Rating: 
Summary: Much better than the critics say it was
Review: I remember walking out of the theater 3 years ago after having seen this and thinking "That was a damned good movie, I sure got my money's worth!" Well, didn't take long to find out not everyone shared my sentiments. I guess it was to be expected. After all the hype and the waiting, the fans wanted nothing less than for George Lucas to smash a grand slam homer right out of the park, so when instead he hit a solid triple, a lot of people felt cheated and let down, and so they focused on what they didn't get more than on what was delivered.Which is a shame. Phantom Menace is a fine film in its own rights. In part, some of the complaints were because it was different from the others. Most notably, the comradeship of familiar characters was missing, the interplay between the heroes, heroines and sidekicks as they grew to trust each other and deal with their various character traits as they bounced from one close call to the next. There was no romance to speak of (unlike the great Han Solo/Princess Leia exchanges) nor was there much humor (as in the interplay between Chewbacca and the two 'droids) and of course the central character is one we all know will soon transform into the evil villain of the first trilogy. In short, it simply doesn't have a lot of the key elements that everyone loved from the earlier films. But so what? Like I said, this one is different, and should be judged on its own merits. What is good about this film? For starters, the awesome effects. Let's face it, that's what MADE the Star Wars franchise, lose them, and you've got just a pretty decent space fairy tale. There's some really cool concepts, too, I especially liked the various types of Battle Droids, and would not be surprised to see this idea become reality in our own military some time in the near future. Also, you've got a deeper, darker, more serious mood. There's not too much in the way of yuks and joking around because anyone with vision can see that this particular Galaxy is headed for serious trouble. There's Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala, who, IMHO, is an even better female lead than Carrie Fisher. She's got the same strength of character, only in a different guise. Instead of a feisty, resourceful rebel Princess, she, despite being only 18 or so, leads with great dignity and poise. Darth Maul is another great character, the only downside is he wasn't given more screen time. Young Annakin Skywalker comes off just as we'd expect, he's a slave, but clearly destined to move on to much bigger things. We are left wondering just how it is this budding Jedi ends up making the choice to side with evil, not to mention how he will interact with his future wife and son. We are left hanging deliciously, wondering just what Episode Two will serve up. As for the bad, well, basically it can be summed up in three words - Jar Jar Binks. Rarely has a more annoying and useless character been given so much screen time in a major movie. He's funny ..... for maybe a minute or two. Then he should have been given the boot. Yet he seems to be onscreen almost as much as Luke in the original! What on Earth for? He brings nothing to the film to justify being so prominent. Further, he turns an otherwise really cool final battle scene into a 3 Stooges style comic farce in which he blunders about the battlefield taking out the enemy through sheer incompetence and dumb luck (maybe I should change the comic reference to Gomer Pyle). Anyway, if ever this film is subject to digital editing, Jar Jar should be "erased" from every scene where it is practical to do so. On a more minor note, I was less impressed than most by the Pod Race. Sure, it was cool but so is an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. And both are more a case of artistic showing off than anything else. The Pod Race was special effects for its own sake, and didn't really add anything of importance to the movie. But, other than that, this was definitely a far better than average film. It's just too bad that didn't live up to public expectations that were, quite honestly, so high as to be nearly impossible for mere mortal man to achieve.
Rating: 
Summary: Think small, George
Review: I remember way back to 1977 or so... I was 16 years old, and caught a glimpse of a TV ad for the new "Star Wars" movie. It was almost being presented as an art film at first. My friends who had seen this thing were raving about it. I was intrigued -- I had always been a Trekkie, and this looked like a better version of Roddenberry's more thoughtful outings. It turned out to be more of a space cowboy story, with overtones of the mythic (like the better spaghetti westerns)... but it was nonetheless a great movie that offered a lot of fun on the surface, and more to think about if one chose. What has happened to these promising beginnings? Lucas has retreated to the same place all big-budget movie makers seem to have gone since the mid-80's: An orgy of special effects. The Star Wars saga has become increasingly dependent on computerized magic, and correspondingly increasingly pretentious. The Phantom Menace was technically brilliant but otherwise a terrible film. Sorry George -- I know how much work you've put into this, and I thank you for that -- but PLEASE, can we get back to the kind of thinking that went onto the first film? A little understated legend would be much better than all that pretentious foreshadowing. Think small -- score big. And can we tone it down a bit on all the market tie-ins, please?
Rating: 
Summary: The more you watch it the more it makes sense
Review: I remember well the feeling I had watching the opening sequence to Star Wars nearly 25 years ago, Princess Leia's ship being chased by a gigantic star cruiser. Well I have been hooked ever since and despite some of the criticism that the Phantom Menace has received, it looks as if I am going to be hooked for the next 25 years! The first three Star Wars films (i.e. up until the 'first' Star Wars movie) are all about Anakin Skywalker and how he comes to bring balance to 'the force'. This film cleverly introduces him as a small boy: a wizard pilot and at electronics (it is he who builds C3PO) and lays the foundation for all the events we know that are to come. We are told that he sees things before they happen and that he has no father (he is the product or a virgin birth). We observe the way that is relationship with Queen Amidala develops (who I assume he marries later) and are given an inkling of the fear that will make him turn to the dark side. It is all here. I have watched this four times since I got the video and each time I find another piece that fits into the puzzle that is George Lucas' grand scheme. Just watch for the way that R2D2 is introduced to the story. There is much more to this film than the effects (which although we now take for granted are still wonderful to watch), Darth Maul's evil grace and the pod race and Ewan McGregor's accent are just examples. The story provides a great backdrop to the characters: the Jedi are summoned to resolve a conflict between Naboo and the Trade Federation, the Sith are behind an intricate political manouvre to take over the Council (yes I do belive that Senator Palpatine is indeed Darth Sidious who becomes the Empreror). Naboo wins through the bravery of its queen and but Senator Palpatine becomes leader of the Council. The goodies appear to have won, but all is not what it seems. Everything is being set up for the next instalment. Obi Wan being allowed to train Anakin, the death of Darth Maul leaving an open place for Darth Vader and the relationship between Amidala and Anakin as the first step towards Luke Skywalker. This is a truly wonderful story and I admit that I am totally caught up with it. I cannot wait for Episode 2 and in the meantime can satisy myself with repeat playings of the 4 episodes I have. Watch it and watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: There ought to be a law...
Review: I remember when this film opened. People were quitting their jobs and camping in front of the Cinerama for two months just to be the first to see the long awaited spectacle. Will it bring world peace? Will it cure cancer? Well, sheesh. I left work early on opening day to catch a matinee at an out of the way theater. I was able to walk right in, see the movie, and then go about the rest of my life. I felt so sorry for those unfortunates who wasted so much time in anticipation for this poorly written, acted, and directed film. Yeah, a lot of things go boom! Neat. This was a film of no substance whatsoever. There was nothing of the fun, the mythos, the joy of the first film. What we got instead was a marketing ploy, nothing more. There ought to be a cosmic law in which Mr. Lucas would be obligated to pay back the time wasted by those who watched this drivel.
Rating:
Summary: Great additon to the saga
Review: I sat in line for 9 hours to see this movie, and it was worth it. The effects were excellent, the lightsaber action was mind blowing, and the story was great. I have friends that didn't care for it as much as the original trilogy, but I thought it was just as good. And as far as everyone pointing out the supposed racism & stereotyping, you all have too much time on your hands.
Rating:
Summary: People are older and jaded
Review: I saw A new Hope when I was six. It was my birthday and the hype of the movie was beginning a massive stride. I HAD to see it. My dad wanted to see something else but it was my birthday and he said ANY movie. I was enraptured beyond repair. That being said let us look at how people are most likely perceiving this movie. Can ANYTHING that was as revolutionary and awe inspiring REPEAT that feat? No. People come to expect too much out of it. Can anything affect you with the sense of wonder it did when you saw it when you were 5-15? No. We are so much more impressionable when we are younger and the wonder that A New Hope presented then was electrifying. All of this being said I tried to go into the viewing of Episode One with as little expectation as possible. I came away with some sense of wonder. I wanted to see it immediately again. This one was also subtler in its approach to the force and the political intrigues surrounding the characters of the story. It was not so insular as the previously released movies. I, like many others thought Jar Jar was atrocious. I understand the marketing ploy but man! He had somewhere in the vicinity of 60 minutes of screen time. GADS! Isn't this about ANAKIN? For the record the only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is the presence of Jar Jar. I cannot go too much into why I think this movie deserved more credit than it got by 'fans' without spoiling it for the 4 people who have not seen it. I think that people had very unrealistic expectations from this movie. It was a great film on its own right and had more depth, story wise, than A New Hope. A New Hope was plot formula 'A'. Peasant boy becomes king. Think about it.
Rating:
Summary: Lucas should sue himself for licencing this flick...
Review: I saw it in theatres and it made me laugh... not a good laugh either. Jar-Jar Binks is the worst screen character, digital or otherwise, to have ever been created. Stan Winston's gnome in "A Gnome Named Gnorm" is the only character that I have ever seen that comes close to Jar-Jar in annoyance. The kid (Annakin) can't act, and Lucas can't direct. Visuals are good, but overrated. Good actors (Portman, McGregor, and Neeson) flounder under Lucas' direction. The story is great on paper.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best Star Wars film, but okay...
Review: I saw Phantom Menace before I saw the Trilogy, and I have to admit that when I first saw it, I was impressed. However, afterwards, I decided that it was not as good as the Trilogy, by a longshot. I give it three stars, first of all, for the dazzling computer generation, especially the adrenaline-filled Podrace, the terrible droid battle with the Gungans and the underwater race with the giant fish. I still marvel at what computers can do today. Secondly, for Liam Neeson's part in general. He did the part of the wise and kindly Jedi master Qui-gon Jinn, whose apprentice was Obi-wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and who sensed the power behind innocent Anakin Skywalker's (Jake Lloyd) appearance. I liked his part and was sorry and sad [with what happens to him]. Natalie Portman also played the part of beautiful Queen Amidala. Thirdly, for the music, being a fan of John Williams' first soundtrack for the Trilogy, I purchased the soundtrack for this one. It was remarkably better than the movie. Anyway, if I don't stop, I'll go rambling on about the soundtrack. If you like Trilogy, see this and maybe you'll like it too...maybe not.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars - episode 1
Review: I saw Phantom Menace in the theater shortly after it came out and then saw it again on VHS. The second time around got no better. This movie could have been ten times better. The plot was a convoluted mess of political garbage. The storyline should have focused more on characters with the political scene happening in the background. That was the secret behing the first three movies. There was focus on the characters. ...Long live the force.
Rating:
Summary: Children's movie
Review: I saw the first 4 Star War movies in the theater and this one is certainly for the youngins. Also, where's the DVD,George? My children are into technology. Get with the new and let the old technology fade like 8 track.
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