Rating: 
Summary: The Phantom Yawn
Review: The star is for the special effects. While I wasn't expecting the exact same excitement of the original movies, I was hoping for some. The plot is extremely drug out. I tried to watch this movie 4 times, and fell asleep each time. (The first time was in the theatre.) Major disappointment that I will keep next to my Tylenol PM.
Rating: 
Summary: A great kids' movie.
Review: The Star Wars juggernaut was never meant to be anything more than a childrens' franchise, the movies just a rollicking journey through imagination and visceral beauty. Star Wars: TPM does just that. From the opening Jedi/bot battle to the closing battle(s), Lucas' epilogue never fails to astonish and exhilirate. It may not have pleased the religious Star Wars purists, but Lucas succeeds at what he has set out to do. The Phantom Menace should not be judged as more than what it tries to be, the movie equivalent of a roller coaster. If you want deep philosophy, watch Star Trek. If you're looking for limitless aesthetic action, check out The Phantom Menace.
Rating: 
Summary: Great entertainment for the whole family
Review: The Star Wars movies are made so that the whole family can watch and enjoy and Episode 1 carries on that tradition. It proably could have been alot more if there was more action and violence but that was and is not the point to these movies. The story is an excellent precursor to the setting up of the rest of the series and the action is very well balanced against the rest of the storyline. Darth Maul made an excellent villian, even though it was a rather short career. Overall the movie has an excellent blend of action, humor, and plot to keep the whole family entertained and the special effects are top notch. This is a great family movie, there is a good lesson within the story, and I would recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Saga Begins...
Review: The Star Wars saga has thrilled audiences for over 20 years, and now we are all invited to bear witness to what started it all. In Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, George Lucas takes us to the beginning. This movie is set many years before the events in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope, in a time that old Obi-Wan referred to as a time of peace and justice, before the dark times, before the Empire.
This movie was fairly light in tone, given how this new prequel trilogy is designed to shed light on Anakin Skywalker's rise and fall from Jedi grace. Some have said this was more of a kid's movie, I disagree, though yes there are elements that appeal to kids more than adults (the excessively irritating Jar-Jar Binks is the prime example, and the fact that Anakin is a just a small boy). There are many elements that are quite adult oriented, such as; honor, sacrifice, love, evil, and deception. This movie sows the seeds of what will occur not only in the other 2 sequels in the trilogy, but also what has already transpired in the original trilogy.
The special effects in this movie were top-notch, the acting was good (Ewan McGregor seemed a bit wooden, he was much better in Episode 2), and the story was a great launching point for one of the greatest sagas in movie history.
The interesting thing about this prequel trilogy is that even though we all know how everything ends up, it's fun to watch and see how we all got to that point. It's interesting to see how Anakin went from this young boy with a big heart, became the scourge of the galaxy in the form of Darth Vader; or how the Jedi went from large in number to but a few.
If you are a fan of the original Star Wars trilogy, this movie is a must see and for that matter the entire Prequel trilogy is a must see.
Rated PG for sci-fi violence.
Rating:
Summary: Lucas' latest masterpiece
Review: The Star Wars saga is to film what The Lord of The Rings is to literature.To judge this film as a stand alone movie is wrong, it must be judged in the context of the other three existing films. And with that in mind it remains faithful to the tradition which makes Episodes 4-6 great(memorable music,dialogue, story,characters, etc). Lucas answers some of our questions and poses many new ones. Ok so maybe u don't like Jar Jar but he is not the only character in the film! There are a diverse range of characters (from the likes of Darth Sidious,Senator Palpatine,Qui Gon Jinn, to the cowardly and greedy Nute Gunray, ). George Lucas is the Ernest Hemmingway of film there are no pointless lingering shots (like the space marine landing sequence in James Cameron's Aliens), everything is short, sweet and to the point. From the grand battles (reminiscent of Kerosawa) to the unique way the shots fade in & out of the screen, this is awesome! People will still be watching these films 20 years from now with the same amount of love and admiration. George Lucas, I salute you on a job well done. P.S:GL purposely made this film parallel the structure of the first SW film.
Rating: 
Summary: Jar Jar Must Die...
Review: The Star Wars series deserved better than this drivel. Perhaps Lucas shouldn't be allowed to run with this ball by himself. While most of the ILM computer graphics were impressive, the inane characters like Jar-Jar and the young Darth made the 4th movie nauseating. Not to mention that Jar-Jar is an offensive, thinly veiled Rasta step-n-fetch stereotype. And where did Lucas get off turning the FORCE into some internal parasites. He apparently was trying to turn this part of the Star Wars myth into some sort of Judeo-Christian chlorophyll. I don't need Hollywood to instill moral character through artifical religion based on viral infections. Bleeechhh!
Rating:
Summary: A great movie with some great stuff.
Review: The Starwars series have always been a great series in the eyes of many kids and adults alike. It has suffered from some harsh critisism from people who don't like it, but the Starwars series has more staying power than most things in the world. Episode 1 was a treat in the graphics department, but also a change in the mood you get when you see a Starwars film. As you should know, the first three to come out (New Hope, Empire, and Jedi)were the last in the series; Episode 1 is the first in the timeline of Starwars. To many people, this could have proved to be a letdown, as it is more plot intensive, rather than starfighting and Imperial blasting fun. However, it does answer many questions pertaining to the series and it shows just how sweet Anakin Skywalker (AKA Darth Vader) really was before he turned to the dark side. It also answers many questions about the Jedi, Imperials, and plot surrounding the first three. The excellent acting and fight scenes were a major plus in the film, not to mention the amazing visuals in the movie. Most think Starwars Episode 1 was just a test to see what we could do, but that is just not true. A Starwars film has ALWAYS stived to be ahead of its time, no reason why this shouldn't do the same. With acting and story to the tops, there is no reason why you should not buy this movie today. As with the package, you get a nice little strip of the film negative and you get a nice book featuring some cool concept art and cool designs/layouts of many places. Also, you have a cool box with a great art picture of Theed in the background, so it is a fringe benefit you could say. The box series is definatly suggested for Starwars fans; other people who just want to see the movie, stick with just the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars finally on DVD
Review: The Trade Federation has formed a blockade around the peaceful planet of Naboo. Two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are dispatched to negotiate. When the Trade Federation begins landing an invasion army on the planet the Jedi realize that there is more at stake than a simple trade dispute. With the Queens (Natalie Portman) life in danger they must hurry back to the planet and warn her and the people of Naboo. Star Wars is finally on DVD and Lucasfilm and Fox have put together a great one. This is the first film released in Dolby Digital Surround EX. It is the best Dolby Digital mix that I have ever heard. The surround speakers are constantly active so crank up the volume and enjoy. The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The picture looks amazing, the only fault is the occasional edge enhancement. With that aside, this is still a reference quality disk. There are several special features spread over the two disks. The highlights are seven deleted scenes, "The Beginning" documentary, five featurettes and an audio commentary by George Lucas and Company. The audio commentary was excellent and I really like how they spread each persons voice to a different speaker and also used subtitles so you knew who was talking. When I first saw The Phantom Menace at theaters I was a bit disappointed. But I was expecting quite a lot. After several viewing at home the film has really grown on me. Even if you hate the movie you can't deny that this is one of the best DVD's ever produced. All the special features are great and I can't remember the last time I watched all the features more than once on any other disk. For the Star Wars fans who did not like the film, they may enjoy the supplements so go ahead and give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: george lucas is a ONE TRICK PONY
Review: The VHS is OKAY (saw it on the monitor at my local video store). It suffers the usual drawbacks of a VHS tape (occasional video signal distortions etc.) I refuse to purchase this video because by doing so it just prolongs the DVD release of the Phantom Menace and for that matter the original trilogy. George... how much money can you possibly make for a single film? Star Wars (on video), Star Wars Wide Screen Edition, Star Wars (on Laser disc), Star Wars the special edition, ALL the sequels and in all formats. Plus you WILL I'm sure release eventually Star Wars on DVD as a tv format release, wide screen release, special edition (tv format) special edition wide screen etc. etc. etc. Give us a break. Thought of making another film OTHER than Star Wars? On second thought...don't.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars: Phantom Menace (widescreen)
Review: The video transfer looks AWFUL! Very sub-standard. I'm very disappointed. Looks like a second generation recording. I'd wait for DVD release, or if you own a laserdisc player, bid on the Japanese LD version at eBay.com
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