Rating: 
Summary: I love this movie
Review: I loved this movie, and I am so happy that Lucas is putting it out on DVD. I haven't seen the DVD yet, but the extras look stunning and I can't wait to get it.
Rating: 
Summary: POP CULTURE TRAGEDY
Review: You have failed your highness. Lucas is the true Phantom Menace.
Rating: 
Summary: Lucas loses focus on plot for special effects
Review: This edition, that is recently coming to DVD, appears to have all the bells and whistles that is humanly possible. This is fantastic to see, since my all-time favorite movie is Star Wars: A New Hope. The reason I give Episode 1 three stars, is because it appears Lucas was trying to capture family audiences with special effects and goofy characters, instead of just telling the story. Still though, I did see the movie twice in the theaters. Why? #1, just because it's part of the Star Wars saga, and #2, because the Jedi action scenes turned out even better than I could've imagined. Scenes like Quang Gon Jin burning through the blast door with his light saber and Darth Maul staring at Obi Wan between the laser divider, during that unbelievable fight scene. These Jedi fight scenes, I believe, surpass the original. Other than that, the movie was entertaining, with an excellent cast. In the upcoming Episode 2, I don't really know what to expect. If Lucas was satisfied with "The Phantom Menace", but not happy with, "A New Hope", what are we about to expect? Critics gave The Phantome Menace 2 1/2 stars and A New Hope 4 stars. Will we see another 2 1/2 star action movie, or a 4 star brilliant work of art? Let's hope he learns from his mistakes, because by the time this trilogy is finished, I may be over the hill. :-)
Rating: 
Summary: A great kids' movie.
Review: The Star Wars juggernaut was never meant to be anything more than a childrens' franchise, the movies just a rollicking journey through imagination and visceral beauty. Star Wars: TPM does just that. From the opening Jedi/bot battle to the closing battle(s), Lucas' epilogue never fails to astonish and exhilirate. It may not have pleased the religious Star Wars purists, but Lucas succeeds at what he has set out to do.The Phantom Menace should not be judged as more than what it tries to be, the movie equivalent of a roller coaster. If you want deep philosophy, watch Star Trek. If you're looking for limitless aesthetic action, check out The Phantom Menace.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have for Star Wars Fans
Review: It's easy to argue over whether Jar-Jar was worse than Ewoks in 'contrived cuteness' or whether his accent detracted from the value of the movie. And yes, some of the rich "you're deep in the middle of a story" feeling of the other movies is lost here, since this of course is the beginning. Still, the Star Wars series has had an incredible impact on most people - from references to it showing up *everywhere*, to use of its terms in standard news broadcasts, even to many young women realizing, through Leia and Amidala, that women *can* be wielding laser pistols right alongside the men. I got the VHS version immediately, and there was no question in my mind that I would order this DVD as soon as humanly possible, and sit and explore its NUMEROUS special features. The commentary, storyboards, documentaries, features on design, and rest are all fascinating. To me, this movie wasn't of epic, sweeping moments, although there were a few of those. Perhaps THE favorite scene of mine is when Qui-Gon and Darth Maul are face to face with the energy barrier between them. They both realize that they temporarily are "stuck". Qui-Gon uses this time in the best possible way he can - he sits and recharges, storing all of his energy for the fierce battle that is about to come. Darth Maul is incapable of any thought but getting at Qui-Gon - and paces back and forth, burning his energy and impatient to get at it. This one scene symbolizes to me the huge difference between the sides of the force. Yes, the graphics are incredible, but the light saber battles to me are far more impressive, the amazing choreography that outshine any previous fight scenes. The pod racing scenes ended up getting me addicted to the pod racer game for a solid month, if not more. It's a movie that gets into you and has implications on the things we aspire to and the way in which we talk to each other. That's pretty impressive for a sci-fi tale. I highly recommend getting this, if only because it is a piece of our cultural history.
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Summary: Star Wars: The Phantom Beginning
Review: The familiar Fox Fanfare, followed by the eternally remembered line "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." BLAM! STAR WARS!!! Thus begins one of the greatest epics in years, "Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace". It takes everything that we love about Star Wars movies (Jedi Knights, Royal Heroines, Cute Sidekicks, Gigantic Space Battles, Stunning Special Effects, and Awesome Lightsaber Action)and brings it into a new era. The story itself is simple, a pawn/set-up for the rest of the series. On the surface it feels like an ordinary space adventure. But all Star Wars fans can sense the tragedy and doom that lurk within the unfolding events and within our hero, Anakin Skywalker (the phantom menace?). It begins with a blockade of the planet of Naboo by the corrupt Trade Federation, and the fight to free the planet by Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi and the beautiful young Queen Amidala. Also involved are a slave boy named Anakin Skywalker (destined to become the evil Darth Vader), the goofy Gungan creature Jar Jar Binks who aids the Jedi(and causes them a few headaches along the way), the two bickering droids R2-D2 and C-3P0, and an appearance by wise Jedi Master Yoda. On the other end is the sinister Senator Palpatine, who secretly manipulates the government and the Trade Federation under the guise of the shadowy Sith Lord Darth Sidious. By the end of the saga he will have become the evil Emperor, controlling everything in the galaxy. Also serving the dark side is his apprentice, the satanic figure of Darth Maul, a terrifying and formidable nemesis for the Jedi. Writer/director George Lucas takes this basic story and hides within it the seeds of the adventures to come, making it more than it seems. The actors are credible, the special effects are stunning, and the music by series composer John Williams is excellent. Even his score hints at the darkness to come. The blazing action steals most of the film. From the opening Jedi fight on the Battleship to the fast-speed Podrace, we are treated to some of the most amazing cinematic action ever. To top it all off, the raging final battle that explodes on Naboo is super-exciting. But the best action set-piece is the breath-taking three-way lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and the evil Darth Maul. It is the greatest fight scene yet to be captured on film. So don't dismiss this film because of its standard plot--it's merely setting up the rest of the saga. And don't dismiss it because of the cute and cuddly stuff--this is going to be the most lighthearted Star Wars film, a contrast to the darkness of Episodes 2 and 3. Don't judge it so harshly, because nothing could ever live up to the 16-year hype of Star Wars fanatics. All in all, this is an excellent sci-fi fantasy adventure that takes us back to that magical galaxy far, far away for a slam-bang adventure story. And the adventure is just beginning!!
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't live up to the hype...
Review: Now, I love the Star Wars films... although this might not be as good as the *other* movies... this still is George Lucus' masterpiece! And 'heck', it's the first Star Wars film on DVD! Look at all those bonus features! It'll be a blast. I thought the movie was *good* but not great. It can be entertaining... just not as entertaining as the first 3. The special effects are totally stunning. (Just look at the pod-race scene, holy...!) It may not be as classical as the movies before it, but 'heck', it's Star Wars and I'm pretty 'darn' happy. Get this disc, it's a work of magic (the special effects that is..) the actual movie is O.K. it's not TOTALLY AWESOME, but it'll do until a new one comes out.
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Summary: Is This All Lucas could muster after 15 years?
Review: This film is a terrible disappointment. It showcases all that is BAD with the dominance of the special effects film of the 90s. The story is absurd, the characters flat and hackneyed, as background to the previous triology it offers nothing new, the casting is uninspired and the villian is wasted. I won't even touch on the putrid Jar-jar Binks. I think where this film went wrong is that Star Wars has become larger than George Lucas, it's become part of the public trust for pop entertainment. The fans almost own the property as much as LucasFilm. And it would have been difficult to create a sequel (prequel) that could ever live up to the height. Especially after 16 years. Creatively it seems that Lucas has lost it (if he ever had it - witness the title of Episode II). Why couldn't we have seen things that would have altered our perception of the Star Wars universe? Like Obi-Wan losing his arm in the battle with Darth Maul? One event, as simple as that at the end of the movie, would have had the audience guessing for the next two films. It seems that Lucas also can't just randomly extricate Jar-jar from the next film, because then it would look like he is bowing the public opinion. Something no artist would ever admit or adhere to. Also, as a sci-fi film this film is woefully boring the way it's photographed and directed. As with Empire and Jedi, Lucas should have hired another director to do this (and the other) films. As it is I sincerely doubt I'll see Attack of the Clones (did he have to choose a B-movie title from say Republic Pictures catalog?) or the third film. I can't even stomach the first trilogy any more after this fiasco. And word is Lucas plans to go back and redo the digital effects on episodes 4 through 6 anyway. So it's high time I regulate these films to my nostalgic youth and reflect on better films by better filmmakers, like Francis Coppola and his highly anticapated Godfather trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE IT!!
Review: i loved this movie and i can't wait until Christmas so I will get it!!
Rating:
Summary: Great!!!
Review: This is a great star wars movie not as good as the imperium strikes back or return of the jedi but surtenly better than the overated first film that was boring.
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