This is NOT about the Trade Federation (and other misconceptions)

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 1999)

I would just like to say, to all of those that seem to have missed the point of this movie, Episode I is NOT about the Trade Federation! However, I can understand why those not extremely familiar with the Star Wars universe would think that. After the next two movies, I am sure that many will look back and go, "Oh, I get it now". This movie begins the formation of the evil Empire that is so central to Episodes 4-6. For those who may not have taken this away from the movie, I suggest you look at the cast from this movie and the cast from Jedi and note who the Emperor is, and it should become clear why this movie was only superficially about the Trade Federation.
Aside from beginning the tale of the formation of the Empire, this movie also serves to introduce us to the next 2 movies, and this should be taken into consideration with respect to plot and character development. This movie isn't meant as a stand-alone movie, though I enjoyed it in this respect anyway.
As far as poor character development is concerned, it's true that none of the characters was greatly delved into, given that a large cast was introduced. But let's look at the original Star Wars, shall we? Let's see... in the first movie, all we see of Luke is that he is whiny, Darth Vader is just bad without any apparent reason, and Leia and Han are primarily argumentative and stubborn. It's not until Empire that any of the characters is truly flushed out, in my own opinion. That is the compromise of a 2- hour movie that is only one of 3 parts; it is not possible to give us great insight into ten different characters' personalities within 2 hours in a movie that isn't dominated by dialogue.
It has been mentioned by some that the Star Wars movies are contradicting themselves, because the Jedi council says that Anakin, at 10, is too old to begin his Jedi training, but Luke, at twice that age, becomes a Jedi. I thought this was strange too, until my fiance (who is a rabid Star Wars fan; I'm not) that Yoda did, in either Empire or Jedi complain that Luke was too old. And yes, it does take years to become a Jedi, but Luke a) did not finish his training (that I do remember Yoda complaining about), and b) is the Chosen One, so I'd assume he doesn't need as much training as an "ordinary" Jedi.
I also don't see why a 10 year-old Anakin needs to show some of the evil of Darth Vader. As I understand from the Star Wars fans I'm surrounded by, Anakin does not turn to the Dark Side because of evil intent anyway, but out of impatience or something like that, and it is more that in turning to the Dark Side he is corrupted (any Star Wars fans who know this isn't the case or is inaccurate, please clarify for us lay folk).
Anyway, I thought this was a good movie, and I think our opinions of it will improve once the trilogy is completed.