Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you've seen The Phantom Menace in a theater--and, judging from the 1999 box-office figures, who hasn't?--you've probably been a bit frustrated by the speed with which the fantastic images and creatures fly past. There's no such problem with this audiobook. All the excitement of the Star Wars prequel is there, but this time there's breathing room, a chance to meet the characters, let them walk around in your imagination, hear their thoughts. Actor Alexander Adams's reading of fantasy master Terry Brooks's novelization is brisk but never rushed, punctuated at chapter breaks by snippets of John Williams's movie score. Unfortunately, those who hate amphibian pest Jar Jar Binks's voice probably won't find Adams's approximation any less obnoxious than the movie's. (Running time: 9.5 hours, 6 cassettes) --Lou Schuler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Fans expecting a typical movie novelization--one that simply parrots the screenplay for Episode I--will be pleasantly surprised. Brooks, with Lucas' cooperation, has created something else altogether; a larger story that includes all of what you've seen onscreen, but also delves deeply into the history of the galaxy and the life and mind of Anakin Skywalker."
--The Star Wars Insider

"BREATHLESS . . . FILLED WITH ACTION FROM PAGE ONE."
--The New York Post


From the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1st edition (April 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345427653
• ISBN-13: 978-0345427656
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (177 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #651,350 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Star Wars Movie Novel Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The second best novelization I've ever read, March 28, 2000

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Mass Market Paperback)

Only "Trials and Tribbleations" has put me into the story in a better style. Second best in a bunch of books that tend to be overblown and often lose me in yards of useless exposition.

Terry Brooks does a wonderful job describing the characters and their situations. He creeps into the heads of the characters and helps bring them to life further in the way only an author can. Qui-Gon Jinn is especially vibrant.

There are some inconsistancies. The end battles and swordfighting in the book is somewhat different, I think, from the movie's version; it includes many lines of dialogue cut from the movie (not that I'm complaining); Jar Jar seems more competent; and Brooks seems to be very vague on Queen Amidala's clothing. None of these significantly detract from enjoyment of this novel. Read it if you've seen the movie! You will not be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Filling in the gaps, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

Star Wars fans the world over have been waiting sixteen years for the newest installation of the greatest saga of all time. In May, Americans got their first look at the newest movie and, for the most part, have been extremely happy. Some, however, were disappointed with the appearance of the novelization before the movie, in many cases letting loose secrects they did not want to know. Many were surprised, however, when, upon seeing the film, many of the story elements present in the novel were not in the movie. This is where the strength of "The Phantom Menace" novelization lies. Here, we are presented with an extended vision of the plot, one which captures the vison and excitement of the film, yet manages to add more than would be possible on the screen. We get an extended history of the Sith, given to us by Darth Sidious himself, as well as some more background about Anakin. In addition to the background, Brooks forshadows the next episode with Anakin's dreams about the future. He does it in his usual artful and elegant prose, reminding one of his "Shannara" books. All in all, this book is a very entertaining and exciting addition to an already great movie.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good replay of film, March 20, 2000

By	Cero Gobnicht (State of Financial Confusion) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Mass Market Paperback)

How you rate this book depends on what you consider its purpose. If you are looking for new revelations and new story lines, as compared to the movie, you will be somewhat disappointed. But as a simple re-write of the movie, together with some additional insight into the characters' thoughts and motives, this is a pretty good book.

I have to confess I was looking for more from the book. Brooks does a good job of explaining each scene, and even adds in a couple scenes that did not appear in the movie. So while his writing is unspectacular, he does do a very good job of concisely--if unexcitingly--describing each scene, piece by piece.

I also came away from the book with a greater sense of cohesion to the story. The movie, which I enjoyed immensely, left me slightly confused as to why the various characters did such and such, and what they hoped to accomplish in each scene.

Brooks also did a good job of making some sense of the movie's opening: why Naboo was central to the Trade Federation's attention, and why a small out-lying planet would matter much in the grand scheme of the Empire.

Overall a good book. I found the last 50 pages or so quite compelling, not wanting to put it down. Considering its purpose, this is a good book.