Its no original, but there's enough great stuff in here to make it feel like a Star Wars film

Rating: 6/10 (22 July 2015)

The Phantom Menace is clearly a weak Star Wars film, I will not dispute that. But I refuse to stoop to the level of absent-minded hatred that some detractors have. I have seen respectable, rational film critics turn into rabid, incoherent dogs at the first mention of this film. It's not that bad.
Some positives: John Williams' score is once again the most terrific feature of Star Wars, and its not Star Wars without him. Production design and visual effects are eye-popping, almost without exception. And once again the film is full of memorable characters. Look at franchises like Alien, Saw and Jurassic Park - none of the later film characters will ever reach the level of memorability of Ripley, Kramer or Ian Malcolm. To me, Sebulba, Watto and Darth Maul are as essential a part of Star Wars lore as Admiral Ackbar, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett.
The film focuses on Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor as a pair of Jedi swept up in Naboo civil unrest. Both actors amble through their awkward dialogue and try to act beside INSERT CGI HERE placeholders. You can detect a shift in Neeson in particular - watch his scenes with Pernilla August and then his scenes with Jar Jar Binks: in the former he is convincing, in the latter he barely wants to be there. For me, the acting highlight is Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker, who conveyed a quiet suffering and dignity in her small role. Her touching mother-son chemistry with Jake Lloyd is also very important for the film. As for Lloyd, I agree he's no Tatum O'Neal, but he's a hell of a lot better than people give him credit and that he was bullied out of acting is a disgrace. His tearful farewell to his mother is probably the most touching scene in the prequel trilogy.
Natalie Portman's character irritates me - a 14 year old elected official? Excuse me while I scoff. The only reason she is so young is because a large age gap between Padme and Anakin was undesirable. That pretty much sets the mood of these films - the love story is priority one, and the story comes second everywhere. Portman is fairly decent if you ignore how old her character is meant to be. Her duplicated role as Queen/Handmaiden is a fun rewatch factor, especially if you can spot a touching scene where Queen Amidala, unable to reveal her identity, formally tells Anakin that Padme's heart goes with him.
Now onto the part that most people hate - Jar Jar Binks. How amused I was by him as a child, and how I loathe him now. He serves no purpose but comic relief, which would be fine if Lucas didn't insist on injecting him where it isn't time appropriate. We already have R2 and 3PO, who are funny and quirky without being childish. Worse, he is repeatedly taken along to important places without explanation - Qui-Gon objects to taking Padme along, but he willingly brings the world according to useless as his only companion? I don't think Binks ruins the movie, but Lucas seems to have done his Best (pun intended).
The film is mercilessly edited, often cutting away from key scenes just as the conversation was about to get good. I'd rather know what was said next than cut to Jar Jar being stupid again. Storyboarders also insist on revisiting ideas twice in a row - big fish eating little fish in the planet core being one main example. Lucas is tacky with his writing at times (especially with any dialogue from Jar Jar) and his plot is full of holes. Lucas writes on galactic trade law and clearly knows nothing about legal concepts - "legal blockades", a magic treaty that can ratify an invasion and a mysterious tax increase that sets the whole plot in motion but apparently isn't important enough to elaborate on.
The film's highlights are clearly the thrilling pod race and the spellbinding lightsaber duel with Darth Maul. Before this film, the audience had only seen a crippled cyborg, elderly Jedi and an amateur young man bash at each other. Here we have three peak form Jedi blademasters producing choreographic art. Its a feast for the eyes, and the only film to be so satisfying in this regard.
There are many things wrong, but I will always love The Phantom Menace because it looks, sounds and feels like a Star Wars film. And that's the highest compliment I can give.