Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars is not what it used to be!
Review: What the heck is this? The entire movie is based on special effects. No story, nothing really interesting, and the movie doesn't even look like Star Wars. The sword fight is really the only good scene with maybe the podrace, which is quite weird. I frankly miss the fun I had watching the first movies. Where's Han, Chewie, and C3PO looks really dumb. And that ugly frog guy, Jar Jar Binks, seems to take C3PO's part. He is the funny guy(?). He's funny but after a while he gets reaaaally boring. It seems that the movie and its story went back to some modern dark ages. If you have to take a movie tonight skip this one for the next century. It might look something like this boring movie. Small kids would like that, not grown-ups!
Rating: 
Summary: The Force is with this!
Review: You will not find a bigger Star Wars fan than me. I saw the original when I was 5 and this new one is just as good. After seeing it 13 times, it just keeps getting better. The actions that take place in the background are the most detailed special effects you'll ever see. Widescreen is the only way to go. I have seen both versions and the pan & scan loses to much. Pure action satisfaction. Don't miss out. Gearge has said that all 6 episodes will be in a DVD box set but not until christmas of 2005. The VHS is well worth the purchase. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Good film , poor quality VHS
Review: Although the acting was alittle "stiff", I thought this was an exciting movie with outstanding CG (Computer Graphics). Unfortunately when G. Lucas transfered it to VHS standard format (the cheap version) some of the film quality is lost. I was one of several individuals who noticed the quality difference. I had to purchase the wide screen collector's edition to find a much beter, VHS version. I still do not under stand why this film, the Star Wars Trilogy, and Indiana Jones Trilogy are not available on DVD?
Rating:
Summary: Menacing Fun...
Review: Ok, ok, Jar Jar can be annoying but let's not forget the good parts of the movie. Rabid fans who have waited more than 20 years since the premier of Star Wars would have enjoyed this outing. My favorite part is the duel between Darth Maul and the 2 Jedis. Set to the wonderful atmosphere conjured by John Williams' Duel of the Fates, I found it engaging to a whole new level. While some people may find the romantic overtones between young Skywalker and Amidala to be unnerving, it is necessary to set the stage for that plot line to be further develop in Episode II and III. I mean we all KNOW how it ends up right!
Rating:
Summary: The Best!
Review: IF you haven't seen this movie then you are really missing out! It is so cool! I could just watch it over and over and not get bored! This is one of the best movies ever, except for that annoying Jar-Jar freak! They could have killed him off!
Rating:
Summary: The Phantom Menace delivers
Review: By now, I can't imagine there is anyone who doesn't at least know the story to Star Wars. To those who are die hard fans, skip this review. To everyone else who hasn't seen this movie, SEE IT! Disregard the critics who say it falls short of George Lucas' abilities and all that garbage. This is Star Wars at it's finest! The special effects are enough to turn the heads of even the harshest anti-Star Wars protaganists. The final battle scenes at the end of the movie are simply incredible! Of course, there are heaping helpings of space scenes, and an underwater city for a twist. But it is so much more than just pretty pictures. The storyline is stellar in it's deeply rich text plots, and we go places that we have never been before in a Star Wars movie. The characters are a little stiff at times (for example Queen Amidala, where in every scene it seems as if she is made of cardboard with a moving mouth), but it somehow nevers detracts from the storyline. Jar Jar Binks has been ruthlessly criticized about being annoying, and while I agree they could have toned him down a wee bit, he did add complexity and diversity to the flick and managed to stay just far enough away from my skin to avoid getting under it. Overall, this movie, or should I say experience, should not be missed by neither die-hard fans nor those new to the Star Wars universe. Fantastic job, George!
Rating: 
Summary: Star Bores
Review: So this was it? The great cinematic event of the 20th century I waited over a decade for this? What a dissapointment... As the film slowly wound its way to the final unoriginal, predictable ending, all I could think was "when will this movie end...when will this movie end" The most frustrating aspect of the movie was that the dialogue between Darth Maul and Sidious refered to an unexplained event between themselves and the Jedi forces; at one point Sidious states "...and then we'll have our revenge.." Revenge? Revenge for what? Boring, unintelligent, a huge let down from the "original three" George better clean up his act before Star Bores Episode II: The Return of Jar Jar
Rating:
Summary: Star wars Episode 1: Anakin Skywalker, The FORCE made FLESH
Review: When I saw Star Wars Episode 4 in 1977, I came away a lot different from most fans. However, nobody ever knew just how different; until now. My hero was not Han Luke Obiwan or Leia. My hero was the Tragic Darth Vader. Everybody else were expounding the virtues of their MAINSTREAM hero, while I? I had to be silent. NOBODY was going to accept the fact that I picked Darth Vader - WHAT BROUGHT Vader to his tragic enmeshment with the Dark Side? In my mind, I secretly thought that there HAD to be a MUCH BIGGER STORY behind Vader - What prompted him to fall to the Dark Side? Then in episodes 5 and 6 I watched Vader's story in the end save his son from the Emporer. I had been vindicated! Anakin Skywalker's son was right about his father - There was a conflict within. There was a small part still enlightened with good. And In Episode 1, I learn that Anakins' path was deeply enmeshed in the Light side of the Force. Anakin IS THE CHOSEN ONE WHO WILL BRING BALANCE TO THE FORCE...at a tragic cost to Anakin himself, which I assume will be fleshed out in episodes 2 and 3. I heard that only C3PO and R2D2 were the only characters in all the movies. However, I believe this is Anakin Skywalkers STORY - Star Wars - as he ALSO is in all the episodes. Episode 1 continues Anakin's Story, From the very start. It is truely a great movie. Anakin Skywalker, the FORCE made FLESH!
Rating:
Summary: Visually Awe-Inspiring
Review: First of all, I hate when people make excuses for Jar Jar by saying "it's for the kids". Well, I was 10 when Star Wars originally came out, and part of the incredible impact that movie had on me was because of it's serious, epic tone. That movie was very powerful to me as a 10 year old, and I resent the notion that stuff always has to be "dumbed down" for children--as if they're only capable of appreciating cartoon characters and slapstick humor. But on to this movie. Jar Jar should have not been in it. Secondly, when Jake Lloyd delivers the line "But Mom, you always say the problem with the universe is that people don't help each other", well, that's almost as painful as having a searing, red-hot poker jammed in your eye. A young Olivier this kid ain't, and Lucas' dialogue doesn't help. But I still love this movie, because the art direction, costumes and sets far surpass any other sci-fi images put on film. This movie is almost like a Ray Harryhausen( Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, Clash of the Titans) movie x 50. It's just shot after shot of incredible worlds, creatures and vistas, with fantastic special effects, perfect music and sound editing, and exciting action. This movie may not be perfect, but it's a fresh start for the saga, and it certainly is an improvement over Return of the Jedi.
Rating:
Summary: The more you watch it the more it makes sense
Review: I remember well the feeling I had watching the opening sequence to Star Wars nearly 25 years ago, Princess Leia's ship being chased by a gigantic star cruiser. Well I have been hooked ever since and despite some of the criticism that the Phantom Menace has received, it looks as if I am going to be hooked for the next 25 years! The first three Star Wars films (i.e. up until the 'first' Star Wars movie) are all about Anakin Skywalker and how he comes to bring balance to 'the force'. This film cleverly introduces him as a small boy: a wizard pilot and at electronics (it is he who builds C3PO) and lays the foundation for all the events we know that are to come. We are told that he sees things before they happen and that he has no father (he is the product or a virgin birth). We observe the way that is relationship with Queen Amidala develops (who I assume he marries later) and are given an inkling of the fear that will make him turn to the dark side. It is all here. I have watched this four times since I got the video and each time I find another piece that fits into the puzzle that is George Lucas' grand scheme. Just watch for the way that R2D2 is introduced to the story. There is much more to this film than the effects (which although we now take for granted are still wonderful to watch), Darth Maul's evil grace and the pod race and Ewan McGregor's accent are just examples. The story provides a great backdrop to the characters: the Jedi are summoned to resolve a conflict between Naboo and the Trade Federation, the Sith are behind an intricate political manouvre to take over the Council (yes I do belive that Senator Palpatine is indeed Darth Sidious who becomes the Empreror). Naboo wins through the bravery of its queen and but Senator Palpatine becomes leader of the Council. The goodies appear to have won, but all is not what it seems. Everything is being set up for the next instalment. Obi Wan being allowed to train Anakin, the death of Darth Maul leaving an open place for Darth Vader and the relationship between Amidala and Anakin as the first step towards Luke Skywalker. This is a truly wonderful story and I admit that I am totally caught up with it. I cannot wait for Episode 2 and in the meantime can satisy myself with repeat playings of the 4 episodes I have. Watch it and watch it again.
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