Star Wars - Episode I: Return of the Sith: Revisited Edition

This is a great example of fanediting, and it eliminates just about everything that can be eliminated while still retaining what is important. Some people claim that the cutting down of the dialogue hurts the characterization, especially of Qui Gon, however, I feel like 90% of the problems with this movie is that the character talk to much, especially Qui Gon. He does not feel like a Jedi Master, but a crotchety old man who gets upset and snippy every time someone questions his "great wisdom". This edit manages to jetison most of that, so in my book it improves the character tremendously. I stand by my opinion, how ever, that the Jedi of this era are not to be liked are are to look like fools too wrapped up in their own self-righteousness that they can't even see the obvious degeneration of the galaxy happening all around them.

That said, the editing itself was solid, although a few bits seemed a little out of focus. Not talking about the inserted scenes either. It may have been the sources, or maybe it was on my side as I had ran it through Handbrake to put it in H.265 format for storage. Not 100% certain, but my other movies have not had that issue after the same treatment, so just tossing it out there in case it is something in the files themselves. I did not detract for it, as I was uncertain of the origin.

All in all a great version of this movie, and so far my favorite that I have watched.

A bit of background: I watch all the Star Wars movies once or twice yearly. This time and for the first time I began with The Force Awakens and went from the Rise of Skywalker to the Phantom Menace because I knew from the experience how bad it's to go to the new trilogy after The Return of the Jedi. Just finished watching the Episode I: Return of the Sith and oh boy how good it felt.

Now, I have watched this fanedit once or twice before many years ago and while it was good it never felt quite as good as it did this time. Other than the Podracing sequence it improves the original in every way. The pacing is very good and including some of the deleted scenes adds a nice flavor. The fanedit simply makes Phantom Menace into a very entertaining Star Wars movie.

For me, watching this after the sequel trilogy it's easy to say that Phantom Menace (at least through a good fanedit) is a better movie than any of the sequel trilogy movies. The Force Awakens is still good but it feels pointless to watch it because the trilogy itself is a wreck.

Way better than the original by far and the best edit I have seen of Episode 1 until now. I particularly enjoyed the fast pace of the first 15 minutes and the edit of the end battle.

I do find that the music sometimes cut abruptly (but I understand how hard it is to make the music fit sometimes), but the only negative point I have is that even though most of the Gungans/Nemoidians scenes were cut (a must in any respectable Episode 1 edit) the original voice acting was left intact.

Some other editors have just replaced the voices of Jar Jar and company with alien languages and added subtitles: removing the horrible voices and thus allowing the editor to make the aliens more threatening and badass.

But all in all, great work! I can't wait to show that to my brother during our Star Wars Marathon before we watch Episode VII in theater.

I'll not rehash what many other people have said. I noticed a few audio hiccups here and there, but nothing too major. The biggest payoffs were the removal of Sideous, the Obi-Wan / Darth Maul fight considerably tightened up, and renaming the Federation. Success on all counts. Well done, sir.

This is now up there with L8WRTR's trilogy. Very impressive. In fact, though I prefer his episode II to yours, I'd say you've got the better episode I. Just so well paced. It made for an easy, entertaining watch that I didn't begin to zone out of. Even with the best Episode I edits, I often have a hard time keeping my mind on the movie for the duration. You have managed to keep my interest focused squarely on the movie.

The obscuring of Palpatine's true identity was a choice I thought I might have a problem with going in, but it turned out to be an improvement. Still not sure why people have a problem with the "Darth" title, it's used all over the expanded universe, hardly exclusive to the prequels.

Cutting out the entire visit to the Gungan city was bold, and brilliant. It wasn't missed at all. I think you've handled Jar Jar as well as can be done, without perhaps altering his voice in a manner similar to JMB's deepening of Katie Holmes' voice in the Batman Begins Dark Cut. Anything to make him sound less like a Jamaican Elmo.

I personally feel Qui-Gon Jinn's funeral makes for a better ending point than the parade, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of this remarkable edit. You should be very proud of what you've achieved with this. You've made Star Wars Episode I a movie I can watch all the way through and actually enjoy. Thank you!