Rating: 
Summary: Expectations and reality
Review: Much has been said, both praise and criticism, of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. I will address elements of both arguments, in an attempt to give an objective review. First, I feel expectations cause problems for any movie. After 26 years since the last picture, the expectations for this 1st installment of the Star Wars saga were ridiculuous. George Lucas could have told any story at all and it would be a letdown. Twenty years of hype is quite a lot to unload in the course of two hours. Second, people have no concrete example of this type of a prequel concept. The closest example is Godfather II, but even that "flashback" was bookended by a modern-day setting. In the Phantom Menace, we are seeing the beginning of an epic tale. This story SHOULD BE a pale shadow of the other films. It should also be a bright beacon. The Phantom Menace is a film meant to contrast life in the galaxy as we knew it in Episodes IV-VI. It is NOT a period of civil war. It is NOT a time of dictatorial oppression. As a result, the universe appears more colorful and alive. In this film, we see the groundwork, the first suggestions, that things aren't as they have been. Many characters in this film are underdeveloped. They are left that way on purpose. We knew very little about Ben Kenobi or Han Solo either in Episode IV. Their characters grew and developed throughout the trilogy. One major problem in appreciating Episode I is the fact that in 20 years, people perceive the original trilogy much as one picture. Much of the criticism received about Episode I could be matched identically with the criticism that Episode IV received in 1977. The plot is not weak, it is simple. Like the beginnings of any myth or folktale, the story must be simple. What you find, though, are many layers to pull back. In this way, the story can apply to most people. Greek myths were shared not just to children, but adults as well. Everyone could find a valuable lesson in it. This film makes statements against racism, the separation of family, and the importance of leadership and loyalty. Characters like Jar-Jar show that even people that may seem the most incapable can accomplish great things. People I know that enjoy this movie the most tend to be people that haven't seen any of the other films. They have no bias. As Yoda said, "You must unlearn what you have learned." The visual arts and the sweeping music score draw you into a whole other reality, if you let it. The story takes you on a journey, Obi-Wan's journey, of maturity. If you are mindful of the things that happen in between, you might even learn something.
Rating:
Summary: At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi.
Review: Think about this revelation alone: "At last, we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last, we will have revenge." This alone ought to tell you what else 'out there' awaits us in the next movie adventure {Hint:Who is the 'we' Maul is referring to?}. I got over Jar Jar one of the first few times I saw the actual movie at the theatre and did so knowing this had to lead to something bigger and better in the next motion picture. Many questions were arisen. Why Darth Maul only used half of his saber when attacking Qui Gon on Tattooine instead of both blades is one and why Obi Wan did not 'flash' over to his mentor to help him when being attacked by Maul much as he had earlier to escape the attack droids is another. Where did all of the Trade Federation ships disappear to in the battle at the end of the motion picture? These curiousities will surely be answered in Episode 2 as well as I am sure all of the others. The Phantom Menace was well worth the wait, in my humbled opinoin. Recently I had the chance to see for the first time Saving Private Ryanand must say this excuse for taking up well over two hours of my time hardly had a deep storyline and took forever to get to what turned out to be the obvious. The Star Wars galaxy is vastly populated with many the unknown and in a few years time, Episode 2 will easily erase any doubts we fans may have with the end result of Episode 1. Until then, take solace upon yourself and enjoy this awesome movie package relaesed by George Lucas. You will be glad you did!
Rating: 
Summary: I cannot convey the depths of my despair...
Review: Poor. Disgrace. Abomination. Horrible. Travesty. These are just some of the words I would use to describe The Phantom Menace. George Lucas aparantly forgot to write a story while making this special effects technology demo. While Neeson does a fine part with his role and McGregor is passable given his poor material, Natalie Portman gives a horribly wooden performance which would make you forget what a fine actress she is. Jake Lloyd is nothing short of atrocious. Jar Jar a 'character' with no purpose than to show of George Lucas' almost impressive computer technology (the character is stilted, does not look realistic at all and is jarring on the eyes) and a vehicle for five year olds humour. (Not to mention, being near incomprehensible). Further slaps in the face include a main character who utters one line, and appears in the movie for about three minutes. Again, he serves no meaningful purpose buut to provide the 'bad guy' for the films climactic lightsaber battle. What else is wrong? An overly long pod race plot line that does nothing but promote the tie in video game. A space battle which is completely without feeling, since its consequences are insignificant and forces we have no need to hope for victory. Terrible "Star Trek" style scientific explainations for the force. Then to top it off, an ending battle directly ripped from Return of the Jedi, only this time with Gungans as Ewoks and droids as Storm Troopers. An awards ceremony stolen directly from Star Wars. Poor, poor, poor. It disgusts me that this movie carries the name 'Star Wars'.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars is 6 movies not a single one!
Review: The Phantom Menace is the first step into a larger world!This movies had only set the stage for the others 5.The Mid-Clorian thing is a foreshadow for the Clone Wars.I think Jar-Jar is great and for the ordinare movie goer he was the best charater of the movie.TPM rules, SW is the greatest Saga in Movie History.
Rating: 
Summary: Captures today's America
Review: This movie, which was killed by fanatical hype, was actually not as horrible as it was made out to be. The Phantom Menace quite accurately captured the present situation in today's America, with unseen powerful forces coniving to gobble up power. However, I must disgree with a previous review which stated Darth Sidious was Bill Clinton. Lucas apparently sees the bad guys as those on the other side of the fence: "Nute Gunray" = Nute Gingrich & Ronald Reagan; "Lott Dodd" = Trent Lott; and of course, Darth Sidious is... well I'll leave that up to the imagination, though everyone knows that Luke Skywalker is Sen. John McCain, "fighting his way out of the Death Star." But seriously, the movie is okay, and could only have been better with less computer animation and fewer known actors. Only seeing Episode II will prove whether or not the set-up was worth it, but I suspect that it was.
Rating:
Summary: The Star Wars Saga.
Review: Episode I was a key point of the Star Wars Saga. The other movies may stand on their own better but this movie plays a more key role. It tells the begining of an amazing story of Aniken Skywalker. It is the first of what would have been, if Lucus would develop that last 3(and probably wont),9 movies. This is the background of who the charters are. It tells the whys of the middle 3 movies. To really understand the middle 3 you must see this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sad Ending to a Long Wait
Review: I, like many others waited long and hard for Star Wars 1 to come out. I was extremely disappointed. In the first trilogy released, while there were three movies that were separate movies but tied together, Star Wars 1 just seemed like the first installment in a miniseries. The inclusion of Jar-Jar Binks as a main character was, at best, a travesty. He has neither the warmth of R2D2 or the bumbling antics of C3P0. I can only conclude that, should George Lucas insist upon making the rest of the trilogy in this vein, he'll lose more and more fans. And should he continue to make the last trilogy in the line, there'll be no one left to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: FX are not everything...
Review: I do not want to slam the movie for what I think it should have been. I am sure George was happy with it or at least mildly so in order for it to be released. I did think that it could have used a bit more development, and there were a few things that could have been left out. (Jar jar, most of the Gung gan battle with the droids) The only problem with this movie really was that the first three were such intense movies, with characters of such presence that they made it a very very hard act to follow. I applaud Mr. Lucas on his choice of actors and actresses, but I think there was just something lacking in their performance. One of the great things about Star Wars IV was the dark undertone. Phantom just seemed made more toward the 6 to 15 year old crowds, than the broad spectrum that makes up the Star Wars Fan Clan. In closing I would like to give my whole hearted thanks to Mr. Lucas for allowing the "Star Wars Phantom Menace" to be seen here in Kuwait on post, other wise I would still be wondering what all the huha was about. Thanks from all the military and civilians that work over seas protecting the interests of the greatest nation on Earth.
Rating:
Summary: Great Family Film from the 90s
Review: Back in 1977, George Lucas pushed Hollywood's bar of quality up quite a few notches with "Star Wars". For the past 22 years, Hollywood has been desperately trying to knock it back down. In a day and age when most TV shows and movies fall short of our expectations, "Episode One: The Phantom Menace" is a much needed sigh of relief. It's a great film for kids and adults (who haven't forgotten how to be kids!) If you're looking to buy this movie on home video, please get the widescreen edition. (other formatted editions chop off about 43% of the screen. In other words, you can't put a long, rectangular screen into your square TV) If you have a surround sound system, you're in for a real treat! Anyways, Lucas may not be the world's greatest director, but he does have an excellent sense of screen composition. Similar to "Star Wars", "Episode One" has that old comic book / Saturday Matinee Idol appeal. Similar to "Star Wars", the acting is not Shakespearean, but it IS charming. Lucas put it best when he said in an interview, "...it's an uncynical film in a cynical world."
Rating:
Summary: Better than some think ...
Review: Okay, let's state it plainly. To those of you who think this is the greatest film ever made: get a clue. This was not a perfect picture. To those of you hailing it as the worst waste of film you've ever seen: don't overreact. It wasn't that bad. There's more to the plot of this film than many give it credit for. Why do we care about some dumb trade war over taxces and tarriffs? We don't. But that's not the point. The entire plot was simply a means to an end--the first step in the rise to power of the Empire. Palpatine orchestrates an otherwise unimpressive trade dispute to gain control in the Senate. Palpatine is also Darth Sideous, Sith. Thus, this film represents the beginning of the Sith's seizing of power, the first seeds of the evil Empire that dominates by the second/original/whatever trilogy. At the same time, Lucas introduces Anakin Skywalker, who also dominates the second trilogy--both thru his presence as Darth Vader, and thru his offspring, Luke and Leia. Thus, it is a more complex plot than it seems on the surface. Sure, there were midichlorians (lame!) and Jar Jar (lame!) and a horrible first 20 or 30 minutes. But the minute Qui Gon and Watto shake on the Pod Race bet, this film takes off, and becomes a pretty good space opera ... which is all Star Wars was ever meant to be.
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