this post was submitted on 17 Jan 2026
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I never understood this. What's wrong with it?
Basically? It was a kids movie. Characters were one-dimensional and not very likeable to teenage me. Exposition by dialogue, and not great dialogue. Slapstick bits that really didn't land (Jar Jar). Etc, etc.
Even as a child when I first saw Phantom Menace, I thought it was off. Maybe I would have rated the film lower if it weren't for the fun pod racing segment and the fight with Darth Maul. I think the Star War prequel trilogy excel more on the editing and choreography of action scenes than actual story telling and drama.
And the originals weren't kids movies?
I guess the massive amount of Star Wars toys I had as a child somehow led me to believe otherwise.
Original trilogy are also kids movies, fight me.
The Empire Strikes Back is definitely not a kid's movie in my opinion. The Return of the Jedi is more kiddie because of Ewoks.
I say less "kids" movie and more family movies.
But imo at its core it still has a good idea, unlike the sequels, which really are just style over substance. Which is why i can forgive the prequels quite a bit more, especially considering Geroge Lucas did try to get other directors onboard to make them.
Granted, I was like 4 when it came out so it still holds some fondness in my view. Qui-Gon was like the father figure I always needed but never had, and Jar Jar laid the foundation for my sense of humor. Maybe that's why no one thinks I'm funny...
Dull dialogue. Wooden acting. Jar Jar Binks. What a disappointment.