A decent beginning, all things considered

Rating: 8/10 (7 October 2005)

'99 Me: ZOMG THEPHANTOMMENNIS !!! !! 11! '03 Me: Maybe... Maybe it was all hype after all... Maybe... *jump out of window* '05 Me: What a fun movie! Granted, Episode 1 has its flaws. It has some pretty retarded moments, mostly with Jar Jar or Anakin (hell, even with Obi-Wan!). But looking back, I say: fine. Yeah, that's right, fine. This is a movie about two Jedi on a simple job, and a boy for which a whole galaxy of adventure opens up. It's seen from a child's eye. The fights look fun and adventurous. The Senate parts are dull and tedious. If you were a 9-year old, wouldn't you want to go back to awesome fights? Fly a little fighter into the heart of a huge ship and be the hero of the day? Get a little smile from that one girl that's been so nice to you? The next time you watch The Phantom Menace, think about this: that little boy will watch his mother die. He will lose every friend he has in the universe. He will destroy or see destroyed everything and everyone he loves. And he won't ever know why - literally - until his dying day. So please... quit your sad fanboy pleas for "darkness and maturity" and let the kid have some retarded adventures. While he can.