Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace movie review.

Now I was barely even old enough to walk when this movie came out, but I have been told by my mom this was the first movie I saw in theaters. This is going to start my series of 7 reviews about the Star Wars movies. Episode isn't the first film in the franchise, it is the one if you were to watch them in order would be first. Most people really seem to hate this movie, but I honestly disagree. Yes, it is a major let down compared to the first 3 Star Wars movies, but it isn't bad, at all. Now our story begins off with a ship going into another ship, and the ship that went into the other ship has Jedi on it and the ship that ship is in blows up the ship that went into it. I don't want to really talk about the story, you have most likely heard it. The acting in this movie is, good, and bad. Liam Neeson is fantastic in his role, the same can be said for Ewan McGregor. The rest of the cast is okay, and I even can stand Jar Jar, but Anakin is another story. Jake Lloyd is the kid who played Anakin in this movie. He is so annoying. Yes, he is not nearly as bad as Hayden Christensen, but he is not good. His acting works because he is a silly little kid, but silly little kids are annoying. Now the main thing that people just HATE about this movie, is none other than Jar Jar Binks the really stupid Gungan. The character is in some ways a racial stereotype, and can get on you nerves, but he provides some stupid but funny humor to the movie. To add to racial stereotypes, there is Watto, the greedy slave owner, and Nute Gunray, leader of the Trade Federation. Lets get off the acting. The script in this movie is much better than the other two of the newer Star Wars movies, but is honestly just okay and nothing to special. The pacing is fine, lots of action, and lots of depth with some of the characters. The effects are pretty good, but for there time they were great! The vehicles look very awesome in the movie. The main effect that stands out were the ones but into the podracing scene. That is a scene almost anyone can agree was really cool, and one of the best parts in the film. In my opinion, the best part of the movie was the Darth Maul lightsaber fight scene. The best lightsaber fight scene in the whole Star Wars franchise. The Darth Vader and Luke EP:5 scene is way more iconic, but this one was just great. Like most lightsaber battles it only lasts from around 5-10 minutes, but all of it was really great. Darth Maul was a pretty sweet villain to. He barely did much, but thats why he is cool and leaves you wandering. Overall, EP: 1 is my favorite new Star Wars movie. It has its pros, and cons, but is very entertaining none the less. I would give it a solid 7/10.