Rating: 
Summary: Don't like it? You don't understand it.
Review: I am getting fed up with people that berate this movie simply because they do not understand it or can't think beyond the surface level. Yes, Jar Jar was irritating. However, since when does everyone speak perfect basic (as English is known as in the SW universe)? Just on this planet called Earth, we have thousands of different dialects of English, many of which are barely understandable by "American" English speakers. Why wouldn't this be duplicated on a galactic scale, especially for an isolationist race, such as the gungungs, who don't have much use for, or chance to speak, basic? Jar Jar's clumsiness is Lucas' Redemption Character theory (see: Ewoks). No matter how bumbling stumbling stupid you are, you too can save the galaxy. We can only hope that Lucas realizes that 10 years have gone by between P.M. and Episode 2, so Jar Jar will have plenty of time to study proper basic. Next, Metichlorines: I did not like this explaination at first. However, when I stopped to think about it, it does make sense. It does NOT explain the Force. It only explains the heredity of the force, why certain people can become Jedi and others can't. The higher concentration of metichlorines you have, the better you can communicate with this mystical Force. Given the fact that finding Force sensitivity, and Force heredity, is a very large part of the Star Wars story, this is a good explaination of it. Ok, the story: Any body who complains about how dull the story is remember this: Phantom Menace is not "A," "One," movie, in and of itself. It is 1/6th of a movie. A lot of people did not like Empire when it first came out because of the ending. However, a lot of people today agree that Empire is the best (perhaps not favorite) of the original 3 due to story telling, cinimatography, and the like. When you look at P.M. with the rest of the Star Wars stories, I think you will agree that the story is amazing and fits very well. Perhaps you should read one of the books (Heir to the Empire, by Timothy Zahn is a great start). This, at least, would tell you the name of the Emperor (creepy old dude shooting lightning bolts in Jedi) and who he was before becoming Emperor. (Yes, the character is in P.M.) Now, I will agree that the acting could have been better, but come on... Mark Hamill? Ok, bottom line is that Phantom Menace is not one movie but a single part of an entire story. If you look at it as such, coupled with the (and I don't think anyone can disagree with this) SPECTACULAR special effects, I think you will agree that this is a great movie, worthy of the name Star Wars. Even great enough to challenge Jedi as my favorite of the movies (though that has mostly to do with the fact that the Emperor's character is my favorite Star Wars character, and he doth rocketh much in this movie, if you know who he is... Oh, wait, what was the title of this movie? "The Phantom Menace!")
Rating:
Summary: A Great Edition of the Movie
Review: I am glad that Lucas didn't wait to put this out. The extras on the DVD are top notch and the clarity of the picture compared to the VHS is striking. I can't wait to see the original three on DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: This is Star Wars?! Give me the Originals!!!
Review: I am going to sum this up quickly! I found the plot more than predictable: ridiculous, and way out there to ludicrous! I mean how do you get into a castle? The water way or the secret passages. Fairy tale nonsense; but they used them both!!!! That's just one example!!! There is more: like the under water creature that gets them, and then the bigger creature that gets that the little one and in doing so saves them. Come on?! On top of all this! Was the movie entirely acted by extras?! Or does it just look like it?! And I will even hit the action! That the action was horrendously botched by the actors dancing with their lightsabers rather than swatting at bullets, but the final blow to the action probably was the sense of boredom the actors portrayed. Over all it was terrible with like I think two lines I liked, I think. I could go on; but there is so much. I won't! Except I would like to say that the charm of the original Star Wars is all gone. I loved the Original Trilogy though! I say that was a masterpiece!
Rating: 
Summary: BURTT, BRACKETT, McQUARRIE, TIPPETT; that's the ticket
Review: I am going to write about something that I do not know if many others have written about, and that is the sonic/aural dimension of these films. Absolutely unbelievable. To me, this is the true achievement of the Star Wars trilogy-- and it was with great pleasure that I watched the first five minutes of PHANTOM MENACE and was treated to the turbine engines of that funky space-cruiser and the wicked little explosion in the space hanger. Seriously, I believe it is this truly artistic element of Star Wars that seperates it from all other competition in fantasy films-- and I mean any fantasy films, period. David Lynch is equally as cool but in a completely different way (Dune). That having been said, this film was a sheer horror. I would like just to remember the magisterial effects and sound design and conjure up this stumulii while reading some great sci-fi. And sci-fi this barely qualifies as. Empire is a GREAT film, for reasons that so many people have said, but also because it is fused with the brilliant writing of Brackett and Kasdan. It is one of the rarest of creative endeavors, where this confluence of elements gelled. The Phantom Menace was just so depressing to watch. I think the Mitichlorean/Force issue sums up everthing that is wrong about its message. Shame on you George. And don't get me started on those "special editions." How embarassing. For anyone who wants to know who the true geniuses are behind the Star Wars films, they are BEN BURTT, LEIGH BRACKETT, RALPH McQUARRIE, PHIL TIPPETT, and the legions of people who worked to make them ART, all of whom obviously have a much greater appreciation of what this term means is than George does.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful flick
Review: I am just writing this in case only the most recent reviews of the movie are shown. Once again, a classic was released, and it is not surprising that many shallow individuals have failed to recognize it as such. Very rarely is such great work recognized in its own time. Those of us whom thought the best character was Darth Maul, missed the movie entirely. I am willing to bet that most only enjoyed the originals because it was part of life growing up. Now with this new release may have been waiting for something that would make them laugh, cry and pee their pants. I'm rambling, but to summarize, I am ashamed of anyone with any sense, Star Wars fan or not, that dogs on this flick. Great characters, great action, great animations, great emotions -- Hats off.
Rating: 
Summary: A very fun movie, incredible DVD
Review: I am not going to talk about the merits of "The Phanom Menace" as it has been gone over a billion times. The movie is an enjoyable sci-fi movie and the DVD transfer is really nice. The extra features on this DVD are pretty sweet. You get to see how movies are made and I was surprised at how honest George Lucas was on the commentary. It is really eye opening to see what it takes to get one of these movies made. Overall a must by for any DVD/sci-fi collector. I can't wait to see what he's going to do with the Original Trilogy on DVD. Now that ought to be fun!
Rating: 
Summary: Wake up and smell the future!
Review: I am not saying that the movie was all that bad, but it was a little dry and could have been a little better that what it was. I would say that the movie might have had a lot of special effects but hey! what were they going to do? Go film on location? I think that it was a good movie, but can use change. Also Mr. Lucus. put this stuff on DVD, for the galaxy's sake!
Rating:
Summary: An English Look on The Phantom Menace
Review: I am not that bigger starwars fan I have seen most of the others in the triology but this is far the best. Stunning Graphics and a pretty good plot I may have lost intrest for about 5 secounds it takes some unusal twists in the story to keep you on your toe's. This is a good buy for somebody who want to see some futuristic action and some amazing graphics well done Fox and Lucasfilm lets hope the other 2 are just as good. But were is the DVD? ?
Rating:
Summary: "Star Wars" in name only
Review: I am only 19 years old, having been only 2 when ROJ came out. I never knew the wonder many people felt when they first saw star wars on the big screen back in 1977. Ever since heir to the empire came out, which was the first authorized star wars novel, back in the early '90's, I became fascinated with the star wars galaxy. I liked the books because they usually have the same mix of action/adventure you find in the original trilogy. But obviously, as with all novels, there is plenty of dialog between the characters in between space chases and the such. it fits well in a star wars book, but not in a star wars motion picture. my first complaint is that there is too much talking going on. it's all about galactic politics, etc. Granted, there were slow spots in the original movies, but the dialog usually was han solo making a smart remark at threepio, or leia, or luke. or darth vader(at least this villian actually spoke) getting annoyed at his subordinates. some of it was in serious tones, but it always had that air to it that seemed almost campy, but not quite. in the phantom mencace, you have two-dimensinal characters speaking about things that dont really matter in a star wars movie. for example, Queen Amidala speaks in a inhuman voice saying " i will not condone and action that will lead us to war", or something like that. many lines are like that in this movie. you would have never imagined such a line like that that seems to to fit in an ultra-serious political thriller than a star wars movie. this latest chapter just seems to have dialog that is completly un-acceptable in a star wars film. we remember that the in the first two films made, that the characters biggest problems were getting out of an Imp attack before they were blown to bits. It was about space chases, light humor, and a touch of romance. When you heard the characters talk about the plight of the rebellion and the suffering of the peoples of the galaxy, it was spoken in emotion, but never to be the focus of the movie. I understand lucas can't make the same movie over and over again, but the dialog is more suitable for one of the crappy star trek shows of the past 5 years. And everyone has their opinion of jar jar, so i will speak briefly about him. he is a great character, well spoken, and brings humor and lights up the screen. if he was in a disney movie. lucas, you have proven that you can create a character worse than willow. one other thing or two: the special effects and computer consoles and space ships seem 50 years in the future, not the past. The atmosphere was not there at all. the first 3 films, all had bright color schemes in spots, but were mostly darker than ep. 1. The Gungan race seemed liked another excuse for the ILM wizkids to show their stuff. The special effects were the most oustanding in any movie ever made. but i think the matrix won in all the effect catagoties at the oscars was because the computer effects fit in the movie. it's hard to explain, but think of it this way: the effects fit in with the real world better than the ones in the phantom menace. they are both out of this world effects, but the designers of the matrix tried to make the effects fit in with what bullet time would really look like. they blend in with the atmosphere, story, and script perfectly, without going overboard. i compare the matrix's effects to titanic, where the effects blended into the movie seamlessly. you know most of the shots of the boat arent real, and sometimes they look like they are CGI.(i think it was ILM who worked on titanic). the phantom menace tries to accomplish that, what a far away galaxy would like, and it's respective residents. but it seemed more like a high-tech cartoon, not a movie. the argument against this statement is that all of the star wars films are based around state-of-the-art effects. but can anyone really say that the new movie's effects are realistic? c'mon, the tie fighters and spaceships in the original trilogy look nothing like a saturday morning cartoon. in fact, the effects back then did more with less. in the special edition movies, you can still see blocks around the spaceships, and the effects in the original trilogy are badly outdated, but i still find when i immerse myself in watching "a new hope", i find myself in more beliveable world than if i sit down and watch ep. 1. the best part of the movie is the soundtrack.(most of it, anyway.)
Rating:
Summary: Enough is enough...
Review: I am sick to death of the naysayers, Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace is a gem. The story, the costumes, effects, sound, characters are all top notch. A year later, Star Wars fans are able to view this film with an objective eye and see the care and detailed ingenuity that George Lucas and Co. have utilized in bringing the beginning of this awesome saga to the big screen. Three cheers! Watch it again and again!
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