without doubt......the worst star wars film.

Rating: 4/10 (22 July 2006)

For me, this is the most boring and annoying of the entire Star Wars Saga.
The only highlight of The Phantom Menace is the 'Duel Of The Fates' between Obi Wan Kenobi, Qui Gonn Jinn and Darth Maul, plus it was a bad error to kill off Darth Maul at the end, because his character was the most enigmatic and interesting in the whole film.
Jake Lloyd is a bitter disappointment as Anakin Skywalker. Why did he have to be a little ten year old brat who needed a slap? Why did he have such a stupid, stupid pudding bowl hairstyle? The climatic dogfight was ruined by Lloyd's over the top acting in that cockpit with R2. I hated him, and yet this is supposed to be the most intriguing character. Woeful.
Yes, the special effects are impressive. But the special effects in Jaws 2 were 'impressive' as well. The original Star Wars Trilogy had a sense of awe and wonder that made you smile, without the need for special effects...in...every...single...scene...and set-piece. You get the impression that because of so much computer generated effects in this 'first' chapter, you are watching an alternative version of Shrek, nothing 'feels' real.
I'm making it official in my commentary here. Jar Jar Binks should be tied to a giant bonfire the way Oliver Reed's priest was in Ken Russell's The Devils and slowly burned to death....one of the most irritating characters conceived in the history of motion pictures...George Lucas states in the DVD commentary that Binks is the 'key' in all of this. Which showed how out of touch he was with his fan-base and cinema audiences in general.
Most of the cast are woeful. Ewan Macgregor is like a Gerry Anderson puppet in this and sounds like an effeminate rent-boy. He is only marginally better in Attack Of The Clones. Natalie Portman is beautiful looking as she usually is. But that is it. Liam Neeson, as the Jedi Master Qui Gonn brings a decent conviction to his role even if he is bemused talking to Jar Jar Binks most of the time.
John Williams traditional score is majestic and commanding as always, so no grumbles or problems there then....except for the daft 'parade' ending on Naboo, when Boss Nass is handed some sort of glowing marble from Queen Amidala there is some kind of child like chanting soundtrack that will make anyone over the age of ten cringe. A screaming disappointment from start to finish.