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Rating: 4/10 (18 March 2006)

i really enjoyed the phantom menace when i first saw it, way back in 1999. i was 12 years old, and of course at that time, star wars was my favorite film. however, there are differences between a film and a movie. this is just a big budget popcorn flick, and while george lucas has tried to make an attempt at telling the first three events of the star wars saga, it just doesn't work - on a technological scale and on a scale of substance. first off, the most obvious thing is that the film employs the usage of computerized special effects, which points out a horrible continuity gap between the new trilogy and the old one, even with minimal computerized effects added in those. as far as the acting is concerned, the only ones it seems to be natural for is liam neeson and ewan macgregor. i personally would not have had obi wan kenobi as a 'padawan learner' in this trilogy, but rather as a reckless jedi who is eager to train someone under his wing (think anakin in episode III). the writing just doesn't work, and the storyline is simply too damn long. and a trade war? what's that about? it is simply too complex at times. i also would have had anakin older, say between the ages of 16 and 18. the good thing about the original star wars movies was that they used adult actors to appeal to the kid in everyone. here, it isn't working; something is missing. one cannot help but feel cheated, as george lucas rereleased the original trilogy in 1997 not because it was the 20th anniversary of the original star wars, but because it was preparing for the release of the new movies. the new ones, as it seems, have simply tarnished my view on the originals, but you cannot blame george lucas at all. this is his story, and however he wants to tell it, he should just do it however he damn feels like it. but my suggestion is to get your hands on the original versions of the original trilogy, and eat those up. fast.