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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.
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Summary: DVD Announced!!
Review: Star Wars.com just announced a release date of October 16, 2001. It will be a 2 disc set covering 480 minutes. The deleted scenes that are presented here even have finished effects, just for the DVD release. There is also commentary by Lucas and Rick McCallum, as well as others.
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Summary: Phanton Phony?
Review: Star Wars: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace Star Wars: Episode One has lived up to its summer hype. It is just as good, if not better than the original three in the series. The special effects are fantastic, it has a great storyline, and the acting is stupendous, and it's an all out great movie. Naboo is in danger from the Federation, and it's up to two Jedi Masters and a young slave named Anakin Skywalker to save Naboo. Most of the movie takes place on Naboo where Qui Gonn Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi meet up with a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks. It also takes place on Tatooine, a desert planet ruled by Jabba the Hutt, free of the Federation. Anakin's only way to be free is to win a podrace, and to gain new parts for the Jedis' broken ship to get off the planet. One great thing about Star Wars is the acting. Everyone in the movie acts wonderfully, and makes the movie a lot more enjoyable. It must take a lot of talent to do all that. Episode One is very realistic with the battles, and the CGI animated characters. The lightsaber scenes were absoulutely terrific. I've never seen so much action in five short minutes. The only down part of the movie was how Qui-Gon and Darth Maul died. Both died while thir hands were in the air. How could two Jedi Masters be so stupid to lift their arms into the air in the middle of a huge fight? It just boggles the mind. George lucas went a little overboard with the CGI. Jar-Jar Binks seemed cool at first, but it was a bit carried away later in the movie. Episode one is geared toward all ages, even if you aren't a Star Wars fan. There's also a bit too much humor too. The podracer sequence was sweet. Once again, a bit too humorous. When Ben Quadrinarous' podracer blew up, it had great effects put into it, but it was more childish. I liked the rest just fine. it was full of suspense. Overall, I'd give Star Wars: Episode 1 a 4 out of 5 star rating. The reason being the humor. Many parts were very serious, but the humor and action just didn't blend.
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Summary: Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Review: Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace After all the hype and the crazily varied reviews, the real question is whether The Phantom Menace is up there amongst its' three predecessors as one of the best films of all time or a pale imitation of its relations. The answer: neither. Phantom Menace isn't up to standards of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi. A millions details irritate and niggle. The acting is sometimes flat, Jar Jar is irritating and incomprehensible and the plot adheres to tightly to the conventions of the past films. At one point the same sequence of events is repeated twice (there is indeed always a bigger fish) and the force has now been revealed to be a bunch of tiny parasites who give birth to the chosen one - it kind of loses its mistique doesn't it! I also feel that the promotional material (and there was a lot of it!) ruined much of the films' appeal. For example, in the film, Darth Maul only reveals his two bladed lightsaber at the end of the film, but due to all the promotion we all knew about it already. So does this all mean that it was a bad film? Far from it. Although a slight disappointment for a Star Wars film, in its own right it's bloody excellent. Each of the weaker performances are matched by great turns from Natalie Portman and Ian McDiarmid, and, though I could have done without Jar Jar, Anakin's owner, the other computer animated character in the film, looks and acts brilliantly and sits next to Palpatine as the best character in the movie. The lightsaber battles are incredible, and Darth Maul is amazing to watch. The computer effects, far from detracting from the story, are brilliant to watch and effective within the plot. The huge council chamber is particularly notable for being mindblowingly awe-inspiring. John Barry's score is powerful and memorable, cleverly both touching on the Star Wars theme and going in new directions at the same time. The film works best when the viewer is familiar with the originals, both because of the nods to events in the future, and because of the sheer sense of excitement when the Star Wars prolouge scrolls up the screen. So it seems fair to say that this is not the unfaultable work of art that the other three Star Wars' were, but it is still one of the best fims I have ever seen. Can't wait for Episode 2. Hint: watch to the very end of the credits to hear a little referral of what is to come. 9 out of 10.
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Summary: The Beginning Of It All
Review: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is an awesome movie and is a great DVD package. This is a real "feel-good" movie with a real "feel-good" and victorious ending. This is the movie that got me hooked on Star Wars. Episode I, the first of three prequels in the Star Wars saga, brings a certain flare to the story and exudes hope and despair for what we know is to come. With an all-star cast that includes Liam Neeson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Frank Oz, and more; and the always-impressive special effects that Star Wars movies deliver, this is an impressive movie that is very well constructed. This movie will not disappoint you and will delight any DVD collection for years to come.
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Summary: ONEofTHEgreatestMOVIESofALLtime!
Review: Star Wars: Episode I is one of the greatest movies of all time. Don't believe what all of the critics are saying: they are liars! The truth is that this is a very good movie with the most amazing special effects, sound, music, plot and acting. This special widescreen edition is a limited edition with an exclusive behind-the-scenes, The Art of Star Wars, and an actual film celL! What more could you want! Well, other than a double-sided lightsaber, but you can see the best Darth of them all playing with one!
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Summary: It made over $400 million so someone must've agreed with me.
Review: Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace is probably the most misunderstood sci-fi/fantasy movie in recent history. Why this movie recieved so much negative response is beyond me. I thought this was a truly spectacular film. And I'm not just saying that because it's Star Wars,(although that is a contributing factor)but because it is not just another it's-science-fiction-so-just-gimme-the-money type movie, although that's what many people said it was. Also because we returned to that galaxy far, far away and learned more about it. We have new characters, new enviroments and a whole new story. Many complaints have surrounded this movie since it's release. Let's look at some of these,(there is nothing negative that anyone can say about this movie that I can't defend against.)
1. The story. I once remember George Lucas saying that a special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing. Well, I wasn't at all bored with this movie so there must've been a story there somewhere.
2. The plot. This movie did something different when it came to the plot. It was several different subplots rolled into one. Qui-Gon's training of Obi-Wan, Amidala wishing to protect and save her people from the Trade Federation, Anakin's discovery by the Jedi who realize how strong he is with the Force, Senator Palpatine's rise to power which will lead to the downfall of the galaxy, the first meeting between C-3PO and R2-D2, Shmi's desire to let her son go free and fulfill his dreams, the rise of the Sith who finally making their move to conquer the galaxy, and the eventuality that Obi-Wan will train Anakin. I think it would be difficult for someone other than Lucas to tell so many stories in one movie. This is probably what led to the confusion of what the plot actually was to others. But that's just my theory. Anyone who want's a quick and easy version of the plot. Senator Palpatine(aka Darth Sidious)used the Trade Federation and the problem they presented with the trade route taxations. He would then have them blockade Naboo which would allow the Queen Amidala to overthrow Chancellor Valorum and Palpatine would take over, therefore moving his Sith plan into fruition. Valorum then sent two Jedi to try and negotiate a settlement. You can easily figure out the rest. I agree that this could've been clarified better. But altogether I liked the idea.
3. The acting. Well I hate to admit this, but Star Wars never really had great acting. It had good or at least decent acting. I felt this had the same feeling as the other movies.
4. Jar Jar Binks. Ah, yes, the underappreciated Gungan. All right, I can actually see why a lot of people didn't like him. But I'm not going to yell at you about it. I'll just say that I think he's awesome and not annoying. Probably because I'm not easily annoyed.(Not with movie's anyway.)
5. Anakin Skywalker. He didn't bother me one bit either. I mean come on, he's just a kid, remember he's not going to stay like that forever.
6. Too kiddish. Yeah, I can see that too, but this didn't bother me either. I say, hey, give George a break. This was his last chance to make a happy Star Wars movie. Remember that Episode's II and III are going to be a lot darker.
7. Too much visual effects. Well, can you imagine how impossible it would be to do most of these sequences in live action? Exactly.
8. The midichlorians. This is probably the most misunderstood element of this movie. Let me explain what it is. This just proves that not everyone can use the Force and become a Jedi. The more midichlorians one has within him, the stronger that being is with the Force. This is how Qui-Gon was able to determine that Anakin was the chosen one.
9. Character development. This is probably the only thing I think that could've been improved. I would've like to have known more about Qui-Gon's past. The rest of them I think we're fairly developed. Now that that's out of the way, I hope many of you look at this movie with a better viewpoint now. But even if you don't like the movie, I still suggest you pick up the DVD and watch "The Beginning" documentary. It may not drastically change your perception of the movie, but it will show that it's more than just a two hour toy commercial as many people say it is. Trailers, TV spots, deleted scenes, documentaries, animatics, commentaries, pictures, DVD-ROM and easter eggs galore. This is NOT a DVD to be missed. Star Wars. I love those two words more than any other movie title. 10/10.
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Summary: A horrible thing to think of when you think of Star Wars
Review: Star Wars: Great
Empire Strikes Back: Amazing
Return Of The Jedi: Great
The Phantom Menace: Vomit Inducing Star Wars Episode 1 is one of the worst films of made. George Lucas should really be ashamed because of this pile of puke. It is mainly about Ankain Skywalker as a pod racer. The battles are nothing spectacular and are better done in movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or The Seven Samurai. The Special FX are nothing compared to The Matrix. I wanted Episode 1 to be about The Sith Wars, not about Pod Racing. WHO CARES?!?! And anyone who think that this is better than Empire Strikes Back needs to rewatch the original Trilogy. I am not looking forward to Attack Of The Clones (sounds like an Ed Wood movie, doesn't it?). I suggest waiting for the MEGA BOX SET to come out if you want Star Wars. Because if you have seen the original trilogy and haven't seen this, you will be disapointed from this.
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Summary: Amazing DVD package for this great movie
Review: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace got a DVD package that it deserved. Not only is the film finally transferred perfectly to DVD format (complete with multiple commentary by all the important people involved with the films creation) but also comes with a second disc packed with extras. Theres a great 1 hour documentary, all the teasers and trailers, a hoard of mini documentary's, and picture galleries. Many seemed to have disliked this film, and though their opinions are there own, there is no doubt that this film is now part of the Star Wars mythology, and deservedly so. Lucas creates a beautiful universe and it definately shows on this DVD. Pick this one up and see why not only the film was one of the highest grossing blockbusters of all time, but why it's one of the fastest selling DVD's of all time.
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Summary: EPISODE 1 IS MEDIOCRE AT BEST
Review: Star Wars:Episode 1 is a okay movie. The fault is in the casting. The little Luke Skywalker is awful as an actor, what Lucas was thinking, I just don't know. The special effects are so computerized that you know they are computerized, they look cartoonish, and painted. The movie is interesting on a Star Wars point of view, the highlight is Natalie Portman as the Queen, well acted and great make-up and costume! other than that this movie is really a bust. Samuel L. Jackson in this movie is so misplaced. He looks like Samuel L. Jackson in costume on a Star Wars set. Liam Neeson is also miscast, Ewan MacGregor is good however. The movie is just a mish-mash that goes toooooo long with the race sequence involving young Luke, and the battle with those robots-...well what can I say, the special effects are really bad, they look painted on they don't look real. Episode 1 is not a special effects marvel, nor a acting marvel and they killed the villian OFF! NEVER KILL THE VILLAIN OFF WITH 'DARTH' IN THE NAME! Once Darth was gone it just destroyed the movie, besides the likes of Jar Jar Binks who was NOT cute and was absolutely annoying. Lucas is just getting toooo old for this. Give me Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher anyday! Now we have the likes of "Episode II" coming soon with Samuel L. Jackson too!...won't they ever learn to quit while their ahead. Should of ended with "Return of the Jedi", end of story.
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