A good but not awesome introduction to the saga

Rating: 7/10 (13 September 2015)

As a big Star Wars fan, I expected a lot from this movie. I wasn't born yet when the first 3 movies got released to general public but I saw them all multiple times and I always have the same amazement while watching them. They revolutionized the way to do Sci-fi movies and always will be considered as classics.
The prequel movies are less captivating my attention even if I like them a lot. The Phantom Menace is the one I like the least.
The only purpose of this movie was to introduce us to several Star Wars famous characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Palpatine, R2-D2 and C3-PO. It also adds new characters like Qui-Gon, Padmé Amidala and Jar Jar Binks.
This last character was focusing the attention. I don't know what he brings to the story. He is clumsy and all he is doing is messing around and only succeeds to escape a dangerous situation thanks to a great shot of luck. He is technically insignificant and just here for a comic purpose. But it's rather annoying than anything else.
Padmé is more interesting to the story. She is reminding Leia. She has the same will to fight rather than surrendering and she is really tougher than she actually looks. We can see it during the final battle on Naboo. So I could feel that she and Anakin would be in a relationship in the next movies.
Qui-Gon Jin is an interesting add too as Obi-Wan Kenobi mentor and master. He is bold and wise in the same time, coping with the Jedi way while still trying to keep his independence, which push him to disagree with the order on some matters.
But the one character who is particularly underrated is Palpatine. Ian McDiarmid is one genius actor. He already starred as Palpatine in the original trilogy and he kept the essence of the character which is deep evil in a deceptive respectable appearance. That is certainly the best move from George Lucas to cast him again as Palpatine so does his decision to call Anthony Daniels to reprise his role as C3PO.
Now as always the story telling is beautifully managed. There is a continued story between the movies and the Phantom Menace acts as a beautiful first chapter. It is visually and orally enjoyable to see. The CGIs help a lot the story and keep us entertained. So it deserves a 7 out of ten because realizing a prequel while we already know in depth the story and then keeping all the suspense away is a hard task. But it still manages to be decent.