A solid film

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 1999)

It would be very easy to slam "The Phantom Menace" when comparing it to the other three films in the "Star Wars" saga as a whole. All too easy. The problem with that reasoning is, of course, you're comparing one film to a trilogy. Is the characterization lacking? In comparison, of course it is. Is the plot lacking? Again, in comparison, the answer would have to be yes. But here's the rub, This is one film. It is the prelude to two others; and ultimately, the setup for the very trilogy to which it is being unfairly compared to. "Menace" is a solid film, that, taken out of the context of the the Star Wars films, would stand very well on its own.
Detractors of the film have said that Lucas made it for his six-year-old son. They say this film is only for children and neglects its older audience. Not true. Granted, there are definitely "kiddie" aspects, but how many of your average first graders will understand the political intrigue and almost machiavellian maneuvers made in this film? Not a lot I'd bet.
As for character development, yes, it is sparse, but it is not non-existent, and as the trilogy progresses it will get deeper. Besides, we already know a lot of what drives Obi-Wan Kenobi from the episodes IV-VI. We also see small signs and portents of what we know all too well young Anakin Skywalker will someday become.
The special effects, of course, are without peer. ILM has raised the bar yet again, and left others playing catch-up. I don't care what anyone says, a lot of the effects were indistinguishable from live action.
The choreography of the jedi scenes was great, the fury of this film's Sithlord is unmatched by anything that came before (or after, if you want to get technical about it).
Bottom line, yes, this film may not be as good as the "new hope" trilogy, but it certainly holds its own and should be seen, preferably twice, so you catch the nuances you may have missed the first time around.