I remember all the crazy excitement for this film when it was first announced and in the lead up to its release. I remember the hype machine as I waited in line opening night to see it. I enjoyed it the first couple of times I saw it and, in truth, I don't despise it the way many people find it comforting to do nowadays. It is far from perfect. Far from it, but it is not the worst of the Star Wars saga.

The Phantom Menace is the story of the beginning of the Skywalker legacy in the Star Wars galaxy, taking place in the Old Republic when Jedi were plentiful and the Sith were in hiding, plotting their revenge. Things have become chaotic around the republic and Jedi Master Qui Gonn Jinn and his Padawan, Obi Wan Kenobi are dispatched to Naboo to negotiate the end to a trade taxation dispute that has caused the blockade of the planet. Things happen and the Jedi are planet-side ahead of the curve of an invasion. They meet Jar Jar Binks and Queen Amidala, escape with the help of R2-D2 and find themselves stranded on the planet Tatooine, where they encounter young slave, Anikan Skywalker, who help them escape to Coruscant, home of the Republic government and the Jedi Council. Trade talks and Senate hearings happen and they return to Naboo to fight off the Trade Federation and Darth Maul to free the planet.

That's it in a nutshell.

The Good...

There is a lot to like here. It was awesome to see a young Obi Wan Kenobi and Ewan McGregor's performance is easily a highlight. So is Liam Neeson as his Jedi Master, Qui Gonn Jinn.

Darth Maul is awesome. The lightsaber duel between him and the two Jedi is the lightsaber duel we have all dreamed of. It is exhilarating.

I actually didn't mind some of the trade and taxation talk. It is fascinating to remember that wars are not often started by blind, naked ambition but by more quiet means that escalate. The ambition is hidden and more of a threat.

I didn't hate Jar Jar.

The Not So Good...

But I did not like the stereotyped dialogue of him, the Trade Federation characters and the Gungans. They were made too much of a joke.

The "cutting edge at the time" digital effects look a little dated now and many of the performers look awkward in front of it and, coupled with some awkward dialogue, cause some strained performances. McGregor and Neeson are fine though.

The pod race was exhilarating until it went on entirely too, too long.

I do have to note that when it was re-released in 3-D, it looked really good, especially the space sequences and the lightsaber duel in the Naboo palace.

I do not get or appreciate the hate for Jake Lloyd. He was poorly served by the screenplay and the fandom decision to blame him for the failures in this film is 110% unfair and frankly, mean-spirited.

Far from perfect but still worth watching with some draggy spots.

-all photos via IMDB.com