Just plain bad

Rating: 1/10 (4 June 1999)

Being a 27-year-old whose first impressions of great, exciting filmmaking were largely shaped by the first trilogy, I can honestly (and sadly) say "The Phantom Menace" does not fit among them. I could spend hours dissecting the individually poor decisions made in the scripting and directing of this film (from the very first confusing, hastily edited "trade negotiation" scene all the way to the accidental heroism of Anakin and Jar Jar), but the only thing that seems to matter now is that I never felt that I was involved in the action or emotionally invested in any of the characters. And isn't that why we go to see movies -- to be gripped by a story about people we can identify with?
Now I know that many people did enjoy this film, and I'm not going to deny that, or try to prove that these feelings are somehow less legitimate than mine. But I hope that people understand that glossy CG effects do not make up for sloppiness in writing and directing.
Even the best "kid's movies", such as Babe, Toy Story, Antz and The Little Mermaid can appeal to adults, but this film was aimed directly at children, to the exclusion of a thinking, mature audience, and one, coincidentally, who has been waiting 16 years for this film.
I can only pray that Lucas -- who has stated that he made this movie for his own children -- will realize the error of his ways, and will concentrate on thoughtful story, dialogue, editing and acting in the next two Episodes.