Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as the old ones
Review: As a DVD goes this is pretty great video and sound are wonderful.
The movie left a little to be desired, but only cuase I liked the old ones so much.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing like a little bigotry in mainstream sci-fi
Review: As a fan who loved the sense of a universe of infinite alien species and civilizations conveyed by the initial trilogy, I found the sudden introduction of aliens with Asian (Trade Federation with slanted eyes), African/Jamaican (JarJar, the helpless idiot), and Arab (the slave-holding flying insect with the big nose) accents who ALL speak English, horribly distracting and annoying and, frankly, offensive. Watch the original movies and you're treated to subtitles when the aliens speak....because they're ALIENS. What this movie sacrifices in authenticity, it does no make up for in plot, characterization, or special effects. In the end, Lucas is running a machine now, and the movie's ultimate subtext is that the creator has crossed over to the dark side, forsaken true creativity and taste for the sake of commoditizing Star Wars, his most successful brand more than film at this stage. For no-holds-barred creativity and masterful storytelling, the Matrix, Dark City, Alien, Aliens, Blade Runner, 2001 are all truer and more compelling, and vastly superior by several orders of magnitude than this empty vessel. Lord of the Rings, which I just saw this week, soundly trumps Lucas's product with its blend of epic and intimate fantastical artistry. It is sad to see what a waste Lucas has made of Star Wars. But at least we have the first two movies (episodes 4 and 5) to cherish.
Rating: 
Summary: The Force is Strong with Phantom
Review: As a female Star Wars fan who took in The Phantom Menace on the big screen more times than you'd like to know-really-I couldn't wait to get my hands on the video (widescreen edition; not pan scan). And although watching it at home doesn't have the same effect as viewing it in an ultra modern theater outfitted with the works, I still can't help but marvel at the jawdropping, climactic lightsaber battle, the saga's best to date. Plus, there's the heartstopping Podrace-which should have snagged Menace a special effects Oscar at this year's Academy Awards. And like the Star Wars films before it, this one's got heart, too; the benevolent Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) easily ranks among my favorite Star Wars heroes ever, as does Ewan McGregor's young Obi-Wan Kenobi (the Scot's Alec Guiness accent is near perfect!). Ignore the naysayers and get your hands on a copy now. Episode II will most likely be even better (incredible, if it takes its lead from The Empire Strikes Back) and you'll need to know how it all began. (I know, I know: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...)
Rating:
Summary: Why are scenes missing?
Review: As a huge Star Wars fan I was very excited about this movie and I was not disappointed at all when I saw it in the theatres. I was disappointed when I got my Widescreen Special Edition on video and noticed at least 4 (so far) scenes that were in the theatre but NOT on the video. They aren't major scenes and won't be missed if you didn't see it in the theatres, but it would have been nice if they were there. Other than that, this movie is a wonderful prelude to the entire Star Wars saga.
Rating: 
Summary: A great set-up film
Review: As a HUGE Star Wars fan, I must admit I spent the months before this movie came out aching in suspense and anticipation, and when I finally got to see it opening night, after all those months of waiting...I wasn't disappointed. True, Jar-Jar is pretty annoying, and the characters lack some of the flair and humor that made us love the original trilogy characters, this is still a worthwhile movie! I think it did an excellent job of setting up the next two movies--that's why the plot can seem drawn out, Lucas is giving us the whole picture of what is going on for the next two movies. In any case, the last twenty minutes of this movie are amazing, they really show what the action will be like in the next two, which I can hardly wait for!
Rating:
Summary: Sure is purty but ain't that smart...
Review: As a little boy, I remember circling the tree in my front yard with all of the neighborhood kids and discussing the latest Star Wars film. (I did this a few times- just years apart...) I beat myself senseless to get tickets to opening night. At the end of the movie, my 11 friends that I had rallied around me, stood anxiously at the entrance to the theater. They were waiting for my reaction and wouldn't make a peep until I'd given them the go ahead. "I have waited 20 some-odd years for THAT." Once the floodgate was opened, similar comments poured forth for hours. This time, we went and shared the latest Star Wars entry over a beer and I can honestly say that not one person in the group had a positive thing to say. I enjoyed the movie visually but then again I enjoyed Independance Day and Godzilla VISUALLY. Guess I can finally get rid of my original Star Wars Toys...
Rating:
Summary: STAR WARS-THE PHANTOM MENACE
Review: As a long time STARWARS fan I expected more than what George Lucas came up with. The acting and dialoge was bad, but all of the millions that were spent on the special effects were great. I think we all could have done without JAR JAR BINKS; simply annoying. The truth, George left alot of holes in the story. For example, does R2D2 remember Anikan as one of his masters when he meets Luke? Over all, it's a STARWARS movie with not enough space action.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad movie sequel - Excellent DVD
Review: As a lot of people already said, it's a great DVD but a bad movie.
As a Star Wars fan it was very sad for me to see the myth broken in pieces.
The special effects are great, the customs are beautiful and... there nothing more. It was like looking a special effects presentation with poor dialogs, actors and a long so on. The worse of course, was Jar Jar Binks and all it's tribes... simply annoying, stupid and disturbing. The pod racer has great effects but i felt on a children movie with the two head creature narrator making jokes all the time, Java getting sleep and all sort of silly jokes. Don't know what Lucas had in mind, but the history was the last anyway; is like the ending of the Return of the Jedi, too much idiot creatures (the ewoks) doing silly jokes and less smart and interesting dialogs. As much as i love the first 3 movies i hate this one. Sad to say but true.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this movie!
Review: As a loyal Star Wars fan, I eagerly awaited the release of Episode I. George Lucas did not disappoint me. The effects were out-of-this-world. The scene in the planet's core was awesome. Obi-Wan was hot, and Anakin Skywalker was a doll.
Rating:
Summary: Could have been better, could have been worse
Review: As a piece of the Star Wars franchise, this movie is disappointing. The effects were excellent, but plotwise... It was good to see why the jedi had the reputation they had in Episodes 4 - 6, but if they were so smart, why didn't they kill Jar Jar Binks (an amazingly anoying character meant to appeal to the five year olds out there). See it for the battle scenes and the pod race. Don't see it for deep insights into the person who became Darth Vader. And as OB1 said to Darth Maul, "you are the weakest link. Good-bye."
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