Rating: 
Summary: This is a truly awesome movie!
Review: The first time I saw this movie in the theatre I was just totally blown away. Everything happens so fast that you have to see it more than once to take everything in. The special effects were absolutely the best I've ever seen--Jar Jar Binks was amazing (more about Jar Jar follows). It's a total farce that The Matrix STOLE the special effects oscar from The Phantom Menace! The Matrix used special effects rampantly and just as filler for an otherwise mediocre story, while The Phantom Menace actually used special effects to tell a real story. Before I'd seen Episode 1, I'd only seen the first Star Wars movie, which I thought was kind of so-so. I must say that Episode 1 is what made me a Star Wars fan! The people that don't like this movie obviously are too narrow-minded to accept anything different than the Star Wars movies they saw when they were kids. There has been some whining about the "lack of character development" and "bad acting," but this is complete nonsense. The acting fits perfectly into the context of the movie and the character development is subtle, but extrememly believable. The story is also very realistic and well conceived, contrary to what some people say. Now, onto my favorite part of the film, Jar Jar Binks. Not only did I feel that Jar Jar was a magnificent work of art, but I also found him to be the most human character in the movie. He is the kind of character that everybody should be able to relate to because he acts like most of us would if we were put in his situation--he gets scared. I also like him because he is sooooo cute and loveable. In fact, I love him so much that I've bought a life-sized statue of him! People who hate him need to see a psychiatrist to figure out how they could hate something so sweet and innocent. How could anybody hate such a cute guy?
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars fanatic here
Review: The first time I saw this movie in theaters, I was disappointed....mainly because I had researched it and watched it while trying to get answers for the original trilogy. Sense then, i've developed a love for this movie. The DVD is better than the VHS. Some of the deleted scenes are now incorporated into it. The pod race, which originally I felt seemed like one of those cartoon character races (I forgot what they're called. But like scooby doo racing the flinstones and some other characters...and then those bad guys constantly cheating and trying to win). You knew anakan was going to win. There was no suspense to it. However, even though we still know he's going to win, it actually preps you up. It gets you more into the energy of watching the race (and I'm no sports fan. I couldn't care less who wins so the only enjoyment I could find is in the danger of the race). The only annoying thing I have noticed during the pod seen is what appears to be a red lasor pointer being pointed into anakin's eye. I've noticed it sense elsewhere also. Was someone toying around on set or what? Also in some segments anakin's face goes from clean to dirty to clean to dirty to clean to dirty. Some of the wind keep blowing sand off his face and then back on it or what? Overall, I tend to watch this movie more often than the original trilogy because I've seen the original so much that its absolutely sickening. I can't keep my attention on what's going on at all. The DVD is great. I love playing around with special features and this has a ton. Remember to find the easter egg. Go to options and then type 11 enter 3 enter 8 enter and you'll get a pleasant surprise. I don't know how to get the egg to work on the dvd rom drive, however. Jar Jar's problem with being in this movie is that his character just doesn't fit the mood.
Rating:
Summary: ENOUGH BAGGING ON THIS FILM AND ENJOY IT FOR WHAT IT IS
Review: The first time I viewed The Phantom Menace, I must admit I did not like it very much. Like alot of people, I thought the characters were stale and Jar Jar was stupid and that the film od'd itself on computer graphics and by the end, I didn't care what the hell happened I just wanted to go home. Now mind you, I am not the biggest Star Wars fan but I do love all of the movies, have most of the old toys and love it when my nephew can quote a line or tell me the relations between the characters. Once this film was released on video (widescreen), something weird happened. Everything flowed alot better. Perhaps it was because there not claustrophobia from the hundreds occupying the theater, or I could finally hear the dialogue crystal clear, as opposed to the new and improved theater sounds, but this film was incredibaly entertaining and while I can still see some of my earlier points come up, I also know that once the series is done, I don't think people will bag on this film much. I think people are bagging on this the way they first ripped apart Back to the Future 2, until the series was complete and now it seems to be everyone's favorite. Sure some of the acting is wooden, but this film isn't supposed to be the involving story of Luke discovering his manhood and his place in the universe, but rather a political film about the unraveling of the galaxy and how everything is beginning to hit the fan. If you still can not understand Jar Jar, here's an idea... closed caption and just think his species has to die, because he or they are not in the last films. Afterwards, I rubbed my head thinking something was wrong with me--was this the same film that I bagged on when it arrived in the theaters? It was and yet everything was clearer than before--and the visuals were not in my face, but rather atmospheric on the television screen. Please, dear people--don't bag too hard because when the series is over, I'm sure you will like this one as well. .... So far this whole series was very good and I can not wait to see this epic completed--and I am not even a huge Star Wars fan but I do like to see credit where credit is due. However, I do have something to say to George Lucas about the Phantom Menace--the only reason why the Sand people shooting at the pods is funny is because we have seen A NEW HOPE--however, years from now when the series is done and kids want to watch it, it will be very hard to just start at EPISODE 1--because the injokes simply will not resonate and they may be forced to track backwards anyway. Next summer we will all see how this saga continues and until then, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU. Cheesy, I know--but what are you going to do? :)
Rating: 
Summary: Takes repeated viewings to really appreciate.
Review: The first time I watched this, I was not overly impressed. There was no way this could ever have lived up to my expectations after all these years. I have sinced watched it about 3 more times and find that I can really appreciate it now for what it is. Is it as good as any movie in the first trilogy? Not really. Is it the piece of garbage everybody seems to think they're cool by saying it is? Not by a long shot, folks. There are definitely some great moments here and some fine acting. High points? The light sabre battles here make the ones from the first trilogy seem like they're in slow motion - and Darth Maul is one tough customer indeed. The pod race was awesome (this scene is the best argument ever for widescreen over pan and scan), and one of the coolest parts in the movie for me were the tusken radiers shooting at the pods - great touch! Also, there are a lot of hidden things you might not notice the first few times. A perfect example is when Watto is talking to Qui Jon after the pod race and you can see (and hear) one of Darth Maul's probe droids whiz by behind them. Brilliant. Now, the low points: JarJar drives me insane. He must be considered a noble failure and I can only hope that Lucas sends him on some inter-stellar turd hunt in the next film. He's really not that bad, but he has more screen time than just about anybody. Also, the announcers for the pod race still make me cringe every time. Overall, I thought this was a fine movie, and I would encourage those of you trying to be cool by bashing it to at least watch the thing again and give it a chance. Bring on Episode II!
Rating:
Summary: More than meets the eye. . .
Review: The first time is saw The Phantom Menace, I was honestly disappointed. The other three movies seemed to be on a far more galactic scale. Yet, on subsequent viewings of the movie, I gradually realized just how many subtle ideas and foreshadowing events Lucas is planning. This is the beginning of a far greater and wide reaching epic. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Not bad
Review: The first time or five that I saw Episode I, it was awesome. The special effects and visuals were so absolutely outstanding, as was the simple thrill of it being the NEW Star Wars movie. It was such great eye candy and such a neat addition to the whole SW mythos that I was able to ignore the somewhat lame plot, the extremely long, mostly boring and corny tatooine sequence, and the under-representation of Darth Maul. Unfortunately, on video the visual effects really are limited a lot, and since so many of the scenes are so huge and detailed, when it's scaled down to a typical TV screen size the characters are often microscopic. It just doesn't have the impact that it did on big screen, and it gets a lot more boring. Because this movie is entertaining and Star Wars, I give it four stars. It it had been a stand-alone film, it probably would've been lucky to recieve three from me.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars for the DVD, but the Movie Itself...........
Review: The five stars are soley for the high quality of the dvd and the fabulous extras, but seeing the movie for the first time since it's initial theatrical run reminded me how iffy I feel about it. It's got all the special effects and production values money can buy, and there are some outstanding action sequences and very imaginative creatures but there's something missing and I think I know what it is: heart. I just don't think Lucas's heart was really in this. I think it was an obligation, a financial one and one to the fans. I don't sense the utter thrill and joy of pure moviemaking I did from the original trilogy. Nothing happens here that gets the hairs on the back of your neck up, or gives you goosebumps or rouses you out of your seat. I wish wish wish Lucas would entrust the next two segments to outside writers and directors.
Rating:
Summary: Every generation has a legend...
Review: The Force is really strong with Phanton Menace... is the best movie I ever seen. The revelations, the history, the characters, everething is exelent... It don`t matter if you are already a star wars fan or no, the movie is great. YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS MOVIE NOW!
Rating: 
Summary: IMAKIKUASS
Review: The funny thing about this movie, other than it being horrible, is how people defend it. I actually know people who told me things like "you didn't like it because you expected it to be good".
Uhhh. Yay and so the @#$% what? Shouldn't it have been good? Lucas only had a decade and a half to come up with it. He had the good idea's of other authors, and countless others. He had templets from other movies. Yet for some reason MANY people feel the need to defend this movie.
Let me start of with the infamous Jar Jar. First of all, I couldn't care less if Lucas wants to use stereotypes. In fact, he gets his stereo types pretty accurate and so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. So, yes, Jar Jar is supposed to be a "brown man" but, get this, no one wants him shoved in their face over and over. We get enough of that on WB, MTV, and every other media outlet there is. Science fiction used to be a safe haven from that sort of thing. Everyone would have loved the idea of Jar Jar if Jedi whats-his-face would have chopped him up with his light saber after the first 5 minutes. Alas, no, we had to endure "wheezagonna dye esheeebieubu!" for the duration.
The story was a snoozer. Little Anakin's constant scowling just didn't seem like good acting to me. The Jedi Council meeting was overdone. The whole Naboo story was ridiculous. And then there's the fact that Boba Fett is a little Mexican kid. Darth Maul wasn't memorable at all.
Sigh. The whole movie seemed too forced and at the same time didn't seem to go anywhere. It was also inconsistent with the original trilogy. Yoda was the one who was supposed to have trained Obi Wan NOT Liam Neeson. Jedi, when they die vanish in the original trilogy, only Vader does not. In episode one Obi Wan cremates Liam Nelson. But if he were a Jedi then why not vanish? A hardcore Star Wars fan would try to justify this by making up some kind of hidden plot that Liam Nelson's character wasn't really good but must have had darkness in his heart. Blah blah blah!
If someone else had done the movie then I wouldn't care so much about the inconsistencies but didn't Lucas watch his own movies?
It seems to me that a much better plot line for this trilgoy would have started with the Jedi and the Sith in a HUGE battle on Tatooine. Both the Jedi and Sith end up destroying a home out int he desert, the home of the Skywalker family. The family is killed in the crossfire but through the rubble Yoda finds a baby, however, unbeknownst to Yoda and the other Jedi little Skywalker can already talk but only be heard by the audience, the voice over done by Bruce Willis. As Yoda tries to change his diapers and go shopping little baby Darth Bruce makes witty comments for our amusement.
In episode two Yoda and Skywalker (played by Screech) , now in his late teens, must set off on a deadly mission to recover the Lost Ark in the Temple of Doom. Armed with nothing but a whip, Yoda and his sidekick beat up the Nazi's and save the day from the bad blonde people.
Episode Three... Well, here Anakin rebels against Wacko Yoda after years and years of sexual molestation. Yoda, of course, dismisses Anakin's claims saying that his mother put him up to it so that she could get money. Unfortunately the Jedi already killed Mother Skywalker in episode one so she cannot be Yoda's alibi, which of course adds even more fuel to Anakin's hate. Because of Anakin's confused sexual history he takes on a disguise as The Talented Mr. Ripley and works as the Evil Emporer's bulter, leading to disastrous consequences.
Now isn't this an improvement?
Rating: 
Summary: IT INSPIRES NO SENSE OF WONDER
Review: The hallmark of the first three Star Wars films was that a timeless, superbly engaging story was told with brilliant, groundbreaking effects. With Phantom Menace, we are faced with a half-baked, poorly written story told with spectacular but hardly innovative effects. The overall result is a disappointment on its own, and an outright disaster when compared to its predecessors. George Lucas seems so intent upon the digital, that he has utterly forgotten the power of the spiritual, the mystical, the magical...the HUMAN. All of these qualities were present in his first three films and are, for the most part, lacking in his latest. Let's start with the effects. Yes, they are marvelous...particularly in regard to the scenes of the "march of the androids" in the battle with the Gungans, the Senate hearing, the various city-shots of Naboo etc, and the final light-saber duel. But magnificent effects alone are not going to inspire a sense of wonder...after all, we have become quite accustomed (even numbed) to effects- driven films...some films having very nearly the same quality effects as Phantom Menace, and some with even more "effectively used" effects. So George was giving us nothing THAT radically new, a thing he had previously accomplished with his other films. In fact, some of his effects seemed dated and underwhelming. Several of the background creatures on Tatooine looked like rejects from 'The Muppet Show,' and the digitally- created Federation androids were just plain silly-looking. They weren't the slightest bit intimidating. Those androids were a huge effects goof. The Pod-race was gripping and "very good cinema," but there was no sense of urgency. They weren't destroying a death star...they were just gambling on getting parts for their ship. The acting was TERRIBLE, but it's not the fault of the actors...the script stunk to high heaven. If I heard "I feel a disturbance," or "The situation seems more complicated than we thought," or "We have no time for this," once, then I heard these lines a thousand times. The dialogue was horrifically stilted, real emotion was absent, the scenes seemed strung together with Elmer's glue, and the characters were uninvolving. Every character was a bore in this flick, from Qui Gon-Jin to Queen Amidala (whose cheesy, corny-looking outfits seemed more fitting for second-rate drag queens than a space queen). Yoda was underused, Samuel Jackson's acting was hilariously bad, and the Jar Jar Binks character was REALLY the most shockingly useless Star Wars character ever imagined. What was Lucas thinking? The racial bit was painfully obvious. At the end of this film, I wouldn't have been surprised to see the bell-bottomed, big-butted, pigeon-English Gungans stooping to worse lows. They did everything but tap-dance and spit watermelon seeds. How very stupid and insulting and the character was completely unconvincing. I know that people warn against comparing this film to the others, but the film IS based on the others, IS related to the others, and IS meant to be regarded in at least SOME connection with the others. But that doesn't matter. Even on its own, it's a bore, an example of what can happen when Lucas panders to the dumbing down of the audience by believing that no one really cares about a great story anymore. Visually, Phantom Menace has everything but the kitchen sink...but it has no soul.
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