Rating: 
Summary: Worth seeing if you're a Star Wars fan, otherwise....
Review: This is the kind of film best viewed only once, as it's really designed with eye-candy lovers in mind and once you've seen the special effects there's nothing else of interest.This prequel to the Star Wars saga isn't a patch on the other three films. The CGI special effects are very nice, yes, and it was good to see that title sequence again after all these years, not to mention the odd cameos by characters such as Yoda and Jabba the Hutt. But films today are sadly about money, not entertainment. The large varities of aliens are included in this film merely to sell models, the pod race is intended to sell a video game and the whole thing reeks of commercialism. Yes, alright, so there are some famous actors, but why are they there if they're not even given a chance to actualy act? Added to that is the fact that the two Jedi knights sleepwalk through the whole thing. There are some good moments, true. The Emporer-to-be is a wonderfully scheming character and Darth Maul is effective, though it's rather a shame he is underused. Some might say that this film shouldn't be too dark or sinister. But surely it shouldn't be on the level of a cartoon. There is far too much comic relief, most of the aliens are the Muppets relived and the underwater 'fish eaten by bigger fish eaten by still bigger fish' sequence is straight out of a Monty Python sketch. Hopefully Part 2 will be an improvement. It can hardly be much worse.
Rating:
Summary: The Phantom Premise
Review: This is the kind of movie you make when you have unchecked authority, no limit to what you can spend, ready access to all the special effects you could possibly want to use, and little concern about what your audience actually cares for. A sad heartless creation, "The Phantom Menace" wants to win us with stunning visual elements and sound effects. These overwhelm the few attempts to give us suspense and drama...which fail for anyone familiar with adventure stories because they are tired and obvious. Disappointingly little is done with the capable cast. And when familiar characters appear, they give us no additional insight into who they are (or why their role in this movie is necessary). Granted, the film-maker had a great burden of viewer expectations to handle...but one would hope that these expectations might have been used beneficially. Rather it seems they were avoided in order to provide something that no one else had suggested. Of course, this movie also had to fit into the series and needed to lay the groundwork for the planned sequels. But it should have been designed to stand on its own. Instead, the audience is presented with little more than a parade of characters and an introduction to what lies ahead. The first movie filmed in the series -- Episode 4 -- was able to accomplish that and much more.
Rating: 
Summary: The story begins
Review: this is the long awaited prequel. Because of advances in movie making technology (I.E. Computer ANimation) the prequel appears more advance than the original series. The story begins with Gon Jinn rescuing Anakin Skywalker. He begins his training as a Jedi. In the nean time the trade giuld has established a blockade of the planet naboo. Gon Jin and Obi wan Kenobi go to the aid of planet naboo. There they face a dark Jedi called Darth Maul. He kills Gon Jin then Anakin is left in the care of Obi Won Kenobi. The story sets up the conflict between the republic and the enemy forces of the dark side. There is instability in the force and Gon Jinn believes Anakin can restore that stability but the Jedi counsel have doubts about the young Anakin. .
Rating: 
Summary: Widescreen, 35mm cells, Art book - all nice
Review: This is the widescreen edition and it is very nice. I was only watching it on a 19" screen, so the image was kind of small but it was still very nice. I won't talk about the Star Wars movie itself, because most people have either seen it or don't want to. If you haven't seen it, but enjoy other Star Wars movies, are a Sci-Fi person, or like action and special effects, you'll like The Phantom Menace. I only had a cheap stereo system and a 2-head mono VCR to watch it on, but it was nice. I imagine that sound on a good Dolby Surround Sound system would be good. It comes in a nice collector's box. However, the packaging is thin cardboard and I'm sure I'll step on it soon enough and it will be ruined. The film cells are a nice bonus. (I got pictures of the underwater city). They come in a small paper frame and you can hold it up to the light to see what you have. It comes with an excerpt from the Art of Star Wars book. Once again, a nice bonus. It has a lot of pictures and interesting facts. It's too bad it's not on DVD because then you'd have the Six-Channel Dolby Digital Sound and an even crisper picture. The tape is good quality, and even when pausing, the picture is sharp. If you're waiting for DVD, don't wait. It won't be until 2003 or later when it'll come out on DVD. Overall, if you've seen it on the big screen, you'll enjoy it on the small screen.
Rating:
Summary: Lighten Up, darkjedi5150
Review: This is the widescreen version of the Star Wars movie, which means they compacted the top and botton to fit everything left and right. There is nothing missing on the right and left of the screen. I think you were looking at the full screen version. I have no complaints about this version of the movie except I would have rather seen the documentary at the end of the tape, not the beginning.
Rating: 
Summary: Worse than Godzilla
Review: This is the worst hyped movie I have ever seen. There is none of the Star Wars magic in this film. None of the characters in the film are sympathetic and Jar Jar is the worst creation in the history of film. Buying this movie is like telling George Lucas that it is okay to make a billion dollar movie with an awful script. The worst thing about this movie is that the computer special effects are the real star and there is no humanity or soul in the film. Star Wars was a great movie because it had characters people could relate to, but this movie has none. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS WORTHLESS MOVIE.
Rating:
Summary: Bad casting, Bad characters, Good story.
Review: This is the worst movie Lucas has done, next to THX 1138.
Rating:
Summary: Dont waste your time.
Review: This is theatre only movie. The quality of the story is pretty average. And why are introducing a DVD when they said they had no plans, forcing people to buy VHS. What a disappointment. Save your money and buy Bladerunner.
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: Just the beginning...
Review: This is where it all begins. How can you have the original trilogy without "The Phantom Menace"? While the story is a little weak, and the characters (especially Obi-Wan)are underdeveloped, I enjoyed Episode I and am excited about how it sets up the next two films in the new trilogy. There has been alot of criticism regarding this not being the "Star Wars" we are used to, but remember, the story does take place a good 30 years prior to "A New Hope". The special effects are great, the battles are better than ever, and is just wetting our appetites for Episode II. Most of all, the kids love it.
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