Rating: 
Summary: BoRiNg
Review: I didn't really like this movie. There wasn't much action though I did like the pod-racing. The characters were cool but kinda corny. I fall asleep every time I watch this movie. I suggest buying the first three before this one because they were good. I saw the special edition in the movie theater and loved it but when I saw this one I liked it but got bored.
Rating: 
Summary: I don't care what universe you're from, that's gotta hurt!
Review: If you are judging this movie based on all the other movies out there, this is definitely near the top of the heap.However, Star Wars films will always be judged by a higher standard. "The Phantom Menace" doesn't quite make it up to the level of the first three. This isn't just nostalgia for the old films that's causing me to say this. All in all, "Phantom Menace" was just a bit weaker than the others. For example, the characters weren't quirky enough for you to really get to love them. The two Jedi's were both quite serious, the queen wasn't all that interesting, and the bad guys really didn't terrify me the same way Darth Vader could. There needed to be someone like Han to liven things up (though I do have to say that Anakin was a strength of this movie). I know that was supposed to be JarJar's role, but please...I couldn't laugh at him because he got so annoying by the middle of the movie. Add that to the fact that it was very difficult to understand him, and one wonders if Lucas is having any second thoughts about the huge role JarJar got. However, much so ink has already been spilled about JarJar that I won't belabor the point. The big battle scene at the end kept reminding me of the strikingly similar scene in "Jedi." The feeling of dejavu was so strong that it left me wondering if the writers could have made this one a little fresher. All that said, the special effects and animation was excellent. The plot, while not too deep, kept me interested. Overall it's not a bad movie, but Star Wars fans are hoping for something a little better with Episode II.
Rating:
Summary: its star wars, what did you expect?
Review: Cheesey one liners. Second grade humor. Lots of ridiculously cool special effects. Its Star Wars, what more do you want? I got really tired of hearing the same complaints, over and over again, about this movie. The humor, jar-jar, the story... Well, I have to admit, the movie fell short of the epic expectations everyone had, including myself, but here's the deal: We have another Star Wars movie to watch! Just that fact alone is exciting. Star Wars, since as long as I can remember, played a central role in my creative life, and I couldn't be happier in welcoming another installment of this series into my life.
Rating: 
Summary: EPISODE I- Star Wars for the new generation.
Review: For those of you out there who are not so hypocritical of a movie with a difference, The Phantom Menace is for you. I found that the performances by all actors were excellent, especially Natalie Portman who plays Queen Amidala/ Padme`. Imagine having to play two different characters in the same movie! As for those who thought that Epsiode I was a load of rubbish, I think that perhaps you should stick to romantic comedies, not science fiction movies like this one. Once again, I thought that this movie (and the book) was absolutely well done in every way. I find that every time I watch it, I see something new!! An excellent movie for the young at heart or for the oringinal Star Wars fans. May The Force Be With You!!!
Rating:
Summary: The legend is back with a vengeance!
Review: I am so tired of the criticism Episode I is receiving, because it is actually one of the most beautiful movies ever made. And I'm not only talking about the visuals here. I could go into an extremely lengthy explanation of why I think this, but I think I'd be wasting my time. The bottom line is that Lucas has tried something a bit different but still very much in the spirit of Star Wars. Instead of continuing down the beaten path, he has expanded the universe with a more serious side. We get to see political intricacies, a *real* queen (instead of the gung-ho Leia) and Jedi Knights in peak condition. Brilliant film, and a very good prologue for Episode II and III. Brilliant acting (maybe except for our little Anakin played not too convincingly but still quite charmingly by Jake Lloyd) by all cast members. Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor stand out in particular. Amazing soundtrack by John Williams. And -yes I really mean this- wonderful storyline that hints skillfully at greater things to come. And for the record, I *have* seen the original trilogy countless times, but I think Episode I is right up there with it in terms of quality. And maybe *gasp* even higher :) Well done Lucas!
Rating:
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.
Rating: 
Summary: It-sa BomBAD!
Review: Yeah I know... there's already nearly a thousand Amazon user reviews about this movie. I figured I might as well put my two cents in along with everyone else. I got nothin' better to do anyway... Having been a big geekin' fanboy of the original trilogy, my twisted sense of loyalty to George Lucas's little galaxy far, far away had me at the multiplex waiting to see Episode I. Two weeks after its premiere of course. Hey, I might be a maven of the 'Wars, but I sure as hell wasn't gonna stand in a miles-long line for five hours just to see one of the very first showings. I might be a loser, but I'm not that far gone! I should have read the warning signs. I can usually tell how good or bad a movie's gonna be by viewing the theatrical trailer for it. After seeing Episode I's preview before 'Star Trek: Insurrection' came on (yep, I cut both ways), I was less than excited. But, I decided to give the film a fair shake. After all, it is written, produced, and directed by one of the most successful filmmakers in cinema history. Perhaps it'll be an exception to my "Rule of Movie Trailer Viewing". Unfortunately, in this instance, I should have gone with my better judgment. To start off, I thought there were way too many CGI effects, and a few of them looked downright bad. One example of this was at the movie's beginning, a panoramic shot of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon taking a thirty-foot leap from a vent shaft and landing on the deck of the Trade Federation flagship's cargo bay. Also, whenever I viewed a scene made up mostly or entirely of Computer effects, it looked to me to be more like a glorified animated feature than live-action. Three examples: the Gungan - Trade Fed droid battle; Qui-Gon, Obi Wan, and Jar Jar Binks's escape from the ocean monsters; and someome parts of the Boonta pod race were less convincing to me as well. Don't get me wrong, I think CGI effects have great potential, and the look and realism keeps getting better; I just don't think the medium has advanced enough yet to look absolutely and uncannily realistic. I'm still a big fan of using physical models, like what was used in the original Star Wars flicks, in space movies. I guess I'm just an old fogey at heart. And boy, did they ever pump up the hype on Darth Maul! He was Episode I's coolest- looking character, yet he was seen for maybe ten minutes overall! And, after being able to fend off two opponents with some amazing martial arts skills and split-second reactions, he just stood there when Obi-Wan leapt and cut him down! This guy, with lightning-fast moves and force-heightened awareness, was somehow unable to dodge getting split when he had almost two seconds of time to react? I'm sorry, I just can't buy that. But there was some good to come out of it- the lightsaber "duel" between Maul and Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan was admittedly the best Star Wars "sword" fight yet. Also, as far as I can see, this trilogy as it unfolds is gonna be a downer to view. Think about it... we'll eventually be witnessing the fall of the Republic, the rise of Chancellor Palpatine and the Empire, the turning of Anakin into Darth Vader, and the killing off of nearly all of the Jedi Knights. I do not relish the prospect of the other prequels depressing me with the horrible events to come. Pass the prozac, please... Then there's Jar Jar Binks. The way I see it, if G.L. wanted so badly to have slapstick humor in the movie, he should've put in an intermission with a Looney Tunes short. I consider him to be one of the most useless and pathetic characters to ever sully the silver screen. Of course, I've voiced my thoughts to a few Star Wars fanboy cronies, many of whom thought I was insane to knock the 'Jar. They even went so far to state that his purpose was to be annoying; that's why he's there. Yeesh. It's pretty sad when one comes up with logic like that to try and justify a widely reviled character's existence. All I can say is, when I see Gilbert Gottfried in a movie, I know that his purpose is to be annoying, too. Yet it doesn't necessarily make it more enjoyable; usually, the opposite effect occurs. Actually, I have an idea for offing the Jar-man REALLY early in Episode II. You know how each Star Wars movie starts with the opening "Story So Far" crawl? Well, for Episode II, I see it falling downward, rather than up. J.J.'s at the bottom of the screen, lashed to a gurney, fully restrained, waiting for the bottom edge of the crawl to decapitate him. But this time, it comes downward much more slowly than usual. Everybody in the theatre endures the excruciatingly long, yet strangely satisfying, moment as it reaches its climax... and then...hee hee... AND THEN...HAHAHAHA! Uh, I gotta go now... the orderly has just arrived with my Thorazine and lithium chaser. 'Late...
Rating:
Summary: A great set-up film
Review: As a HUGE Star Wars fan, I must admit I spent the months before this movie came out aching in suspense and anticipation, and when I finally got to see it opening night, after all those months of waiting...I wasn't disappointed. True, Jar-Jar is pretty annoying, and the characters lack some of the flair and humor that made us love the original trilogy characters, this is still a worthwhile movie! I think it did an excellent job of setting up the next two movies--that's why the plot can seem drawn out, Lucas is giving us the whole picture of what is going on for the next two movies. In any case, the last twenty minutes of this movie are amazing, they really show what the action will be like in the next two, which I can hardly wait for!
Rating: 
Summary: What Happened?
Review: I'm a huge fan of the original saga, but TPM is just a huge disappointment. Gone are all the things that made episodes 4-6 great. Well... you all know what they are. Hopefully, Episode II won't be as bad.
Rating:
Summary: MARKETING GENIUS !
Review: George Lucas is a marketing genius. He build a fanastic climax to a history that is, at his best, a simple one. Full of special effects, there are several unforgivable flaws: 1) the movie is clearly made for everyone from ages 9 to 80. No deaths, nothing politically "Incorrect"; 2) Jar Jar Binks is disgusting; 3) THe boy who plays young Anakin is as bad as actor as he can be. I don't understand how he was cast.
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