Rating: 
Summary: The Worst Film of 1999
Review: "The Phantom Menace" did little more than extend the box-office longevity of the "Star Wars" franchise. It is an empty, soulless film that lacks the spirit, adventure and human element that made the previous trilogy so memorable. George Lucas was so caught up in the digital technology and special effects that he thought little about story construction and character development. (If you blink, you'll miss Samuel L. Jackson -- whose role is incredibly miniscule.) To make matters worse, Lucas sabotaged his own film with the obnoxious creation of Jar Jar Binks. The only memorable sequence in "Phantom Menace" is the pod race, which was ripped off from "Ben Hur" and "Viva Las Vegas" (I kid you not). For all the money it has made, this alleged film doesn't have an original, imaginative bone in its body. The next installment in the "Star Wars" saga has nowhere to go but up -- especially if Lucas kills off Jar Jar Binks.
Rating: 
Summary: "Star Wars Episode 1" review
Review: "The Phantom Menace" is a good action packed film. When viewing the film you'll meet new characters and meet some old (in their younger selves). The Venerable Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his student Obi-Wan Kenobi debark on a journey to save the peacful planet Naboo and their beautiful young ruler Queen Amidala. They wind up on Tatooine where they meet young Anakin Skywalker, who is unusually strong with the force. They go on a big adventure you'll never forget. While this is like the other "Star Whars" films, there are significant differences. The light saber(a Jedi weapon) is used much more, and seems more elegant than ever. It as well introduces the first lead parts portrayed by younger people (in "star Wars" films that is). Take Jake Lloyd, who played young anakin, he had a lot of spunk, and really brought a different feeling to the film. And Natalie Portman, who like Carrie Fischer (Princess Lea) had the ability, even though she's young, to play a leader, and is a great actress. The movie was very suspensful at times. Especially during the climactis lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and The evil sith villan, Darth Maul. the steps were coriographed well and looked very good on film. You never knew what to expect. All in all, I'm impressed with the film. George Lucas and his Crew did an exceptionally well job. --Brian
Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars: The Next Generation
Review: "The Phantom Menace" is an exciting entry in the Star Wars saga. However inventive and visually stylish, the film nearly fails due to a weak story and tepid performances. Comparable in quality to "Return of the Jedi", "Menace" lacks the charm and magic of the original three films. The saving grace of "Episode I" is the highly inventive surrounding that Lucas puts these characters in. Everything in Episode I looks different from the classic trilogy. The worlds seem more populated and organized but it leaves you a bit unsatisfied. There are highly complex action sequences which are a Star Wars staple. But they would be more effective if we were given something more important to care about than a trade dispute on Naboo. As for Anakin, I feel young Jake Lloyd did a competant job. I feel it was a mistake to make Anakin an eight year old but that was Lucas' fault. The film succeeds to entertain, but fails to offer anything new in the Star Wars saga. The biggest slap in the face to fans of the series is Lucas' blatant disregard of the mystical Force. Explaining the existence of the Force as if it were a Next Generation episode. Episode II better not have any midichlorians.
Rating:
Summary: Force Feed
Review: "The Phantom Menace" is, in my opinion, the best "Star Wars" movie behind "The Empire Strikes Back". The story and characters may not be well developed but the action (the lightsaber battle with Darth Maul) and the great special effects make it a great film that's a lot of fun to enjoy. It's good that George Lucas kept some of the themes from the previous films going here: heroism, belief in destiny, and how evil in any form can be defeated. Should not be missed by fans of the trilogy or fans of great action films
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: "~Here is the first chapter to a six film story. Now as beginnings go, it wasn't too bad. The story itself was involving and interesting over all. But some moments really detracted from the film. Specifically Jar-Jar. What his purpose is, I don't wanna know. But I could see where Lucas was coming from that he probably had his six year more in mind than us 30+ who saw the original as kids. something without fully understanding what they are writing about. It was an OK story that will continue on and if some people cannot reclaim some of that child like awe when viewing this, that's a shame.
Rating:
Summary: not the best star wars..it will have to do for now
Review: 'Due to the neck's flat refusal to release the other star wars ON dvd until at least 2006'said a well selling dvd mag in the uk.Who were they talking about I wonder?OK so Phantom was a dissapointment apart from the duel,the effects,the podrace and space battles but it will have to do until the real stuff comes too dvd,whenever that may be.Apart from the absoluteley top-notch picture and sound quality.this dvd has truly intresting features when you watch them all,particularly the beginning documentary.Perhaps we need more than this too last another five years though regarding star wars on dvd.
Rating:
Summary: It is for children.
Review: 'The Phantom Menace' was BAD movie. I saw it in the theaters when it first came out and I almost fell asleep. That's how pathetic it was. This movie is really for children. If you think otherwise, you should have your head examined.
Rating: 
Summary: Its for children, really.
Review: 'The Phantom Mence' was one of the few movies I fell asleep to in the theaters. The character development is sloppy and the story is not really interesting. No doubt, it is for children. If you think otherwise, maybe you should have your head examined. ZZZ....ZZZZ
Rating:
Summary: wouldn't buy the dvd if i were you - here's why:
Review: (...) The reason why I liked the movie was the scene when the battle droids got activated on the planet Naboo to confront the loose army of Bings' companions. That was cool. I loved the saber-fights too and I loved the Jedi-talk (may the force be with you, etc.). I even bought the video, because after having not seen it for a while I thought of this movie as cool and, well, I liked the other Star Wars movies when I was kid and after all, somebody gave it to me as a present. That's how I came to own SWI on video. After watching the movie at I suddenly realized that this movie has no real sense or intellect behind it. There's a lot of awesome special effects, but visual effects are not exactly the reason I watch movies for. First of all, Episode I, prayed for by loads of fans for decades, does not fit into the scheme of the later 3 episodes at all. Alright, we get to see what Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi (however you spell that mofo)looked like as a kid, but the invasion of Naboo has nothing to do with the universe-threatening conflicts of episode IV-VI. It is just a plot giving room to lots of action, but unfortunately stands in no plausible relation to the storyline of the supposed sequels. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome DVD (...)
Review: (...)awesomely done and finally the sound quality is decent. (...) There are a few added scenes, one in particular i didn't like during the pod race and felt it should have stayed out, but others were pretty good. I liked the added features and hope George doesn't take forever on releasing Episodes IV-VI on DVD.
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