Rating: 
Summary: The Best Trailer in the World
Review: A fantastic film. It's only short-coming is that it must serve as the set-up for the next 5 films...a tough task while maintaining its own identity. In effect, I think it's the best trailer possible for the entire Star Wars Saga. I cannot wait until Episode II.
Rating: 
Summary: an okay beginning, with great special effects
Review: A film by George LucasAfter years of watching and rewatching the original Star Wars trilogy, the first of three prequel movies was released in 1999. Episode I: The Phantom Menace was a long awaited, and highly anticipated new (and first) chapter in the Star Wars Universe. The previews teased of what was to come and it looked good. After finally seeing the movie in the theatre, I was filled with part excitement and part disappointment, and the more I thought about the movie, the less excited I was about it. This opening chapter presents us with a trade blockade on the planet of Naboo by the Trade Federation. Two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are sent to negotiate a settlement to the blockade, but they are attacked by droids employed by the Trade Federation. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon end up on the planet of Naboo and become entangled in the local political situation with the blockade and rescue Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). They also acquire a tagalong alien named Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best). More about him later. The Jedi and Amidala, along with Jar Jar end up on Tatooine (yes, that Tatooine). They are helped out by a little slave boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), whom Qui-Gon believes is the one spoken about in some prophecy about "the one who will bring balance to the Force". The rest of the movie is a mixture of Tatooine, and the attempts to free Naboo from the Trade Federation. We see the Jedi Council for the first time, featuring Yoda (Frank Oz) and Mace Windu (Samuel L Jackson). We see the remnants of the Sith, Darth Sidious and Darth Maul (Ray Park) and their plots against the Jedi and their manipulation of the Trade Federation. We see the first meeting of C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker). We see the Old Republic that was, and the corruption of the Senate. "The Phantom Menace" is truly a set up. After watching this movie, we have a very good idea of how the Republic becomes The Empire, and we are introduced to key characters like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. We even get to see the Jedi fight as true warriors, rather than two old men in "A New Hope". There are some very exciting sequences in this movie. Seeing the Pod Race on the big screen was rather impressive, and the lightsaber duel between Darth Maul and the two Jedi was the best lightsaber fight of the entire series thus far (without knowing what is in Episode 3). I didn't even mind all of the talk about Trade and the Debates in the Senate. So, what was my problem? The movie was filled with a cast of capable actors, but the dialogue was so bad that I don't think anybody could have done a good job in delivering the lines (Pernilla August, as Shmi Skywalker was a notable exception for most of her scenes). It was the writing. Star Wars has always been on the simplistic side, with some silly lines, but for whatever reason, nothing seemed to work. Add to this the issue of Jar Jar Binks, and it makes things a little bit worse. Jar Jar is a character designed to appeal to kids. He felt like the answer to Yoda, directed at small children. But, he was rather annoying to adults, rather than being cute or interesting, as Yoda was (and is). Jar Jar's clumsiness also negated what could have been a powerful battle scene between the Gungans and the Droid Army. Why do I keep watching? Because at the end of the day, it is a Star Wars movie, and my love of the original trilogy compels me to watch. My expectations were so high that I acknowledge it would be difficult to meet them. This was an enjoyable movie to watch, and it finds new life on DVD. This is a 3 Star movie, and while I was disappointed, I still kind of liked it.
Rating: 
Summary: DVD Version
Review: A film worthy of the 'Star Wars' name, but alas, it will not find its way in to this movie lovers library. To ignore the DVD consumer with this film is nothing short of a slap in the face. With Mr Lucas' crusade to make movies their most enjoyable in both sight and sound, it is inconceivable that he would choose to ignore DVD and opt rather for the inferior platform of VHS. It is for these reasons that I refuse to purchase this film on VHS and strongly encourage all other DVD owners to do the same. We are a growing (the fastest growing in media history! ) segment of the home video population. Please do not forsake us. In parting, I say to Mr Lucas, congratulations on another science fiction masterpiece, I look forward to watching it the way it was meant to be seen and heard.
Rating: 
Summary: Great FX
Review: A friend of mine once told me, opinions are like a-holes: everyone's got one, and some are stinkier than others. Please note the fact that there are over 1300 reviews on this movie. Like Sean Connery said in Finding Forrester, idiots who don't have the imagination or talent to write a book (or a movie), take a few minutes to cut someone else's work down. The sad fact is, every single person who said this movie was bad could probably write the script for their own flick. And you know what? The only people who would go watch it are their buddies they play AD&D with. It's too bad George Lucas had to add Jar Jar into the story. Because he knew they needed some comic relief, as well as a broader range of appeal. It's too bad Natalie speaks in a monotone when dressed as the queen. Oh, sorry... Have you ever listened to Clinton or GW Bush? Not much better, folks. I miss Han Solo as much as anyone, but you can't have the same character types in every movie doing the same thing over. Too much politics? How do we develop a back story? I'm really curious as to what everyone was expecting? Three hours of gold bikini-clad babes, interspersed with light saber duels with no point to them? Too many people don't want to acknowlede that there's a whole story being set up here. The fact of the matter is, this is a good movie. I would have liked to have seen more of the Naboo fighters/Droid fighters battle scene, but that's the way it goes. And for all you geniuses that think you can write a better movie than George, why don't you start submitting your own award winning scripts to Hollywood? I'm sure whatever three-hour crapfest you come up with will win an Oscar in no time! Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: Struggle for preservation
Review: A good movie about the struggle of the Queen of Naboo (Natalie Portman) to maintain the freedom and way of life of her people, against the scheming Trade Federation.
Reminds me of the struggle of the State of Israel, and it's courageous people, to survive against the machinations of the United Nations, European Union, Non aligned Movement, International Media, World academia etc.
Portman is lovely and vivacious, with an unforgettable smile.
Queen Anakin refuses to abandon her people in their hour of need and stands against the powerful forces rather than yield. The two Jedi knights battle the forces of evil played by Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor, and of then the over the top Jar Jar Binks.
But aside from Portman 's Queen Amadala, the other unforgettable character is the small boy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) , apparently the future Darth Vader.
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD!!!!!!!
Review: A great addition to what is already an excellent series. The extras on the disc are great also, enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away
Review: A great dvd release full of many extras that will entertain all the Star Wars aficionados.I hope that this one is the begining of a new Dvd Trilogy fully restored.I hope that the studio don't let us waiting more time to release this magnificent trilogy.
Indispensable.
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: entertaining
Review: a great film that improves with each viewing. although severalcharactors are in the movie briefly their presence leaves an impact. jar jar binks was one charactor our entire family especialy enjoyed. he created a sense of playfulness and humor.well worth the money to add this movie to your collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing new here
Review: A great movie shouldn't have to rely on outside material or previous knowledge (ex. sequals, prequals, books, etc), it should just convey its message on its own. This movie isn't a great movie and neither is it any good. This movie relies on previous knowledge and old characters. Oh I can understand why we have Obiwon, Anakin, and a short appearance by Yoda. They are requirments in the Star Wars epic. But why do we need to have an appearance by R2D2 and C3P0? Why do we need such simplistic hooks to draw us in? They are totally unneccesary characters that don't add value to the story. Add a new character with Jar Jar, obviously to draw in the kids, and you got a horribly annoying cast of characters (Anakin was another majorly annoying character). In the preview comericials we see extensive scenes of Darth Maul. He only is on for about 10 uneventful minutes. Oh we get a good battle scene with him but the character wasn't fleshed out enough. Another character that deserved more explanation was Obiwon. Personally, I belive the movie should have focused on the development of Obiwon rather than the annoying Anakin. Another bad thing about the movie was all the pseudo-religious and genetic talk about the origin of Jedi Knights and the Christ-like birth of Anakin. I don't mind stuff like that but the information was out of place and didn't flow and seemed too corny. But I can't say I wouldn't get this movie. I'm a diehard Star Wars fan and hopefully somebody will get this for me as a gift. It was okay better than some no-story action flicks out there. But it was neither great or good.
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