Great movie and good set up for the rest of the Star Wars Saga....

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 1999)

First came the original Star Wars trilogy. As of 1999, Star Wars is now a movie saga with The Phantom Menace. This movie blew me away with it's special effects which, helped, not hindered the story like some critics say. The story was more complex than the rest of the saga and perhaps looks more creative, since George Lucas' vision could literally come to life with new CGI technology.
The acting in The Phantom Menace is as good, if not better than The Empire Strikes Back. Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman (a real babe...), Ian McDiarmid, Jake Lloyd, Ewan McGreggor, and Amhed Best (yes, I mean it) did excellent jobs of carrying their characters. I found that the most fascinating characters were Darth Maul, Queen Padme Naberrie Amidala, and Darth Sidious. Nevertheless, all of the acting is top notch, thanks to a great cast.
After hearing some early reviews (which I blatantly try to avoid...), I expected to see a sub-par Star Wars movie that I would still love, but the special effects would get in the way of character development and the story. Well, I should not have listened because that was all wrong. Like the other movies, the special effects help tell a story that otherwise could not be told without them. Part of the story telling is visual, not just brought along by the characters. Although I agree that there isn't as much character development as the other Star Wars Movies, I know it is because The Phantom Menace is just a set up for the rest of the saga. Whether it may or may not annoy some is not relevant. The only thing I had a problem with is that the whole Star Wars universe, which has gotten so big and lifelike, felt a lot smaller, since it did not have the galactic events that happened in the other Star Wars movies. However, my view on that is changing, after I have seen The Phantom Menace seven times.
Now, Jar-Jar. Like the Ewoks, he has gotten a hate cult. Well, let those people hate him, because I don't. I thought Jar-Jar was a worthy addition to the Star Wars universe, if a little hard to understand. He was mainly made for the kids, but what made me like him is that he is totally different from everything else. Oh, and on the charges of racism, Amhed Best is the one that really created Jar-Jar Binks' movement and accent (Boss Nass' sounded different from Jar-Jar's), and I don't think he had any racist thoughts when he created them, because he is black (I hate using that word to describe a person...people are people no matter what color they are, but I digress...). I am sorry if I offend someone with my opinion. I like Jar-Jar!
This is a worthy addition to the Star Wars saga, and I think it is the best movie of the year, since I'm a Star Wars freak and I had a lot of fun in the theater seven times watching it. I can't wait for the next one damn it! The soundtrack by John Williams is great, especially with Duel of Fates and Anakin's Theme. If nothing else, see it for Natalie Portman.
***** stars (out of *****).