Definitely over-hated

Rating: 8/10 (23 June 2020)

I do not think this movie is nearly as bad as most people say it is, but I'll just get what I don't like out of the way first.
Cons:
-The performances by Jake Lloyd and Natalie Portman are very flat.
-Some of the CGI just doesn't hold up anymore.
-Some plot elements are unnecessarily complicated, especially considering that this movie is somewhat aimed towards kids. This, at points can make the movie a bit slow and boring. I still don't really understand how&why Naboo is in danger. It's never very clearly explained. Taxation or something? I don't get it. Also Padmé having body doubles is so pointless and confusing in this movie.
-And worst of all, this movie has 2 poop jokes..... WHY?!?!?
-But with those out of the way, onto the positives.
Pros:
-Most of the time the movie is actually pretty enjoyable to watch. Thanks in large part to the well executed action, and amazing music by John Willams. The film is slow and boring at certain points but I'd say it's mostly well paced. Especially the 3rd act.
-Most of the other performances work well. Like they're not amazing but certainly not terrible. Namely Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor.
-I really like Qui-Gon Jinn in this movie. He's stoic while also being a little numerous and charismatic. And I like how wise he comes a cross while also being an unconventional Jedi. Great character. His death gets to me a little bit.
Because Ewan McGregor really well the emotion as Obi-Wan in that scene.
-*Most* of the effects still hold up well enough. It's more a 25/75 scenario. And the characters introduced aren't super interesting but I'd say they're likeable enough.
-The action is really good across the board. The finale is a great balance between the duel, ground battle, and Space Battle. All cut together very well and very entertaining and engaging.
The duel in this movie is one of the best in the franchise IMO.
-It goes without saying that the music is great.
-And then there's Jar Jar Binks... Who I really have nothing against. Sure he is kinda pointless in the movie and the slapstick that he's used in is cringe and does nothing for me, but I simply find the way he and the other gungans talk to be funny. I just find lines like "Wesa speed yousa way" to be kind funny. Though not hilarious by any means, still funny.
-The worlds that this movie presents are very cool, and I do think it actually adds something good to the Star Wars galaxy.
-The hours of enjoyment I've gotten from the memes surrounding cannot be forgotten.
So yah I like this movie. Though an 8/10 is not completely accurate. It just the closest rating IMDB presents. It's really like a 82%