Set pieces, not cohesive

Rating: Null/10 (19 April 2001)

After watching The Phantom Menace for the third time in 2 years, it's safe to say that the film relies on set-pieces rather being a cohesive picture.
There are 2 major sequences which are awesome, the pod race and the lightsabre battle. The other parts of the picture are mixed, some are good, some are bad.
Dialogue has always been a problem with Star Wars, and it's the same again. Trust me, the dialogue is very weak between LIam Neeson and Ewan McGregor. Ewan had nothing to do, but this will change in Episode2.
The Darth Sidious and Palpatine characters are my favourite, they add the depth to the picture. These parts will grow even stronger later in the series of prequels.
Jar-Jar Binks added too much kiddie humour, I think these movies don't need them, just stick to telling a good story.
As I said, the Pod Race is an amazing sequence, as is the Lightsabre battle, which is the most exciting yet, although not as powerful as the one in Jedi or Empire.
The acting is obviously average, I wish Lucas spent more time with the actors!
The director makes full use of the wide-screen frame, watching in full frame is horrendous.
Overall, a mix start to the Prequel series.