The worst of the Star Wars movies, The Phantom Menace does provide back story that explains a great many things about how the characters in the movie's came to be where they were. However, since it had been 16 years since the last time I saw a "new" Star Wars movie, I didn't realize how bad it was until the next movie came out two years later. I will also say that the worst of the Star Wars movies is a lot better than most of the rest of the movies in Hollywood.

Phantom Menace starts with two Jedi Knights, a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor (Down with Love,) and Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson (Schindler's List,) go to the planet Naboo to negotiate a truce between the Naboo and the Trade Federation . Little do the Jedi's know that the Trade Federation leaders are working for Darth Sidious, a member of the Sith (the bad Jedi.) The Jedi's end up taking Queen Amidala, played by Natalie Portman (Closer) and others to the center of The Republic to ask for help against the Trade Federation. Due to damage to their ship, the Jedi's are forced to land on the planet Tatooine. Here it is where they meet Anakin Skywalker, a slave and the fate of the universe is change forever.

In my mind, there are three glaring weaknesses that make the film the sort of the movie franchise. The worst alien creature created in the Franchise, Jar-Jar Binks. The casting of Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker. Lastly, the incredibly way to long drag race and the whole drawn out act 2 on Tatooine and the invention of the mediclorions. These three poor decisions by Lucas made for his worst Star Wars movie.

From the moment any person over the age of 12 saw the character on the screen, Jar-Jar Binks was very annoying. Other than bringing his people into the fight at the end of the movie, he served no useful purpose. He basically was a replacement for C-3PO because he wasn't apart of the "sidekick" group yet. So I guess Lucas decided to bring in a creature that would attract the many 6 year olds that are out there. If not that then it seems like he asks us an awful lot to put up with him until he becomes important in Episode II. I wish the character wasn't as annoying.

Jake Lloyd can not act, plain and simple. I now that is harsh to say about an 8 year old but he can't. Haley Joel Osmot is a year older than Lloyd and I think we all know he can act, so don't say there are not kids out there who can act. Lloyd couldn't carry a scene on his own, the words coming out of his mouth were not believable, and his physical presence was non-existent. That scene when he is with the Jedi Council in the chamber was so painful I had to turn away. Poor choice by Lucas.

The entire race scene was too long. Lucas could have easily reduced the race from 3 laps to 2 and not have a negative Impact. The announcers for the race acted as if they were former MTV VJ's and not other world aliens. Also, where did these so called mediclorians (or however you spell them) come from? I have seen Star Wars, Episode IV probably 200 times and no where does Obi-Wan talk about these creatures. Nor does Yoda in Empire, so why now? Couldn't have Lucas come up with a better story? I guess we will never know.

However, the light saber battle towards the end of the movie was extremely wonderful and awesome and almost made up for all of these shortcomings. Just amazing stunt work done by Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, and Ray Park. We never really saw a light saber battle in the first three movies, mostly just Luke getting his but kicked by Vader. So this was wonderful, and the ending with the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, and the battle on Naboo itself was not too bad. There still was a hint of computerization but it still should have one the Best Special Effects award instead of The Matrix.

I would be remiss however if I did not comment on the incredibly cheesy celebration at the end of the movie. George, we have seen this before, twice actually, so I don't think we need to see it again, especially with the annoying creatures that make up Jar-Jar's race. Bad choice.

I will not comment on the story itself, because other than what I have mentioned, I found that the story showed us many things that explained future events.

I am not saying don't watch this movie. I own this movie. Just know that I think it is the worst of the 5 movies, and I am willing to bet after May 19th, 2006, it will still probably be the worst of the 6 movies. But like I said at the beginning, the worst Star Wars movie is better than a lot of other movies.

Brian - the Naked Gun