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Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition) Customer Reviews (103 - 105 of 166 Reviews)

This is just the beggining...well, was, 6 years ago.
After six years, I finally bought this movie on DVD. Only had it on VHS. As a practitioner of the Star Wars fan boy alliance (not really), I finally want to share my thoughts about the prequel trilogy starting with my second favorite of the three: Episode I.

Even though this film starts the saga, I recommend, even for first timers, to watch the original trilogy first, Because without them, this one just doesn't give a proper introduction to the galaxy far far away. Except the first time Jedi take out lightsabers on the Federation ship. When I saw this movie in 1999, I was amazed how much of the pace was very similar to Episode IV, the original Star Wars, since it was the only one of the original trilogy to had been directed by George Lucas. Now he returns in the director's seat with this trilogy, and it is great. Now, don't mind all the "wooden dialogue" accusations, although they are true. But, if you don't understand the plot, with all due respect, you have no business whatsoever watching this film and you must have ADD. Like in the original trilogy, i believe, contrasting what many people might think, this is a movie that requires your full attention to really grasp and feel for the characters. The story is only confusing if you don't know anything about this little planet we live in, because the political conflict in the movie is pretty clear, despite what some dumb dumbs might think.

Also, this takes me back to the original trilogy. Without watching that first, you really don't know where this political thing is leading to. Unless, you are watching the whole saga as a big movie, it can leave a lot of open spots. Visually, I think it is the best of the trilogy. The lightsabers look the best in this movie. In the last 2 the color on the sabers is too strong, and the sound isn't as thunderous as that last battle with Darth maul at the end of this one.

Like the original Star Wars, what's so great about this movie is that it can be a stand alone film (sorta, if you don't really count the destiny that will befall on the characters on account of everything that happens here). It's a nice sci fi adventure, with fun action and deep Star Wars philosophy and myth, although, once again many people didn't seem to appreciate it. Of course, the movie is just one piece of the puzzle, the problem is that each piece left a big whole Lucas filled every 3 years, which is why this films I think were received the way they were. They left too many questions and doubts.

The acting was FINE. Star Wars is no place for over actors, specially when you are portraying a centered and peaceful Jedi. It was FINE. In the context of all the films this one definitely stands out and I hope more people see that.

If you wanna get into Star Wars, forget about a rental, because if you are serious about it, you'll definitely buy it. you will not regret it, unless you are one of this close minded people who don't understand how fantasy can look at the human spirit right at its core.

Star Wars a new failure..
Worst star wars movie in lucasfilms history. This movie sucked. I suggest episdoe 3-6 those are the only ones really worth seeing....

I want to like this movie but....
Actually, I thought this movie was ok to pretty good when I saw it in the theatre. However, upon repeat viewings I liked it less and less. I had read on a Star Wars fan site that I would like Phantom Menace more after seeing Revenge of the Sith. Supposedly, Revenge would bring out all the "subtleties" of Phantom. But this did not happen. If anything, I like Phantom less after watching Revenge. For starters, the CGI character Jar Jar Binks is really an irrelevant character. All he does is provide silly slapstick humor and show-off Lucas's new digital toys, which wouldn't be so bad if the character had a purpose. But, we never see this purpose. He's supposed to lead our heroes through the planet core on Naboo, but we never see him provide this info. He goes from outcast to a general in the Gungan army, but does nothing to merit this promotion (though in Jar Jar's defense, the leader of the Gungans' is a pretty asinine character as well). He bumbles through a battle (which unfortunately interrupts an awesome lightsabre duel). And although he has a so-called pivotal scene in Attack of the Clones, nearly any other character could have served this purpose without hurting the movie. Secondly, the directing is terrible. In multiple scenes it appears that Jake Lloyd (Anakin) is merely reading his lines off cue cards. Surely, Lucas could have gotten better takes of some of these scenes. Third, Obi Wan Kenobi's force powers are inconsistent: At the beginning of the movie he and Qui Gon use force "speed" to escape super battle droids, but when it comes time to help Qui Gon fight Darth Maul, Obi Wan runs at normal speed (which conveniently allows Maul and Qui Gon to fight one on one to a stunning end). Finally, this movie just doesn't seem to set up the next two movies very well. Because Anakin's just a young boy, we can't really discern his infatuation with Padme (Luke and Leia's mother). So, when we see these characters in Attack of the Clones, Anakin's obsession with Padme makes him look like a stalker. Moreover, Padme goes from being obviously uncomfortable with Anakin's stalker glares to playing tonsil hockey with him a few scenes later. Way too rushed - and I blame this on Phantom for not developing a relationship between these characters. Overall, I think Phantom is just a wasted opportunity for the Star Wars saga. I recommend this movie only if you are a die hard Star Wars fan.

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