Rating: 
Summary: Great Quality DVD, ok movie
Review: "A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." was the classic phrase used three times back in the late seventies to early eighties in an introduction to a phenomenon so great it shattered all box-office records in those days. STAR WARS enlightened the many, young and old, geeky and non, etc, and George Lucas, the director, when he had completed the three part series, he hinted that he was planning on another STAR WARS project that would probably be introduced to the people when technology is at its best.
Well, technology is DEFINITELY at its best now. And when THE PHANTOM MENACE hit theaters on May 17, 1999, it was the loudest, biggest, baddest, and ultimate movie of the year. It smashed ALL records, including its ancestor "A New Hope", but people left not satisfied, but as if they had just left from another mediocre film.
I must admit though I enjoy STAR WARS, I felt that "The Phantom Menace" was not the best work that George had done. Maybe he was beginning to get the hang of it again. For all I know, he definitely took advantage of the special effects and the martial arts, but that was basically it. Natalie Portman's acting was not as good as her usual, and Jar Jar Binks, well, I just wanted to attain a laser gun and shoot him.
Well, two years passed, and now the film has been released on DVD, the first of the six movies to be remastered onto a disc. And George MOST DEFINITELY took advantage of the DVD's capabilities, packing it full with up to 6 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, documentaries, and extras. I just loved it, and, of course, I watched it for six hours straight. This movie, though mediocre, was amazing on DVD, and I recommend it to all those who wish to come closer to the Force.
Three years has passed, and now the sequel is on its way. I have seen the trailers, and, I'm telling you, this movie is definitely darker and deeper than the first, and it will be an excellent film for all to watch. I'm not tellin you nuttin', because I want you to watch the film instead.
Rating: 
Summary: A good, but not great, beginning
Review: "Phantom Menace" is simply a good movie, not a great one. The sheer volume of the pre-release hype and the stellar expectations which resulted are at least partially responsible for the many unflattering reviews that the movie has received. It is probably unfair to expect George Lucas, or anyone else, to completely measure up to expectations and hype that his original movies did not have to contend with. However, "Phantom Menace" does have problematic features, along with successful formulas. The story itself is actually not bad, given that this movie was to reveal the origins of characters and events that would become grander and more complex over time. Saving Princess Amidala from the corporate clutches of a greedy Trade Federation and its senatorial allies (how late 20th century!) is certainly appropriate work for Jedi knights. It is even a fittingly inauspicious way for Lucas to unfurl the greater saga that emerges in the later movies. However, concentrating on 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker gives the movie too much of a juvenile feel, thus trivializing some of the more serious and interesting themes. Ironically, the young audience that Lucas is appealing to was surely baffled by the unduly complicated story line which pitted corporate greed and bureaucratic caprice against Jedi moral righteousness and galactic republicanism (again, how late 20th century!). The acting is average--generally, the younger the actor, the less credible. Regrettably, the most formidable characters, such as the members of the Jedi council, only make brief appearances, and even then seemed too aloof to help the sometimes sagging plot. Also, there are a few unfortunate ethnic and racial stereotypes that would best be left out of future episodes. The only major exception to the otherwise bland cast of characters is Darth Maul. Though he delivered few lines, his presence actually carried weight and even a certain dark charisma. His dueling and martial arts skills were first rate, and the lightsabre battles are breathtaking. In a way, it's a pity that he is killed in this movie, for he would definitely have been a worthy villain for the next episode, or until Anakin Skywalker is finally "seduced" by the dark side. In most instances, the special effects worked quite well. The ever-present computer-generated imagery usually meshed well with "real" scenes and action. Some scenes were over-done, such as the pod race and the final battle on Naboo. And unlike the first three movies, the heavy reliance of "Phantom Menace" on technology, robots, and non-humans to carry the plot and do the bidding of human characters obscured some of the more intriguing, human nuances that were so well portrayed in the earlier movies. The musical score was disappointing and hardly measured up to the standards that John WIlliams set in "Star Wars" and "Empire." It's not that the music is bad, but just the average sci-fi fare--not epic and passionate as the earlier scores were. Overall, "Phantom Menace" is a B+ movie in A-movie wrapping. However, it is probably enough for now, assuming that there are better things to come from George Lucas.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Movie -- Great DVD
Review: "Phantom Menace" was much maligned when it came out, largely because it wasn't "sophisticated" enough. Well, the originals featured some incredibly ham fisted acting too, we were just younger then. The fact of the matter is, "Star Wars Episode I" is a highly entertaining, visually spectacular movie. I can guarantee that you will not find better CGI elsewhere, and the story line, while somewhat obtuse, has great pacing and is fairly engaging, even touching at points. Moreover, the acting is probably better than in the originals. Liam Neeson and Ewan Macgregor are accomplished actors in their own rights, and Nathalie Portman and Jake Lloyd proved themselves to be burgeoning talents. As for the DVD, I was pretty much blown away. The sound and picture quality are literally without parallel. I have never appreciated the technology of my home theater system more than when I first popped in this DVD. To put things in perspective, my dog was actually walking from speaker to speaker, trying to figure out who was talking! The picture is brilliantly sharp, and the included THX tool assures that your levels are properly adjusted (assuming you feel like going to the trouble of using it). The extras are pretty standard, but no less enjoyable for that fact. George Lucas' commentary offers some interesting insight into the film, both in its creation and its final form. The cut scenes from the pod race are spectacular. Although far too long to include in the body of the movie, they are immensely enjoyable to watch. It is important to note that it is not an option to view these scenes within the movie, as has been suggested by other reviewers. Some of them are included in the movie, as well as some extended transition scenes, but the viewer has no control over which ones. All in all I found "Phantom Menace" to be a highly enjoyable, if not particularly deep movie. Moreover DVD is the perfect format for such an effects charged, popcorn movie, and the creators of this DVD did not miss. It is loaded with extras and proved to be an enjoyable way to pass an evening. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Cool movie--even more awesome DVD!
Review: "The Phantom Menace" alone deserves 5 stars, because it's a really good movie. I just don't understand where all this bad rep is coming from! If you are a true 'Star Wars' fan, then you should appreciate this movie for what it is--the introduction to the whole 'Star Wars' saga. So of course it would be a light, innocent story. Remember...the world of 'Star Wars' wasn't always dark! The action was very good, what you should expect from a filmmaker like George Lucas. The lightsaber battles were especially amazing! The Pod Race was great, too. The acting wasn't even all that bad as most people claim it to be. The lead performances by Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and even Jake Lloyd were all excellent. And by the way, Jake Lloyd was supposed to be portraying the character of a young child...not some adult! So how else was George Lucas supposed to portray the young, nine-year-old Anakin? And yes, Jar Jark Binks was annoying, but I tried my best to just ignore him. Plus, he is a very important character in the 'Star Wars' saga and in the upcoming chapters, you'll understand why. So he wasn't just there for nothing or comical humor. Some parts of "The Phantom Menace" may have been confusing to audiences who don't know the story of 'Star Wars' too well. But all in all, excellent story and film. A great movie to add to the 'Star Wars' saga and I'm anxiously awaiting "Attack of the Clones" and episodes 3-9 (well...if George Lucas gets that far!). Now onto the DVD. This DVD for "The Phantom Menace" is truly an exhillerating movie experience! The DVD extras are alone worth the price as well. Another 5 stars for the DVD. It comes packaged completely in 2 discs. The first disc is the film feature. The picture/sound quality of this movie is absolutely magnificant! There are hours and hours of special features (you could seriously sit down there on the couch and spend half of the day watching the film, and the rest of the day exploring all the features!). The special features include:
*The making of "The Phantom Menace"
*Commentary made by George Lucas
*Deleated Scenes made especially for the DVD
*Multi-angled storyboard
*Five featurettes
*Award-winning five part Web documentary series
*"Duel of the Fates" music video featuring composer John Williams
*Exclusive photo gallery
*Theaterical trailers&teaser trailers
*"Star Fighters--the Making of the Game" featurette by LucasArts
*CD-ROM extras *This DVD is only available in widescreen format, but still worth buying even if you don't have a widescreen TV.* If there is one DVD you can buy this year...make it be "The Phantom Menace". One of the greatest DVDs of all time! Can't wait for the rest of the 'Star Wars' movies to be out on DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing prequel to a great Star Wars trilogy
Review: "The Phantom Menace" is one of the possibly worst blockbusters of all time. First of all, it's cheap looking, without having a '70s to '80s feel, which would have given the "Phantom Menace" more authenticity to the credit of being a Star Wars prequel. Second, the script and direction are shoddy. Sure, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman are good in this, but the crass, overblown special effects bring the film down. Jar-Jar Binks seems to rule the film with his massive stupidity and his annoying Jamaican frog accent. Third, the storyline is promising, but it's bogged down with the miscasting of Jake Lloyd as the young Anakin Skywalker and the overrunning of special effects on the unnecessary pod race. The movie and the actors are promising, but Lucas's inflated ego seems to be bogging down this film and the film seems more like a insult, rather than a tribute, to the great Star Wars films. Stick with the orginal trilogy instead and let's hope "Attack of the Clones" is significantly better than this shoddy piece of celluloid.
Rating:
Summary: I REALLY wanted to like this movie, but...
Review: "Disappointed" is the best word I can use when I think about how I felt when I saw "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace". "Disappointed" because when I saw the first "Star Wars" movie 23 years ago (! ), I was enchanted by the characters as much as I was thrilled by the special effects, which, by the way, would now be considered pretty cheesy! There is no doubt that the special effects in "The Phantom Menace" are absolutely spectacular. However, along with the whoop-de-doo effects, I really wish that George Lucas had included some characters that might appeal to members of the audience who are over the age of fourteen! Someone, for instance, along the lines of Harrison Ford's Han Solo character in the first 3 movies. Unlike the first 3 movies, which I saw several times in the theater and umpteen times on television and video, this one is really not up to previous standards in terms of how an adult might enjoy it. And, by the way, when ARE the first 3 movies going to be released on DVD?
Rating:
Summary: True to its advertising tagline
Review: "Every saga has a beginning" The beginning of most movies is dull since it has to set up character relationships, and with the way each trilogy ends up being like one long movie it isn't surprising that this could have been better as far as being a self-contained movie, but it was truthful to its tagline, and despite some logic and plotflow problems certainly had me hooked for its entire duration in the theater.
Rating: 
Summary: For Kid's Only
Review: "Return of the Jedi" had some elements which seemed obviously directed to a non-adult audience, but nothing compared to this flick. Some movies, like "Last Action Hero", can succeed at this level, by offering a satirical edge in addition to the fantasy element (which is more appealing to the youthful crowd); even pure fantasy movies ("Brazil" or "Willow") can be appealing to adults. But this is clearly a kid's movie, since the main character is 11 or so. I realize that, in order to set up the eventual parts 4,5, and 6 (or whatever), the characters need to start out young. That's no excuse for making Star Wars into a kid's film (I mean, even "Flight of the Navigator" can be entertaining to an adult; this wasn't.). I'm just glad I didn't bother to see this in the theater.
Rating:
Summary: Tha saga returns, with mixed results
Review: "Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is one of those films where I was, in a strange way, more satisfied by the trailer than by the actual film. A "prequel" to the original "Star Wars" trilogy of films, "Phantom Menace" takes us several decades back in time in relation to the action of those films. As with the earlier films, "Phantom Menace" transports us to a world of science-fiction adventure involving robots, exotic aliens, and epic space battles. The plot of "Menace" involves a young boy named Anakin (who will grow up to be the Darth Vader of the original trilogy) and young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. They become involved in a starship blockade of the planet Naboo, whose heroic queen seeks to save her people from invasion. "Menace" has many admirable elements. The cast is very good. I was impressed by young Jake Lloyd in the challenging role of Anakin. There are some truly spectacular action sequences. Although the pod race (a sort of high-tech chariot race) is a prominent episode, my favorite action sequence is a thrilling scene of robotic heroics outside the skin of a starship during battle. The set designs, costumes, and special effects make the film a stunning visual feast. And the musical score superbly combines classic "Star Wars" motifs with some newer elements. But despite all this, I found the film to be strangely underwhelming. I was also disturbed by creator George Lucas' use of violence in the film. As in the original "Star Wars," Lucas seems to cheat by presenting us with a sanitized version of war violence. Whereas in the first film faceless masked enemy soldiers were shot in large numbers, in "Phantom" our heroes dismember and "kill" huge hordes of robot soldiers. Lucas seems to be making mass slaughter bloodless and "fun." This robot carnage is particularly disturbing in connection with the film's rather trivial treatment of the issue of slavery. Although robot troops are killed by the heroes, our two friendly robots (R2-D2 and C-3PO, also seen in the original trilogy) are treated as virtual slaves, even though they seem to be self-aware beings. Although the freeing of human slaves is presented as a relevant (although underdeveloped) issue in the film, no concern seems to be given to the situation of these intelligent artificial life forms. I wonder -- what would Mr. Data from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" have to say about all this? I noticed one big difference between "Phantom" and the original "Star Wars" trilogy. The originals always struck me, whatever their flaws, as films for the whole family. "Phantom," on the other hand, often feels like a film made specifically for kids; it seems like Lucas is taking his adult audience for granted. Too many silly elements mar the film for me. Consider the much-despised "Phantom" character Jar-Jar Binks; although I didn't hate this character as much as some fans, by the end of the film his idiotic antics were really getting on my nerves. Yes, "The Phantom Menace" is an exciting and visually impressive film, but its flaws leave a bad aftertaste.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing, but Entertaining...
Review: "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" is the much-anticipated prequel to the everlastingly popular "Star Wars" series. I thought it was going to be much better than it was. The special effects were good, but overly flashy. The presence of the annoying Jar Jar Binks wasn't needed and just took away from the development of the other characters. The acting was good, but the story was lacking that certain "Star Wars" element that audiences have been accustomed to with "A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi." It's entertaining enough, but what happened here!
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