Don't link this to episode 4,5 and 6

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2007)

I watched this when it came out in the cinema and spent the first half an hour wondering what the hell was going on. I made mental notes of the planets, characters etc and nothing rang true. The Gungans? Who are they? The Trade Federation? What!!! Naboo? That wasn't mentioned in the originals!
Then, I forgot the originals existed and watched this film and enjoyed it on its own merit. The story is early on in the saga, there are no familiar characters apart from R2D2. Anikin Skywalker and Tatooine are mentioned and seen and it becomes understandable. Some details could have been mentioned more like Jabba The Hutt suddenly realising who they were and holding them to ransom, that would have been better than the "aquiring spare parts" story behind the pod race. Say if Jabba Held them to ransom, the boy wins and they go free, they lose, they become His.
The whole film is very good on its own. When you watch it, keep in mind that its part one of the saga and the originals are parts 4, 5 and 6 so there is no links - There are two more parts after this one. The end fight was slightly predictable the second Anakin got into the fighter but it is entertaining especially seeing faces from British TV in it (The bloke from Holby City, Ralf Brown who was in Corrie recently and Celia Imrie who people will know from dinnerladies).
Watch this as Part 1 and you will enjoy - best viewed with 13 hours to spare and DVD's of the other 5 films