Rating: 
Summary: Great start
Review: A lot of people hated this movie. What is there to hate, besides Jar Jar? Actually, I didn't think Jar Jar was that bad. He was kind of annoying for the first ten minutes, but then he grew on me. I just hope in Episode 2 he goes through puberty and his voice changes and gets hooked on phonics, because that did bug me. Everything else was great. Everytime there was a lightsabre on screen, the movie ruled. I've heard people say it was boring. If you think this movie is boring, you are not allowed to watch a movie ever again. To a non Star Wars buff, the movie won't have the full impact, being that certain clues to the other trilogy won't make any sense. The pod racing sequence is truly amazing and I just love the sound that Sebulba's pod makes. Anyhow, this movie is a lot of fun, and remember it's supposed to be a children's movie, as were the first three and don't judge this until Episode 2 and 3 are out so you can watch all 6 on tape (hopefully on DVD by then). May the Force be with you.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, faithful variation on original theme. Needs more spice.
Review: If you've never seen or have largely forgotten the original Star Wars, you'll probably find Phantom Menace a pleasant summer diversion, a fun sci-flick with wondrous special effects. Like a good Disneyland ride, its energy swoops and dips at all the right moments, making us cheer and boo on cue, leaving us satisfied and entertained, though never quite surprised. Not bad at all; pass the popcorn.To fans of the original, instead, Phantom Menace needs more spice, more unpredictability. And given the title, it needs more "dark side", too. The actors turn in a detached, polite journeyman's performance; they hold back, almost as if they were rehearsing. They remain clustered together in corporate ensemble scenes, mired in loyal teamwork. You'll sorely miss the smirking wit and swagger of the original's Han Solo, the dark magnetism of Darth Vader, or the punchy originality of the early alien characters. The Phantom Menace's only showstopper, Darth Maul, is given little screentime and then quickly dispatched after the regulation sabrefight at the OK Corral. Some ensemble acts sparkle, but Phantom Menace is of the blander variety, probably the calculated outcome of a marketing $trategy that made special effects -- not actors -- the key selling point. The SFX are indeed excellent, but would have benefited from a tighter focus on close-in details, rather than vast virtual landscapes filled with hundreds or thousands of faceless, identical, computer-generated clones. Character and plot developments are thin. The director refrained from introducing strong new elements, preferring to backfill details in a saga you're supposed to know by heart. The hazy plot threads get somewhat lost in the grandiose scenery. The actors look familiar, but more central casting than blockbuster-caliber. Aside from the underwater scenes, the sets are regulation Star Wars, robbing us of any sense of surprise. The script is mild, formulaic and polite, suitable for all ages. The aerial dogfights have a been-there, done-that, seen-it-the-first time feel. Despite all those faults, the Phantom Menace is an easy movie to like, precisely because it's such a faithful variation of the original. It has at least one epic moment (the pod race) and you do get to enthuse about some fan trivia (how *did* Ewan McGregor manage to sound like a young Alec Guinness?). Just pray for a bolder, character-driven, more flavorful sequel ...
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing!
Review: As the famous orange-yellow words flew up the screen, I knew this was going to be good. In this movie, Amazing Special-Effects plus Amazing Sound and a nice plot combine to recreate the experience we all had in the 1970's. This movie is George Lucas's definitive vision of Star Wars.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Review: Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace After all the hype and the crazily varied reviews, the real question is whether The Phantom Menace is up there amongst its' three predecessors as one of the best films of all time or a pale imitation of its relations. The answer: neither. Phantom Menace isn't up to standards of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi. A millions details irritate and niggle. The acting is sometimes flat, Jar Jar is irritating and incomprehensible and the plot adheres to tightly to the conventions of the past films. At one point the same sequence of events is repeated twice (there is indeed always a bigger fish) and the force has now been revealed to be a bunch of tiny parasites who give birth to the chosen one - it kind of loses its mistique doesn't it! I also feel that the promotional material (and there was a lot of it!) ruined much of the films' appeal. For example, in the film, Darth Maul only reveals his two bladed lightsaber at the end of the film, but due to all the promotion we all knew about it already. So does this all mean that it was a bad film? Far from it. Although a slight disappointment for a Star Wars film, in its own right it's bloody excellent. Each of the weaker performances are matched by great turns from Natalie Portman and Ian McDiarmid, and, though I could have done without Jar Jar, Anakin's owner, the other computer animated character in the film, looks and acts brilliantly and sits next to Palpatine as the best character in the movie. The lightsaber battles are incredible, and Darth Maul is amazing to watch. The computer effects, far from detracting from the story, are brilliant to watch and effective within the plot. The huge council chamber is particularly notable for being mindblowingly awe-inspiring. John Barry's score is powerful and memorable, cleverly both touching on the Star Wars theme and going in new directions at the same time. The film works best when the viewer is familiar with the originals, both because of the nods to events in the future, and because of the sheer sense of excitement when the Star Wars prolouge scrolls up the screen. So it seems fair to say that this is not the unfaultable work of art that the other three Star Wars' were, but it is still one of the best fims I have ever seen. Can't wait for Episode 2. Hint: watch to the very end of the credits to hear a little referral of what is to come. 9 out of 10.
Rating:
Summary: Episode 1: "The Widescreen edition"
Review: This widescreen edition of The Phantom Menace is everything I ever wanted.....in a VHS tape. I got the collector's edition box set yesterday and one must say that it was amazing!, picture quality is much better than any other (tv format) edition given the fact that youre able to see the movie as it is shown in the theaters. Although from time to time I got the impression that some scenes had been shortened or even cut, the movie was breathtaking. If you're considering on buying this movie (being a star wars fan, it's a must have) buy the widescreen edition, given the fact that you'll get the 35mm filmstrip (real cool), a documentary included in the tape (awesome) and the 27.90$ book "The art of Starwars: Episode 1". If you think hard you'll realise that this collectors edition is a bargain given the fact that its cost is covered just by the book plus u get the movie! A MUST HAVE; TRUST ME...
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: A Great Way to Start the Star Wars Saga
Review: George Lucas returns to his Star Wars galaxy, and craetes Episode I: The Phantom Menace.This film goes back 45 years before A New Hope, back to the days of the Old Republic and Jedi Knights. Obi Wan Kenobi is a Jedi apprentie, and Darth Vader is a 9 year old boy who is believed to be a the Chosen One. You must see it, and once you do, Episodes II and III will be on your "want to see" list!
Rating: 
Summary: dvd please...
Review: i have been eagerly anticipating the release of the dvd since i saw it in the theater. but now as we all know the dvd won't be out until whenever so i decided to get the tape. whatever you do don't buy the pan-n-scan version. the awful job they did on this dvd-worthy movie is second only to the re-release pan-n-scan version of ghostbusters (shudder). the only options you should even consider are to either 1)buy the overpriced widescreen movie/box-o-junk or 2)borrow/rent a widescreen version. 5 stars for actual movie, 4 stars for the widescreen VHS, zero for pan-n-scan VHS. (5+4+0)/3 = 3 stars
Rating:
Summary: We're all more jaded now than in 1977.
Review: I was 5 years old when "A New Hope" was premiered, and I (of course) was completely swept away by the fantasy of George Lucas's far-off galaxy. I was too young to be a discriminating viewer. Today, I can see the original trilogy's shortcomings, and they're similar to the flaws of "Phantom Menace" (dumb dialogue, less-than-rounded-out characters). The difference was that from 1977-1983, I didn't notice or care, and this nostalgic filter through which I watch the original trilogy is what insulates it from critcism. No such filter exists for "Phantom Menace," and an older, more jaded person is likely to carp on its shortcomings, especially after all the hype and anticipation. Here are the weaknesses of "Phantom Menace," as I see them: 1. Jake Lloyd; 2. Jar Jar Binks; 3. stiff delivery of dialogue (that's the director's fault); 4. Anakin yelling, "Yippee!" (what kid says that?); 5. the lack of an assertive yet funny character (like Han Solo). But the biggest reason I even care about these things is because I'm too old and jaded now to appreciate "Phantom Menace" for what it is (beneath the glittery, sci-fi exterior, an old-fashioned Western movie), and be able to view it a sense of childlike wonder and awe. I guess that's my problem. I still look forward to Episodes II and III though, believe you me.
Rating:
Summary: this is an Excellent movie
Review: If you like action and adventure you will love this movie! Jar-jar- Binks is real funny but not very smart. I think you like this movie alot
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