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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Image
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Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 220 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman
  • Summary: Set decades before the original "Star Wars" series, in the era of the Republic, The Phantom Menace is a prequel which introduces many of the major characters.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 36
  3. Negative: 6 out of 36
  1. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    91
    Phantom may not be the best entry in the series, but it's the most technically accomplished, and it makes you as hungry for the next film as you've been for this one.
    All this critic's reviews
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    60
    It's a kiddie movie rejiggered for childish grown-ups, of whom there are enough to make it a hit. How such childishness has become a virtual secular religion is hard to imagine.
  3. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Tom Keogh
    30
    It's a complete drag.
    All this critic's reviews

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 90
  3. Negative: 23 out of 90
  1. L.M.
    9
    My score may be a bit biased for it being my first Star Wars in theaters but I still find it to be a great ride to this very day. The story's pace needed some tweaking but there was some great times where you knew the magic was there although some disappointments hurt the movie as well (Jar Jar isn't the bane of SW but not great either). Many great new characters to see and some old ones with new faces as well. Don't let the critics smearing this movie fool you, Phantom Menace is a great spectacle to behold but it does have a few blaring faults.… Expand
    • 4 of 5 users said yes
  2. cowbell31
    4
    When people say this movie is good, they can't back themselves up with the story, only with the effects. The movie continuously adds on to the characters character, we always question their decisions, and don't understand why anyone doesn't act like a normal person.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. VincentV.
    3
    Dear George, the story was okay, just okay, but the very boring race, jar jar binks and the failed tries to be funny just made it a long annoying movie...… Expand
    • 8 of 12 users said yes

See all 90 User Reviews

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