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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D, Movie

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D

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The Phantom Menace, the 1999 prequel, is the first 3D re-release of the entire Star Wars saga. George Lucas' Lucas Film and Industrial Light & Magic are undertaking the "cutting edge" 3D conversion process.

Says ILM: "Getting good results on a stereo conversion is a matter of taking the time and getting it right. It takes a critical and artistic eye along with an incredible attention to detail. We will take our time, applying everything we know both aesthetically and technically to bring audiences a fantastic new Star Wars experience."

On the planet of Naboo, peace is under threat from the manipulating forces of evil within the Trade Federation. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) attempt to safely escort Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from Naboo, but are attacked and forced to land on the planet Tatooine. There, they discover a young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) - a slave boy with the powers of The Force. Together they face Darth Sidious, leader of the Trade Federation, and his dark apprentice, Darth Maul.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Pernilla August, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp.

Directed by George Lucas ('American Graffiti', 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope').

Written by George Lucas.

Score by: John Williams ('Jaws', 'Superman', 'Jurassic Park', 'Harry Potter')

Science Fiction, Adventure, 3D | 2hr 13mins | PG | contains low level violence | Country of Origin: USA | Official Site »

74 votes / 20 comments The Talk

  • 68 %

    Want to See it

    What say you?

    • Matt

      Finally, some depth to The Phantom Menace!

    • Lazza

      The force is strong with this one!

    • sircorkalsot

      Horrible, horrible, horrible! We all to remember how bad this film is. But wait it's in 3D! Suckful.

    • reetz

      "REALLY" oh my g..... no fricken way...

    • Lulu

      I CANT WAIT!!! Im a girl who loves all the starwars and really will only see it because its on the big screen! woop woop!!!

    • Rob

      Jar Jar in 3d.... two more dimensions to be annoying in!!

    • George

      Brings back memories

    • Wookiee

      It's Star Wars! In 3D!!

    • asdf

      it looks EPIC

    • Michi

      Not the depth this movie needs.

    • Mr G

      In 3D! I can't wait!! No wait!!! I can!!!!!

    • Ant

      3D, 2D, Lucas additions or 1980s theatrical versions, Star Wars on the big screen is a rare must.

    • mvo

      Rob, two more dimensions? Hmm... interesting. So if you see in one dimension, can you still see?

    • sillyu

      Not this Star Wars. The older ones are better.

    • tokgae

      soon there'll be star wars part 19 ? ha ha ha justlike jason is back, older one is classic, but the new one ? u be the judge

    • Mayur

      Big Star Wars geek so why not? The pod race and final duel should be great.

    • SWOTfan

      Darth Vader a whinny drip of a kid - not in the REAL SW universe - this and all the prequels are just Sith Propaganda!

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Flicks.co.nz Review

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  • Pat

    Overly harsh review dude. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone thatr likes action or a good story.

comment / reply
Dominic Corry, Flicks.co.nz Flicks Writer

In 3D-ifying his six film saga, George Lucas has found yet another way to gather revenue from the increasingly less beloved franchise (I can't wait for the holocube editions in 2021!), but it must bother him that the first one to be released is the most famously derided film of the last twenty years. Still, I embrace any opportunity to see an old film on the big screen and I was curious to see how this would hold up a decade after I last watched it.

The things that were good about The Phantom Menace in 1999 now seem even cooler: the pod race (which feels right at home in 3D); the undersea monsters and the final showdown with Darth Maul.

Conversely, the stuff that reeked in 1999 is now even more painful – the yawn-inducing political plot; those weird Asian stereotype aliens; people saying 'mesa' and 'yousa' and Jake-freaking-Lloyd. Indeed, more than any other single element (save perhaps, the script), Lloyd's terrible performance as young Anakin Skywalker ruins The Phantom Menace (He's a grown up now, he can take it).

The 3D effect in the film is relatively (and pleasingly) subtle, with a slight fuzziness marking this seperate from the crystal clarity of other recent 3D sci-fi movies. It can't do much, however, to distract you from the fact that this film remains one of the most devastating fudged opportunities in the history of cinema. Kids might like it, though.

1 review The People's Reviews

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Simply Spectacular

BrionyJae BrionyJae Flicks Superstar (?)

Well, I may not be a long time Star Wars fan, having just got into all that kind of Sci-fi stuff recently, but I can't help disagreeing with the Flicks reviewer! I really enjoyed the whole film itself, don't really see what was so terrible about it. I mean, for one, I thought young Anakin was really rather cute. Jar Jar Binks was hilarious, of course. As for the 3D element, I'm one of the poor people who have to wear normal glasses underneath 3D glasses, but this film was worth the awkward position - the stars looked amazing, as did the wide scenic shots of the Senate and the planets etc. I reckon it's well worth a trip to the cinema to see the new 3D release, if only to see it on the big screen - it simply is much more spectacular! :)

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Press Reviews

BBC

An often deliriously exciting adventure, hitting the target audience of 10-year olds and satisfying long-time fans.

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

There is a sense of discovery in scene after scene of The Phantom Menace.

Empire (UK)

The most disappointing film of all time it remains, but with the galaxy of hype now far, far away Menace seems much less of a public menace than it did in the summer of 1999.

Guardian (UK)

Nothing has the right to bore and disappoint us this much.

Hollywood Reporter

Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace seems designed more as a promotion for Lucasfilm's billion-dollar merchandising concerns than a meaningful chapter in the Star Wars canon.

Los Angeles Times

Even without the pre-release hoopla, The Phantom Menace would be a considerable letdown!

New York Times

It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway, creating illusions that are even more plausible than the kitchen-raiding raptors of Jurassic Park.

Total Film (UK)

Worth the wait, so long as you don't expect a masterpiece. Better than Jedi, but not as good as Empire, Episode I should please both adult fans and pre-teen newcomers.

Variety (USA)

It is neither captivating nor transporting, for it lacks any emotional pull, as well as the sense of wonder and awe that marks the best works of sci-fi/fantasy.

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