Rating: 
Summary: The legend is back with a vengeance!
Review: I am so tired of the criticism Episode I is receiving, because it is actually one of the most beautiful movies ever made. And I'm not only talking about the visuals here. I could go into an extremely lengthy explanation of why I think this, but I think I'd be wasting my time. The bottom line is that Lucas has tried something a bit different but still very much in the spirit of Star Wars. Instead of continuing down the beaten path, he has expanded the universe with a more serious side. We get to see political intricacies, a *real* queen (instead of the gung-ho Leia) and Jedi Knights in peak condition. Brilliant film, and a very good prologue for Episode II and III. Brilliant acting (maybe except for our little Anakin played not too convincingly but still quite charmingly by Jake Lloyd) by all cast members. Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor stand out in particular. Amazing soundtrack by John Williams. And -yes I really mean this- wonderful storyline that hints skillfully at greater things to come. And for the record, I *have* seen the original trilogy countless times, but I think Episode I is right up there with it in terms of quality. And maybe *gasp* even higher :) Well done Lucas!
Rating: 
Summary: EPISODE 1: THE BIG FLOP
Review: I am soooo thankful that I did not camp out in front of the movie theatre, unlike some of you others out there. I'm even glad that I didn't go to the first midnight viewing of the movie. It's just that bad. The good: The lightsaber fight with Darth Maul was really good, but not as good as the lightsaber scenes in The Empire Strikes Back, which is the best of the bunch. The music during the Darth Maul lightsaber fight was really good. The bad: Terrible acting. Natalie Portman saying "They're killing our people," (or something like that) and a grueling monotone. They could have hired a robot to say that. The spaceships looked even more sophisticated than the spaceships several years later. What's up with that? The SR-71 Blackbird look-alike was a real turn-off. The ugly: Do I even need to mention Jar Jar Binks? But what was equally as bad was when Anakin ACCIDENTALLY got into the enemy spaceship and ACCIDENTALLY blew it up. That was so lame. Lucas says that he directed the first one to set an example for the other directors. Believe me, he set a bad first example. And for those of you who give this five stars, sorry. I can see five stars for A New Hope, or The Empire Strikes Back, but NOT this terrible "Star Wars" movie.
Rating:
Summary: Quit your whining!
Review: I am tired of all this, "I hate Jar Jar, he ruined the movie!" Maybe you guys didn't realize but Star Wars isn't just for adults, kids love it and Jar Jar was for them. Of course the movie will seem more childish, Anakin is child in this one, there is more to come in the trilogy and we will see how this young boy will eventually become Darth Vader.
Rating:
Summary: TRUE Star Wars fans will enjoy this movie
Review: I am tired of the crticism that this movie has been receiving. If you are a true Star Wars fan you would like this movie. The film is explaining all things that will happen in the future movies. The prequels are setting the stage for the episodes 4-6. I love the way the story is coming together. Roger Ebert gave this movie 3 and a half star, the reason people are so hard on this movie is because they expect a remake of the original Star Wars, if this movie was showed in 1977 it would be hailed a visionary. If you watch this movie and absorb it you will understand a lot more things about the Star Wars saga. Darth Maul also was a very good villian. If you do not like this movie you are not a true fan.
Rating:
Summary: An Open Mind Will Always Take You Further....
Review: I am very excited to be seeing this DVD. I only hope that Lucasfilm is hard at work on the originals as well. I liked "Phantom Menace" a great deal. The key...an open mind. Lucas was making a movie for a new generation, and he had at his disposal a variety of tools that he could only dream of with "A New Hope." If you look at the movie without trying to read a ton of stupid nonsense into it, he has made a great start to a new story based on a previous story in HIS universe. If he wants to explain the force as a relationship with a symbiotic lifeform, let him. As far as Anakin being "too nice," that is only going to further help create the tragic story of his descent into the dark side under Palpatine. Remember, the only positive ending to this trilogy will be the twin children of Amadala and Skywalker. The third episode will truly be a Shakespearean level tragic story of star crossed lovers divided by forces larger than themselves, set in one of the grandest universes ever created. Think about that, and suddenly Jar Jar doesn't seem to matter all that much. So, in the meantime,"Bringzee ona zee DeeVeeDeez!"
Rating: 
Summary: Very nicely done
Review: I am very happy with this movie. Star Wars Episode One has a lot of action, answers a lot of questions, and the special effects are fabulous. You have to view this movie with an open mind however. Anyone who is a Star Wars fan and speaks negatively about it can't accept the fact that there is no Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, etc. You have to remember that this is the beggining, and you have to accept it the way it is. Most important of all, you can't compare it to the first three movies. It's completely different with a lot of different angles and chracters that certainly have their own merrit. Not to mention the technology used to make this movie is a 100 times better and more advanced that it was in the mid-70's and early 80's, so it looks different than the origional 3 which I will admit took me a time or two to adjust to. I love this movie, although I think Jar-Jar Binks was a bit much to say the least. I would recomend this movie to anyone, Star Wars fan or not.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Beginning to the Saga - Why do SW fans hate it?
Review: I became a Star Wars fan in the summer of 1999. I saw Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace before viewing the original trilogy. At first, I didn't get it. I was brought into this galaxy with no since of what was going on. But later, I rented the other movies and began to really appreciate the saga that is Star Wars. Although I'm sure everyone has seen this movie, I will give the basic plot just in case someone hasn't seen it. The Trade Federation controls the trade routes of many planets; yet they want to gain more power. When the Galactic Senate refuses to give them more control, Darth Sidious makes a deal with the Federation to start an invasion of the peaceful planet of Naboo, in order to force the Senate into giving them power. But it is really part of a plan to give more power to Sidious himself, so he can finally get revenge on the Jedi and begin a new form of government - The Empire, which already exists in the original trilogy. When all this happens, the Jedi Knights get involved to save Naboo. That's all I will say; I don't want to spoil the experience. Many people dislike this movie for not having as much character development as in the original trilogy. I agree to that, but I still don't dislike it. We explore the plot much more in this film, since it is so complex. But the simple "good vs. " plot in the trilogy left so much room to know the characters inside and out. This movie is just different from the others, making it a fresh new way to look at the Star Wars universe. Everybody hates Jar Jar. He irritates me too. But lets really look at it from Lucas's standpoint. He wants his movies to appeal to everyone. I can clearly understand that. Around the time Return of the Jedi rolled around, he probably thought, "Gee, I should put something in here that little kids would like." So he added the ewoks. I think everyone has a certain pressure put on them to say they "hate" the ewoks and Jar Jar as well. But I must say that they didn't ruin the movies for me at all. Star Wars has recently become a bigger hit with little kids as a result of these creatures, and I think that is just fine. Everyone wants this movie as well as the others on DVD. I want them too, but don't sweat it. Everybody waits until they can sell the most of their movies on VHS until they release them on DVD. Lucas is doing the same thing. And I am sure that when they come out, it will be best DVDs ever made, with tons of extras and featurettes. Everyone should own Episode I and the original trilogy - the entire saga. Lucas has made it possible for everyone to own his mythological, timeless tales - especially with re-releasing the Star Wars Trilogy again. Don't wait, go out and buy every one of these movies. It won't be regretted. All I can say is that the saga gives me a fantastic world to visit when I want great entertainment! Bring on Episodes II and III!
Rating:
Summary: what a grand world
Review: i believe some people expected star wars episode one to be as good or equal to episode four. this is like expecting the follow up to nirvana's nevermind to be as good as nevermind or pearl jam to repeat ten on the sophomore outing. it is almost impossible to duplicate that kind of quality art. george lucas had twenty years before he did the "post star wars" movies which turned out to be prequels to the orignal 3 (episonde iv-vi)
i liked this movie. liam neeson was great as the jedi, qui-gon jinn and has become one of my favorite star wars characters.
it was funny to see a young obi wan and i thought ewan mcgreggor was quite good as well. I loved queen amidala and have always loved natalie portman. she was amazing as with the rest of the cast. the actng was great, i loved the story, the effects and the whole kit and kaboodle.
the story begins with the invasion of the planet naboo where we meet queen amadala. along the course of the movie we pick up jar jar binks played by ahmed best. he plays the comic relief role for the movie. some people (myself included) find him annoying. others liked him.
in any event, the movie rolls on and we pick up anakin skywalker who is to become darth vader down the road. i thought the special effects were amazing. i love this movie. i am a sci-fi fan and a star wars fan. some did not like this movie and i can see why. it does have flaws but do not forget what future lies ahead and this trilogy has to build the future. the groundwork has to be laid for quite a number of subjects over the course of three movies. it is alot.
the dvd is packed with stuff and i mean PACKED. behind the scenes on virtually every aspect of the making of this movie as well as all aspects of the movie itself. there are approximately six hours of features to plow through so you better have time on your hands.
this dvd is so packed that i think, as a consumer, you really do not lose. for fans of sci fi or fans of star wars, this is a winner. just remember this is NOT like episodes iv-vi. it is its own entity.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it!
Review: I believe that most fans of movies and Star Wars forgot the most important factor to watching this movie and that is that this is the First in the episode. I walked into the theatre with that understanding and acceptance, not looking for it to 'out do' the others. It was not supposed to. This is was the beginning.... Anyone who expected more would be disappointed ... Granted, there were some actors that I would have changed - however, in my opinion they were very minor roles and the rest of the movie out weighted them and that is why I gave this movie a 4. So give it a try with a different perspective.
Rating:
Summary: excellent movie, bad VHS picture
Review: I believe The Phantom Menace is a great movie for Star Wars fans and those who haven't even seen the originals. I saw it many times in the theatre(probably too many. I was addicted,) and I was very excited to own the widescreen version to watch at home. But I was really surprised by the poor picture quality. I don't know if I'm just spoiled by DVD, but I couldn't believe how badly the picture looked. I ended up trying to adjust my tv controls throughout most of the movie. I'm a bit confused.
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