Rating: 
Summary: bad movie
Review: this movie is a joke, george lucas is couting up the $$ he's making off of this new trilogy trash and he doesn't even have to bother coming up with a good script. he just uses a bunch of special effects and slaps the star wars name on it and probably laughs at all the people who shell out their money to see it.
Rating: 
Summary: Once revered, now Star Wars is a foil for Simpsons parody
Review: That 'The Phantom Menace' was a bit of a letdown isn't exactly news to anyone. What I think is surprising, however, is the lasting impact this half-baked prequel has had on the collective psyche of fans and followers alike. It was all renewed for me while watching the new Simpsons episode last night which, out of left field, spent about 15 minutes making fun of 'Cosmic Wars,' 'Jim Jam Bongs' and their midget-like creator, a faux Lucas. Bart and Lisa even go so far as to break in to the fake Lucas' workplace to convey their criticism of his lackluster work. Obviously some sort of catharsis for some Simpsons writers, the episode simply showed that what many of us suspected from the onset is now likely to prove true: The Phantom Menace will always be the ugly stepchild in the Star Wars family. One had hoped that over time, with reflection and further perspective, this film could have aged somewhat gracefully and it, warts and all, could have been accepted. Doesn't seem likely now, since it just serves to embody all the frantic CGI ugliness and consumerism that severely damaged Return of the Jedi, Attack of the Clones, and the horrid revisionist 'Special Edition' originals. The cure for this malady is the word 'no', which should be applied liberally in Lucas' brainstorming sessions. Here are some of the many Phantom Menace errors that could have been corrected with such a simple phrase:Anakin is Jesus.
The Force is not mystical so much as derived from tiny little parasites.
Physical comedy works best when telegraphed several minutes in advance.
Amphibian sidekicks work best when used on desert planets.
Ships and technology from a previous decade are far more advanced than in later years, and all somehow magically vanish.
Queens/princesses are elected.
Assassins are always confused when a Queen and handmaiden switch places (this happens AGAIN in Attack of the Clones)
Goofy droid soldiers are more compelling than armored stormtroopers.
It is important to indoctrinate 6 year olds to the films rather than appease their decrepit 25 year old forebears. This means more shiny things; less plot, dialogue, and acting. To all of these things, history appears to be serving up a resounding 'No.'
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars begins it's entry into children's fodder.
Review: Great movie for kids. As an adult, I am disgusted with the whole Star Wars franchise at this point. Between Episode I and this over digital produced kiddie flick, I won't even bother with Episode 3. I think what I miss most from the original series is Harrison Ford. A real actor. Not a computer generated Jar Jar Binks. Bring the kids! Any adult who finds this fodder "great movie making" probally loves "The Muppet Movie(s)" and "The Goonies" The ruining of a perfect trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: Visually Stunning, But...
Review: An older time, a different society.... I would like to give "The Phantom Menace" the benefit of the doubt and say that the characters were boring because it was a more stolid age (like the Romans under the Stoics). That might make sense, because Star Wars is derived from Asimov's Foundation series, which is based on "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon, which is an actual history of the fall of Rome. As Rome moved from civilization to barbarism, its manners changed from being more rigid to being more passionate, chaotic, and violent. That's my "good" spin on Phantom Menace; and how many of you just got bored reading about Roman history? I rest my case. TPM is more like a dramatic recreation of history, like one of those Civil War reenactments. You have a general idea of what's happening or what's going to happen, and you admire the pageantry of it all, but are you really MOVED by it? It all depends on your attachment to the material, I suppose. Look, we all went into this film KNOWING that Han, Luke, and Leia were not going to be there. But we expected the same sort of magic, energy, and passion, didn't we? Yet it wasn't there. Anakin is annoying. Amidala remains poised throughout. Ewan McGregor is nowhere near as interesting as Alec Guinness. The most Qui-Gonn does is smart off to his bosses. Darth Sidious just talks. Darth Maul practically DOESN'T talk. So where does that leave us? With a very beautiful, slightly long prologue to a trilogy we all loved that did not live up to its potential. When I wrote the words above, Episode II had not come out yet. My feelings for this film have changed slightly. Compared to Attack of the Clones, The Phantom Menace is at least charming in some way. Star Wars II is nowhere near so kind, and it lacks the worthy presence of Liam Neeson. I can at least sit through this film again without yelling at the screen for skipping (much). It still takes too long to build to its conclusion--too much talky-talk and not enough grab-your-lightsaber-and-go--and thus it does not live up to its original lineage. One can always hope for better things in Episode III, but I'm not holding my breath.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars-Episode I, The Jar Jar Binx Menace
Review: The script for this move is flawd. You would be better to buy it on VHS rather then spend more money on the DVD. This film (like Episode II) needs some major editing.
Scenes that should be edited:
1.) Jar Jar Binx Scenes
2.) Travel Through The Planet Core
3.) Tattoine, Scenes with Anakin and the Pod Race Scenes
4.) Senate Scenes
5.) And only minor edits on the battle scenes All in all I think most Star Wars fans (If they would admit it) are disappointed with Episode I and II and would like for George Lucas to scratch the first two, pretend they never existed and start all over again. Episode I is better than Episode II but the cracks in the storyline and acting are ever present. Buy a used VHS!
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: Where It All Begins
Review: Set 30 years before the original STAR WARS, Lucas throws us into a mix that includes trade blockades, podracing, and votes of no confidence. Yes, it's Episode I! The "Old Republic" elder Kenobi spoke of in the original film is in its heydey - but dark times - they are coming. The Republic's corrupt Senate imposed restrictions on the shipping lanes, causing commercial interests like the Trade Federation to protest on Naboo, a Republic planet. The President of the Republic then requested aid from the Jedi Council - a noble order of magical warriors - to end the conflict and restore peace in the Republic. Two Jedi Knights - young Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master - are dispatched. Upon arrival on Naboo - the film's opening scene - the Jedi are attacked by the Trade Federation and escape to rescue Naboo's leader, Queen Amidala. It is then revealed that the Trade Federation are but mere pawns in a bigger game, one that involves the Sith - evil Jedi. The Jedi flee with Amidala back to the Senate and the Jedi Council for more help, but not before fatefully picking up a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker along the way. To find out what happens to the Jedi, the Senate, Amidala, Skywalker, and the rest of the story, you will just have to watch the film. May The Force Be With You EPISODE III
Coming May 2005
Rating: 
Summary: Lucas's underappreciated work
Review: This, in my opinion, is the best out of the 5 (soon to be 6) volume saga. Out of all the Star Wars movies, this is the most creative, the most out there, the most visually amazing out of them all. Sure the characters aren't that developed, but then again, is that really why people watch Star Wars? I mean, in this movie we are shown, an amazing undrwater bubble city called Otoh Gunga, a Roman-ish Babylonian-ish city called Theed, and an entire planet taken up by city called Coruscant. These kinds of ingenious visions are why I, and many others, like the Star Wars saga.
Rating:
Summary: Take it for what it is
Review: I am always at a loss when I hear people talking about Star Wars as if it is great literature or something. It's not, and it's not meant to be. If you have ever seen an interview with George Lucas you will have most likely heard that his effort in making these movies was to emulate the sci-fi cliffhanger serials that he used to watch as a boy. To use a specific example, he wanted to originally make a Buck Rogers movie, but the movie rights were already bought. All you have to do is take a quick glance at Lucas's filmography to see that he makes his movies in an nostalgic world, hoping they will make money, which they do most of the time, but ultimately to satisfy himself. He is making movies he wished he could have seen as a boy. Look a little longer and you will remember Indiana Jones. Watch the bonus interviews on the video of Raiders and you will hear Steven Spielberg saying that they were consciously making a B movie. A term for action packed movies such as saturday matinees back in hollywood's hayday. Again you have an example of cliffhanger serials, such as Lucas watched as a kid. These movies are just what Lucas intended them to be. Action packed, and fun. Of course the writing is kind of corny, and the story formulaic, what do you expect, it's a modern day matinee movie. Unfortunately we have to pay $9.50 to get in the door. Personally, I am greatful he dropped the social commentary type of movie that he made as his debut (THX-1138). What was his next movie? American Graffiti...a nostalgic look at the early sixties...and guess what, people loved it and it made him a millionaire. You know what, nostalgia has been kind to him. I think he'll stick with it. I look forward to his next project when Star Wars is completed. I hope he takes on a western. His previous movies such as A New Hope and Attack of the Clones both have homages to The Searchers in them, so I know he can do it. When you look at the fun movies Lucas has given us and the critically acclaimed stinkers that Francis Ford Coppola has given us, it's hard to imagine those two being onetime business partners, or even friends for that matter. Suffice it to say, in a time when we have tons of rated R cuss fests with convoluted stories (Pulp Fiction, Snatch) and strange phenomenon such as Lost in Translation (another Coppola following in the critically acclaimed stinker tradition)I hope Lucas keeps cranking out the old fashioned adventures. You can never have too many cliffhangers.
Rating:
Summary: It is for children.
Review: 'The Phantom Menace' was BAD movie. I saw it in the theaters when it first came out and I almost fell asleep. That's how pathetic it was. This movie is really for children. If you think otherwise, you should have your head examined.
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