Rating: Summary: Fun Review: Take a deep breath and repeat after me: This is not STAR WARS... this is not STAR WARS... Om... this is not STAR WARS....Okay, now try these also: this is not EMPIRE STRIKES BACK... Om... this is not RETURN OF THE JEDI... So many people have come to this movie with the most irrational expectations imaginable, from the shameless marketing of the products disappearing that is as synonymous with George Lucas as freakin' RONCO, to it having a DUTY to outdo not just one of the greatest movies of its kind of all time, but in the context of people who had not only seen it 128 times but have studied it as much as Lucas himself. Why do this? I knew at the outset that nothing could ever possibly outdo the emotions of the nine year old boy I was in 1977, who sat in a movie theater watching a movie influenced by the mythological perspective of Joseph Campbell unfolding with special effects that changed the course of movie history forever. For starters, I'm not nine anymore; it's like comparing your Grandmother's Thanksgiving day turkey when you were six to your wife's on your first one together as a couple! With that said, perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much more than so many others. Not to say there weren't holes in the plot, particularly around the evolution of the young Darth Vader's relationship with the Jedi, and yes, Jajar Binks (sp?) was annoying. But the movie was so much fun, and all and all, once I released the expectations of a fashionably cynical, oh so experienced adult, and took on the open mindedness of MY son (who ironically enough, was nine years old when I first took him), I enjoyed it immensely. The story and the entire anthology is well served. the special effects are (what do you expect?) dazzling. It is worth owning. Complete your collection, and just have a ball.
Rating: Summary: Jar Jar Binks:Nails down a chalk board. Review: Take the best special effects ever, perfect movie audience, almost unlimited budget (plus decades in the making) and what do you get? Well, in this case you get a movie that narrated by a slimy creature that wouldn't even make lizard status and has the voice of nails down a chalkboard combined with the worst computer elevator music mankind has ever invented. OK, the queen had potential, but she's supposed to be two years apart from that seven year old and they're going to be getting married? I don't think so! The plot is non-existent, the acting pitiful and really the whole thing is just set up for the next movie. There are no strong actors and no human actors period of note. Hans Solo, Luke, Darth Vadar...we get the point, were what made first movie and you'll be sorely let down if that's what you watch this for. There's no way to connect to this movie and with so many other good movies coming out right now, get something else.
Rating: Summary: avoid it at all costs Review: Take the original Star Wars and remove chemistry between the characters, remove the senses of adventure and realism, and don't allow the actors to act, and you have Phantom Menace. Watching this, one would think that Lucas had never seen the original three movies. He literally took everything that made the first movies great and threw them out the window. I don't know how any director could have a movie with such top-notch actors and wind up with such a lack of feeling, but I guess a control freak like George was able to do it. To top it all off, we learn that that the ability to use the Force, which we previously thought was mystical and spiritual, is really due to things called midichlorians in the blood. What?!? And forget about Haley Joel Osment, the boy who played the Spoon Kid from the Matrix should have played Anakin. This movie is a poor successor to one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. It plays more like a parody than a prequel.
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Rating: Summary: Fast flowing action prequel Review: Terrific story telling the origins of Annakin Skywalker and Queen Amidalla, the start of the Emporer Palpaltine's activities and the Jedi Council. Gerat action and special effects with interesting characters including the annoying Ja-Ja Binx. I thought that Annakin's master was the most underated character of the entire movie. Made for aan interesting start to the Star Wars series.
Rating: Summary: Fast-moving,fascinating Review: Terrific, fast-moving prequel with a fascinating insight into the origins of Annakin Skywalkers past, the war within the Alliance and the Jedi Council. I thought Ja Ja Binx was overratted and that Annakin Skywalker's master was the most underrated character in the movie. But some great acting and special efects with a fast-moving plot makes this movie a beauty!!
Rating: Summary: A Terrible Film Review: Thank goodness I rented it before I bought it. While the CGI creations were very impressive they were unable to compensate for a dull and lifeless film. Despite the presence of both Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson (both of whom are genuinely wonderful performers) the acting was wooden at best. The kid who played AS was truely dreadful. Halfway through the film I realised that "Farscape" the television series, was a far better choice for SCIFI veiwing than this billion dollar mess.
Rating: Summary: Finally the wait is over, and it's worth it.... Review: Thank you George Lucas for finally putting a Star Wars movie onto the DVD format. This DVD is a must have for every Star Wars fan who owns a DVD player. The movie images are razor sharp and the sound is so good, it's like watching the movie the first time, everytime. Even the documentary DVD is worth watching with alot of features. Thanks again Mr. Lucas from a life long Star Wars fan.
Rating: Summary: "I'll stick to the classics" Review: Thank you Mr. Lucas. I think most of us have been wondering, what ever happened before A New Hope? I think we can all agree that Star Wars is one of the best movies ever made. The Phantom Menace is not a bad movie but the classic originals are better. Attack of the Clones is better but still doesn't compare to the oringals. This is the beginning. This is what we've been waiting for. The explanation of it all. Anakin Skywalker (a.k.a. Darth Vader) is just a young boy and is taught by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) to follow the Jedi ways. You have to watch this movie though. Watch for Episode III to hit theaters in May of 2005.
Rating: Summary: Masterpiece! Review: Thank you Mr. Lucas. Regardless of what some are saying this movie is a masterpiece. We have been waiting many years for this and now it is here. My only complaint is having to wait 2 more years for Episode 2. So many people are critical about the controversies etc in this movie but all I have to say to that is, wait. There are 2 more coming and all will be explained. Once again, this is an excellent movie which lives up to the quality of ep. 4-6.
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