and Harry Lange

Costume Designers – Aggie Guerard Rodgers

and Nilo Rodis-Jamero

Makeup and Creature Design – Stuart Freeborn

and Phil Tippett

Chief Makeup Artists – Graham Freeborn

and Tom Smith

Makeup Artists – Nick Dudman, Kay Freeborn,

Richard Mills, Peter Robb-King, Karen Bradley

(Uncredited), Alan Brownie (Uncredited) and

Daniel Parker (Uncredited)

Creature Design & Effects (Uncredited)/

Consultant – Chris Walas

Creature Consultant – Jon Berg

Director of Photography – Alan Hume

Director of Photography (Uncredited)/Operating

Cameraman – Alec Mills

Location Director of Photography – James Glennon

Operating Cameramen – Mike Benson and

Thomas Laughridge

Production Supervisor – Douglas Twiddy

Production Coordinator – Lata Ryan

Production Executive – Robert Latham Brown

Production Assistant – Ian Bryce

Unit Production Manager – Miki Herman

Assistant Production Manager – Patricia Carr

First Assistant Director/Second Unit Director –

David Tomblin

Second Assistant Directors – Roy Button,

Russell Lodge, Christopher Newman,

Michael E. Steele and Eric Jewett (Uncredited)

Second Unit Director – Roger Christian (Uncredited)

Helicopter Pilot – Marc Wolff

Choreographer – Gillian Gregory

Stunt Arranger – Peter Diamond
Stunt Co-Coordinator – Glenn Randall Jr.

Special Effects Supervisor – Roy Arbogast

Mechanical Effects Supervision – Kit West

Chief Articulation Engineer – Stuart Ziff

Chief Creature Maker (Special Edition) – Harold Weed

Visual Effects – Dennis Muren, Richard Edlund

and Ken Ralston

Key Sculptor/Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM

(Special Edition) – Dave Carson

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM (Special Edition) –

John Knoll
Visual Effects Producer: ILM (Special Edition) –

Tom Kennedy

General Manager: ILM – Thomas G. Smith

Art Director: Visual Effects, ILM – Joe Johnston
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM (Special Edition) –

George Hull

Assistant Visual Effects Art Director: ILM

(Special Edition) – Alexander Laurant

Effects Cameramen: ILM – Don Dow, 

Michael J. McAlister, Bill Neil, Scott Farrar,

Selwyn Eddy, Michael Owens, Robert Elswit,

Rick Fichter, Stewart Barbee, Mark Gredell and

David R. Hardberger

Assistant Cameramen: ILM – Pat Sweeney,

Kim Marks, Robert Hill, Ray Gilberti,

Randy Jonsson, Patrick McArdle, Peter Daulton,

Bess Wiley, Maryan Evans, Toby Heindel,

David Fincher and Pete Romano

Production Supervisor: ILM – Patricia Rose Duignan

Chief Model Makers: ILM – Charles Bailey,

Paul Huston, Michael Fulmer and Ease Owyeung

Model Shop Supervisors: ILM – Lorne Peterson and

Steve Gawley

Pyrotechnicians: ILM – Thaine Morris and David Pier

Matte Painting Supervisor: ILM – Michael Pangrazio

Matte Photography: ILM – Craig Barron and Neil Krepela

Stop Motion Animator: ILM – Tom St. Amand

Optical Photography Supervisor: ILM – Bruce Nicholson

Supervising Stage Technician: ILM – Ted Moehnke

Stage Technicians: ILM – Lance Brackett,

Dave Childers, Harold Cole, Pat Fitzsimmons,

Joe Fulmer, John McLeod, Merlin Ohnm and Peter Stolz

Stage Technician/Visual Effects Project

Manager: ILM (Special Edition) – Edward Hirsh

Stage Technician/Visual Effects Gaffer: ILM

(Special Edition) – Bob Finley III

Plate Photographer/Steadicam Operator: ILM – Garrett Brown

Optical Supervisors (Special Edition) –

Chris Bushman and Philip Feiner

Computer Graphics: ILM – William Reeves and Tom Duff

Computer Graphics Supervisors (Special

Edition) – Tom L. Hutchinson and James Tooley

Editors – Sean Barton, Duwayne Dunham,

Marcia Lucas and T.M. Christopher (Special Edition)

Assistant Film Editors – Conrad Buff IV,

Clive Hartley, Nicholas Hosker, Debra McDermott,

Phil Sanderson and Steve Starkey

Sound Designer (1983, 1997 & 2004 Editions)/

Re-Recording Mixer/Lyricist: Ewokese – Ben Burtt

Supervising Sound Editor (2004 Edition) –

Matthew Wood (Uncredited)

Supervising Assistant (2004 Edition) – David Acord

(Uncredited)

Sound Effects Editor/Sound Editor (Special &

2004 Editions) – Teresa Eckton

Dialogue Editors – Bonnie Koehler, Laurel Ladevich,

Victoria Rose Sampson and Curt Schulkey

Production Sound/Re-Recording Mixer – Randy Thom

Re-Recording Mixer – Gary Summers

Re-Recording Mixer (2004 Edition) – Tom Myers

(Uncredited)

Digital Mix Technician (Special Edition) – Gary A. Rizzo

Film Restoration Supervisor (Special Edition) –

Pete Comandini

Film Restoration Consultant (Special Edition) –

Leon Briggs

Lyricist: Huttese – Annie Arbogast

Music Supervisor – Lionel Newman (Uncredited)

Supervising Music Editor – Kenneth Wannberg

Music – John Williams


Awards

1984 Academy Awards
Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects –
Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston
and Phil Tippett (Won)
---------------
Best Art Direction – Norman Reynolds,

Fred Hole, James L. Schoppe and Michael Ford

(Nominated)

Best Sound Editing – Ben Burtt (Nominated)
Best Original Score – John Williams (Nominated)
Best Sound – Ben Burtt, Gary Summers,
Randy Thom and Tony Dawe (Nominated)

Review

As a kid, my favourite Star Wars movie was RETURN OF THE JEDI. That was until recently, when I found that The Empire Strikes Back was a much better sequel than its follow-up. JEDI was good at closing the original trilogy, but unfortunately, the film was made too family-friendly by the addition of the Ewoks. However, it does contain some dark scenes that balance with the lighthearted elements. Some people might say that the film is the weakest of them all, though I cannot disagree.

Although I still have great nostalgia for JEDI, I now appreciate the darker, more complex storyline of The Empire Strikes Back. My favourite moments in the film include the Speeder Bike chase, the space battle on the second Death Star, and the final lightsaber duel of Luke vs Darth Vader.

Though far from perfect, JEDI remains an impressive conclusion to a trilogy beloved by many fans. It still boasts breathtaking visuals, memorable characters, and an epic storyline that ties up all the loose ends. There was no more Star Wars until The Phantom Menace came out in 1999. Watch the movie and discover that Luke is related to someone other than Vader. Other films in the original trilogy you want to check out include A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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