Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (The Ultimate Star Wars Recording)(1999 Film)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 November, 2000)
list price: $29.98 -- our price: $26.99
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Editorial Review

Obscured by the familiar grandeur of John Williams's score for Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace was the sheer volume of the composer's prodigious musical efforts. Not only did Williams expand on the original Star Wars trilogy's musical language with a whole new range of modern classical inspirations, but his efforts also produced more than two hours of seamless symphonic foundation for the galactic epic, enough wall-to-wall music to power three less ambitious films. This impressively packaged double-disc set offers Williams's complete Episode 1 score for the first time. It's a worthy tribute to the scoring legend's mastery of tone, dynamics, and nuance--a virtual musical tone poem that imparts much of the film's dramaturgy. Divorced from the bombastic visual assault of state-of-the-art digital effects, one is struck by the composition's emotional resonance. It's the small, quiet moments that give the story its subtle, crucial humanity; it's hard to imagine a film conceit so outlandish functioning without it. The Ultimate Edition includes a bonus track of the stirring choral centerpiece, "Duel of the Fates," with an overlaid dialogue montage, as well as a photo-rich booklet that illustrates each of the film's key scenes and musical cues. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (67)

Returning to a Galaxy Far Far Away.
After 16 years(JEDI 1983), There was finally a new chapter to the Star Wars saga, and again, John Williams was on hand to provide the movie's voice.

Now Personally, I happened to like, no love, this movie and the movie's great soundtrack. I was especially anxious to obtain this complete version, as the Qui-Gon theme, the duel in the desert, and some other various cues were not on the original 70plus minute release.

I was not dissapointed. This is, in my opinion, the best Star Wars CD just behind EMPIRE. Granted there are some slow moments on both of the discs in the set, mainly the bulk of the Tattooine sequence and the Coruscant sequence, but the bulk of the CD is exciting, original, and epic in scope and feel.

My only complaint is the annoying "Mos Espa Street Singer" track, and it would have been nice to have the non-dialogue version of "Duel of the Fates" on the end.

If the music for Episode III is just as ambitious as this, I will be elated.

Great music, few complaints
As with all of the "Star Wars" soundtracks, this score is excellent.And in the case of "The Phantom Menace", at least for me, more enjoyable to listen to than watching the actual movie it's from.

In any case, I would've liked to see the version of "Duel of the Fates" from the other soundtrack on this album as well.Since this is one of the best pieces, it'd be nice to have it on here in a form which isn't broken up the way it is in the movie.

Also, I can't quite figure out why it was decided to differ the way the music was put onto this compilation from the deluxe soundtracks for the first 3 movies.Not that I particularly mind it being arranged exactly as it was in the movie, however I found the organization on the previous deluxe soundtracks somewhat more efficient.

Other than that, the only other thing I'd really want on it is the THX sound effect.It has the 20th Century Fox fanfare, why not the THX as well?

Awesome, but what about the same treatment for AOTC?
If you have a soft spot in your heart for the music from the overly-maligned Episode I, this is the CD set you want.I've owned both CDs, but this terrific set blows the other out of the water.It makes me wish more record companies put out these kinds of sets.

That said, we've got the definitive soundtracks for Episodes I, IV, V and VI.So where's Episode II?Come on, Sony! ... Read more

Asin: B000051VYS
Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Film    3. Film Music    4. Orchestral    5. Original Score    6. Soundtracks    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

The Deadly Hunter (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 11)
by Jude Watson Cliff Nielsen
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 December, 2000)
list price: $5.99 -- our price: $5.99
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Reviews (37)

An awesome Jedi Apprentice book
but not the best out there. However, this one rocked! It kept me in suspense every second of my read! After the somewhat badly written tenth book, Jude Watson gets back on top. This one is a little different from the others, though. It's like a murder mystery, with complicated themes and clues that I sometimes couldn't understand. So if you like mysteries with complicated cases, then meet the deadly hunter! But it's one of the really short Jedi Apprentices, so the perplexing themes don't go on like forever. Overall, I loved it and almost read the whole thing in one sitting. I highly recommend it for series fans everywhere! Oh, yeah, and if you like those silent and stealthy bad guys over the ones that go right out and say like, oh, "I will destroy the world! Ha ha!", then this is really for you. The bounty hunter that attacks Obi-Wan's Jedi Master Qui-Gon's friend, Didi, uses only silence and stealth--then pounces for the KILL! Once again, a great book! (Oh, yeah, and Coruscant is a great-sounding city. I wouldn't exactly want to live there, but it would no doubt be fun to stay for a while in that huge, urban place.) Did I mention how great the book is?

An awesome Jedi Apprentice book
but not the best out there. However, this one rocked! It kept me in suspense every second of my read! After the somewhat badly written tenth book, Jude Watson gets back on top. This one is a little different from the others, though. It's like a murder mystery, with complicated themes and clues that I sometimes couldn't understand. So if you like mysteries with complicated cases, then meet the deadly hunter! But it's one of the really short Jedi Apprentices, so the perplexing themes don't go on like forever. Overall, I loved it and almost read the whole thing in one sitting. I highly recommend it for series fans everywhere! Oh, yeah, and if you like those silent and stealthy bad guys over the ones that go right out and say like, oh, "I will destroy the world! Ha ha!", then this is really for you. The bounty hunter that attacks Obi-Wan's Jedi Master Qui-Gon's friend, Didi, uses only silence and stealth--then pounces for the KILL! Once again, a great book! (Oh, yeah, and Coruscant is a great-sounding city. I wouldn't exactly want to live there, but it would no doubt be fun to stay for a while in that huge, urban place.) Did I mention how great the book is?

Deadly Delightful
After a relatively weak performance in The Shattered Peace, Jude Watson returns to form with The Deadly Hunter.An old friend of Qui-Gon's is being stalked by a vicious bounty hunter, and our Jedi heroes find themselves outmatched and outwitted at nearly every turn.After a climactic battle in the snow, The Deadly Hunter ends on a cliff-hanger to rival any that has come before.

As usual, Watson is at her best in showing the dynamic between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.Ironically, young Obi-Wan looks down his nose at the cafe dive Qui-Gon's friend owns.It's a pity Watson didn't know about Dexter's dive when writing this one. ... Read more

Isbn: 0439139309
Sales Rank: 44880
Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Science Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Movie Tie - In    6. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    7. Science fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Star Wars Episode I: Obi Wan's Adventures
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (05 December, 2000)

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Editorial Review

If the film itself and the character Jar Jar Binks didn't scareyou away from the Star Wars universe, this game (along with afew others based on the film) just might.

The story of Star Wars: Episode 1, Obi-Wan's Adventures followsthe adventures of a young Obi-Wan from the beginning of Star Wars:Episode I, The Phantom Menace to Obi's encounter with Darth Maul.He travels on a ship to Naboo, then Coruscant, then to Queen Amidala'spalace, and then faces the sinister Sith warrior himself.

In this game you even have the choice of using two high-profile piecesof Star Wars weaponry: the lightsaber and the blaster. You alsohave the telekinetic power better known as the Force. Using thelightsaber, Obi-Wan can deflect laser blasts back at enemies; using theForce, he can move boxes and rocks; and using his blaster, he caninflict serious damage on any enemies he faces.

The action in this game is very straightforward. You advance throughlevels by defeating enemies, flipping some switches, and heading to thenext level. On numerous occasions you will be forced to jump overelectrical fields, make your way past poisonous gas bursts, and use theForce to fill chasms with boulders. Most of the time, though, this gameis just a hack-and-slash adventure.

If you do feel the need to do some exploration, you may find a power-upor two, but the levels in this game are so easy that you often won'tneed them. More likely, you will be able to get through most levels inone try, and you'll find that the levels get progressively easier asthe game wears on.

The graphics in this game should have been better scaled, and thecharacters should have been larger. Obi-Wan's Adventures triesto fill the small Game Boy screen with too much of the surroundingenvironment, hence the characters, around whom the action revolves, aretoo small. Larger sprites would have improved the game and made it alot easier on the eyes. --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

• Star Wars buffs will enjoy having a little bit of portableForce

Cons:

• Slow, unchallenging gameplay
• Graphics aren't on par with other Game Boy Color adventures

... Read more

Reviews (9)

Obi Wan In th palm of you hand
It's a great game actually if you donot mind the isometric view and the small Obi-Wan. The game has good gameplay and nicely balances between the gameplay elements. The ability to use the force is great as you can move thingsand push back the droids. Other weapons inlcude a blaster and the jedi essential-the light sabre. Though the force and the blaster is great, they are limited in points so most of the times you will be using the light sabre and it's pretty cool to be able to deflect back the laser beams. It would have been cool if you could use other force powers like ability to jump higher for example. The enemies are all droids and this tends to create a feeling of been there done that kind of thing. Only the diverse scenes and the backgrounds make up for that to some extent. Gameplay hours is sjort as the game is quite easy to get used to and most will be able to finish it in under 4 hours. If you would like a portable force, or if you a star wars fan thenthis game will be great to add to your collection. If you are a new gamer this game shouldn't be much of a challenge to you. I recommend you buy it...
OVERALL
GRAPHICS-4/5
SOUND-3/5
GAMEPLAY-4/5

COOL
Star wars has reached it's ultimate levelJedi Simple blaster what acontest anyway this game rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THQ did agreat job with this one!! anyway,Navigate the swamps of Naboo!9 ACTION PACKED LEVELS!!!BUYIT!!!BUYIT!!!BUYIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great!
This is the #3 GBC game to get. Next to Super Mario Bros Deluxe and Matt Hoffman's pro bmx. ... Read more

Asin: B00004XOEA
Subjects:  1. Star Wars (Starwars)    2. Video Games    3. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    4. Action    5. Fantasy    6. Science Fiction (Sci-fi, scifi)