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DVD : Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)

Rating: - What was the point of this, George?
I remember when this film came out, I kept putting off seeing it. And putting it off, and off. Then it came out on video, and I finally rented it. I think I was putting it off because I instinctively knew it was going to be awful, and I was right. It is one of the dullest, most atrociously acted films I've ever seen. The acting was stody and boring, and considering the acting talent involved (Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Samuel L. Jackson), you'd think Lucas could have done something spectacular with them. Alas, no. Lucas has said numerous times that he detests directing (this was the first film he's directed in over 20 years since the original Star Wars film), and his contempt for directing shows. It feels like a sonambulistic exercise, intent on putting us to sleep, and it has an overall lackadasical feel that really irks the viewer. Many who saw this were extremely disappointed because they loved the originals so much (the original 3 are far superior than this tripe). They more than likely felt a sense of obligation and loyalty to see this film and the progressively worse prequels. They grew up with the original Star Wars films, and they went away disappointed and angry at the fact the prequels were inferior in every way to the originals...

Lucas's dialogue is wretched, his pacing is totally off, and he seems to be killing time here. There's no real enthusiasm here, in front of the camera or in back of it. Perhaps the actors picked up on the fact that Lucas didn't give a damn about his own film, so why should they? I sometimes think Lucas purposely made bad prequels so he wouldn't have to film the final 3 chapters. And why did he decide to make the prequels? If he made the 3 films that were supposed to take place after Return of the Jedi, he would have had no real creative restraints. Who knows why George Lucas does what he does? I haven't a clue, other than I really disliked this film.

Rating: - Star wars series, is a great family movie
The entire Star wars saga is a truely timeless classic that people will be watching for generations.

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Rating: - Star Wars Loses it's Credibility
I remember seeing this film in theatres the day it came out. I am a huge Star Wars fan, not some weirdo who dresses up in SW costumes, but someone who truly holds a special place in their heart for the original three films. After seeing this movie back when it was released, I remember being utterly dissapointed by it. I also couldn't think of another film that was single-handly ruined by one single character like this movie is. Yes, Jar Jar Binks has to be the worst character, not only in the Star Wars universe, but in any film ever! Trust me, he's that bad. He ruins the movie completely. And he's not even a minor character, he has more screen time than Obi-Wan and Darth Maul! Give me a break Lucas. This is really a kids movie, very childish in so many ways.

I just bought the DVD's of the all three prequels the other day. They were on sale. I watched Phantom Menace last night and my thoughts are still the same. Everytime a scene would become interesting it was quickly ruined by horrible dialogue or acting, or Jar Jar would walk in. Perhaps the most intense scene of the movie, the Darth Maul/Jedi fight, if absolutely ruined by cutting the scene back to Jar Jar stumbling around.

This movie was the biggest letdown. Yes, I was expecting a lot, but this is a really bad movie on its own, not connected to the other three films. The SFX were the only thing worth noting with this horror show. George Lucas should be ashamed of himself. This movie has a terrible plot, horrible acting, even worse dialogue, and almost NO character development. Don't waste your time.

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Rating: - The Phantom Boredom
For anyone who enjoyed the original trilogy of "Star Wars","Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi","The Phantom Menace" is an amazing disappointment. It has the spectacular special effects of the original (but with more CGI),but lacks the spirit and the mythos. In the original trilogy,George Lucas had a specific aim-Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey,as embodied in Luke Skywalker. The prequel trilogy was supposed to be about Anakin Skywalker's fall from grace-to his origins as Darth Vader.

How does it begin? With a loooong crawl across the screen about the gloomy philosophy,economics. Trade wars are not incredibly thrilling. Maybe it's thrilling for an avid listener of PRI's Marketplace or reader of Investor's Business Daily,but not for the average moviegoer. There's a temptation to fall asleep before the movie begins.
Natalie Portman is stuck with the thankless role of Padme Amidala of Naboo,Luke&Leia's mother,and she gets to wear strange,spectacular outfits that put drag queens to shame. The devil-resembling Darth Maul looks more like a kid in a cheap Halloween costume. Finally,there's Jar Jar Binks,the most insufferable Star Wars character ever.He exists to show off the CGI,and is profoundly annoying.

There are some highlights in the movie-Liam Neeson and Ewan Macgregor are spirited as Jedi knights;their rapport is natural and Neeson exudes nobility. Sadly,Neeson's character dies at the end of this movie.The special effects-such as an underwater city-are spectacular.

"The Phantom Menace" suffers from unconvincing acting from Jake Lloyd,the future Darth Vader,as well as the urge to explain too much,especially with the Force. The Force is no longer a mystical energy,but "midi-chlorians" in the bloodstream. Anakin gets a blood test to prove he's worthy of being a Jedi. "The Phantom Menace" is engrossing in its badness. George Lucas purposefully came up with the title "The Phantom Menace" as a tribute to '40s B-movies and serial;it lives up to its name as a B movie.

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Rating: - Setting the historical foundation to the "Star Wars" epic
I grew up on the original "Star Wars" Trilogy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It completely captured my imagination, and since that time I have been totally caught up with the Star Wars universe and the Jedi philosophy. Of course, I was anxious to see the prequils, which are very interesting in their own right.

This one, "The Phantom Menace" is definately the weakest of the three prequils. The momentum of the story sometimes gets bogged down with the politics surrounding the Battle of Naboo. It gets hard to follow and it actually took me several viewings to figure it out completely.

Jar Jar Binks was something of a annoyance, but I don't think he deserved all the bad publicity he got in the reviews. It even made sense that his bumbling and goof-ball character would later mess things up in Episode Two where (as a Congressman) he foolishly is tricked into making a motion to hand more power to the deceptive Chancellor Palpatine.

As for the ethnic stereotypes and relationships to other movies, I think it was quite obvious that the aliens in charge of the trade federation were thinly disguised representaions of Japanese leaders from the movie "Tora, Tora, Tora". The pod racing was most definately based on the chariot race from "Ben-Hur". As for Watto (said to be a Jewish or Arab merchant) and Jar Jar Binks (Said to be a "J.J. Evans" Afro-American stereotype); I didn't pick up on that until after I read the reviews.

The special effects, of course, were breathtaking, but the characters were far less captivating than the Original Trilogy ensemble. Little Anakin was not a likable kid, and there is nothing in his character that would indicate the inner turmoil that would someday transform this "Little Orphan Andy" into an "Adolf Hitler". Princess Padme also seemed to not have much of a personality. The actor who played Obiwan, however, did an excellent job in capturing Alec Guiness's conception of that role.

Of all, Palpatine emerges as the most interesting character. One is fascinated by his duplicidous nature and satanic majesty.

With all of it's flaws I still have to give "Phantom Menace" four stars, just for setting the historical foundation to the "Star Wars" epic.

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