Rating: 
Summary: I enjoyed the movie...
Review: Here is another point of view. I enjoyed the movie myself. I was never a Star Wars fan growing up and don't think I watched or gave any of the original movies a chance until I watched Star Wars: Episode 1. Afterwards, I ended up watching and buying the previous movies as well as this one. This is why I think people's expectations for this movie let them down. I didn't have that much expectation for this or the other movies until I saw this one. Yes, I do agree that Jar Jar Binks is somewhat annoying at times but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. For those who want to exclude this movie from their 'Star Wars' world, would have to exclude it all.....it's all part of George Lucas' vision for Star Wars.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Ewoks, but a Gungan toy commercial.
Review: Here we go again with the usual stick up for Lucas or say it for what it was, a clunker. Natalie Portman didn't seem to take this movie seriously as well along with ep. II, thinking SW was just a step in her career along with her Harvard education. A wasted opportunity which Depp took advantage of in POC. Way to go Lucas, it takes a producer/director who doesn't care or know how to make a quality film to let this performance slide. At least Jake Lloyd had some idea what he wanted to do for his role even inexperienced as he was. Same with Hayden Christensen. Even Elijah Wood auditioned a homemade videotape to Jackson doing a skit with his friends about LOTR. Samuel Jackson as miscast as he is, would have worked better than Liam Neeson who admittedly was embarassed just as he knew his role was his retirement bit. Alec Guinness knew it was nonsense and knew Lucas couldn't direct, but he tutored Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford among others with his professional experience into still putting on a real show. The actors' earnest teamwork in ANH was what made the movie and made fans of us all. While LOTR will be remembered, and not just because of the 17 Oscar wins and astounding efx with many efx you don't even know were efx, the SW prequel will be remembered mainly for the infamous Jar-Jar and Portman's beautiful smiles(admittedly she looks a diamond). McGregor did the best he could with the almost nonexistent scraps of a script and role that he got. Portman is already quoted as saying they tried to do better in filming Ep. III. Apology acknowledged but let's wait and see if Lucas finds some directoral talent somewhere inside himself than the others around him. Even the OT is in danger of fading into obscurity with the weakness of Ewokked ROTJ, and Lucas' refusal to release the original versions, not the ruined special editions where the Death Star(s) has a ST:TheNextGeneration looking explosion and Greedo shoots first. In retrospect, one must suspect the origins of the story of ANH. It is biographical fact Lucas researched Tolkien and LOTR in the months before he came up with the script. That the prequels have had such an uninnovative story, one wonders where Lucas' 9 movie story he boasted about in 1980 exists? The documentaries on starwars.com revealed Lucas was trying to come up with a story for the PM(the challenge of coming up with a story was what the documentary title was.. wonder if it's even on any of the DVD's now or hastily erased) only after he had completed the special editions in 1997(and made us buy yet another efx-enhanced editon and seeing only the special editions in the theaters) while Jackson and crew worked on the script and model sets 5 years before principle filming even started for LOTR. Is it a coincidence we all had to wait so long for sequels yet PM just comes before FOTR? The production for LOTR was already known; Lucas didn't have much time. Finally, interesting in the week before the Oscars, AP news reports the OT , unfortunately special-edition only, was finally coming to DVD. Desperation for more profits? Riding on coattails of a real superior trilogy? Whatever. Interesting how the PM showed opposite the coronation of LOTR at the Oscars on network TV as well. Well, to be fair, an extra star for the things that were done right, mainly the stunt director's lightsabre choreagraphy, stunt work and Ray Park's successful stealing of the movie with his Sith scowl.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best DVD I've ever seen.
Review: Here's a switch: I recommend this DVD if you did NOT like the movie. I thought Phantom Menace was OK when I saw it in the theatre - looked and sounded great but it was less than met the eye. This was what I expected since I've never gotten excited about the old trilogy - sorry Star Wars fans! I was not upset about it since I had no emotional investment in the original, I just thought this movie was better than the old ones because it looked and sounded better. After a long weekend of viewing the hours of incredible extras on this DVD I became a George Lucas fan. When I watched Phantom Menace again, it was with different eyes. It still has the same oft-mentioned shortcomings, but knowing the intention of the creator I'm now able to watch it in a different way than I do other movies. And as a creative artist and performer I was awestruck by the extraordinary quality of work done on every aspect of it by a huge array of exceptional people in every creative category. No, characterization, dialogue and a conventional plot are not George's forte - nor is that really what he's after. If you watch Phantom Menace knowing his vision it becomes a different film.
Rating:
Summary: Hold tight, will ya!
Review: Here's the real deal. Many are not looking at the big picture, here. Some have claimed that they wanted this movie to be the movie to end all movies. How can it do that when there are still two more to come? HOLD TIGHT, CRITICS! The reason why the American populace did not recieve this movie well was because it was above their heads. Too sophisticated. Those who claim that this film has no plot possibly can't see the parallels between this movie and history. How do wars start? Ninety percent of the time by economic dispute! Why are we so attached to Star Wars? Because for some odd reason, we can all relate to it! Why? Because Star Wars is subtly a parallel on humanity. It depicts the way human emotion, conflict, politics, religion, and relationships all work together, and this is where Episode One succeeds the most. George Lucas has expanded into new theological territory that does not consist of explosions every five minutes (though action is definitely not lost) and the way that America deals with what it doesn't understand is by exclaiming: "I hate Jar Jar Binks!" The reason Episode One seems vague and detached from the other movies is because it does not have the next two installments yet to connect itself. Star Wars has not sold out. On the contrary, George is expanding the trilogy into what will end up becoming an incredibly moving saga. For instance, in ESB when Luke claims he is not afraid and Yoda eerily states "You will be...You will be!", why does he say it in that stern, somehow psychotic tone? My guess is because Anakin's cockiness will be a major factor leading to his fall to the dark side, and Yoda makes sure early on Luke does not relive Anakin's fate by shooting down his false security. If that were the case, how much more will that moment give us chills! Everyone relax, and let Lucas develop his own universe, and let's all just enjoy the ride. Episode One is a fine movie and opinions will rise once the six-part saga is finished in its entirety.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Good
Review: Hey rent this movie, dont buy it. Episode II Is a far superior film. Episode I although with excellent fight scenes is few and far between in all the places where a Star Wars movie should be a smash bang success.
Rating: 
Summary: HEY, COME ON!
Review: HEY, COME ON! THE MOVIE WAS'NT THAT BAD. I MEAN THE MOVIE WAS'NT THE BEST OUTTA THE SEIRES BUT IT DID SET IT UP. I DOTHINK THAT KID LOOKED WAY TOO CUTE TO BE VADER. AN IF THEY PICK LEO FOR 2 THEN IT WILL FIT THE CHILD BUT STILL TOO CUTE I THINK. AN WHAT ABOUT THEM F/X'S? WoW! AN WHAT ABOUT DARTH MAUL? THIS SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY OE THAT HE WILL BE IN. WAS HE NOT KICK A$$ OR WHAT? I THINK HE WAS THE KOOLEST EVER. BUT NOT BETTER THEN VADER. I DO THINK HE LOOKED KOOLER THEN VADER THO. WAS THE FIGHTING IN IT NOT THE BEST IN ANY STAR WARS? I MUST SAY I HOPE JAR JAR DIES AN FAST. I DONOT WANT HIM TO RETURN. HE MESSED UP THE MOVIE BUT THE MOVIE IS'NT BAD.
Rating:
Summary: Great to the point of exhaustion
Review: hey, i found this movie great
although the middle portion did get you a bit drowsy
that doesn't make the movie "less entertaining."
it was the same traditional old StarWars
and since Lucas was trying to do that,
this is a success for him even if he gets all these
criticism.
It tries extremely well with the other episodes.
I think that if you look closely,
it's more than just lightsabres,
but a brilliant plot simplified to entertain
the young, the old, and the tired
Rating:
Summary: I know you've already seen it but........
Review: Hey, i know youve already seen this movie, if youre like me, then youve seen it hundreds of times.Given the 5 stars i gave to this movie, you're probably thinking "This is just one of those die hard star wars freaks whod give it 5 stars even if it was pitifull."Well, then you'd only be half right.This movie didn't sink in the first time i watched it.Then i bought the movie, watched it, and i realized how cool it was.I think so many people thought this movie let them down because they were expecting to much.With anything that ha sstar wars in front of it,everyone expects it to be a milestone in every sense of the word.Well, i think the movie was great.I'm sure it made a lot more star wars freaks out of a lot of kids, and attracted some of the old kodgers (no offense guys) who where there when the first ones came out, to go see this one.I think it is a milestone.It introduces a few ill-known actors,and puts them in an excellent movie.The acting and special effects where great.The story was also excellent.I cant wait till E2 comes out.....
Rating:
Summary: The POD Racing scene,alone,is worth the price of the DVD!
Review: Hey, what can I say, I'm a huge Star Wars fan. While I'd love to praise all the moves George Lucas has made in regards to Star Wars, that's just not possible. Star Wars is more like a feeling, a cult movement, instead of the actual content of the movie itself. It's almost a spiritual feeling...so embraced that it allows oneself to(or try really hard to) ignore the bad acting and silly one liners. I suppose that is because of the story and what the story represents(you know...the battle between good and evil or maybe it's because it's childish and most of us were kids when we seen it for the first time). However, I do NOT understand why George had to pick 2 terrible actors to portray Anakin(both the actors in episodes 1 and 2). Perhaps the part is so original that it's too difficult for basic acting? Nonetheless, I still love the movies, but I can't help wanting to smack the 2 actors that play Anakin Skywalker. It's really George's fault. He should have said, "Get someone in here that can act!" and then told the cute little kid to go home. It couldn't have been a budget issue, do you think?
Star Wars is a comical sci-fi that wants to be taken seriously. No problem there George. Just do a better job on the casting for the 3rd and final episode...PLEASE?
PS. Great special effects...'nuff said on that issue. Special effects can't carry the movie though. It still has to be enjoyable with good acting all around. *NOTE* acting counts...WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THAT TO GEORGE?
Rating:
Summary: Phantom Menace...Menaced by too many critics!!
Review: Hey,it's STAR WARS!! Who cares what the critics think!! Just enjoy the incredible visual and special effects, great stunts, vast array of creatures and aliens, a young Obi Wan Kenobi etc.. and ESCAPE into two plus hours of fun and excitement ...'nuff said!!
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