Rating: 
Summary: Definitely a keeper
Review: I rate this the weakest of the 4, but that's like picking among4 fine diamonds, 1 has to be the least among them, it doesn't make itbad. The characters weren't quite as touching as in the original trilogy, but whose to say they won't grow to be so, over time, I believe they can. Our way of looking at Star Wars changes over time, when I was younger, I hated The Empire Strikes Back, because the good guys lost, but now, I find it to be the strongest of the series. The fight choreography surpasses the first 3 by miles. It can be a bit childish in its humor, but it is meant for all generations. Jar-Jar was a pain, but you know what, when I watch the old ones, I get almost the same feeling about C3PO, he bugs the heck out of me, not to mention those darned Ewoks, at times they can be touching, but at other times they were just childish. I think we've just reached a point where the first 3 are so revered that there's no way TPM was going to live up to it initially, but I believe over time, it will find its place among the others, as a fitting preface to the struggles in the next 2 episodes.
Rating:
Summary: Hype
Review: This is a great movie. Its unfortunate that it was hyped up as it was. Those who loved the movie did not get all hyped up about it. But those who did get hyped up and listened to what the critics had to say about it, were all disappointed. There is great action, a story line that filled in allot of info that the other movie left you wondering about and introduced characters. Enjoy this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully consistant with the others!
Review: The best thing about "Star Wars Episode 1" is that is completely consistant in tone, and point of view with the existing three movies. Which is to say, that is you enjoyed the first three movies, than "The Phantom Menace" will be a real treat. Unfortunately, this movie was the victim of a lot of hype and impossible expectations, which was why it was prematurely trashed by too many people. Like the other three "Star Wars" movies, "The Phantom Menace" suffers from some serious flaws and goofy choices: The dialogue is often flat; those aliens with the weird asian accents(! ); Jar-Jar's annoying antics, a digital fart joke; but it is certainly no worse than a lot of the material in the original trilogy(the Ewak battle comes to mind.) That being said, I was by no means dissapointed in this rousing space adventure. The movie is really a lot of fun. The effects have been lauded, but they are done with a rare sense of wonder and imagination. On the technical side the movie is near perfect, from the costumes and make-up, to the design and art direction, to the amazing fight choreography and the stunning music by John Williams. Some of the acting is inconsistant, or better to say that some of the characters are not developed. Liam Neeson, however, holds the whole movie together. I can think of no better actor to play this part. His great presence and nobility are perfect. Yet he's not the "perfect knight" of Alec Guiness. He's a Jedi Knight, definitely one of the good guys, but he's also kind of grizzled, and worldly, very much like a samuri from a Kurasawa movie. His relationship with Jake Lloyd in the movie is sweet, and touching. This is very much a movie about father figures, part of a greater story about fathers and sons. This is not so much an official "act" in the greater story but more a prelude to a five act story. Its the great unfolding of a larger story. In that sense also the movie shines. We see the story carefully unfolding. While the dialogue may not be great the actual storytelling does not falter. In that sense the writing is actually good and rich. Here we also set of a tale ofintrigue that was never present in the other movies. I think the other two movies will go in darker directions than this fun but giddy prequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Hope the next episode can explain this one!
Review: Well, there were quite a few things that completely baffled me about this Star Wars Prequel and some that just plain disturbed me. I'll only mention two because I don't want to harp on and on and on... Okay, my first "what was George thinking?" complaint: The whole "virgin birth" of young Anakin Skywalker really seemed almost too silly and outlandish to believe! If the next movie explains that the "force" impregnated Anakin's mom then I think that will be a hard one for ANYONE to take! Complaint two: Also, I almost giggled out loud at the thought of Queen Amidala ever finding young Anakin Skywalker suitable as a future mate! How George manages to pull this one off...well guess we'll see! I give this movie high marks for great graphics and lot's of eye candy but I'm hoping there's light at the end of the tunnel! I'm giving George the benefit of the doubt that he can work these 3 new prequels logically up to the 3 Star Wars movies I already know and love. I won't really have a strong opinion until the other two come out. (Fingers crossed).
Rating:
Summary: But no DVD?
Review: The sole purpose of my DVD purchase was to buy the P.M. when it came out, and to eagerly await the original trilogy's jump to DVD. Apparently, I may be a long time waiting, as Lucas has no plans for it to be released on DVD...Or is this perhaps another ploy to sell the video, then re-release it six months later with deleted scenes, and then re-re-release it again on DVD 5 years from now? People can kick and scream and complain about PM, but the fact is, it was brilliantly cast, directed and produced with some of the most incredible CG work in the world. True Star Wars fans will love it, but may be bothered by the fact that it won't be available on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Menace to society? I think not.
Review: It was the middle of the night. A mob crowded into a tiny space, creating a natural fire hazard. Madmen dueled each other with lightsabers. Others blasted music on boomboxes. Myself, I was holed up in the front row, armed with my trig book, a calculator, and my english texts. 8 hours before I was to take my first final exam of my senior year, I was waiting with bated breath to see the most anticipated movie in history. A few minutes later, I was swept away to another world...well, universe, with the words "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away..." Around 3 a.m., I staggered out of the theatre, utterly stunned. It had been a mesmerizing whirlwind of subplots, character developments, and some of the best martial arts I'd ever seen in movies. I was underwhelmed by some aspects of the movie, but I found myself cheering for the 'bad' guy. Weird, eh? Not really. Once again, George Lucas had created characters that left lasting impressions.
Rating:
Summary: I saw the film 3 times ...
Review: and I am ready to see it several more times with my home theater. The films is very good, in both technical aspects and theme. The only thing that I do not like is the current insistence of film makers to use androginous roles like that of Jar Jar Binks, whom you do not now if it is actually male or female. Apart from that, the film meets my expectations of a prequel for Star Wars. I am looking forward to the others, and I only hope that George Lucas will finally release all four films in DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Let Lucas Be
Review: To be honest, I am really getting sick of reading negative reviews against this movie. It seems people almost feel it's cool to dish this film. Frankly, it just comes off in my opinion in poor taste... but since I am in the review section I have to say something of more substance. George Lucas is in the process of creating new myths with his Star Wars films and I believe to compare it to the other three films is unfair. When this series is done all the speculation and debate over what he was trying to do wih the films will be answered. Until then we can only guess what things mean and what is the best film in the series. Who knows? An incredibly minor point in this film might explain something in the third movie which would link it to Return of the Jedi... This is George Lucas' world and I enjoy being a part of it from time to time. So let's enjoy them for what they are. Good stories told by an exceptional storyteller.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie but...
Review: I'm waiting for the DVD edition before I buy it. Sure I'm a Star Wars Fan. But why would I buy anything on VHS these days? I'd rather wait the 3 or 4 years and get it on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: What did you expect...
Review: I thought it was a good movie that did a good job setting the stage for Episodes II and III. If Lucas was guilty of anything, it was trying to lay too much groundwork at the expense of character development. People who say that it was a "kids movie" seem to have forgotten that the original trilogy was in the same vein-- an entertaining movie without sex or profanity.
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