Not a bad way to start the series

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2005)

This is the first of the three prequels dealing with the character of Anakin Skywalker (Luke's father) before he transforms into the famous Darth Vader we loved to hate and hate to love at the same time. This is also the first time we get to see the Jedi council before they were all wiped out in extinction, also a younger version of Yoda and a incomplete C-3PO.
The original trilogy introduced special effects never done before on screen; but twenty years later, ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) improved what George Lucas wanted on his masterpiece trilogy. In 1999, now with technology being more advanced, Lucas, who now steps back in the director's chair has made a film not only of epic storytelling but of visual effects as well.
The film starts out with a Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) who disguise themselves as ambassadors for Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) for which doesn't go well as a robot reveals their identities leaving the Jedi's no choice but to attack the droids. They find out that there's an invasion with the Gungan's, as one of them Jar Jar Binks becomes an aid for them.
Jar Jar, I'll admit is one annoying character to which he only has screen time in this prequel and not in the other ones.
The Jedi's rescue Queen Amidala and her people as they go to Tatooine after fighter pilots have attacked their ship. It is where they meet with a young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) to which Qui-Gon believes he has the gift of the force within him. Anakin enters a pod race tournament where he wins, but after a dice with Watto the junk dealer, Anakin has to leave with Qui-Gon in order to get his training. At the same time, a sith apprentice name Darth Maul (Ray Park) is out there to kill the Queen and at the same time ready to extinct the Jedi.
With the council disapproving the young boy, its up to Qui-Gon to train the boy, but dies in the hands of Darth Maul as Obi-Wan must teach the boy the ways of the Jedi.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is just a cool film. It's not the best of the saga, but a fun film nonetheless where there are cool fight scenes along the way.