On Coruscant, Qui-Gon reports to the Jedi Council (led by Yoda and Mace Windu) that a Sith Lord—believed extinct for a millennium—has reappeared. He asks to train Anakin. The Council is troubled: Anakin is too old, too fearful, and attached to his mother. Yoda senses "much fear" in the boy. They refuse to train him but allow Qui-Gon to keep Anakin close.
Opening Crawl: Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute. Star Wars- Episode I - The Phantom Menace
The Trade Federation, under the secret leadership of the mysterious Darth Sidious, has blockaded the peaceful planet of Naboo with a massive droid army. Supreme Chancellor Valorum dispatches two Jedi Knights—Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi—to negotiate a settlement. On Coruscant, Qui-Gon reports to the Jedi Council
Realizing the Senate will not save her people, Padmé decides to return to Naboo with the Jedi and fight the Trade Federation directly. Yoda senses "much fear" in the boy
On Tatooine, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, and the handmaiden Padmé (disguised as a handmaiden while the queen is in decoy armor) seek spare parts from the junk dealer Watto. Qui-Gon senses a powerful Force presence in a young slave boy: Anakin Skywalker. Anakin is a nine-year-old genius who built his own protocol droid, C-3PO, and is an incredible podracer pilot.
Qui-Gon believes Anakin is the "Chosen One"—prophesied to bring balance to the Force. He makes a bet with Watto: Anakin will race his pod in the dangerous Boonta Eve Classic. If Anakin wins, Watto frees him; if he loses, Qui-Gon gives up his starship. Meanwhile, Padmé bonds with Anakin, who is kind, generous, and deeply misses his mother, Shmi.