Not the best Star Wars but still enjoyable

Rating: 7/10 (15 July 2005)

Well, Lucas certainly deserves points for trying. But he does NOT deserve being criticised by so called 'fans' who want the Star Wars that existed thirty years ago. Lucas wanted to and did new things. Get over it, people.
The things I liked...well, firstly the key characters. Particularly Qui-gon. The actor was fantastic! I just loved this guy and enjoyed every minute he was on screen. It was a shame that he had to die, but Ewan McGregor steps up and does just as well in the acting stakes in the next two installments. Here, he didn't have much to do.
Natalie Portman was a good Amidala, considering who young she was when this film was made. She was a young feisty and determined heroine and I am sure everyone in the audience warmed to her. If not, they certainly should have.
The actor (the name has slipped my mind) was a good choice for young Anakin. He seemed a nice enough boy with a hint of intensity and the ever so slight arrogance that begins to characterise him in future films.
I enjoyed all the action sequences. The pod race wasn't too long and the piece of music (Duel of the Fates) was absolutely fantastic during the lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the two Jedi. All in all, a very enjoyable film to watch.
However, there were a few problems. It took about half an hour before I could really get into the film and only started to enjoy it from when they reached Tatooine.
Jar Jar Binks should have been shot. He was not funny, not endearing, and the audience should not be craning forward or reaching to adjust the volume because they can't understand a word the little CGI bugger is saying.
Not enough Obi Wan. We couldn't really get a feel for the character and there wasn't a whole lot in the way of his relationship with Qui-gon.
Darth Maul wasn't in it enough either, so consequently wasn't much of a villain. Instead, we only realised he was the baddie from the face paint and the imposing black cloak. Oh, and the red lightsaber. However, the fight sequence was great.
Though certainly not the best Star Wars films (perhaps the worst, though I wouldn't call it bad) it was still enjoyable and fun to watch, as all Star Wars films should be.