Rating: 
Summary: If you like Star Wars for Star Wars....
Review: A lot of negative reviews have been given about Episode I, beyond the scope of Amazon. I never saw the original Episodes when they first came out in the movies. I didn't even see them when they first came out on video. So when I did finally see all three (all within a week, about 2 years ago) I had a somewhat different perspective. The special effects were no longer as impressive as they were in 1979, but I still instantly loved the trilogy. Seeing Episode I in the theater was the first time I saw Star Wars in the movies, so all you Episode I bitter people will probably chalk it up to that, but I still greatly enjoyed the movie. I will say I have seen the video about 5 or 6 times, and I still love it. I will concede that Jar Jar was definitely not what Lucas probably intended him to be, and not everyone is an Oscar contendor for their work. But I once heard George say in reference to this movie that he meant it to be fun. And that is what it was. I thought the fighting scenes were excellent, and to those who say the characters have little to no sustinance, I believe a great deal is learned through and about Qui Gon Jin and Obi Won, and look forward to learning more of Anaking and Obi Won in the next movie. I think anyone who really strongly disliked this movie, or called it a disappointment, went into it with the wrong attitude. Did you think Darth Maul would have had more or a presence in the film? Perhaps, but if you are a fan of Boba Fet then you really can't complain at all. And if anything about the lineage of the characters of Star Wars and the history of the Jedi interests you, then this film is well worth seeing. Does Anakin seem like he will become Darth Vadar? No, and that is the whole point. If he did, well then we could skip right to Episode 4. Though I was just a little one at the time the first three movies came out, from what I understand they did not get rave reviews when they came out either. Perhaps 20 years later Phantom Menace will be looked upon as just another Lucas Masterpiece. To those of you lingering skeptics and critics who say the film had nothing but effects, ask yourselves this: Who is the Phantom Menace? You may think the answer is obvious to you, but ask a friend (preferrably one not as bitter). I did, and it sparked a debate over two different characters. Not bad for a movie with "no redeeming qualities."
Rating: 
Summary: Just because it's "Star Wars" doesn't mean it's good
Review: there is no character depth... the entire film is a superficial blow'em up science fiction movie.Dont say the original movies were like that.. because in the old ones George lucas had a lot of heart and character to the characters... now they're just stand ins in a movie that George Lucas obviously didn't want to make. I was anxious to see this movie since the old star wars movies, but now I have no inspiration to see Episode 2. I hope Lucas doesn't make it.
Rating: 
Summary: George Lucas Falls Down Hard in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Review: The common theme running through George Lucas' work is visual genius marked by artistic laziness. Like most geniuses, Lucas works best within a limited palette of expertise. If you want stunning visuals and bombastic sound, he's your man. If you want a storyline with some level of sophistication beyond Saturday morning cartoons, it's best to look elsewhere. Star Wars fans (and I consider myself one) can whine all they want, but childishness is an inherent part of Lucas' cinematic ouevre. Whenever Lucas steps away from the controls and lets someone else drive the plot, the results are as amazing as "The Empire Strikes Back", the hands-down favorite of most Star Wars fans. When George is actively engaged in the script, we get dreck like the Ewoks and Phantom Menace's Jar Jar Binks. "Episode I-The Phantom Menace" could never live up to its prerelease hype in any event, but with Lucas firmly in command the movie is even more execrable than may otherwise have been the case. How bad is it? - The incoherent plot involves some nonsense about interstellar trade regulations - The Force, previously a kind of New Age mysticism, now seemingly stems from a parasitic infection - The main force for good is a 14-year old "elected queen" of a planet named Naboo, of all things, who spends much of the movie in Kabuki makeup speaking in desultory monotone - The villain never speaks a word, and seemingly exists for the sole purpose of having a lightsaber duel with two of the heroes - A major character actually chooses slavery over freedom, mainly as a cheap way to write her out of subsequent scenes - Unlike Luke Skywalker, who had a painful and awkward apprenticeship before emergind as a full-blown hero in "Return of the Jedi", Anakin Skywalker is invincible from the word go, despite being only 9 years old The movie is a colossal disappointment, and not just due to the inflated expectations of fans. While a number of the visuals are simply stunning, the plot is a total mess, which substantially undermines the movie's impact. The final victory comes so cheaply and ridiculously as to serve as a sort of parody of the first film (imagine Luke destroying the Death Star in a Landspeeder while on the way to Tachi Station to look at some power convertors and you'll see what I mean). Fans hope against hope that the second installment will counter this trend and restore some sense of menace to the series. Unfortunately, this installment is to be the love story, and if Lucas handles it as childishly as the "Phantom Menace", fans hearts will be the only ones broken. Again.
Rating:
Summary: I didn't quite suffer too much but........
Review: This movie was awful. The reason I didn't suffer too much is because it did have some good visuals and special effects. That was all this film had that was good. The acting was the worst in years. The story was non-exsistent. Did we even care about any of the characters? And as for the worst of all the villains. They were unintersting and not even worth disliking. This movie was a waste of a lot of money (not just mine) and it seems as it were forced. It does not even deserve the name of star wars.
Rating: 
Summary: Wipe them out... all of them!
Review: I couldn't have anticipated The Phantom Menace more - I waslooking for gossip and rumours for months before Episode I wasreleased at the cinema. Was it worth it? Yes and no. Some of the effects in TPM are awesome - the Podracing scene, the climactic lightsaber duel, the Naboo battle scenes - and there are some classic Star Wars moments (Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon emerging with their lightsabers through a veil of smoke; the Jedi Council scenes on Coruscant). Plus there are some great new vehicles, cities and alien species. The downside of The Phantom Menace is the lack of any characters as good as Han, Luke or *Old* Ben from the original trilogy. Good characters are essential for a good film, and here we just get Jar-Jar instead. Darth Maul is promising, but he's woefully underused and only has two lines of dialogue. But it's a gripping yarn, and it leaves you thirsting for more - so roll on Episode II!
Rating: 
Summary: Hold tight, will ya!
Review: Here's the real deal. Many are not looking at the big picture, here. Some have claimed that they wanted this movie to be the movie to end all movies. How can it do that when there are still two more to come? HOLD TIGHT, CRITICS! The reason why the American populace did not recieve this movie well was because it was above their heads. Too sophisticated. Those who claim that this film has no plot possibly can't see the parallels between this movie and history. How do wars start? Ninety percent of the time by economic dispute! Why are we so attached to Star Wars? Because for some odd reason, we can all relate to it! Why? Because Star Wars is subtly a parallel on humanity. It depicts the way human emotion, conflict, politics, religion, and relationships all work together, and this is where Episode One succeeds the most. George Lucas has expanded into new theological territory that does not consist of explosions every five minutes (though action is definitely not lost) and the way that America deals with what it doesn't understand is by exclaiming: "I hate Jar Jar Binks!" The reason Episode One seems vague and detached from the other movies is because it does not have the next two installments yet to connect itself. Star Wars has not sold out. On the contrary, George is expanding the trilogy into what will end up becoming an incredibly moving saga. For instance, in ESB when Luke claims he is not afraid and Yoda eerily states "You will be...You will be!", why does he say it in that stern, somehow psychotic tone? My guess is because Anakin's cockiness will be a major factor leading to his fall to the dark side, and Yoda makes sure early on Luke does not relive Anakin's fate by shooting down his false security. If that were the case, how much more will that moment give us chills! Everyone relax, and let Lucas develop his own universe, and let's all just enjoy the ride. Episode One is a fine movie and opinions will rise once the six-part saga is finished in its entirety.
Rating:
Summary: review
Review: It's Star Wars, it can't be bad. Also was present at the very first showning in the world while stationed in Guam.
Rating:
Summary: This movie was excellent
Review: Regardless of what some might say, this movie is one of the best Star Wars ever, and is definetly worthly of being part of the saga. The computer animation was absolutly mind boggling. As I watched the movie I kept thinking, how did they do all of this. The Podrace scene inparticular, is just awesome. I could watch that a hundred times and still not get bored of it. I just wish that this would get released on DVD. I don't know why Lucas has such a problem with DVD.
Rating:
Summary: "I have a bad feeling about this,"
Review: I know people do not thing negative reviews are helpful, but here goes. Some one has taken a decent space cowboy series and turned it into a second rate after school special. After watching this movie and I was the only one left in the room to finish watching I came to the conclusion that it has no redeeming social value. I went back and watched the commercials and found that it was my mistake. It never said that it was anything but a "family" movie. Family is a code word that Disney really does not want to claim it. George Lucas must have directed this under duress. Worst of all this is a thinly valid raciest movie. However, they say no matter how slow you are you can beat the bad guys with tenacity. Watch the original series but skip this cartoon.
Rating:
Summary: Falls of the Legend
Review: Theres a penetrating mythology and magic to the original Star Wars trilogy, something that is sorely lacking in this misfiring prequel. What once was art is now just artificial. Computer effects once were a means to an end--now they are the end in and of itself. The mystery is missing. We are told, in no uncertain terms, the ridiculous scientific basis of "The Force." (Lucas, take a hint from Chris Carter--some things are better left unknown.) There's no plot cohesion. We are to believe that the little toe-headed Anakin is to become Darth Vader? How? He doesn't do so much as stomp on an ant! The dialogue is stale and frequently incoherent. An elaborate underwater sequence is offered early in the movie, which contributes nothing to the story. The film's biggest flaw is its lack of character development---scratch that---how about the lack of characterization altogether. We're introduced to a host of potentially intriguing characters--Obi-Wan, Darth Maul, Queen Amidala, Mace Windu, among others--and by the film's end, we really don't know anything about any of them. Disagree? Ok, then, try and describe Darth Maul's motivation. What's going on in Obi-Wan's head through the movie? What three words would you use to describe Queen Amidala's personality? Then come the arguments: "Yes, but the Phantom Menace is setting up events for the next two movies! " Fine, but a movie should still be able to support its own self. Many Star Wars fans will embrace this movie, because, to them 'something is better than nothing.' But sometimes, if you love something enough, you have to give it truth.
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