Rating: 
Summary: I should have watched Independence Day
Review: If special effects could save a film this might have been interesting. The music, cinematography, and scenery are all excellent. Unfortunately the young Jake Lloyd "Anakin Skywalker" is no Haley Joel Osment. He has the look but no substance, I couldn't wait for him to get off the screen. Jar Jar... needed to be reigned in a bit. I was expecting a lot from this movie. The story is very weak and this was a waste of a good cast. I doubt if I will play the DVD more than once.
Rating: 
Summary: Lucas should sue himself for licencing this flick...
Review: I saw it in theatres and it made me laugh... not a good laugh either. Jar-Jar Binks is the worst screen character, digital or otherwise, to have ever been created. Stan Winston's gnome in "A Gnome Named Gnorm" is the only character that I have ever seen that comes close to Jar-Jar in annoyance. The kid (Annakin) can't act, and Lucas can't direct. Visuals are good, but overrated. Good actors (Portman, McGregor, and Neeson) flounder under Lucas' direction. The story is great on paper.
Rating:
Summary: Good DVD for an OK Film
Review: Well, I received a copy of this DVD for Christmas, and I must admit I enjoyed all the many extras such as the extended pod race, the documentary, and so on. But it's still the same mediocre film, clearly designed from the start with marketing toys to 10 year olds rather than paying homage to a wonderful series of films. Now it's been said that Lucas intentioanlly made the first film a light one, in anticipation of the much more darker films to follow. That's fine with me, but the problems still continue to leap out at me evry time I watch it. It's clear Darth Maul is a professional swordsman (which is why he has little dialogue), unfortunatly it becomes all to clear in the fight scenes that this guy could easily take out our heroes in about 3 seconds. Midiclorians??? Why in God's name does Hollywood think we need an actual explanation for the force? It was the force's mystical and unknown qualities that made the first films special in the first place. And don't even get me started with Jar Jar. It's quite possible this film could have been right up there with the others were it not for him. Let's hope the second installment gets the story back on track.
Rating:
Summary: To those it may concern...
Review: To those of you who can actually enjoy pathetic acting, an idiotic storyline, bad directing, and bad editing (that's just the tip of the iceberg, however) this film is most definitely for you. Directly from the start, with the "bad guys" who look like some form of mutant insect and talk as if they've just stepped off the set of "Barney Meets the Power Rangers," this film took a steep nosedive. Two of the only redeeming aspects of this entire film are 1) the musical score playing in the background, and 2) good special effects; and even both of those, when used improperly, can be infuriating. Take the latter example, for instance. The special effects are good, certainly, but Lucas uses them to the point of insanity. They are, simply put, too much. Another major mistake Lucas made was casting Jake Lloyd as Darth Vader's previous self. Jake Lloyd stumbles through his lines as does the rest of the cast, creating an ugly and embarrasing atmosphere. Lucas deserves a swift kick in the seat of his pants for this atrocity.
Rating:
Summary: Give it up, nerds! This is a horrible movie!
Review: Though Neeson and Mcgregor were well cast, they were too stiff and uninspired in this terrible excuse for a film. Yes, it's an interesting story but the effects were overdone and the rest of the cast was so pitiful I could barely stand it. This cult needs some cinematic taste! If you want epic, try the new Lord of the Rings that's out in theatres. Now that's good stuff! It has everything this movie was missing. Jar Jar alone is worth burning every copy of this film on DVD or VHS!
Rating: 
Summary: Funny
Review: Ok so yoda sounds like fozzy bear. Why? Am I the only one cofused? If anakin is the future darth vader wont that make him lukes grandfather?
Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars - What more do you need to know?
Review: Star Wars, you either love it, like it, or just don't get it. Liam Neeson and Ian McGregor together in the same film should be enough to put it over the top, but add in the phenomenon that is Star Wars and you have a classic of science fiction. Neeson brings a depth to the Jedi that even the great Alec Guiness couldnt bring to them in the first movie. His portrayal of the warrior/philosophers gives one the feeling of finally meeting someone who is what the fans thought a Jedi should be. McGregors protrayal of his slightly irreverent Padawan learner shows the energy that one would expect of Kenobi's brash youth. If you're a Sci-Fi person, you can't help but go with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Bad casting, Bad characters, Good story.
Review: This is the worst movie Lucas has done, next to THX 1138.
Rating:
Summary: Cinematography can't hold up a bad story.
Review: Cheers and congratulations are in order for ILM's masterful work on this movie, but here's the problem: The story wasn't thought out enough and bores it's way to the Jedi duel. Lucas should have paid attention when constructing sets that look more modern than the original (Star Trek's Enterprise could do the same in some areas). There is too much backstory to be told and I'm sure the script didn't allow enough running time to delve deep into Anakin, the Jedi Council, or even Yoda. There are a lot of things we still don't know, and maybe would if the pod race & Jar Jar weren't taking up that time...
Rating:
Summary: so much stuff here...
Review: I was a kid when the first Star Wars movies were released. I have been a fan of the movies ever since. When the first prequel came out, I had the joy of taking my young daughter to see it. With all the talk of its not being as good as the first three, I was apprehensive. My fears were unfounded. Episode One, "The Phantom Menace" is (for right now at least) by far my favorite Star Wars movie. The story begins before the coming of the Empire. The Republic is still around, as are the Jedi and their temple. Looking into the world of Star Wars before the time of Vader and the Emperor was half the joy of this film for me. The viewer is introduced to all kinds of new alien races and creatures. We get to see two new worlds (Naboo and Coruscant). The story centers on a young Obi-Wan (still an apprentice) and his master Qui-Gon Jinn. Together they get involved in a planetary conflict and stumble upon the boy who will one day become Darth Vader. The casting and acting are quite admirable. Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor are outstanding as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Frank Oz as usual, is awesome as Yoda. While one can see how the guileless Jar Jar might have rubbed some the wrong way in the midst of the cynical last days of the twentieth century, the very concept of a computer generated character opens all kinds of interesting doors. Finally (as far as acting goes), I'd take Natalie Portman over Carrie Fisher any day. The action of the movie is really quite mind blowing stuff. The pod race, the grand battle and the duel between the Jedi and the Sith are all amazing. Ray Park as Darth Maul is particularly impressive. This is a movie that leaves me impatiently awaiting the sequels. Luckily, the DVD has lots of cool stuff to play with while I wait. I cannot believe all the stuff that comes on disc two. Some of the documentaries are movie length themselves. I won't go into all the stuff included (it would take too long), but some of my favorite stuff here is: The "making of" documentary (even though the sound deteriorates towards the end of it), the "tone poem" t.v. spots, the music video for "Duel of the Fates," The deleted scenes documentary, and the featurettes from the web. There is SO MUCH STUFF here! I give the movie and all the DVD add-ons my highest recommendation. Get it!
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