One of the most frustrating movies I've ever seen

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2001)

I think it's best to write about this move now, having given it some time. I am a fanboy, if you will, on of these people who knows the dialogue of the original trilogy by heart, and stuff like that. I saw "The Phantom Menace" when it came out in theatres the first day, and I expected to see it at least ten times in theaters. It turned out to be two - so, having gone back and watched it again, I feel I have a better perspective. It would be silly to see this and not hold it up against the original trilogy, so here goes:
Simply put, for whatever reason, this is not a very well-made movie. Neither the acting nor the storyline are particularly bad, but there are so many unnecessary elements. First off, something must be said about Jar Jar Binks. Clearly, this movie is aimed for a far younger audience than the originals, and this is unfortunate. There was comic relief in the original trilogy, but it was subtle (such as Luke and Han starting to fight over Leia in "A New Hope", or Leia insulting Luke and Han's plan to rescue her in the same film), not the kind of overly blatant schtick present with Jar Jar. Apparently, despite the negative reaction he received (I have yet to have a single person tell me they enjoyed the character), George Lucas is bringing him back for Episode 2, which is a shame.
Another problem for me was the special effects. It's hard to express this properly, but they were too good. Part of the appeal of the original trilogy's effects was that cold, heartless, outer-space feel given both to the ships and most of the Empire, especially the stormtroopers. The effects work because they're minimalist, simple, and look coldly technological. Everything in "The Phantom Menace" is bright and vibrant, which is not the right mood for a Star Wars movie. Furthermore, even though this movie is supposed to take place before the original trilogy, the technology appears quite improved (for obvious reasons), which is confusing in itself. The movie is far too in love with the effects, and it backfires - sometimes too much technology is a bad thing for a movie.
I said before this was simply a poorly made movie, and there a couple things that really bother me. There is a scene in which Anakin asks Qui-Gon to explain what "midi-chlorians" are. It's not necessarily that the movie takes time to explain the concept, as most fans want to know everything about the Star Wars universe. It's simply that the dialogue is such a blatant attempt to give the movie a chance to explain, it's shameful. You almost feel as if you're watching a child's movie, watching Anakin ask a question with no real purpose other than to explain this new concept.
For all familiar with the Star Wars universe, this is what really bothers me, though: at some point in the movie, virtually every Jedi, including Yoda, Mace Windu, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, etc., are in the presence of Senator Palpatine (WARNING: major spoiler ahead if you are totally unfamiliar with the larger plotline), who is, of course, clearly the evilest Sith (Dark Jedi) Lord around. Why can none of them sense the dark side in him? Even if his power covers it, how could they have never sensed it before? Furthermore, the movie is too isolationist at this point: everyone know Palpatine is a Sith who later becomes the Emperor - there is no need to work around the fact, or be coy around, cause we all know it happens.
While we're on the subject, Anakin's character is just a bit too happy-go-lucky here. Just as we know what happens to Palpantine, (WARNING #2: major spoiler for those unfamiliar with the SW universe) we all know Anakin will eventually become Vader. Everyone I know came into this movie expecting to see hints of what he was to become, but there was very little intrigue. It also says something to me about the casting when the only character who is really able to convey the potential danger in Anakin properly is a wrinkled, green, 3-foot tall puppet (Yoda). Sam Jackson just does not fit in this universe, unfortunately, and no other members of the Jedi council said much.
There were certainly, some excellent parts to this film, most notably the lightsaber duel between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan, and the pod racing scenes certainly draw acclaim. The movie was entertaining, yes, but really a letdown after the original trilogy. The beauty of the first three films (especially ANH and ESB) is their subtlety is developing the plot, and the interplay between characters. "The Phantom Menace" is simply a direct, in-your-face approach, in a galaxy filled with with annoying Gungans and a hero/villain who buries his shoulder in a 14-year old girl's lap and everyone calls "Annie." The difference is comparable to that between, say, Chewbacca and Jar Jar. You have to go for the grizzled space ape over the annoying, clumsy lizard-creature any day. Certainly, this film is watchable as part of the Star Wars universe, but I think most hope the second episode is a great deal more similar to the original trilogy than this overmarketed, overdone number. Thanks for letting me get that all off my chest, and may the force be with you.