Rating: 
Summary: May the Forceps be with you
Review: Somebody pinch me! Did people actually wait on sidewalks for days to see this movie, when they could have waited a week and gotten in without even lining up? Sanity, thy name is VCR. Well, it wouldn't be a Star Wars movie without bad acting and dopey dialogue. But, how in the world could three otherwise very fine actors (Neeson, McGregor, and Portman) end up giving such bland and inept performances? In addition, how could the pacing of the narrative be so slow and choppy? There's only one person to blame: George Lucas. He has obviously stayed away from the director's chair too long. My advice to Lucas is to hire someone else to direct and write the screenplay for the next film. He set the precedent with The Empire Strikes Back, hiring Irvin Kershner to direct and Lawrence Kasdan & Leigh Brackett to write the screenplay. The result: Empire is generally considered the best film of the trilogy. Alas, I'm a sucker for great special effects. As a result, I'm giving SW1 four stars, saving it from the 2 star drubbing the rest of the movie deserves. The pod race is incredible, a pure adrenaline rush. The other great sequence is the lightsaber duel between Darth Maul and our two friendly neightbourhood Jedis. Jar Jar Binks? Tie him up, put a thermal detonator in his mouth, and feed him to a giant space slug. Lucas has a penchant for multiple climax sequences. He's progressed from one in Star Wars (Death star battle), two in Empire (Luke v. Vader; Leia, et al escaping from Cloud city), and three in Jedi (Endor battle, Death star battle, light saber duel). He ends SW1 with another three pronged display of bellicosity. Does that mean he'll end the next film with only two simultaneous battle sequences, and the one after that with one, in chiastic fashion? Whatever Lucas decides, I sincerely hope he focuses on the special effects side and leaves the direction and screenwriting to others.
Rating: 
Summary: WATTO!
Review: This movie has the first of what will hopefully be many appearances by the greatest acting sensation in the history of the cinema... WATTO! That alone gets the film the highest review possible. Aren't their 6 stars? Watto certainly deserves them.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!
Review: I can't say how pleased I am with Star Wars Episode 1, Phamton Menace. The truth is, I am not a die-hard Star Wars fan -- but being a new fan, these are my opinions on this film. The sounds, special effects, computerized images, and other high tech stuff used in this film is excellent! The acting is pretty good too and Jar Jar Binks is the "funny bone" in the story! I just had to laugh at his funny ways! And the plot was OK -- I guess it'll get better because this is only episode one. Overall, I really really enjoyed this film! Some of you (die hard star wars fans), as I've noticed, are really irritated by this so-called "poor" film. I don't know why you guys should be, I mean, I've seen the old Star Wars films, too and I still LIKE this one. Anyway, this is a great movie and I would definitely see it again! It deserves FIVE stars, because movies are all about entertainment and enjoyment -- this one, I thoroughly enjoyed which deserves its full credit. The action and excitement in this film will appeal to people of ages!
Rating:
Summary: A feast for the eyes
Review: One must exercise caution when one approaches The Phantom Menace. Why? Well, the Star Wars saga has, in the past 23 years, grown to such phenomenal proportions that many consider it a shared quasi-religious experience. Many die-hard fans have felt betrayed by this movie. But I say to you, "You must unlearn... unlearn!" In no way is this movie a betrayal. Every complaint that has been levelled against it (lousy comedics, plot holes, annoying dialogue, formulaic ending) can easily be drilled into Episodes IV, V, and VI as well. Which is why it seems silly to revere the originals with such vaunted praise. Yes, they were all phenomenal movies. But why? Not because of the acting! Not because of the plot! No, it was because Star Wars is, at heart, a gorgeous feast for the senses. Sabres flash, podracers soar, blasters blast, aliens quip and entrance, and when the pseudo-philosophical meanderings get a bit too thick, blasters blast some more. People - this is an adventure movie! Think pulp. Think space opera. But don't think, "This is not the spiritual experience that was Return of the Jedi!" (BWAHAH! *Ahem* Excuse me.) If you enter it with the only expecation of being amazed and entertained, you will be delighted. If you're on a religious hajj, point your bare feet back in the direction of Mecca. This is a good flick!
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive at times, but too simple
Review: To say I was looking forward to this movie would be a gross understatement, but it left me irritated. The action scenes were phenominal, as were the backdrops. The problems were in the characters. Jar Jar did a VERY poor job of replacing R2-D2 in the comic relief role. His base humor seemed more appropriate for a Three Stooges film than Star Wars. Added to the other connotations he illicits, he is a very poor character choice indeed. In fact, I don't think I've ever prayed for one of the good-guys to die before! The acting was nominal, but the plot used foreshadowing and formula to the point that there were no surprises at all. The dark hero persona (Han Solo previously) was also sorely missed. The story was just plain bland! I really hope Mr. Lucas will listen to his fans and not repeat these mistakes (and yes they are mistakes!) in the future installments. I would pay considerably more for a much shorter film if only the scenes including Jar Jar could be cut out. Sigh......disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as it should have been
Review: The special effects were very good but the story line was lacking a litle and the acting was simply unnacceptable for such a great series of films. Ewan McGregor was the one saving grace of the film with a good portrayal of Obi Wan but Liam Neeson should thank God for letting him appear in it. Mr. Binks - it's all been said before. After waiting for so long I was expecting a much better film than this. Probably best to borrow this rather than buy it, because it is worth watching. May the next one be better
Rating:
Summary: The Most Lamentable Tragedy of Lucas - Creator of Star Wars
Review: I saw the movie in theatres three times and after each viewing found myself more flabergasted than before. The bizarre group of people who think that this is a great film like to contend that the original three movies had set our expectations at a level that could not be met. Firstly, I would say that if Lucas and Co. are the geniuses that these people think they are, they could have met even the highest expectations. Secondly, my expectations and those of others who were disappointed were not terribly high. I expected a simple story (like the others) that would be enhanced by the Star Wars mythology and great special effects. To be honest, though I love them, the first trilogy of films had flaws - they were somewhat trite and had an oversimplified cold-waresque feel. But they were never embarrassing, never made me blush and bury my head into my lap in shame as The Phantom Menace did (at the moments where they boldly announced that Annakin was born of a virgin and tried to give a blood based explanation of the force). In short I expected little and got much much less. Here's what I expected: In a science fiction, action based film, the characters should all have life or death objectives. Most of the characters here are only half motivated. The queen and her people have a motivation but figures like the Jedi and Annakin and that awful Jar Jar are just sort of lead around from location to location without any real reason to be there. Sure, I understand that the Jedi are defenders of all that's good and thus their motivation is the Queens' but they seem lost. The good actors that Lucas won get chewed up by the scenery and their terrible (I repeat TERRIBLE) lines of dialogue. Something else that the first trilogy had was a mystery - as the characters voyaged towards personal discovery and the discovery of the Universe and both slowly opened to the audience. This mood that there is something out there to be discovered is something most people seem to forget about. None of that is here. And sure, I understand that replicating that would be difficult but I know that Lucas and Co. didn't try. And if they were going to completely throw out the tone and mood that made the earlier films great, well then maybe they should not have made the coming trilogy at all. In the end, this trilogy will only diminish the earlier ones for future generations if they sit down to watch them in order, because the mystery of the force and Luke's familial identity will be gone. In the end, taken as a body of stories, there will be no mystery to any of it. Why would an artist sabotage how their work will be accepted when they are gone? Answer: Lucas is not an artist. Maybe he was before but not he is a corporate entity concerned with making the most dollars, which releasing these three films will do.
Rating:
Summary: It ain't as thirlling, but it is STAR WARS after all
Review: Well, just sit back open your eyes and ears and enjoy. Best viewd with big screen and a great sound system, but it is allso great with 21" TV. A great film by Lucas, not boring for a second and a well done graphics work. All in all this movie is worth every dime you think of spending. Do buy the Wide screen version, the stuff inside is thrilling and is woth a lot more than payd for. in one word - "I loved it"
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: This was one of the most disappointing movies I have ever had the displeasure of watching. The plot wasn't even worth paying attention to, the acting was horrible, and the most interesting character, Darth Maul, is see for about three total minutes. When two talented actors like Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor are made out to look like cardboard figures it's easy to figure out that the blame rests on Lucas' shoulders. This movie proves he may be a master of visiual effects (which are great), but he needs some directing and writing lessons. And please kill that stupid Jar Jar Binks thing.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie Even If It Is Aimed At The Kids
Review: The number one thing that most people forget when watching the Phantom Menace is that it is not meant for adults, it is meant for kids. This movie is great nonetheless in my opinion. It has a somewhat interesting plot and a couple of twists and turns that I did not even predict despite the fact that I had read a lot about this movie before it even came out. The number one reason to get this movie though is probably the special effects and the attention to detail. Lucas is a master at making sure that everything is there for a reason and makes sense for a reason. This particular edition is also really nice the half an hour introductory scene about the making of the movie is very interesting and was very informative. And this is a movie that has to be watched in Widescreen format to truly understand the magnificent scope of some of the settings and scenes. Plus from a collector's viewpoint the film strip is kind of nice as well. Overall this is a great movie and I can't wait till the sequel, PS wait till the very end of the credits and you can hear Darth Vader breathing....
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