Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Long-winded and, apart from the race scene and a couple of duels, offers nothing but “empty" over-combination that is so childish (the Ewoks etc.) that it borders on being a parody of itself. Not even Teletubbies give us such lameness given to us by the “fun element" Jar-Jar Binks and all of his people. This wouldn’t matter so much if Binks wasn’t given more room here than probably anybody else. Even if I ignore his presence, then the infantile nature of this, despite finding the complete opposite in the following, darker episodes, really bothers me and is worse than anything I have seen even in the very worst movies for kids. But I mustn’t only throw dirt on this... In technical terms, this movie is great, from special effects through production design to the music. But everything is just here for effect and flawless special effects don’t make a good movie. If it weren’t for Darth Maul and his duel underscored by “Duel of the Fates", then nothing at all works here, apart from the audiovisual side. I suppose it is good in a way, but only at about eight in the morning, as a double feature with Teletubbies. (12/03/2005)

The old trilogy was able to create a slightly stronger atmosphere, but I regularly object to the waves of criticism towards the first chapter of the Chronicles of the Far Galaxy. Even after years, I still dislike the violent contrast between repetitive political debates and the childish mood, led by the misfit Jar Jar, but the magical Padmé, young Obi-Wan, or the dark Darth Maul are so amazing that the objections disintegrate as if by waving a lightsaber. Nevertheless, the biggest surprise remains the fact that the two most famous scenes (podrace and the final Duel of the Fates) would still be the event of the year in any adventure blockbuster, even today. (20/05/2006)

Practically incomparable with the older films. This one is much faster, more colorful, and even more childish by the most part. For a modern viewer, let alone someone not interested in the original series, it will be a fantastically flashy popcorn movie full of amazing visual effects and excellently filmed battles. The best part is, of course, at the end and I dare say that we won't find a better one in the entire Star Wars saga. The demonic aspect is further enhanced by the genius musical score by John Williams. Jar Jar is embarrassing, just like most scenes with the Gungans. Why the director incorporated such a fool into this fateful story is a mystery to me, but there is no other option than to accept it. Let's dig in with gusto. (01/11/2003)

Guilty pleasure. Gone are the fatality and overwhelming aura of the dark side that made the original trilogy the ultimate compact and unique experience; gone are the adult seriousness, the understated dry wit and the monumental nature of the more static and simple yet atmospheric action sequences. Episode I is a snub to hardcore SW fans, with many of the past tried-and-true essences giving way to Lucas's unrestrained visual fooling around and forcibly making the franchise accessible to a new generation led by open-mouthed, finger-in-the-nose ten-year-old kids. It’s undeniable that the atmosphere is magical, the story unfolds in an interesting way, the new characters are great, and the overall presentation of the setting and the associated gimmicks and attractions are among the high points of their time, but it still comes across as a dud with zero impact, especially compared to what the original films established. The only one who has really kept his creative form is veteran Williams, whose soundtrack has branched out nicely and had the lion's share in making at least the final fight one of the best of the whole saga. On the other hand, Jar Jar Binks's stupid squeal belongs in Luc Besson's worst films... (24/12/2015)

Episode I is paradoxically Lucas’s only perfect Star Wars. Only with this one was Lucas not constrained by budget and the technological level of the tricks as in the first film; he was the main creative force behind the project unlike in Episode V and was not as limited by the unfolding story as in the other two parts of the prequel trilogy and Episode VI. Thus, he was able to fully let go of childishness and naïveté, build the narrative around spectacular adventures and expand the fairy-tale concept into an opulent mise-en-scene. Unlike the following two instalments, Episode I has a narrative that is entirely its own, with only sub-motifs establishing continuity with the series as a whole. (11/10/2015)