Rating: 
Summary: Looks to be a good DVD...
Review: While feelings towards the first Star Wars prequal were mixed, no one is going to be disappointed with the DVD. It took a while, but LucasFilm's is making a grand entrance into the format. Unlike his good friend Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Lucas has even recorded a commentary track for this DVD. If this is Lucas' first DVD, I can't wait to see what he does with the rest of the Star Wars films and the Indy trilogy. DTS fans, Lucas has opted not to have a DTS track to insure the highest possible video quality. Here are the specs: The Phantom Menace, mastered by THX for superior sound and picture quality, presented in Anamorphic Widescreen and Dolby 5.1 Surround EX (English), Dolby 2.0 Surround (English and Spanish), and Dolby 2.0 Surround (French, for Canadian release) Audio commentary by Writer-Director George Lucas; Producer Rick McCallum; Co-Editor and Sound Designer Ben Burtt; Visual Effects Supervisors Scott Squires, John Knoll and Dennis Muren; and Animation Supervisor Rob Coleman, offering personal insights into the making of the film Seven never-before-seen deleted scenes with full visual effects completed just for the DVD release "The Beginning" -- an all-new hour-long documentary culled from over 600 hours of footage offering unprecedented access inside Lucasfilm and ILM during the making of Episode I Multi-angle storyboard to animatic to finished film feature, that lets you flip through the various phases of development of key action sequences Five behind-the-scenes featurettes exploring The Phantom Menace's storyline, designs, costumes, visual effects and fight scenes The popular "Duel of the Fates" music video that debuted in 1999 All 12 parts of the Lynne's Diaries, the web documentaries that first appeared at starwars.com Galleries of theatrical posters, print campaign, and never-before-scene production photos Downloaded by millions from starwars.com, the original theatrical teaser and launch trailers, plus seven TV spots including the "tone poems"
Rating: 
Summary: YAHOOO! It's DVD, kid!
Review: The wait is finally over! After years of begging, crying, and wondering, we the true Star Wars fans will FINALLY get to enjoy one of these epic tales in a video format capable of projecting this film in a manner that does it justice: DVD! There are about 6 billion VHS reviews of this (wonderful) film, so I'll spare you more inane blather about how this film is better than Mother Teresa and Froot Loops combined. My, my, my! Over 6 HOURS of extras? You gotta hand it to George, he certainly doesn't let his fans down! Come on, guys! This is what we've been waiting for! I've already ordered my copy! Have you?
Rating:
Summary: Why Now?
Review: In the beginning, George Lucas was transferring all his Star Wars movies on VHS. The special editions of Episodes IV,V,& VI, are understandable for DVD technology was just developing and wasn't being taken full advantage of. But when Episode I: The Phantom Menace came into theaters, then onto VHS the DVD format was available for quite some time, and according to the digital video revolution, the picture, sound, and details were outstanding. But why did George decide to release Episode I now. What was his reason for not doing it when it came out. I was at Winamp.com recently and there was a comment about Episode I not being on DVD at the time. But that's a good question. But with the DVD release on Oct. 16, 2001, there will be deleted scenes, tons of extras and commentary, possibly on what the story or ideas where when he began writing Episode II. And since Lucas Ltd, only has a little over a year before the second film is released why not reveal what the next title will be to the public. But I have to say one thing DVD rocks! And so does the Star Wars series!
Rating: 
Summary: Utter Disappointment
Review: I was waiting in anticipation for this movie to come out and was one of the first in the world to see it. But sadly within 10 minutes into the film I was horribly saddened to see that Lucas has turned this film into a childrens movie. Something that should be seen on Disney. Horrible characters, just plain horrible. Ruined the film completely. Jar-Jar Binks was the worst. Just to hear the name sends me into a state of depression. I sure hope for his next film he rethinks how he is going to display his characters.There was no sence of deepness to this film. A five year old child could tell me what everything meant and what the end result would be. Bad. Bad. Bad. I would have rated this film zero stars but I must admit the effects were rather nice. So one star it is.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing!!!
Review: I first heard the rumor about the Star Wars movies coming out on DVD about a week ago, and I got exited. That was until I saw only Episode I was coming out. What a dissapointment. The original films don't have a release date whatsoever. Whatever your feelings are towards Episode I, it should have come out the seme date as the originals.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining Eye Candy
Review: I enjoyed this film. Much like I enjoyed films like The Mummy, and Men in Black. It's a prequel to the star wars trilogy, but absolutely does not hold up to their 'greatness.' It's actually very well-made, and one must wonder whether or not George Lucas already wrote a script for it (that's how well it ties in to the trilogy). Pretty decent acting (terrible by the kid, but still, he's a kid what do you expect), but what really brings it down for me is it's light-heartedness. Jar Jar Binks isn't too great an addition either, he was made for comic relief (I hear there is an edit roaming around without Jar Jar Binks!). The DVD will be loaded! If you're a fan of Star Wars, or eye candy, popcorn flicks, and overall fun films, then purchase Star Wars. I think the reason people hated this was because they were expecting something among the lines of the first three Star Wars (or last three depending on how you look at it). If you look at this for what it is, it's pretty good! Takes you into a whole new world.
Rating:
Summary: FEATURES OF THE DVD RELEASE!
Review: If you want to wait for the release of the DVD to know what the features are stop reading here... well here they are: 2-Disc Set, Audio Commentary with George Lucas, 7 Deleted Scenes completed for the DVD release, making of documentary "The Beginning, Storyboards, five featurettes, Duel of the Fates music video, 12 pts. of Lynne's Diaries from starwars.com, production stills gallery, theatrical teasers and trailers, TV Spots and "tone poems". The film will be presented in widescreen version, will have Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, will be THX-Certified and will be the ultimate DVD release of this fall, probably beating last fall's release of "Gladiator" beating out "X-MEN". Well, there you go. Buy the DVD now. I sure will. It's worth it even though it costs an arm and a leg for some.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars Episode I "The Phantom Menace"
Review: The wait is over. I thought we would have to wait until Episode III was released to get all of these great films on DVD. Even though Episode I is the only title being released, it's still better than none at all. Bravo to George Lucas. The Star Wars release party is already in early planning.
Rating:
Summary: not as bad as you might think
Review: The movie might not have been the creme de la creme of star warts movie (in my opinion it was still better than jedi) but how can you not be exited over the dvd release of a star wars movie? It is why i bought a player in the first place. Sure, Fight Club and Toy Story 2 are good discs, but even though the movies might be better, they are nothing compared to any star wars film. My sound system is ready.
Rating:
Summary: People are way too hard, on this movie.
Review: First of all, if you go into this movie expecting it to change the world like the original Star Wars, you will bee disappointed. It is absolutely impossible for history to repeat itself in that sense because 1) Star Wars had the very important element of surprise in 1977 and 2) movies like this just weren't being made back then. With Episode 1, George Lucas took on the almost impossible task of adding to an American icon. One magazine article published before the May 1999 premiere (I don't remember which magazine) said it was comparable to redesigning the American flag or giving Mickey Mouse a brother. Keeping this in mind, Episode 1 holds up extremely well. It maintains the Star Wars 'feel' throughout, and the podrace and final battle sequences had my pulse racing. The main area of criticism is the younger appeal this film seems to have when compared to the original trilogy. This is nonsense to me, the Star Wars saga has always been for kids and like all good childrens' movies it offers a much needed break for adults tired of all the cinicism, and meaningless violence in films today. Of course, the other sore spot for many people is Jar Jar Binks. Honestly, I liked him. He offered a refreshing contrast to the stoic, respectful Jedi. I can understand why some people can't abide his silliness, but that all comes down to opinions, and you know what they say about those. When all is said and done, Episode 1 is a worthy movie and a good starting point for the Star Wars saga. However, don't forget, it's only a movie; lighten up and enjoy it.
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