The most anticipated film of all time.

Rating: 5/10 (12 June 2001)

I can't believe that this film came from the same man who brought us American Graffiti and the original Star Wars trilogy. I know almost everyone in the country was very disappointed in the final product and I will admit that much of that was due to the amount of anticipation toward the film. But much of the disappointment came from the fact that is simply wasn't as good as the other three installments.
The Phantom Menace was severely disjointed and lacked any real direction. I myself, though I won't consider it the failing of the movie, wondered at the point of Jar Jar. The film screamed marketing at us even though this was probably the most bulletproof film to ever be released. There was no way this movie was not going to make money. Yet it seemed to many fans EP I was simply a ploy at marketing toys, cola, and toothbrushes.
For allot of people this story line was holy, especially the story line of Anakin and Obi-Wan. What we wanted to see were relationships and the eventual failing of these relationships. What we got was a short glimpse at who Obi-Wan might have been and a longer than necessary glimpse of who we hoped Anakin wasn't. I don't attribute this to Jake Lloyd because I feel that it was Lucas' writing that simply didn't recognize the character study that should have taken place with Anakin. Also, I know Ewan McGregor to be a wonderful actor in both comedy and drama, and his part in EP I was dull and lacked any real sense of who Obi-Wan truly was. I think perhaps with a different script both of these characters would have shined a little more.
Overall I was disappointed as were many, many other people. What I was left with was a sour taste that remains today. Frankly I am much more excited about Lord Of The Rings than I am EP 2 and that makes me sad. For more years than I can count I had been waiting to see this part of the story, and I was let down.
I do hope that EP 2 & 3 will be better (it is a good sign that Lucas had another writer look at the script and make changes) but I will hold on to the original trilogy as an endangered species. Because, folks, they just don't make em like they used to.