Every saga has a beginning, even if it's a rocky one.

Rating: 5/10 (18 February 2015)

Fifteen years can do wonders in smoothing over disappointment, but "The Phantom Menace" will always be a puzzling entry in the Star Wars series. This is clearly aimed at a very young audience but it's also steeped in politics and trade talks, which is dry material any way you slice it. It's a very odd combination. On the plus side, it's got Liam Neeson, who seemed to evade Lucas' awkward direction. His is a sage and commanding presence and he comes off as a wholly professional performer. But the movie needed much more in the bad guy department. I was as stoked as anyone to see Darth Maul's dual-bladed saber, but it's such a one(none?)-note character. He's a wasted opportunity.
Mostly this movie varies from amusing to hard to watch, right back to amusing. But it's a kids movie, and I've got no problem with that. It's just not for me. But this is as good as the prequels get, which is a real bummer.
5/10