Rating: 
Summary: THE BESt
Review: the sequal has come out and it is just as good as it
Rating:
Summary: It grew on me
Review: I remember after seeing Episode I at the theater in 1999, I thought it was the biggest disappointment in cinematic history. At the time, the only actor/character I liked was Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala. The most poignant memory of the movie in my head was Ewan MacGregor delivering the corniest lines in the movie ("You were right about one thing, the negotiations WERE short") with an even cornier look on his face. I also remember disliking Jar Jar Binks, but not all that much.After seeing and enjoying Episode II, my Star Wars interest was piqued again to a crazed level for the first time since fifth grade. So, I bought the Episode I DVD just because I didn't want to be missing any of the episodes in my movie collection. I watched it again, remembering how boring the podrace sequence was and how corny and cartoonish the big battle at the end was ... but then, I was surprised! I was genuinely enjoying the movie more than Episode II. The podrace was more exciting than I remembered, the CGI creatures and real life humans blended together seamlessly, corny lines from Obi-Wan were a generally miniscule part of the movie, and Jar Jar was almost likeable. I recommend giving Episode I a second chance, and make sure to watch it on the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as bad as everyone says!
Review: The beginning of the Star Wars saga is definitely made for surround sound environments. While most people seem to find the Episode I plotline to be boring, or what have you, I actually thought it was a good story. The lightsaber battle with Darth Maul was definitely the highlight of the movie for me. Episode II is better than this, so if you haven't seen that, go to a theater near you NOW! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic DVD, then again...
Review: This is what DVD's are made for. The plethora of special features makes this possibly the best put together DVD out there right now, all DVD's should be made like this, but now onto the movie itself. From the start, Episode 1 had a lot going against it. Few people thought it could live up to the original trilogy, combined with the hammy acting and excessive CGI effects, not to mention everyone's constant bitching and moaning about Jar-Jar Binks, I was surprised it made as much money as it did (then again its a Star Wars movie). Ewan McGregor is great as the young Obi-Wan, while Liam Neeson brings a strong, silent edge in his role. Jake Lloyd however, can't act to save his life. All his lines sounded so forced and unconvincing, not to mention the fact this is the kid who is supposed to become Darth Vader, I just can't see that cute little kid becoming such an evil force. Ray Park is good as Darth Maul, only I wish we could have seen more of him, and the final fight scene is great as well. George Lucas has totally commercialized the Star Wars saga, and it shows here which drags the movie down a lot (he had said he thought about casting N*Sync as Jedi Knights in Episode 2 to please his daughter), and the total credibility that the series once had quickly fades away by the time the credits start rolling. However, I'm thankfull that Episode 2 is much better than Episode 1, but hardcore Star Wars fans will love it either way. Bottom line: great DVD, ok movie.
Rating:
Summary: DVD, finally here!
Review: As a Star Wars fan, I was of course excited and overwhelmed by all of the publicity and hype for what was then the upcoming "Phantom Menace." I must admit, I read as many articles, watched as many interviews, listened to as many tracks from the soundtrack, and tuned in to as many radios programs for inside scoops as I was able to. I even waited in line for an hour and a half just to get tickets a week in advance! Yes, you're probably thinking I am a loser, and you are probably right. Anyways, I saw the movie the day it came out and like everyone else in the theater I walked out of the movie feeling like I had just been on some awesome journey, wanting more. The new special effects were astounding to behold and single-handedly transported you to another universe altogether. I fear that maybe this film relied too heavily on its explosions, battles, computer generated characters and background filler, that there was not much left for storyline and character development. Don't get me wrong, it was a good motion picture but I think it should have dealt with less comedic relief (Jar Jar Binks)and more solid progression of story. At some points I thought to myself that many of the jokes were just unnecessary slapstick comedy. I guess I was just expecting something more mature and plot driven. It was difficult to critique this movie, and possibly I am being too picky because of my viewpoint of a big fan of the series. But all in all, "Phantom Menace," now finally after a very long wait on DVD, is an action-packed fun movie for the whole family. It is full of twists and turns that follow Obi-wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd), and the reserved Queen Amidala (played by the lovely Natalie Portman) as they fight to free Naboo (Amidala's home planet) from the invasions of the evil Trade Federation. We are introduced to new characters such as Qui-Gon Jinn, Nute Gunray, Darth Maul, and the mysterious Darth Sidious along the way. The DVD offers behind the scenes footage as well as many interesting scenes that did not make it into the film itself. Some of these scenes may shed some light on the plot, but most of them are simply fun to watch. There is also a commentary included where the director George Lucas and the producer Rick McCallum talk about the process of making the film and inside stories that went along with its production. The picture quality as well as the sound quality is astounding, making the experience of Episode I all the better. In short this DVD will be a great addition to the present saga, and is a must have in the home of whatever degree of Star Wars fans.
Rating:
Summary: A great DVD
Review: If it wasn't for Jar Jar, Episode I would have been a great installment of the Star Wars saga, but of course, everyone knows that already. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this DVD -- particularly if you have a good home theater system. The sound is awesome -- it really makes good use of surround sound. The DVD also includes an interesting short on the making of the movie that has some good behind-the-scenes insights into casting and special effects (although you cringe every time you see the guy in the Jar Jar suit . . .) Several scenes that were cut from the final movie are also included, but after seeing them, I can see why they were cut -- they are not particularly interesting.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST DVD out there.
Review: There is NOTHING out there that could beat this DVD. This is how ALL DVDS should be released in the first place. It has all the extras that DVD buffs dream of. From exclusive commentary by the film makers, to deleted scenes, to documentaries, to multi-angle sequences, to featurettes, production photos, postesr, ad campaigns, and exclusive StarWars.com content. Absolutely amazing. The picture quality cannot be beaten. When filmed digtally, it looks absolutely amazing on the movie screen. The transfer has absolutely no artifcats at all. It's just as clear as it was on the movie screen. The sound is wonderful. The best sound is 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Many DVDs have this, but this DVD destroys all their quality. The podrace sequence shakes the walls, the lightsabers snap-hiss and hums echo through the air. Nothing can beat this. The extras...Lucas proves he is a movie-making god. Just watching the making-of net featurettes will make you appreciate the film so much more. The hour-long documentary is stunning. The deleted scenes...they don't add much to the story at all, but it's always good to see deleted scenes around. The multi-angle sequnces blow away the multi-angle sequences on the Unbreakable DVD. Seeing the submarine chase and the first lap of the podrace from storyboards to animatics is just fun. The trailers...just brings back the excitement and anticipation of Episode I. The music video it just like a trailer. Nothing to special, but it's a wonderful piece of music. All in all, the best set of extras on any DVD. Buy it, experience it, and love it.
Rating: 
Summary: Jar Jar must DIE!!!!
Review: I realize that this isn't exactly original but I need to cleanse myself of the built up JJ angst that is welling inside me. This film promised so much and delivered so little in large part because moviegoers were forced to endure that nauseatingly brutal creature and it's infuriatingly annoying voice. There is no way in hell anyone with a light saber and the ability to use it wouldn't have decapitated that annoying piece of dung within ten minutes of meeting "it". In the end this movie goes down as one of the biggest disappointments ever, boring, pointless and worst of all ANNOYING, you couldn't pay me to sit through another viewing of that film, I'd cover myself in honey and dive in an anthill first. DON'T BUY IT.
Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as others are saying...
Review: Face it, you either love EP 1 or you hate it. I happen to like it mainly because the lightsaber battle scenes are phenomenal and you get insight as to how the series began and you can start to see how all this fits into the original 1970's-era Star Wars trilogy. Meeting R2D2, C3PO and Anakin AND KNOWING what will eventually become of them is somewhat fascinating. Granted, the addition of Jar Jar was added for comic relief, but he is annoying and a large part of what made Episode I so bad in many viewer's opinions. If you look past that, the rest of the film is excellent and if you recall, Return of the Jedi had a similar childish theme when the Ewoks were introduced and they were just as annoying. The film is pretty good as far as VHS is concerned. The mastering process was done well and the packaging matches the newly released Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes 4, 5 and 6) so you can put them on your movie collection shelf and have a consistent look. Not much in the way of extras (none actually) but that's what the DVD version is for.
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD packed full of extras
Review: Assuming that you already like this movie enough to consider buying the DVD, this is a GREAT set to own. There is a ton of extra material in this set, and it is all very interesting and informative for you if you are a Star Wars fan. It is not actually one DVD, but two. The first DVD is the movie, with the regular soundtrack, and then a very interesting commentary soundtrack with George Lucas and some of the other important players that helped bring the movie to life. I especially liked the commentary on the sound effects -- it's interesting to hear the tricks used to make the sounds for the pod racers and the ships. For example, they recorded a refrigerator motor and used it as the engine for one of the ships. The second DVD has a short, documentary-like feature about deleted scenes. There was an entire lap of the pod race cut out that you will get to see. Lots of commentary goes with each deleted scene, including how it was made, and why it was cut out. The second DVD also has a made-for-DVD documentary about the making of the movie. It shows basically everything from the Anakin Skywalker tryouts to the very first screening. It includes a lot of behind-the-scenes look at how the animation was done. It shows the lightsaber fight at the end being rehearsed and shot too. Great stuff. And of course, the DVD includes the obligatory trailers. Those are always fun to watch. If you are a big Star Wars fan, or if you just liked this movie, then this one is a can't miss.
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