At least it's better than Return of the Jedi.

Rating: 8/10 (8 November 1999)

POSSIBLE SPOILERS. Well, we all know the special effects are fantastic. I mean I've never seen CGI blend so well with live action. The sound effects were cool, as they were in the original trilogy. Jar-Jar was a cool character design and not always annoying. I think his voice was what bugged me the most. If it had been lower and less babyish, I would have had almost no problem with him. I thought the other Gungans were cool. Darth Maul was an awesome villain, I only wish there was more of him. Still, the final duel, and it's death scenes were really great. As for those who say that the Trade Federation was a weak adversary for the good guys, I think you missed the point of the title--- THE PHANTOM MENACE! This refers to Anakin's dark side tendencies, to the Sith Lord directing the viceroy's actions, and to Palpatine, who gains control of the Senate and will soon become the Emperor! Those who say the plot is weak must not be paying attention. There is more going on here than in any of the first three movies. The real magic of the movie is the little details, though. All the cool alien designs, the sounds of the pod racer engines, the more athletic lightsaber scenes, the accents of the aliens... these all made the worlds more believable. Not the greatest work of art or anything, but a film worthy of the Star Wars name. Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back are still better, but thank God there were no Ewoks.