Customer Reviews

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Star Wars, Episode I: The Visual Dictionary" combines text by David West Reynolds with a wealth of excellent full-color photographs. Rather than rely on shots from the film, the book primarily uses still shots that appear to have been purposefully taken for a project like this. This was, in my opinion, a wise choice, since I have noticed that the photos in other movie tie-in books can sometimes be a bit murky. The photos here are crisp and colorful, and really allow you to analyze and enjoy the details.

The text comes in the form of easy-to-digest nuggets. The book covers characters, ships, weapons, clothing, robots, animals, and other elements from the movie. The text offers intriguing little tidbits of info about the SW universe (although I imagine that more devoted fans may argue about how "canonical" this info is).

A nice aspect of the book is the fact that barely glimpsed elements in the film are given loving attention here. For example, you can "meet" the members of the Jedi Council more intimately. I liked the comparative size chart of Naboo sea monsters. And the fashion-oriented will have a great time exploring the ornate costumes worn by Queen Amidala and others. Overall, this book is a lot of fun.

The Dorling-Kindersley Visual Dictionaries are all top-notch products, fascinating not only for children, but for adults, as well. The STAR WARS, EPISODE I addition to this line does not disappoint, with page after page of wonderful, detailed photographs of the people, things and places featured in the film. Everything, from lightsabers to battle droids to Darth Maul, is examined closely and exhaustively labeled.

The fun doesn't stop with the photographs, however. Written in close concert with Lucasfilm, the book provides greater insight into the film by providing information about even minor characters with little screen time. As a result, the next time readers watch EPISODE I, they'll find themselves recalling these tidbits, and enjoying the movie even more than they did before.

Readers, adults and children alike, will find this Visual Dictionary a delight, and it will rarely stay on the shelf. Fun to read cover-to-cover, or just to leaf through, the book is an excellent addition to any STAR WARS fan's collection, and comes very close to being a must-have.

Bought this book along with Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, also by David Reynolds. The pages are falling out of both books. I've had this problem with a few DK books, even the children's books. The older DK books are more sturdy. I give this item only 3 stars, and only because of the content. A book with missing pages doesn't get 5 stars.

This book is the ultimate place for all the information about anything from The Phantom Menace. Full of brilliant pictures and diagrams, with information which is clear on concise. This book is great as a reference which you can pull off the shelf anytime to check something. When looking up something, you always learn something new. Buy it!

This Book is really cool. I looked at it in my school library and i saw all the different parts of a destroyer droid, Yoda's lightsaber, and Darth Maul's outfit.

We have a 4 1/2 year old daughter obsessed with the Star Wars girls (Shaak Ti in particular) and this is good because it tells all about the different charachters, places, vehicles and robots of the movie in easy to understand, yet complete language.

Very good for the little Star Wars fan or anyone who would like to go a little deeper, but not THAT deep.

This slim volume, published in 1999 to coincide with the release of Episode I, is actually a treasure for Star Wars fans who are interested in the details of the characters, lifeforms, and technology from that "galaxy far, far away...." Lavishly illustrated and wonderfully written by David West Reynolds. Also worth getting are The Star Wars Visual Dictionary and the Star Wars Episode II Visual Dictionary.

I like this book a lot. It explains everything in detail. It even shows some things the movie doesn't show, like Yoda's lightsaber. You get to see details of Naboo sea monsters, profiles of the Jedi high council, inside Watto's junk shop, Queen Amidala's different dresses, and lots more. My favorite part is the battle droid section. You get to see inside a battle droid's head, discover how they unfold, and find out how many of them fit on a droid rack of an MTT. A must-have for Episode 1 fans.

This Visual Dictionary is so good. With detailed pictures, easy-to-understand explanations, this is a must buy for Star Wars fanatics. Get today!

This is a great book. I read the whole thing in the bookstore, then I bought it! I look at it at least once a day. There are things in the book that weren't in the movie (did you see the representatives from Alderann? The hair on the female looked like Princess Leia's!). I especially like the 'background' information on the characters, especially on Queen Amidala. You even learned a little about 2 of her handmaidens. I just wish it told more about Obi-Wan Kenobi (like who are his parents? Which is his home planet/system?), he's my favorite. Go Ewan McGregor! Buy it for your collection.