The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in... more
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in Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace as he steps off a spaceship and into the most anticipated cinematic event ... well, ever. He might as well be speakin...
in Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace as he steps off a spaceship and into the most anticipated cinematic event ... well, ever. He might as well be speakin...
powers called Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The galaxy is threatened by war and the Jedi Knights must keep the peace at all costs. Jedi warrior Qui-Gon Jinn se...
scene from the movie. As a Star Wars title it's sure to get a lot of interest, but the question is: is it any fun to play? Yes, actually, it is. Racer differs from a normal racing game. Rather than merely steering your way around the track, you can enhance your turns by using the Z button on the controller. Holding down the button shifts the cockpit off to the side and kicks you sideways with a burst of extra speed. And, of course, a big part of pod racing is the spectacular crashes, and here LucasArts does not disappoint. As Qui-Gon says, "Pod racing is very dangerous!" Even your opponents crash--sometimes into each other. The 3-D visuals and sound are good, but not ground-breaking. To forestall the inevitable boredom that all racing games eventually leave you with, the game lets you race on different planets, each with their own tracks. The tracks are inventive, especially in the later levels: some tracks have shortcuts to discover, others have zero-gravity sections and hair-raising jumps. The racing pods also differ, and with victory in certain races, more powerful craft become available. A pit area allows you to view all the weird designs up close in 3-D. In tournament mode, prize money is awarded for top finishers; you can use the cash to buy parts to upgrade your pod. It's a good thing the purse isn't paid out in Republic credits: Star Wars fans will recognise the parts dealer as none other than Watto. His wry comments spice up the shopping experience, and he sounds just like he did in the movie. Racer is a worthwhile purchase for fans of Star Wars or racing games. --Eric Fredrickson Pros: Imaginative tracks keep it interesting Watto's parts shop! Up to two players (each needs his or her own controller) Cons: Ab asic racing game that will not hold your interest forever Does not allow a four-player option
looks great and plays even better. Star Wars Starfighter is modelled after LucasArts' long-running flight-sim series. Thankfully, the game is fully loaded with plenty of vehicles from the Star Wars universe--which should put early fears to rest that the game would only include a few Episode 1 vehicles. On the PlayStation 2, this game looks incredible. The terrain detail is breathtaking, with long distances stretching out between you and the horizon. The environments are quite varied from the looks of things, with fighting taking place both within a planet's atmosphere and in the lonely recesses of space. Since it's a console game, the controls are very simplistic, yet sport some interesting features. Players can freely switch between highlighted targets and can use a zoom lens to easily take out all droid invaders. The cinematic sequences stitched throughout the game are brought to life with sharp, real-time cut-scenes, and all of Starfighter's effects are light-years ahead of anything you've previously seen on a console. This PlayStation 2 Star Warsflight game demonstrates the best use yet of the high-profile license. Putting players in the pilot seat of a TIE fighter or an X-Wing is sure to answer the fantasies of millions-upon-millions of dedicated fans. --Todd Mowatt
Demolition is yet another embarrassingly mediocre title based on the premier sci-fi movie series. A mish-mash of elements from the various Star Wars films, the laughably implausible premise here allows for disparate combatants (Boba Fett, a piloted Pod Racer, and a Rancor, to name a few) to fight in arenas that range from inappropriate (e.g. the swampy Dagobah) to impossible (e.g. the surface of the Death Star II).It's a shame that the gameplay in Star Wars Demolition isn't even remotely as imaginative as its "what if?" fanboy scenario, as all you've got here is an uninspired regurgitation of similar games (like Vigilante 8), with clunky controls tossed in for bad measure.Whatever "amusement" one can find in Star Wars Demolition wears thin really fast, making this disc one really expensive Star Wars-themed drink coaster. --Joe Hon
stop the forces taking complete control of the planet in Star Wars: Battle for Naboo? Set across 15 levels, Battle for Naboo is aimed at the younger Star Wars audience and, specifically, the audience of Episode One. Unlike Star Wars: Starfighter on the PlayStation 2, the other Episode One flying game, the action here takes place on the ground and involves using a number of vehicles including flash speeders and police cruisers. Usually flying with a wingman, you are guided across landscapes which are graphically fresh and crisp. The soundtrack adds to the ambience and the games presentation has the same gloss afforded to any Lucas Arts title within the Star Wars genre. The crafts, which are fairly standard, all come with unlimited phasers and an unlimited number of missiles, allowing the player to blast the majority of foe without fear of running out of ammo. Star Wars: Battle for Naboo is not a game that plans to offer hours and hours of gameplay: the levels are fairly short and any ardent game player will find themselves whizzing through them with ease. What it does offer, however, is some simple fun for all the family. --Frances Barber
Advantages: It's still Star Wars... Disadvantages: Pretty much the weakest of both trilogies...
...what seemed like forever... MORE STAR WARS!!! The problem is that when it arrived, the anticipation of the original trilogy had given us too much to hope for.
For some, The Phantom Menace was more of the escapism magic that Lucas had conjured up for us in our younger years... and for others it was a vast, vast disappointment. I personally liked it though it certainly wasn't on par as a whole as the other three films that had preceded it... but then... ... ...the right ways for a Star Wars film. There is still more than enough in this installment to make us feel comfortable and familiar in a galaxy that we already know:
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Disc 1:
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The Plot:
There are certainly lots of familiar faces and names in this film to remind us we are still in Lucas's domain... and it's pretty interesting to find out a little more of some character's origins.
Of course, ...
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Advantages: Stunning presentaion, quality extras - and plenty of them, DVD identical the world over. Disadvantages: Frickin' Jar Jar!
...big one, this is a Star Wars movie.
Maybe not THE Star Wars movie, and certainly not the BEST Star Wars movie, but a Star Wars movie nonetheless, and arguably the most anticipated movie of all time.
Whether the film actually lived up to its enormous expectations is, of course, another matter, and for many the answer to that would be a resounding 'no', but I'm not here to discuss the artistic merits of the movie - that has been done already (and ... ...in Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, Star Wars - Episode 1 will give you an audio adventure like no other movie. Even the benchmark standards set by previous discs such as The Matrix and Terminator 2, pale in comparison to what is on offer here. All of the sequences that you would expect to sound good, do, with obvious highlights being the space battles, the much-touted pod-race and the astonishing three-way lightsabre battle at the end, but even during Phantom's ...
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19.10.2001
(12.12.2002)
Recipe For A Bad Film Review ofStar Wars - Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace DVDby
Nameless
Advantages: Some very good scenes, as a standalone film it's pretty good Disadvantages: Some bad decisions made in the build up to this, overhyped and up against the best sci-fi films ever.
...a great fan of the Star Wars saga I, like most others, was eagerly awaiting the new film.
I’ll step back first to give you the idea (if you were on mars for the last 5 years.) The Phantom Menace is the (poorly titled) prequel to the original Star Wars Trilogy (now when the first film says Episode IV we all get it.) Set some 30 years before Han Solo, Chewie and the rest got mixed up with Darth Vader, this film focuses on Vader as a young boy, ... ...Some 30 years before Star Wars, the trade federation takes control of the planet Naboo by force, the chancellor of the republic sends 2 Jedi Knights to negotiate a treaty. However they will discover a more sinister force at work, and a young boy who could change the future of the galaxy.
Reasonably standard sci-fi stuff with the Star Wars logo emblazoned on it. The action moves swiftly around the galaxy, from Naboo to the Republic’s home planet ...
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Advantages: the name 'Star Wars', great actors, music Disadvantages: it's not as good as it could be!
...30 years before the old Star Wars
movies.
The old republic is weakened. The commercial federation besieges the weak planet Naboo. Unfortunately the senate cannot undertake anything against it. As last way out it transmits the Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn and its
young apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi to the commercial federation, in order to
hold peace conversations.
But one tries to kill them, but they can flee and land on Naboo. There the commercial ... ...Now, many people, particularly Star Wars Fan, think that Episode 1 is really bad!
I follow this opinion only reduced. Episode 1 isn't that bad! No, the film is even really good! But as a Star Wars film it is rather bad only.
Which is probably because of the fact that the three original movies put
the measuring pole condemned highly!
The problem of this film is, that one notices too often that the film tries to come forceful on the level of the ...
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Advantages: Good Disc and despite it all it IS star wars Disadvantages: Three words...JAR JAR BINKS
...bad (at least on a Star Wars level) but thankfully it only seemed to strengthen my admiration and love of the original three….
I suppose that’s something good to come out of it!
The film begins with the Trade Federation setting up a blockade against the planet of Naboo. Don’t ask me why this is, either it isn’t explained very well or I just didn’t care to pay much attention.
Two Jedi – Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) ... ...good stuff is the true Star Wars stuff.
What’s wrong with it?
Everything else!!!!! Annakin Skywalker, as we all know, is destined to become Darth Vader. He is portrayed as the most sweet and innocent child in the world. Ok fine but surly Darth Vader, even at this age should have some sort of dark cloud over him? It’s too sickly for words as he runs around shouting ‘Yippeeee’ and everyone calls him ‘Annie’….Ugh! ...
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Actor(s): Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Pernilla August, Oliver Ford Davies, Terence Stamp, Brian Blessed, Kenny Baker, Ralph Brown, Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davis, Adrian Dunbar, Hugh Quarshie, Hugh Quarshie, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, Samuel L. Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ahmed Best, Silas Carson
Director(s): George Lucas
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1999
Running Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Franchise Name: Star Wars
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United States of America
Plot: A prequel to Star Wars which introduces the main characters; a young boy with special powers called Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The galaxy is threatened by war and the Jedi Knights must keep the peace at all costs. Jedi warrior Qui-Gon Jinn sets out to save the planet of Naboo from the Trade Federation.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Release date: 31/10/2005
No of Discs: 2
Catalogue No: 22733 DVD
Editor: Paul Martin Smith, Ben Burtt
Set Designer: Peter Walpole
Sound: Ben Burtt
Barcode: 5039036007375
Production Designer: Gavin Bocquet
Screenwriter: Frank Oz, George Lucas
Animation: Rob Coleman
Stunts: Nick Gillard
Casting: Robin Gurland
Composer: John Williams
Featured: George Lucas
Executive Producer: George Lucas
Director of Photography: David Tattersall
Producer: Rick McCallum, George Lucas
Author: George Lucas
Voice: Frank Oz
Special Effects: Industrial Light and Magic, Nick Dudman, Dennis Muren, Scott Squires, John Knoll
Costume Designer: Trisha Biggar
Languages
Main Language: English
Subtitle Language: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Hearing Impaired Language: English
DVD Description
The first of three prequels to George Lucas's celebrated STAR WARS films, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE is set some 30 years before the original STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE in the era of the Republic. Naboo, a peaceful planet governed by the young but wise Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is being threatened by the corrupt Trade Federation, puppets of an evil Sith lord and his terrifying apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park). Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, performing an amazing vocal imitation of Alec Guinness, the older Obi-Wan) are called on to intervene in the trade disputes. Along the way, they acquire an apprentice of their own in the form of young prodigy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), or as STAR WARS fans know him, the future Darth Vader. They also encounter Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a goofy, lizardlike creature who has been banished from his underwater world for clumsiness. When the Trade Federation launches an attack on Naboo, the queen and her allies must battle hordes of robot troopers while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the sinister Darth Maul. One of the most anticipated films of all time, THE PHANTOM MENACE sets the stage for the tumultuous events to come. Lucas fills the screen with detailed sci-fi creatures and locations, revealing the most creative and exquisite sets, costumes, and character designs to hit the screen since the original trilogy.
Technical information
Special Features: Commentary By George Lucas, Deleted Scenes Documentary Including Extended Podrace Sequence, Interactive Featurette, Original Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots, Cast And Crew Photographs, Twelve Part Web Documentary Series That Chronicles The Production Of Episode One, Five Featurettes Which Explore The Storyline Design Costumes Visual Effects And Fight Scenes, Duel Of The Fates Music Video Featuring John Williams, Production Photo Gallery, DVD ROM Weblink
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround English
Professional reviews
Review: "...It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway..." (New York Times, p.E1, 19/05/1999)
"...Thrilling pod race and gorgeous images..." -- 3 out of 5 stars (Premiere, p.96, 01/05/2000)
"...Impressive....A complex technical achievement..." (Sight and Sound, p.34-5, 01/07/1999)
"...A visual circus of stunning effects. Once again, it simply boils down to a fight between good and evil, and the hordes of STAR warriors wouldn't have it any other way..." (USA Today, p.8E, 21/05/1999)
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