Star Wars: The Phantom Menace [4K UHD]

Great Movie

The Phantom Menace (1999) marks the long-awaited return of Star Wars to the big screen, serving as the first chapter in George Lucas’s prequel trilogy. While the film delivers stunning visuals, groundbreaking CGI (especially for its time), and an unforgettable pod-racing sequence, its storytelling can feel uneven. The political intrigue of the Galactic Senate often overshadows the human drama, and some characters—most notoriously Jar Jar Binks—haven’t aged well in fans’ eyes. Still, the film introduces iconic elements like Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the young Anakin Skywalker, laying important groundwork for the saga’s larger story. Despite its flaws in dialogue and pacing, The Phantom Menace remains a visually rich and ambitious start to the prequels—one that’s best appreciated for its world-building and its role in reigniting Star Wars for a new generation.

Great gift. Love this movie.

Who doesnt love star wars?

Lucas managed to make such an event out of the release of The Phantom Menace that I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I must have read ten articles, watched adverts and trailers and I even caught a part of the "making of" on TV. Talk about building expectations, how could anything, barring the second coming, live up to it all. I suppose that was the question going through my mind as I approached the cinema. Would you believe I was even a little nervous? Yes the cinematography was breathtaking, the effects were cutting edge, the design was first class, blah blah blah. But that's not what makes a good film. Does it have a decent story, interesting characters, suspense, action? In short, does it pack enough emotional content? Well, in this case... Yes, it does. How could I think George Lucas might let me down. I happen to think Natalie Portman stole the show entirely, but maybe her beauty and the fabulous costumes had something to do with it. And, as much as the first Star Wars was cast with relatively unknown actors, Liam Neeson added just the right touch of weight to the ensemble. Of course I wouldn't be the first to suggest Ewan McGregor is going to be giving us memorable performances for years to come and I'm not talking about the Star Wars prequels. All in all, a stand out cast were able to make what could have been a light sci-fi romp, into another classic. During the early moments of the story, we join two Jedi, only this time they are set amid a backdrop where Jedi are thick on the ground and are given routine tasks, like diplomatic negotiation. Obi-Wan is familiar to us but not as a young man yet to be promoted to Jedi knight. His friend and master, Qui-Gon Jinn, is the other Jedi and it is this duo that teaches us the true nature of a Jedi's role. In the first films the Jedi culture was all but extinct. In The Phantom Menace it is in full flower and we can watch in awe as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan defy poison gas, blast shielding and military robots. In fact it isn't until they come up against another, albeit darker, proponent of the Jedi arts, that they are forced to pause. I have to say, Darth Maul was wonderful. I suppose it was always going to be a tough job coming up with a "bad guy" concept to match Darth Vader but wow! Ray Park was and is a stunt-man rather than an actor but during the final fight scene where force fields temporarily separate the combatants, his frustrated strides brought to mind a caged tiger. I certainly didn't envy our heroes, waiting to face such an animalistic warrior. There are quite a few set piece scenes in the film, all of them memorable. The journey through the center of the earth was fabulous; talk about your perfect fishing hole. The pod race was probably a little over cooked but fun none the less. And it did contain a nice homage to the locked fenders in "Return of the Jedi". But for me, it was the little things which won my heart. Like the moment when Padme, "Hand-maiden to the Queen", is scrubbing the heroic R2-D2 but takes a moment to comfort the young Anakin who's just coming to terms with a potentially permanent separation from his mother. It's all the more poignant after we learn more about Padme's true role. So, as much as I was anticipating the release of Episode One, I am now left with the distressing feeling that the true test of my patience is still to come. I have two years to wait for Episode two and who knows when "three" will appear. We're waiting George, we're waiting.

The Best

Probably one of my top 3 Star Wars movies

What is so awful about this movie? All I've seen at this site is DISTURBINGLY negative reviews of it, calling for the torture and death of Jar Jar Binks and calling the movie a "steaming heap of refuse" or words to that effect. Are you people SERIOUS?! Qui Conn Jinn I have to wonder about, granted, but Natalie Portman, for her young years, is an excellent actress....She seems much more mature than the 20 or so solar cycles she's seen. Yes, granted, Jar Jar Binks is a pain in the [...], but for my money, C3PO is STILL the most irritating character in the Star Wars pantheon. Why is he even THERE? R2D2 is the robot that usually pulls everybody's fat out of the fire at the last minute...what has 3PO done? Saved Luke and Han from the Ewoks in "Return of the Jedi"? I think they and Chewbacca could have eventually handled them. Anyway, back to "Phantom". While I take pains to defend the film, there ARE a few things wrong with it, some MAJOR things, not the least of which is Qui Conn Jinn's fawning interest in little Annakin! For instance, a little too much of it is reminiscent of "The Empire Strikes Back" in the beginning, especially as Qui Conn, Jar Jar and Obi Wan leave Gungan. Speaking of Gungan, I like Boss Nass as a character, with his odd speech pattern and facial tics. Very original character concept, if you ask me. Schmi Skywalker is also a great character, ("Schmi"?! Why was she named after a villain in "Peter Pan"?) She exudes a tranquil persona that permeates every scene she's in. Pernilla August handles this part beautifully. WHY was she killed off in "Attack of the Clones"?? The art direction....? Nonpareil! Though not the equal of "Attack of the Clones", if "Phantom" didn't win the 1999 Oscar(r) for art direction or visual effects, a fix was in for the actual winner, because few movies can equal this or its sequel for pure visual mastery. (Or pure cheek!) The plot? What was wrong with the plot? Granted the pathos and strong feelings from "New Hope" aren't there because THIS IS NOT "NEW HOPE"!! This movie didn't have the luxury or inherent specialness of being the founder of a film dynasty and institution, and it does put some light on the beginnings of Annakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and what made him so special in the eyes of the Jedi and the Empire. Sorry, but we will never again see the image of the remains of Beru and Owen amongst the ruins of their smoking residence, or Luke's stunned reaction to it. Never see Luke blow up Deathstar with the spirit of justice guiding his every move. Never see him shreik in outrage as his own father kills Obi Wan Kenobi right in front of his eyes. Never see Princess Leia surprise Han and Luke by firing a gun like a pro that first time. Nope...never. Deal with it. This movie could have been garbage, like "Return of the Jedi", which is, as far as I'm concerned, the REAL stinker amongst the Star Wars films! Lucas certainly didn't have to exert himself for the bucks, now did he? However, I will put this up against "2010: The Year We Make Contact", "Ghostbusters II" "Alien Resurrection", "Batman & Robin", "Star Trek: Insurrection" and any ONE of Spielberg's little money factory originals or sequels any day of the week for quality! About the only other thing that bugs me about this movie and "Clones" together is that Ewan McGregor is NOT a convincing young Obi Wan. Forty-five, fifty years ago, Alec Guiness pretty much looked, sounded and acted as he did in "New Hope" to "Jedi". It's impossible to imagine McGregor developing Guiness' distinctive speech patterns and mannerisms along the way to his dotage. Where's the nasal tone? The smirk? Believe me, nobody changes that much over the course of a lifetime, I don't care HOW much they age! All in all, NOTHING should prevent you from buying this movie...not the condemnations of fanboys, not the homicidal sentiments toward Jar Jar Binks or anything ELSE! Buy this for what it is...another great addition to THE Royal Family of popcorn movies! THEN...analyze it!

exelente

Awesome deal!

Article conforme à l'annonce et livraison rapide

Perfecta colección de las 6 películas hasta el momento. Buscaba algo parecido y he dado en el clavo. Aunque tienes que comprar una por una, no vienen en una típica caja de cartón de coleccionista. Para mi perfecto. Típica caja metálica aunque muy fina para mi gusto y recubierto de plástico por dentro. Solo viene el Blu-Ray y nada más. El dibujo de delante es un tono metalizado y tiene cierto relieve en las letras y por detrás aparece la portada original muy bien dibujada. Son totalmente excelentes, no podrían estar mejor hechos. He colgado una foto para que veáis la parte de atrás ya que viene con un cartón que representa la típica parte de atrás de un dvd o blu-ray donde sale escenas, información, créditos, etc... y al ser un SteelBox lo podemos extraer quitando dos trozo de celo y se deja ver en todo su esplendor. También he colgado otra foto para que veáis las seis cartulinas y como he decidido cortar la parte que envuelve cada película por encima para guardarlos en el estante. Lógicamente he hecho tal cosa porque es mucho más bonito ver los dibujos de la caja que ese trozo de cartón tapándolo. Ahora toca esperar a la nueva trilogía y las antologías que también tienen pensado sacar, aunque... ¿Cuantos años habrá que esperar para que saquen un edición con un dibujo tan excelente como lo son estas 6 primeras? Muchos.

Easy to play, Easy viewing, good product