George Lucas transports audiences back to the future with Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace, the first installment of a prequel trilogy in which the director imagines the foundation for the entire six-part saga. Despite receiving a storm of adverse criticism (notably for Jar Jar Binks), Lucas continually fascinates with his ability to place his characters--some new, some old, some CGI--in the same dramatic situations posed in the original trilogy: whether it be the juxtaposition of primitives with technologically advanced societies or the timeless battle between good and evil, the very familiarity of these recurring scenarios and rhythms galvanizes the viewer. Of course, the state-of-the-art visual effects contribute mightily to the final impact: the kinetic Pod Race sequence, the epic military battles, the Romanesque grandeur of Naboo, the underwater city of Otoh Gunga, the decadent brio of Tatooine, and the dizzying skyscrapers of the city planet Coruscant. --Kevin Mulhall

If The Phantom Menace was the setup, then Attack of the Clones is the plot-progressing payoff, and devoted Star Wars fans are sure to be enthralled. Ten years after Episode I, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), now a senator, resists the creation of a Republic Army to combat an evil separatist movement. The brooding Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is resentful of his stern Jedi mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), tormented by personal loss, and showing his emerging "dark side" while protecting his new love, Amidala, from would-be assassins. Youthful romance and solemn portent foreshadow the events of the original Star Wars as Count Dooku (a.k.a. Darth Tyranus, played by Christopher Lee) forges an alliance with the Dark Lord of the Sith, while lavish set pieces showcase George Lucas's supreme command of all-digital filmmaking. All of this makes Episode II a technological milestone, savaged by some critics as a bloated, storyless spectacle, but still qualifying as a fan-approved precursor to the pivotal events of Episode III. --Jeff Shannon

the star wars movies of course cannot be compared to the original movies but they are a good way to introduce how anikan was not the villian but actually the victim of a horrible life. these star wars movies are still very good and are good to fit in with the original movies.

These movies are brilliant!!

Granted, they are not near as good as Star Wars Episode III, but I guess that is only to be expected.

But when you watch all six tigether in your big screen, it will all be worth it!

I do reccomend this on DVD, not video.

DVD you get more picture and GREAT special Features!

If I could give this 12 stars, I would.

It puzzles me why Fox only chose to offer a PAN-AND-SCAN box of the first two Star Wars prequels.

If you're a fan of these films, it's much better to buy the separate widescreen releases of each. You won't get the pretty slipcase, but at least you're getting the whole movie and not a butchered pan-and-scan version.

It is rumored that when Episode III comes out on DVD this November, Fox will release a box set of all three prequels in their proper Widescreen Anamorphic format. Hopefully that rumor is true. (Though, since I already own the WS versions of Episodes I and II, I'll forgo the box and pick up the regular release of III.)

I was one of the many people who didn't like the Phantom Menace, and considered it a major disappointment from the last three movies. I was not impressed by the acting and script, and found Jar Jar Binks to be annoying. I liked the visual effects and everything else in the movie to consider it an OK film, but could've been alot better.

I was very anxious to see Attack of the Clones when it came out at the movies, because of the good word of mouth on it. When I saw it at the movies, I loved it very much. It had almost everything I was looking for in a Star Wars movie, except for the good acting from the two leads, and better romantic dialogue. But I still loved it as much as the other films. You shouldn't buy both movies together, because you may not like one of them, or both, but what I would suggest is renting The Phantom Menace first, then Attack of the Clones to make a decision if you want to buy both movies.

I was one of the many people who didn't like the Phantom Menace, and considered it a major disappointment from the last three movies. I was not impressed by the acting and script, and found Jar Jar Binks to be annoying. I liked the visual effects and everything else in the movie to consider it an OK film, but could've been alot better.

I was very anxious to see Attack of the Clones when it came out at the movies, because of the good word of mouth on it. When I saw it at the movies, I loved it very much. It had almost everything I was looking for in a Star Wars movie, except for the good acting from the two leads, and better romantic dialogue. But I still loved it as much as the other films. You shouldn't buy both movies together, because you may not like one of them, or both, but what I would suggest is renting The Phantom Menace first, then Attack of the Clones to make a decision if you want to buy both movies.