Its Star Wars

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 1999)

Overall Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is 2 hrs and 10 min, and it feels every bit of that. It tends to lag along. Also disappointing is that Lucas sacrificed a lot of story telling and drama for visual effects. Granted that is big in Star Wars, but Episode 1 lacks the emotional intensity of the old trilogy. However, it is unfair to rate this film until it is possible to view it with Episode 2 and 3 as a whole. Phantom Menace held up reasonably well while suffering under its burden of being Episode 1.
For the most part, the characters were good. Jar Jar Binks is quite possibly the worst character created in the history of film. Palpatine is well developed, with adequate hints at his becoming the emperor. Also well developed is the notion that Palpatine is Darth Sidious. Liam Neeson is average as Qui-Gon Jin, the Jedi master and focal hero of Episode 1. Obi-Wan Kenobi shines the most, and Darth Maul is possibly the best character despite his limited use. The light sabre duel at the end is intense and quite possibly the best action sequence in film to date.
Overall, Episode 1 is more Star Trek than Star Wars, and it is evident in the first half hour. Also it was a bit too kid oriented and overly long. But in the end, it is truly Star Wars. I can't wait for Episode 2.