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.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

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.

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 week ago (2 children)

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.

[–] thejoker954@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

I say less "kids" movie and more family movies.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

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.

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 week ago

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...

[–] golli@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

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.