Review of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) by Carlos I — 14 Jul 2017

This was arguably the most anticipated film of all time when it was announced. The public had waited 16 years since Return of the Jedi for another Star Wars film and, unfortunately, it was a disappointment.

The film on its own isn't terrible, but when compared to the original trilogy, it really is pretty bad. The characters are boring, stale, and lifeless. When you watch this film I challenge you to decipher who the main character is; that is an impossible task because there is none.

The story has too many plotholes to count, and it never looked real due to the fact that half the time there was no real set, only a blue screen. Little Anakin Skywalker can be pretty annoying at times.

Not to mention Jar Jar Binks, who is clearly there for comic relief (neither of which he delivers). The dialogue can be pretty bad at times too ("Are you an angel?" being a prime example). The film does have some redeeming qualities.

John Williams score is excellent, and the fight scenes were choreographed wonderfully. That about does it for the good parts of this film, though. Overall, Episode I is a blue screen mess with bad dialogue and plotholes galore, with a few nice touches here and there.

Would not reccomend. Two stars.