Rating: 
Summary: What the hell is that!
Review: Im sorry but I really think that is the flop of the year. It's just a parade of visuals effects and we don't even see the actors. The first trilogy with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill was terrific and I really think that George Lucas should stop this mess immediately.
Rating: 
Summary: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
Review: Imagine The Beatles getting back together - during the disco era. That's kind of like what goes on with Lucas' creation. First, if you're going to believe the events took place before the others, you don't use 2-dimensional (and extremely "computerized") computer-generated characters, spaceships, etc. You use physical, tangible, 3-dimensional models and do not surpass the effects - which are STILL spectacular - of the first three. Nothing new here. Same types of characters, same action sequences, and an extremely overdone score by John Williams. What it boils down to is that everybody has a prime. George Lucas has waited too long to try and hold on to and re-create his glory days. BOO! to The Phantom Menace. Just pretend it was never released and enjoy the original trilogy in its original prints. There's nothing new here.
Rating:
Summary: No Force
Review: In 1977, the original Star Wars (call it Episode IV if you prefer) changed the face of the movies. In an era of talky grown-up flicks and overwrought disaster pictures, the fun was finally back. Good guys were good, bad guys were bad, nobody really cared about why. There may have been cool gizmos and weird aliens, but this was an old-fashioned western crossed with a World War II movie, with a little bit of medieval chivalry and mysticism thrown in for fun. In short, the film was exciting from the first frame.In 1999, the "new and improved" Star Wars (or Episode I for those who buy into such nonsense) had no discernible plot, incomprehensible dialogue, and uncharismatic characters who are neither good nor bad -- or maybe both at the same time, I don't know. Inexplicable action sequences are intercut with inexplicable dialogue sequences. Everybody on the screen looks so serious, as if they are doing something Very Important. Liam Neeson somehow manages to make being a Jedi knight look dull. This is not a western, nor is it a war movie, nor does it contain anything even the least bit chivalrous or mystical. It's greatest sin: This movie is boring from the first frame. Frankly, if I wanted to watch people negotiate trade routes and treaties, I'd turn on C-SPAN. Relentless special effects were not possible, nor were they necessary in 1977. All it took was a simple plot, characters who were just one step above types -- but charismatic -- and enough details to make us believe we were somewhere else for a couple of hours. Limitations can force movie-makers to become better story-tellers. Lucas was limited by time and money back in the 70s, and that first film is a model of efficiency. Now there's nobody to say 'no' to him. The result, as probably could have been predicted, is a self-indulgent mess slathered with CGI. Yes, the effects in this movie are way cool. No, they did not make it any more palatable. No amount of effects or DVD extras can make up for a boring story. I know that Lucas is trying to create a modern hero myth -- he has openly admitted as much. But he's clearly trying too hard. Time to get back to having fun, George. +
Rating: 
Summary: The Phantom Menace
Review: In 1999 a film was released called Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. It was the most anticipated film, well ever. Soon after it's release, many were complaining about how inferior this film was to the Star Wars legacy. I think just the opposite. While Phantom Menace isn't was good as the original trilogy, or Attack Of the Clones, The Phantom Menace is still a worthy inclusion in the Star Wars saga. My only major complaint is that annoying character Jar Jar Binks. But I got around him rather quickly. Other than that, this is an exciting chapter in the Star Wars saga. The trade federation is setting up a trade boycott of the planet Naboo. Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) sends two Jedi knights named Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to negotiate with the federation. But Lord Sideous has other plans. An invasion of Naboo. Qui Gon and Obi Wan escape with Amidala from Naboo, and are heading for Coruscant. But the ship breaks down, and they are stranded on the planet Tatooine. There, they meet Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) a young boy with extraordinary talents. Qui Gon decides to take him to Coruscant to be trained as a Jedi. Meanwhile, Sideous sends his apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park) to capture the queen so she can sign a treaty making their invasion legal. On Coruscant, Amidala decides she wants to form an army with Jar Jar's natives to take back her planet, and save her people. Overall Grade: A (10+++)
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginning to the Greatest Sci-fi Trilogy.
Review: In 1999, when i saw the teaser trailer, i couldn't believe my eyes cause i was anticipated to see it then when i saw it in May of 1999, i thought this movie was great dispite all the Public Negative outcry but i still think this movie is great. The DVD set here is great as the movie itself, it shows two Documentaries, Lost Scenes that never made it into the movie,
Music Video, TV Spots, Trailers, Teaser, Making of " Special Effects", including the first ever George Lucas Commentary. Either you like this film or not, check out the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: The Thing About Phantom
Review: In anticipation of ...Episode 3 and the upcoming DVD releases of the original trilogy, I thought I would give The Phantom Menace another look. And afterward I still found the same things to appreciate and abhore. I'll start with the cons:
1. First let me get Jar Jar out of the way. There is no question in my mind that this film would have been far easier to stomach if he had either been reworked into a different character or just thrown out with the bath water. Nonetheless there he is.
2. I'm not the kind of guy to pick on little kids, but everytime Jake Lloyd was on screen, I found it hard to surpress a cringe. This has more to do with writing and creative decisions than the kid. But I think they should have chosen someone at least a couple of years older.
3. I expect lame dialogue in a Star Wars movie, but fart jokes, poo humor, the future Vader saying things like "oops" and "Yippee". Are almost too much to bear.
4. The jedi council has always been something I imagined as something mysterious and profound. But I guess my expectaions were too high. When I found them doing little more than hanging around a boardroom, basking in their own self importance while they sent lackeys out on chores, I must say I was disappointed.
5. In episode 4, Luke already had some piloting chops, enough at least for the rebels to hand him a ship and go to battle. Had Lucas made Anakin a little older, he could have done the same. Instead we have Anakin saving the day by pure accident. The future Vader in essence, "pulled a Homer."
6.Too much Jar Jar and not enough Obi-Wan. The saga is not about Jar Jar.
There are other things that chafe me as well, but you get the idea. But now to be fair there were things that I thought were good. Some quite good in fact. Here are the pros:
1. The beginning of the film got me excited. When Obi-Wan and emerge from the gas filled room and dispatched those droids it was something to behold.
2. The invasion of Naboo was of such a large scale and so detailed, there's something new going on each time I see it.
3. The character of Qui-Gon was unexpected and I liked the fact he was on his own path and was annoyed with the other fuddy-duddy jedi.
4. Can you believe it? I actually liked Watto. I thought he was a much better realized character than Jar Jar, even amusing without being annoying.
5. Darth Maul, enough said.
6. The lightsaber battle is the best in all five of the movies. Too bad it's intercut with that lame battle between the droids and the Gungans.
7. I've heard people complain that the pod race is too long. But compared with the rest of the movie. It goes by in the blink of an eye.
So those are just a few of my thoughts. Now I wouldn't want anyone to think that I hate this movie. Far from. It's just that the combination of the garbage and all the great stuff make it simply an average film with above average special effects. But that won't keep me from the OT DVDs and Episode 3.
Rating:
Summary: Great Addition to SW Saga... Detracters don't have a clue.
Review: In general, all of the flash in the pan critcs were clueless in their reviews (see good reviews by Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert who are just about the only critics with any validity these days). People who complain about SWE1 are INTENTIALLY LOOKING for stuff to complain about just because they think its the cool thing to do, not event trying to like the movie. SWE1 is not the best in the series (that distinction goes to Empire) but it right on par with the rest of the series. (Remember, there are still 2 more chapters before the story is complete). Even if you ignore the others, this is a spectacular film. (I saw it 6 times in the theatre and did not grow tired of it) Just sit back and enjoy because you are in for a hell of a ride.
Rating:
Summary: Die hards must see BUT
Review: in my opinion the plot line was just not there. However, I can see that this was needed in order to pull all the characters together to fit the remainder of the story through to Episode 6. As far as the Special Effects -- this film shows some of the best that I've seen. Personally, I will not be purchasing this title until such a time that it is available on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: My Expectations Were Not High
Review: In my viewing of the Phantom Menace, my expectations were for an enjoyable film about a galaxy far away that would still develop human "type" characters. The characters in this piece were very poorly sketched and accented with awful dialogue, long sequences of "action", and a plot that was aimed at showing a high number of locations. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this film was storyboarded before written. It is the world's first (hopefully last) location driven film. The term "character chewing" by location and computer design is useful here. There was something I enjoyed here, mostly for sentimental reasons, but I can't allow childhood memories to get in the way of good sense. This film was dumbed down and marketed for a kiddy audience but at it's heart, it has what I feel is a dangerous message for kid (besides the latent message to always sell out) - With all the war that wages at the end, there is no loss, no real violence - it shows children that wars and violence are not deadly conflicts but games where legions of (human "type") robots are disabled. The over use of judeo-christian references was embarrassing - the virgin mother, chosen one... I honestly sat in my seat shocked that this was being done. MESSAGE TO LUCAS: A sublte allusion recalls and supports literary themes; it doesn't slap the viewer in the face and say "Look at me, I'm a reference to the bible!" Very bad taste... these are supposed to be creative people. This was not a good setup for this second trilogy - I shudder to think what new ideas the people at Lucasfilm will unleash on the world for a few bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Worthless until Jar Jar can be COMPLETELY deleted
Review: In short, this DVD will not be worth owning until there is the option to totally delete Jar Jar Binks from the movie. There was nothing wrong with the Gungans - in fact, I rather liked them (the normal ones that you could understand when they spoke, and who weren't shuffling, stumbling, mumbling idiots). As a point of reference - I've seen Episodes 4, 5, & 6 together more than 100 times, and have over 50 sci-fi movies in my DVD collection, but I'll never own or watch Episode 1 again until Jar Jar can be erased.
| 
