With the contraversial tampering with the Star Wars Trilogy, they have finally been released on Blu-Ray. Is it worth your money? I’m going to watch all the movies and bonus features and let you know…first up Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menance.

Of all the movies in the Star Wars Saga this one is the most discussed and disagreed upon. Brad(of Reel Nerds) thinks it’s the best of the prequels, while I actually think it’s the weakest. The movie follows Jedis Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they unravel the mystery of the Trade Federations invasion on the peaceful planet of Naboo. Along the way the make their way to Tatooine, where they meet Anakin Skywalker a slave who Qui-Gon believes will be the chosen one to bring balance to the force.

I have not seen this movie since 2002( I remember because I was in Austrailia) and it’s not quite as bad as I remember. Now it’s not the best movie in the Saga but it’s much better removed from the hype it garnered upon intial release. Somethings that will never be good in this movie, Jar Jar Binks(duh) and Jake Lloyd’s terrible delivery of some very bad dialogue.

What works though is some truly thrilling battle scenes on Naboo with the Gungans and the Droid army. It also has a badass light saber battle between Qui-Gon, Qbi-Wan, and Darth Maul. Speaking of Darth Maul he is a sweet villian too bad he only lasted one movie, which would be ok if Vader made he’s apperence in Episode 2 not 3. Also Liam Neesson as Qui-Gon is truly good.

The movie has one big change and that’s an all CGI Yoda. But Yoda actually looks much better then a stiff puppet. The picture is good but it looks really soft at some parts. The sound however is some of the best I’ve ever heard. Crank this movie to 11, it’s amazing.

All in all this movie is not as bad as you remember, but all the things you had a problem with, most lame of course is Jar Jar and he doesn’t get any better overtime. But cheer for the pod race and ignore the lame dialogue. (Yippee!)

Grade:B-