Difficult film to fairly assess

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2015)

It's difficult to explain just how amazing it was going to see this in the theatres and seeing the words "Episode One" scrawl across the screen. Unbelievable feeling. But the true genius of Lucas of course was putting out the updated editions in the theaters just a few months earlier. You'd developed a familiarity with the style the new films would take as well as seeing them at the movies.
And so, all that had to happen for you to be blown away on first viewing was to see these great effects, some cool light saber action (the duel at the end with Obiwan and Qui Gonn taking on Darth Maul is easily the best light saber battle seen in the Star Wars universe to that point), Obi-wan, Palpatine and Yoda and you were happy.
I mean, sure, that midichlorians stuff was a load of tosh. And a prophecy about bringing balance to the force when it seems that balance wasn;t particularly needed. There wasn't really a clearly defined main character and OMGHF was that Jar Jar Binks annoying. Why is Darth Maul hardly in this? And what was with that kid who played Anakin? And who's idea was it to have him auto pilot his way into being a hero? Why the hell are we watching a(n admittedly gorgeous) teenage queen getting hit on by him? Why is Qui Gonn the most polite, non rule breaking rebel I've ever seen? Actually come to think it: this sucked. George Lucas ruined my childhood, and the childhoods of so many others!! Who does he think he is? Wait. Let's reset. Let's try and stand back from this film and judge it in its own right. Liam Neeson and Ewan MacGregor actually are a pretty good team in this film. jar Jar is a really annoying character, there's no way of escaping this, and he is in far too many scenes. Ian McDiarmid is wonderful as the dignified and slimy Palpatine and Natalie Portman is good as Queen Amidala as her character actually goes on a journey from a naïve and wide eyed girl weighed down by bureaucracy and a manipulative adviser to becoming stronger, more confident and independent young woman leading her people to victory. Anakin is annoying, like Jar Jar there's no way past it. But there's actually other better stuff happening to focus on just about every scene he's in.
The set pieces are still breathtaking. The pod race, the Gungan swamps, the Naboo palace, the droid battle, 2 on 1 light saber duel at the end and we have Obi-wan and Amidala's journeys to focus on as well as an on form Liam Neeson.
I can't say this is a bad movie. I mean, I can probably accept that this is a bad Star Wars movie, but as movies go, it's kind of OK.
What really made my mind up about whether these prequels had hurt or aided the series was watching this film with my 4 year old nephew. He sat there the whole time, laughed hysterically at Jar Jar Binx, cried when Qui Gonn bought the farm and cheered while little Anakin saved the day. It occurred to me that his reaction was the same as I had watching Han, Luke, Leia and Chewie for the first time.
While this unquestionably is the bastard son of the star wars series, it introduced the magic to a new generation and there is enough in it so far as characterisations and stunning visuals to hold it up under the weight of midichlorians, Jedi mysticism Jar Jar Binx and little orphan Anny.