More mature than it seems at first glance...

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 1999)

The Phantom Menace may look like a kiddy movie, but there are some truly dark undercurrents. First, of course, is the title. It makes us wonder, who IS the phantom menace?
Obviously, Darth Maul and Darth Sidious are two obvious choices. Maul is just a pawn, however. And I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Sidious is in fact Senator Palpatine. And, as most fans know, Palpatine is the empoeror in the Return of the Jedi.
When viewed from this angle, the movie is less about the good Jedi triumphing over the evil trade blockaders, and more about Palpatine using everyone, Maul, the Princess, the Jedi, the senate, and even the Trade organization, in order to overthrow the senate.
At the same time, of course, Anakin could be considered the phantom menace, as he looks like a savior, only to be ultimate evil in disguise.
The horribly bad "Jar Jar Stinks" is thankfully offset by these deeper aspects of the good, but not great, film.