Review of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) by Asher K — 21 Dec 2015

For the record, I loved this movie as a young kid-- I went to this movie for my 5th birthday party and thus have rosy colored glasses when reflecting on JarJar and little 'Ani'. Unfortunately seeing the movie years later has shattered much of that fond nostalgia toward 'Phantom'.

The stilted dialogue, shallow characters, overuse of cgi, and plot filled with senate hearings and trade negotiations (isn't Star Wars supposed to be escapism?) are hard to ignore. The movie has its moments, with an epic podrace and thrilling light saber battle, not to mention the second coolest Star Wars character design in Darth Maul, but sadly a painful watch for anyone over the age of 10.