Doesn't deserve the hate doesn't deserve much love either

Rating: 5/10 (27 January 2014)

The most anticipated and disappointing movie ever made. That is pretty much the only achievement of the much derided first installment of the prequel trilogy. Some hate it, some like it and some, like me, are in the middle. While the originals were powerful and hugely enjoyable stories of freedom and character, this is a misguided and wooden film about... trade disputes. Are we meant to care about the politics of the Star Wars universe?! This isn't a terrible movie though. Yes, Jar Jar and yes, young Anakin but one annoying kid and one annoying alien can't sink an entire movie (Still, oh boy does Jar Jar come close). As routine as the visuals are, the film is visually stunning and the Star Wars universe is one I am always happy to return to. The film still has some interesting characters and mythology, and some of the action sequences, especially the pod race, are very entertaining while the final Lightsabre duel is among the best of the franchise and one of the great good moments in bad movies.
So it doesn't deserve all the hate. But it doesn't deserve any love either. George Lucas shows he may be good at changing blockbuster cinema but he isn't a good director. His direction is tame and uninspired, and the film consists of cardboard characters drifting across artificial CGI landscapes. What's worse is the script, which might as well have been run over by a steam roller and while the film's got plenty of style it lacks a soul. The impressive cast all either spend their time either shouting "Yippee!", failing to show emotion, screaming, performing monologues in monotone or ruining people's childhoods; frequently all at the same time. The politics make the movie even more annoying and did we really need what creates the force to be explained to us? An average movie, hyped to ridiculous levels. Definitely the weakest of the saga.
5/10