An excellent introduction to the Star Wars saga

Rating: 10/10 (21 April 2003)

Positives:- Excellent special effects, class lightsabre battles throughout, Amazing race sequence (podrace) and the best lightsabre duel(s) of the saga (the 5 films to date).
Negatives:- Jar Jar Binks (didn't bother me, I liked him, but many people found his voice and clumsiness too much to handle) and lack of character development (there's another 5 Episodes after this one for you to get familiar with the 'important' characters).
Overall:- An excellent introduction to the Star Wars saga, the action scenes are brilliant.
I didn't want too much to occur in this film, as there are another 2 films for the events leading up to A NEW HOPE to pan out, and this episode will definitely contrast the next 2 episodes. THE PHANTOM MENACE is very 'light-hearted', but who wants each film in the prequel trilogy to have the same 'dark' atmosphere? I know I didn't.