Rating: 
Summary: A GREAT Movie.
Review: What's wrong with people? This movie is great. Yes, I'll admit. The originals were better. But, still, I really love this movie. It is quite intense, exciting, and even suspensful in parts. Lots of people say Jar Jar was annoying, and I disagree. Really, is he any more annoying than Chewbacca was in the old Star Wars movies. Actually, I think Jar Jar is LESS annoying than Chewbacca (who I dislike). Anyway, the story is captivating, enthralling, and quite action packed. My favoite scenes were the ones on Corusant, with the Queen debating about what should be done on her home planet. I found those scenes very interesting, even though nobody else on earth seems to think so. The movie NEVER bored me. The characters were cool, and I thought Jake Lloyd (Anakin) did fine in his role. Personally, if I was taken away from my mom and my home planet to go train to be a jedi with Yoda, I'd be just the way he is, scared and nervous. LLoyd was talented, and even though I cringe every time I hear him say "Yipee!", it isn't his fault, it's the fault of the script. I disagree. While hisdeparture scene could have been a little more teary, it worked well and tugged at my heart. Every actor in this was good. I loved Liam Neeson's straight forward performance, and Ewan McGregor did a good job as Obi-Wan. While Queen Amidala scared me, Natalie Portman played her well. So, basically, I love this movie. Buy it now. PS. Let us start a rallie and burn all pan and scan versions of this movie! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, Lousy format.
Review: Whatever you think of The Phantom Menace, this is a wonderful cinematic event with tremendous cinematography and special effects. This HAS to be released on DVD. I don't understand Lucas' logic in not releasing it on DVD. I would buy it in an instant. Instead, I will deprive myself as an act of protest. :(
Rating: 
Summary: HyperDrive
Review: When are people going to start carring extra hyperdrives? In how many of the Star Wars movies did someone get stranded on a planet becasue of bad hyperdrives? It happended in Phantom Menace-it was constently happening to Han Solo. You would think that if these things are so poorly made that they always break, people would start carring spares! But then again, what would Lucus use to keep the characters where he wanted them.
Rating:
Summary: George Lucas = Fat Elvis
Review: When Elvis got fat nobody cared because he used to be ELVIS. When Georgle Lucas's movies began to suck nobody cared because he used to be GEORGE LUCAS. As long as lucas has something to do with Star Wars sequels they will all suck.
Rating: 
Summary: bad stand alone -- good part of the Saga
Review: When Episode I came out, I was just glad Leia (and you know,that Luke guy) got a mother. And I loved Natalie Portman. She's one ofthe few young actress' who have grace. There is one thing I agreewith, KILL JAR-JAR BINKS. I loved Ewoks, but I hated JarJar. "Live Creatures" impress me more that computersimulated crap. A guy with an elaborate make up job, in a suit, or apuppet (like Yoda) can actually interact with the actors and itshows. Thier was something more realistic about the pre-specialedition Star Wars movies because of lack of money. There is adifference between rough and fake. Computer characters lookphony. Luke's Tatooine had a rough raw background. The gungans lookedfake. When you can see that it's fake, it's less intresting ---computer generated characters are not missed by the naked eye. AlsoJar-Jar's dialogue and clumsiness was a clumsy attempt at comedy thatturned away fans the way Wicket never could. As a stand alone, mostpeople would not come back to the Phantom Menace. The highlyadvertised Darth Maul (who's part was to small for me to be impressedby him) has little to do... Unlike the on going war in the OriginalTrilogy, the galaxy is basically at peace and (absent of the OT) wedon't know that Palapatine is the "Evil figure" that willbring it all down. But the Oiginals do exsist, this is a prequel -- weknow the story --- which is part of the problem. The plot issketchy at best and the characters had bad dialogue espciallyAnakin. Lloyd can't help being a cute kid --that's what he was supposeto be. How many ways can you read "yipee" or exclaim"wizard", without coming off bubble gum cute when you ARE acute kid. As a part of the whole Saga, this was actuallyintresting. Anakin was just some kid, like any kid, meaning all of usare prone to darkness. Call me a sucker for a good romance, but hiscrush on the Queen (which we all know will turn to mutual love)actually appealed to me and I am very intrested in the future of thisromance. However, they could have dropped the "choosen one"- the force is his daddy - Jedi christ child angle and themidio-vermine count. Tho force was better before they made itdependant on the vermine. Qui-Gon's exsistance made Obi-Wan out tobe a bigger (well more creative) liar than the Original Trilogy did.Despite this, I liked seeing Obi-Wan's simple beginings and Qui-Gonwas the most intresting character in the entire film. And his request...for Obi-Wan to train Anakin actually makes his commitment to thefamily all the more solid and important. Whatever appeal it lacks asa stand alone "Star Wars" film, it's a great set up for astory we already know.
Rating:
Summary: Good Things about Episode One -- A Great DVD
Review: When Episode One came out I saw it the first day. So I like Star Wars, and expected a great movie. In my favorite SW movie (EMPIRE) Yoda said "For 900 Years Have I Trained Jedi . . ." Well, I have loved Star Wars since 1977, when I saw Lucas's Space Opera the first week, and immediately my young imagination was ignited. There is plenty about episode one that is definitely different from the first three. Many reviewers have commented on how bad they thought the film was. But my review is not going to focus on the complaints. Here are the good things: The storyline: Introduces us to the Galaxy far far away, to the Galactic Senate, the Jedi Council, new worlds like Coruscant, Naboo, Tattoinne, and sets the framework for the whole Star Wars epic. For all those who complain about EP 1 - the story has to begin somewhere, and Lucas fills us in all these things. The story begins to show who Luke and Leia's parents are, what the deal is with Jedi, Yoda, Obiwan and dark Jedi. We even get introduced to some central characters of later films -- Artoo and Threepio. And most importantly, we see Anakin, whose descent into the dark coincides with the rising of the empire. What causes Anakin to turn to the Dark Side? Episode 1 sets the stage to answer this question in a Galaxy not so different from our own, with Aliens, Starships, Bureaucracy, Conquests, Honor, Intrigue, Evil, and Brave Protectors, both Jedi and other heros. There are still some gaps and gaffes -- the notion that Anakin was miraculously conceived and the whole talk of midiclorians as the source of the Force seem improbable or weak. But the story does provide a beginning. The Music: Williams familiar Star Wars score is on target again, and the choral parts in Episode One really highlight the danger of the Sith Lord Maul when he makes a wordless dramatic entrance. The music is great, and almost serves as part of the story. In fact Lucas speaks of the music in the commentary. Effects: It looks awesome! You may have trouble taking it all in, and should watch the film a couple of times. Each time you can notice additional details. The cutting edge effects in Ep 1 are being seen in other big films like LOTR and Marvel's offerings (Hulk, DD, Spidey, Xmen). Another point --> People hated Jar Jar. The fact that you can dislike a CGI character speaks volumes of the skill of the creators. Also the scenery was brilliant. Naboo and Coruscant especially are just beautiful. Tell me another film that lets you visit worlds such as them? Underwater Gungan City? Awesome. Locations too were gorgeous, and a large part of the story, just like the music. Lightsaber Battles: Remember the scene where Maul stands in the hangar door. He says nothing and yet effectively screams "I AM OPENING A BIG CAN OF WHOOP*SS ON YOU BOTH!" That is an awesome scene. Prior to this, we had never seen such a saber battle. Not Errol Flynn, the Musketeers or the best Chinese Masters had shown us such a duel - ferocity, talent and effects. The CGI, stunts, acrobatics, scenery, music, and tempo are awesome. And when the laser field prevents the chase from continuing, the look of hate on Maul's face and the calm of the Jedi Master is excellent. It really shows the fury and peace of light and dark. Many have derided this movie, but this climatic scene is an outstanding piece. Episode One's battle between the Jedi and Sith Lord is better than any lightsaber duels previously seen. EP II's massive Jedi battle is likewise exceptional, but less personally intense than the duel between Qui Gon, Maul and Obiwan. The Pod Race: Spectacular Action on Epic Scale. The DVD has deleted scenes of the race with optional commentary which make it a little clearer that the race is really 3 laps long and shows some extra footage. The Pod Race is like the Superbowl of the Lucas Galaxy, so why shouldn't it be grand, action-filled and intense? It is. The very end of the movie: As the credits end, you can hear Darth Vader-ish wheezing. Did you listen for it? Haunting. . . This DVD has lots of extras. It is a very well done DVD! Trailers, TV Spots, Deleted Scenes, documentaries. Bravo! The menu is interesting/entertaining andthere is a lot of material. The commentary adds a lot of bits and pieces to the Star Wars Lore. You won't be disappointed with the bonus material. I got the two disc set for both Episode One and Two, but now you can buy them together I think. I guess we'll all have to wait for a similar offering for the original Star Wars movies, EP 4,5, & 6.
Rating:
Summary: DVD! Let's have it!
Review: When George is going to roll out the DVD format for his movies? I think that we have waited long enough.
Rating:
Summary: The Force is Not as Strong With This One
Review: When George Lucas decided to make the first prequel to the original "Star Wars" trilogy, devotees of the saga waited years with much anticipation for its release. When the time finally arrived, massive crowds gathered outside theatres, some waiting in protracted lines for days in advance, ready to once again enter that "galaxy far, far away" as soon as the doors opened. However, "Episode I - The Phantom Menace" left many die-hards of Lucas' space opera unsatisfied and disappointed. Not because it is a bad film, but because it lacks most of the elements which made the original trilogy the superb classic it is. Set decades before the unforgettable Blockade Runner star-fight scene which kicked off the series in "Episode IV - A New Hope", "The Phantom Menace" finds a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his mentor, Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), sent as diplomats to settle a trade dispute between the Galactic Trade Federation and the planet Naboo. Before the negotiations even begin, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon must brandish their lightsabers to battle droids, as the Galactic Trade Federation - used as puppets by Darth Sidious for a more sinister agenda - launches an invasion of Naboo. After the planet is seized by an army of Battle Droids, the two Jedi must rescue Naboo's adolescent queen - and future mother of Luke Skywalker - Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), and escort her through a conflict-ridden journey to the Galactic Republic capitol, the planet Coruscant. Along the way, they are accompanied by the boy who's fate we all know, Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a loquacious - and annoying - Gungan, Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), and those two lovable droids, C-3PO and R2-D2 (Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker). There is plenty to enjoy in the first installment of the "Star Wars" prequels, like the exciting and fast-paced pod race sequence, action-packed star-fights, John Williams' impeccable - as always - score (one of his best!), and a spectacular, creatively-choreographed lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the Sith, Darth Maul. Unfortunately, the film seems homogenized, foisting special effects and laser battles in lieu of heart and imagination. The story is not engaging. Because you already know the fates of most of the characters, it seems somewhat pointless and redundant - ostensibly, George Lucas had dollar signs on his mind instead of devoted fans of the saga while writing the screenplay. The characters, although likeable, lack depth and dimensionality; the performances are adequate but never exhibited spirit and empathy. The dialogue is clichéd and banal. Lastly, the visual effects (courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic) are as impressive as ever, but the starships and vehicles do not meet the stunning originality of the designs seen in episodes IV through VI. There is a lack of cohesion between "The Phantom Menace" and the original trilogy. Although part of the same body of work, they feel somehow disjointed. Perhaps the prequel is best viewed as a separate entity, not existing in the same world with the saga that began "A long time ago". George Lucas' vision is not how I wanted the "Star Wars" saga to begin.
Rating:
Summary: What ?
Review: When I first encountered the first, or Im sorry the prequel or whatever it was, some twenty years ago I was enchanted by the somewhat radically unradical notion of the film's premise, simply two men having a conversation over dinner. It was a thoroughly delightful film which stimulated me. But now, I mean I really dont get the spaceships or poorly designed aliens. Louis Malle what were you thinking. I didn't even see Wallace Shawn throughout the entire film.
Rating:
Summary: Remember, this is the set-up movie for the rest of the Saga.
Review: When I first heard about these prequel stories back in 1980, I have waited since for this movie to come out. And now...here it is-here it is, indeed... Well, I must confess this Star Wars installment dose not have that same "edge" if you will, that the Classical Trilogy has. The acting by Jake LLoyd and Natalie Portman was not up to par-hardly. I think much more screen time should have been given to the evil Darth Sidious and Darth Maul- and less screen time given to Jar Jar Binks. Truth be told, this movie has more of a Disney look (shudder) than being a Lucasfilm. Now, with that said, there are redeeming factors to this motion picture as well. Clearly, the Pod Race scene was fantastic, cut straight from the grandiose cloth of Ben-Hur. The Lightsaber scenes-Federation Trade battle droids, Tatoonie desert, and finally Darth Maul on Naboo-were Magnificent. Also, the underlying plot with Senator Palpatine subtly manipulating the circumstnaces so he can position himself to become Chancellor was also impressive-an area which Mr. Lucas should of have greatly focused on. Finally, the scenes with Jedi Master Yoda(Frank Oz returning as Yoda's voice) were very welcoming. With those redeeming characteristics, I give The Phantom Menace 4 stars in the overall sense. And it must also be kept in mind that this movie is the set-up movie for the rest of the Star Wars Saga. Now as we go into Episode II, everything is now in place: Palpatine (aka Darth Sidious, if you ask me)is Chancellor. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are starting a friendship while the seedlings of romance with Anakin and Amidala have been planted. Just as the trailer pitch said "Every Saga Has a Beginning..." That is exactly how one should look at this movie-A beginning; a set-up story for something larger to come. Yes, Episode I dosen't own up to the substantial quality of the Classical Trilogy, that is certain. However, with everything taken into account, it does serve it's foundational purpose for those movies and the coming Episodes. Watch it as it is-the opening story to a larger saga-and enjoy.
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