Rating: 
Summary: "Star Wars Episode 1" review
Review: "The Phantom Menace" is a good action packed film. When viewing the film you'll meet new characters and meet some old (in their younger selves). The Venerable Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his student Obi-Wan Kenobi debark on a journey to save the peacful planet Naboo and their beautiful young ruler Queen Amidala. They wind up on Tatooine where they meet young Anakin Skywalker, who is unusually strong with the force. They go on a big adventure you'll never forget. While this is like the other "Star Whars" films, there are significant differences. The light saber(a Jedi weapon) is used much more, and seems more elegant than ever. It as well introduces the first lead parts portrayed by younger people (in "star Wars" films that is). Take Jake Lloyd, who played young anakin, he had a lot of spunk, and really brought a different feeling to the film. And Natalie Portman, who like Carrie Fischer (Princess Lea) had the ability, even though she's young, to play a leader, and is a great actress. The movie was very suspensful at times. Especially during the climactis lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and The evil sith villan, Darth Maul. the steps were coriographed well and looked very good on film. You never knew what to expect. All in all, I'm impressed with the film. George Lucas and his Crew did an exceptionally well job. --Brian
Rating: 
Summary: A Major Disappointment
Review: Two reasons not to buy this movie: 1) It's not on DVD, and until Lucas gets with the future and puts it on DVD then do not bother to buy the primitive VHS tape. Lucas is trying to double-dip by have Star Wars fanatics buy the VHS when they really want the DVD, and then a year later put out the DVD, thus getting a double-charge from consumers. It's crass commercialism at its worst, but then what would one expect from Lucas. 2) And more importantly, this movie was abyssmal. The three way fight scene was the only cool part of the movie. The acting was terrible and more wooden than Long John Silver's peg leg. Jake Lloyd's "acting" as Anakin was just painful to watch. The dialog was childish. The directing and pacing were uneven. The computer special effects looked like computer special effects and did not suspend my disbelief in the least. The movie was painfully cliched. And finally, Jar Jar Binks must have been the most insipid character in popular entertainment since Barney. Except for Darth Maul and one fight scene, the movie was just terrible. I went to see the movie with very low expectations and it could not even meet those. Avoid this trash.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars is back!
Review: Well, what can I say? Storyline wise this is an inventive and origonal peice of cinematic brilliance. The special effects were great, with the Pod-Racing scene being the most absorbing. The acting by Liam Neeson and Ray Park was convincing and realistic, and it finished with a cliff-hanger! If you haven't seen it, WHY? One of last years best films. Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: I hate JarJar Binks
Review: I was one of those guys who bought advanced tickets, skipped school to buy them, went to the midnight showing of this movie on a school night, got home at 3am, and all I could remember, besides that awesome light saber fight at the end, was how much I hated JarJar binks. What was George Lucas thinking? That has got to be the worst character in the Star Wars series, even worse than Lando Calrissian. (At least JarJar didn't backstab anyone.) The beginning of the movie started out great. That escape from the viceroy ship was very exciting, but then I realized what a pain JarJar was as soon as they found him. I remember wanting to kill JarJar throughout the entire movie. His animation was horrible, his voice was annoying, and his character was unnecassary. Other than JarJar, I was fully pleased with the film. I thought the acting was great (except for cpt. Panaka) and the effects were far superior to any computer animation ever seen. I can't wait to own this movie, and can't wait even more the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: By no means a disappointment
Review: My, and I believe nearly everyone's favourite "Star Wars"-movie is Episode V-"The Empire Strikes Back". Not only because it was visually the most dazzling, it also had far more sense of wonder and magic than the other Episodes. Never had a "Star Wars"-film a greater emotional impact. "The Phantom Menace" is definetly not on par with that film, nor has it the originality of "A New Hope", but still I liked this film a lot. I actually found it better than "Return Of The Jedi". Even those who dispised the movie must acknowledge that it has its merits. The special effects are fantastic, and in contrast to other films with superior FX, they are also highly imaginative because they create entire worlds of their own. Individual action-setpieces are among the most exhilarating of the decade (the pod-race or the final lightsaber-duel among others) and John William's score is one of the major assets again. Many complained that Jar Jar Binks is too silly and childish. This criticism is understandable though I think many people overreacted with their hatred towards this character. He actually has some funny moments. That the film doesn't have a villain that is as effective as Darth Vader is true and false. The villain does not YET appear as the villain which will (hopefully) make him even more evil in the next pictures. The decision to conceal the true menace (careful viewers still found it of course) is already implied in the Episode's title, so it was obviously deliberate. This must be the reason why Darth Maul is used so rarely. The character has just no significance for the whole saga. One must not forget that TMP is not a film, but the first two hours of a 13-hour-saga. It was therefore inevitable that it would be less dramatic as "Empire". The bottom line is that despite some shortcomings, Episode I effectively sets up the future Episodes. I agree with those who say that George Lucas should have underlined some of the darker aspects of the story more than he did. Let's hope he will do so in the next two chapters which have the potential to become even stronger movies. If the new trilogy finally sucks, it won't be because of "The Phantom Menace".
Rating: 
Summary: Could someone please remove my brain
Review: Ok, I'd like to pose a question. Why is George Lucas A Big Talent? Why? He directed two films, then created a studio, wrote other films and is one of the most respected directors of all time. This film was just so bland. I got some good laughs though, Liam Neeson and Ewan Macgregor just acting so serious while talking to characters such as JAr Jar Binks and a flying troll had me cracking up. Also the obviously stereotyped japanese aliens I found very funny and also offensive. The Light saber showdown was such a letdown! The fight was horrible! Hasnt anyone seen a Shaw Brothers film? Akira Kurosawa? Ring a bell? It was really shot bad! log takes and editing was nowhere near quick enough. This film was really bad. Sorry all you fanboys!
Rating:
Summary: Bad Movie All Together
Review: Undoubtedly, this is the worst Star Wars movie of the four. It is pointless, silly and pretty much stupid. The plot is somewhat confusing and the characters speak English with such an accent, nobody understands them. Jar Jar was another bad idea. What moron at Lucasfilm's thought of him? He was completely designed for kids yet many fans are kids AS WELL AS Adults. Jar Jar had absolutely no point in the movie. He could have easily been drafted out of it. This movie all together was a bust. The only reason it wasn't a flop was because it carried the prestigious name STAR WARS. If George Lucas had brought this script to Fox Studios 22 years ago, they would have rejected him along with every other movie company in the world.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the DVD
Review: All right, here's the deal. I love Star Wars and i have already pre-ordered it but... I want it to come out on DVD. Come on the graphics would be soooo sweet. And I can't even imagine the special features.
Rating:
Summary: From a camper...
Review: A great film from an innocent and magical time. I camped out overnight at the theatre to pay homage to nostalgia, and it was worth every minute. I look forward to the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: As Entertaining As Star Wars Ever Was, But Still Lacking
Review: Although I don't share the "this movie sucks" opinion that others share, I must say "Episode 1" lived up to my expectations of a movie coming out of my favorite triology of films in the history of filmmaking. Well what can I say, its got the reflecting light of the original trilogy, its got fun and fast action scenes. Killer special effects. But the character development is a lil poor (but what does that matter anyway). Overall, a fun entertaining experience as long as people stop comparing it to the original "Star Wars" and the better sci-fi release in 1999 "The Matrix".
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