 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Review Date: July 5, 2011
- PG
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Kid-centric but violent prequel lacks originals' energy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this prequel to the classic sci-fi action trilogy does have a few scary and surprisingly violent moments, although there's no explicit gore. The humor and plotting are aimed at children, but very young kids may not be ready for the movie's darker moments. Widely considered to be the weakest of the films in this franchise, the film will likely entertain children with its straightforward story and imaginative design; though it may also confuse those who've already seen the original films and aren't yet old enough to understand the concept of a prequel. Note: The 3-D version of the movie renders some scenes (like the pod race) more exciting and others (like lightsaber battles) more intense.
What's the story?
Released 16 years after the final film in the original trilogy, STAR WARS: EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE takes viewers back to an earlier time, when the Galactic Republic was in full swing and the Jedi were truly a force of peace and justice throughout the galaxy. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his "padawan" protege, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are dispatched to protect Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo from the forces of the evil Trade Federation, who are acting as the pawns of the mysterious Darth Sidious. A convoluted plot ensues, but it's really all an excuse for some swashbuckling swordplay, big effects sequences, and classic good vs. evil battles.
Is it any good?
With its 8-year-old lead character, bright and imaginative design, and never-lets-up plotting, The Phantom Menace is perfectly suited to kids' attention span. It's a shame that the movie doesn't hold up to adult standards as well as most of the original three Star Wars films did. It could be a generational thing, and maybe 1977's Star Wars is as clunky and leaden to older viewers as The Phantom Menace is to most twenty- and thirty-somethings.
But director George Lucas seems to make some of the same mistakes here that he narrowly avoided in the original trilogy. Technology trumps storytelling, plot trumps character, and hollow exposition trumps clever dialogue. There's little doubt that Lucas and his team accomplished some amazing visual feats with Menace, and there are a few sequences (the opening 10 minutes, the Tattooine pod race) in which that old Star Wars feel returns once again. Overall, kids will probably love Phantom Menace, but parents will be wishing it were over so that they can put the kids to bed and watch the classics again.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about The Phantom Menace's moments of violence and threatening behavior. Is the violence shown in the film important to the story? Why or why not?
How did you feel watching Anakin leave his mother? Why do you think so many kid-oriented movies involve parents leaving or dying?
Have you noticed Star Wars merchandise? Does seeing the characters on products make you want to buy them?
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- Teens & kids
Parent of 4 year old
January 8, 2010
AGE
Not only the movie is bad, it is also woefully inappropriately for kids. Why is it that so many parents think otherwise, and expose their children to such violence and mature subjects since they are 4 or 5? It amazes me. This movie - as well as any other of the six made under the Star Wars name - should not be given to toddlers or tweens, no matter how much pressure they experience from peers.
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Parent
September 25, 2010
AGE
Great movie
Even with a lot of violence, it is very obviously just fantasy with not many real life references. It's easy to explain to my child the difference between real and fantasy with this movie. It also opens up the imagination.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 1, 2009
AGE
BAD BAD BAD. SHAME SHAME SHAME.
I could bag this movie forever, and rite a list twenty pages long on why I wanted to burn this film.
Whatever happened to the good films that used to come out of Lucasfilms?! Instead, they shove this rubbish down our throats!
'Hello, me Jar Jar! Mesa so tupid!'
Shame shame shame. Immature and childish.
Darth Maul is pretty cool though, he does a sucessful fight at the end which left me entertained.
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Kid, 10 years old
September 27, 2009
AGE
A Film to go see!!!!!
A Wonderful film, Just as good as the others!
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Kid, 10 years old
November 21, 2010
AGE
epicly amazing movie
my favorite star wars movie darth maul is my favorite star wars character this movie is awesomly cool superiorly well thought out amazing epic movie
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Kid, 11 years old
February 2, 2011
AGE
Really good, could be G actually.
If you've watched this movie you know Jar-Jar made it the worst of the genius saga. Still an amazing movie. The least violent of the saga too. Iffy for 4+. Possible it could be G.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Not the best prequel
I am a huge fan of both George Lucas and the Star Wars phoenomenon. The Phantom Menace was lacking for me. The special effects were good, great even and it was mildly enjoyable on a no-brainer level, but the story really never reaches anything that we care about. The question I believe Lucas is trying to answer by making these prequels is how the young jedi named Anakin grew into the merciless evil figure known as Darth Vader. The movie basically serves as only the starting line to the true fun that is yet to come in the prequels. Note to parents: The movie contains some pretty intense violence, including a man being chopped in half. Yet most of it is glazed over and ok for tweens and even younger kids.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 3, 2010
AGE
Good movie
Awesome battles and sad ending.
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Kid, 9 years old
August 17, 2010
AGE
Cool
It's awesome. It's cool. I like the battle when they fight Darth Maul, even when Qui-Gon Jinn dies, and the fighting with the Gungans vs. the droids.
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Adult
February 6, 2011
AGE
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| Topics: | adventures, robots, space and aliens |
| Studio: | Lucasfilm |
| Director: | George Lucas |
| Cast: | Ewan McGregor, Jake Lloyd, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 133 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 10, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | August 2, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | sci-fi action/violence |
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