Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Springer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fighting, explosions, death in violent kid-centric prequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 63 parent reviews
Parents say that this movie elicits mixed reactions, especially regarding its suitability for children; while younger viewers may find the action and visuals engaging, many adults feel it lacks depth, with criticisms focused on character development and pacing. Some parents appreciate its mild violence, but caution that certain intense scenes, particularly involving characters' deaths and emotional moments, might be disturbing for very young kids.
- mixed reactions
- suitable for kids
- lacks depth
- character development
- mild violence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 204 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is visually thrilling and entertaining for younger audiences, particularly because of its action sequences and light-hearted humor involving characters like Jar Jar Binks. However, many reviews caution that it contains significant violence, including character deaths, which may be inappropriate for very young children, making the film's suitability for kids a debated topic.
- visuals engaging
- character violence
- mixed reviews
- suitable for older kids
- action sequences
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Released 16 years after the original trilogy, STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE takes viewers back to an earlier time, when the Galactic Republic was in full swing and the Jedi were a force of peace and justice throughout the galaxy. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his "padawan" protégé, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are dispatched to protect Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo from forces of evil and the Trade Federation, who are pawns of the mysterious Darth Sidious.
Is It Any Good?
With a daring 9-year-old at its heart, exciting action, and creative aliens and creatures, this prequel is the most kid-focused Star Wars film. With a runtime of over 2 hours, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is a longer investment, but it does establish many character backgrounds and lots of story lore for a deep world-building that is unparalleled in sci-fi intellectual properties. While many audiences might feel the prequels don't hold up to the original trilogy, this film isn't bad by any means. It might meander here and there, and some of the plotting and political intrigue might bore younger viewers. But this first prequel still sets up and gives a grand context to perhaps the most well-known villain of all time, Darth Vader.
While not many would claim that creator and director George Lucas is on the same directorial level of, say, Steven Spielberg, there are many similarities. But while Lucas might sometimes privilege technology over storytelling, plotting over structure, and exposition dumps over fun dialogue, there's still little doubt that Lucas and his team lovingly built a lived-in world (and galaxy) with racial variety, political and quasi-religious systems, and a clear contest between good and evil. Along the way, Lucas accomplishes some amazing visual feats in The Phantom Menace, and there are a few sequences (the opening 10 minutes, the Tatooine podrace, the final fight sequences) that truly impress.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in sci-fi action movies. Is any of the violence in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace particularly scary? Is the violence shown in the film important to the story? Why, or why not?
How do characters like Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Queen Amidala show courage, integrity, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
How did you feel watching Anakin leave his mother? Why do you think so many kid-oriented movies feature orphans and/or parents leaving or dying?
Have you noticed Star Wars merchandise in stores or in media? Does seeing the characters on products make you want to buy them?
How satisfied are you with the ending of this movie? Does it make you excited to watch the next one? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 19, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : August 2, 2007
- Cast : Ewan McGregor , Jake Lloyd , Liam Neeson , Natalie Portman , Samuel L. Jackson
- Director : George Lucas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lucasfilm
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Robots
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time : 133 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sci-fi action/violence
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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