Evil= TPM on Video in 2000

[micahp]

Episode I arriving on video in 2000.

November 30, 1999

Yeah, yeah, we know. You're saying, "Sure, I know The Phantom Menace is coming to VHS in 2000, but when the heck is the DVD coming?" Well, unless Lucas has a sudden change of heart, don't hold your breath for the DVD any time soon, so make do with what you've got.

Our affiliate, theforce.net, has hooked onto a juicy source, which pegs Episode I's release at April 3, 2000. Apparently, this information comes directly from LucasArts, in conjunction with a new game, and unfortunately, doesn't mention video or DVD format. Like we said, though, Lucas has made it pretty clear he's got no intention of putting any Star Wars on DVD until he's good and ready, so expect good old analog tape.

For full information on the game title and the promotion, check out our affiliate, theforce.net. -IgnMovies

grrrrr....
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Resident Me,
Micah P.
Digital Dreams



[This message has been edited by micahp (edited 12-01-1999).]

[clortho]

On the bright side, at least we're getting Spielberg titles now. Maybe Stephen can kick George in the ass and get him going...or one can hope!

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[mahavishnu]

But at the end of the day, it's... The Phantom Menace. Hardly a film worth worrying about.

[clortho]

Mava-

To each their own, but speak for yourself.

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

Yeah, I don't worry to much about that Phantom-flick either, but it would indeed be a tremendous boost for the format to have that title available.

It's funny, that thing you say about Spielberg and Lucas having that DVD-talk. I suppose they have discussed it, and if friendships means anything I would hypothesize that the the fact that Spielberg decided to release one of his A-titles (SPR) to the format would have an effect on Lucas.

I can hear Steve saying: " Oh come on, Georgy, let's all get to see Star Wars on DVD soon! Please. You can come over, we'll eat popcorn, and we can watch in on my superlarge screen together and share some quality-time".

Oh, what a wonderful dream that is

[This message has been edited by lassie (edited 12-01-1999).]

[mahavishnu]

I really am interested in what deep seated reason people could have for wanting this film on disc, let alone all the fuss over it. I won't even mention the dire plot, crappy direction, wooden acting, complete lack of imagination and nauseating marketing scheme. But even the action is formulaic and unneccessary, the effects plastic-looking and unoriginal, the characters one dimensional and boring.

Well, okay, when I saw it on a huge screen in NY it was watchable, it just about passed the time. But that was it. I can only conclude that it's all about the brand name. It says Star Wars so it must be good.

;0

[clortho]

Mava-

You might not want it on dvd, but that doesn't mean that it was not an enjoyable film to those of us that do. To pass judgement on us and put us down is almost as assinine as saying a current film should not be put on dvd just because you personally think its crap.

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[Taxi]

Clortho, don't mind MV. They appear to only like obscure movies by obscure directors that almost nobody's heard of. I think it's an "art" thing. The idea that there could be a good, (relatively) mindless movie that merely entertains appears to be foreign to MV. At least, that has been my experience in all the conversations I've had with them on this forum.

(The fact that TPM is the third highest grossing movie in the US means that SOMEBODY must have liked it. I can live with that.)

Taxi
DDS#42

P.S. BTW, I'll see you at the theaters this weekend for The Phantom Menace's theatrical re-release! Remember, it's all for charity, so get out there and catch this great movie again!

[clortho]

Unfortunately no theatre near me is doing this.

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[micahp]

I don't like TPM either, it's just the whole thought that's got me miffed.

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Resident Me,
Micah P.
Digital Dreams

Let's face it: TPM was a real bummer for us SW fans. There was just to much polish and too little substance. And as for Jar Jar, well, I'd like for him to be put in a jar for lifetime (although rumors has it that our Dear Mr. Lucas has decided his return in Episode 2).

I agree with you Clortho. I rented TPM at a Holliday Inn and still enjoyed it even though the sound was crappy and the picture was P&S.

[mahavishnu]

So you liked it. Why did you like it? No-one has answered that, I really am curious...

Anyway, I'm not saying that it shouldn't be put out on DVD, of course it should. But then so should about a million other better films and nobody's endlessly complaining about them.

Tell ya what - you all lobby to get a 1:2.35-anamorphic-from-a-hi-def-master disc of Bad Timing released and I'll shut about Star Wars. Deal :O

That, my friend mahavishnu, is indeed bad timing. . .

[micahp]

I'd Like an anamorphic Last Temptation of Christ, not to get off topic....

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Resident Me,
Micah P.
Digital Dreams

Actually, that is pretty much off the topic.

BUT count me in on that anamorphic Last Temptation of Christ. I love that movie. Defoe is Jesus allright

[Taxi]

Here is a review I did of the movie when it first came out. I guess you could say this is why I liked TPM:

Taxi's Spoiler Phantom Menace Review
***BEWARE, SPOILERS ABOUND!***

Well, I won't make you wait. Here's what I thought about the film, right up front: I absolutely loved this movie! It easily holds up with the other Star Wars pictures, and perhaps even surpasses Return of the Jedi, although time will ultimately decide this for me, as the new one sinks in. (Don't get me wrong, I liked ROTJ. More than most people, from what I hear. It's just that this movie is that good.)

I liked this story. It has the feeling of reality, because it's seems like such a small initial issue: The Trade Federation is trying to take over a small planet, Naboo. This relatively minor skirmish leads to political posturing in the Imperial Senate on a grand scale. It's almost too bad this happended, since I like Terrance Stamp (back from his days as General Zod in the first two Superman films), but his character is removed from power fairly early on, and it's unlikely we'll see him in future SW episodes.

The other major plotline, interwoven with the Naboo plot, is the introduction of Anakin Skywalker, the obvious focus of the new Star Wars Trilogy. Here we see Anakin as a young, akward boy, who has a knack for building/fixing things, including building the protocol droid, C-3PO (See Threepio). I thought that the fact that Anakin is Threepio's builder was a nice little unexpected twist, and it will be interesting to see if Lucas develops this "relationship" further in the next films. Conversely, it will be interesting to see how (or if) Threepio's apparent lack of knowledge of Anakin in Episodes IV-VI will be explained.

The portrayal of the Jedi in this film was, for me, awe inspiring. For example, take those Neimoidians, they were wimpy and spineless. It was cool that Qui-Gon was aware of this before he began his "negotiations," it showed that the Jedi were worthy of the respect that everybody seems to have for them. There were subtler things as well, like when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan approach the Federation's blockade, and they request permission to land, you can tell that the Viceroy is nervous, just by their presence.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had great confidence in their abilities, and for good reason. They kicked ass! In what has become my favorite scene in the movie, toward the beginning of the movie, the two Jedi take on a hoard of battle-droids. Qui-Gon tries to break through a set of huge blast doors with his light saber. I now have a renewed respect for this weapon! If they hadn't been rushed by droidekas, he would have melted that door right down.

So, I think the plot is solid. The characters act in logical ways, something that is so rare in film these days. The plight of the Naboo and the Gungans is compelling. The plotting of Palpatine is subtle, but it makes sense. You can see he's pulling Amidala's strings, but you can also see why she doesn't get it. The battle scenes are logical, and easy to follow, even though there are thousands of battle droids shooting all over the place.

Lastly, I want to point out the light saber scenes. Lucas has raised the bar yet again. Not since The Princess Bride have I seen such quick, intricate swordplay. While it's true, I would have liked to have seen more of Darth Maul, I also think that he was used effectively. He was mysterious enough that we just don't know if he has the skills to defeat Jedi or not. That is what makes the final lightsabre duel so exciting. I would pay full price just to see this final conflict by itself.

So, on to the negatives. How are people going to knock this movie down? Let's start with Jar Jar. Comedy has always been a part of the Star Wars movies; think of the little Death Star R/C vehicle that Chewie scares in Star Wars. Or how about "I'd rather kiss a wookie." I thought Jar Jar was funny. The second time I watched TPM, I listend to see when people laughed, and they laughed at Jar Jar's lines. Almost every time. Yousa can understand himma pretty easy I-a tinka. In the final analysis, I liked him. He's not my favorite SW character by any means, but I liked him.

Where was I disappointed in the movie? Some of the character interactions were a bit stilted, like the timing was just a hair off. I was only mildly disappointed by Jake Lloyd. Some have said that he isn't a great actor, and I would have to agree to some degree, but it wasn't that bad, and at times he did very well, especially the scenes where he's flying the smaller Nubian ship. I think people forget that he's playing a nine year old boy. Nine year olds aren't always as "smooth" as adults when they interact with people. Again, I guess I can see where people might have a problem with this, but it wasn't a big deal for me. If you're easily distracted by subtle conversational timing issues, then I suppose you might find yourself a bit annoyed by some of the dialog.

Little notable things/Things to look for when seeing the movie again:

-One of the other candidates (Along with Palpatine) was Bail Antilles. From Eps. 4-6, Captain Wedge Antilles figures prominently.
-You can see the Wookie representatives to the Senate (They sound like Chewie!).
-You can see the E.T. representatives to the Senate. (Right after Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence, in the bottom left of the screen) (BTW, you wouldn't see them in the pan&scan video version!)
-In Watto's junkyard, and in the pod race, if you look carefully you can see one of the pods from 2001! (Round pod with oval window in side, double handed grabbing hands.)
(If you're into this, you can find a lot more hidden things [some very obscure] at www.theforce.net.)
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Taxi
DVDFile Moderator

[Edited to fix the link. Darn that UBB logic anyway. ]

[This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 12-02-1999).]

I think either somebody teaches Rick McCallum to say:

"Y'know George, that's just...Not a good idea.."

Or we can always just lock uncle Lucas in the cellar again...

How about a march on Skywalker Ranch? C'mon West Coasters, go for it! If it happened I'd fly out there for it. Just do it plain and simple. Ask that LUCAS HIMSELF come outside and explain himself. And then to apologize, and then to promise to do at least movie only DVDs now(sign a contract), and then we go watch all of them in George's Dolby EX screening room Sound like a plan?

Jeff Kleist

I LIKE THE MARCH IDEA EVEN MORE THAN MY OWN. I WAS THINKING THAT ALL DVD OWNERS SHOULD SEND TWO LETTERS. ONE TO LUCASFILMS LTD, AND ONE TO MR LUCAS HIMSELF, WITH PICTURES OF US NOT BUYING TPM ON VHS. IF WE ESTIMATE AN EXPENSIVE RELEASE, WHICH IT WILL PROBABLY BE, AT $20.00, AND BY THEN THERE WILL BE, OH SAY 5,350,000 PLAYERS IN THE US ALONE, AND THAT'S ALMOST $11 MILLION OUT OF HIS COFFERS. WADAYA THINK ABOUT THAT? THINK THEY'LL GET THE PICTURE.
J

[Taxi]

Dude, find your CAPS LOCK key and press it.

T42

I want it on Disc JUST for the pod race.

Lucas is promoting piracy by not releasing it.

I currently have owned it on VCD for 2 months, along with Episodes 4, 5, & 6. BEST produciton of a VCD I have seen. NO it's not a crappy bootleg of a theater screen. It looks as good as the remastered 4-6 VHS collection that came out a few years ago, however the sound is TRULY 5.1 DTS recoding which sounds awsome on my Sony STE-925 player (100/wpc + 100 w sub).

I just don't like the fact that with VCD it is not set up by chapter so you have to scan.

Thus I want it on DVD.

But since the VCD's were $2.00 each, it's a deal and a half, he brough back 100 copies and sold them for $10 each.

The VDC it's self is high quality. It is a pressed NOT burned CD and is silk screend and has jewel case inserts. Again $2.00 (Bro is on navyship based in tia-land, also no copy right laws. Also PSx CD's $1.50, Audio $1.00, heh)

And region less DVD's $5.00. NOW, unless your Ned Flanders who isn't going to pirate?

Thanks Lucas for giving me such a cheap movie and not receiving any profits!

I wanna get back to this "people who hated TPM only like arty farty movies" thing.

I love Empire. I really dig A New Hope and Jedi. I've watched them all way too many times.

But TPM sucked. And it sucked hard. Why the hell is it so hard to admit it? For all of the reasons that have been mentioned so far, but most of all it was DEAD BORING. I'd rather kick back and watch Jaws, or Raiders, or one of the other REALLY AWESOME movies we're all rallying to get out on DVD.

From memory, I dont think those were made by some arty, obscure director. But they're awesome movies I can watch again and again.
I dont think I could stomache TPM again, there's only so many times you can see someone pissing all over a great series of movies. The Special Editions were bad enough (in parts - don't get me wrong!! Some of the updated parts were great, but some were just pathetic), then Episode 1.

Sure I'm all for releasing TPM on DVD, as well as the original trilogy. But there are a boatload more movies out there that are far more worthy to come out.

If Lucas has said they're not coming til 2006, then why cant we all just forget about them til then and lobby for something else?

[Dehrian]

I, personally, enjoyed Phantom Menace a great deal. I understand peoples' complaints about the film, but let's be realistic. All the Star Wars films had bad acting and bad dialogue. Doesn't mean they weren't enjoyable.

And if there's no drama it's because we already know how things are going to turn out. We know that Palpatine's the bad guy; we know that the kid is going to win the race and become Vader; we know Obi-Wan's going to win the duel because he's still alive decades later to die at the kid's hand.

This isn't Citizen Kane here, people. They're Saturday Matinee films made two hours long. Don't like it, fine. Some of us do. For me, I enojoyed it second only to Empire (as far as Star Wars films go). Actually, I'd say I liked it about as much as the original Star Wars.

It's important to keep these things in perspective. If you're disappointed in something, it can only be because you were expecting too much from it to begin with. Star Wars never pretended to be Citizen Kane or a Truffaut film. People just seem to want it to be that (for some reason I've never figured out).

It's like I always tell people: If you want higher learning, insight into life, try a church, or the library. If you want popcorn, go see a Star Wars film.