Episode One: The Phantom Menace

Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace

Things which bug me about Episode One:

• Oh, by the way, Darth Vader made C-3P0. While amusing from a "isn't it a small world after all" standpoint, this takes it a bit too far. I think it is a symptom of a lazy author, who glues all his characters together in a tight weave instead of letting each character bring a complex, unique background to the table.
• The "Phantom" is never identified. Upon reflection it could be an attempt at a clever title, as in "a menace which is of slightly evil, yet nebulous definition" or merely an illusion of some kind.
• Qui-gon is a study in paradoxes. His noble mission precludes his freeing slaves, but he has no problems picking up the foundling Jar Jar who does not appear to be in mortal danger. Mean while he is busy manipulating the Gungans into serving up transport, trying to make Watto take a form of currency which is of no use to him, gambling on pod races, and out-and-out cheating at dice (although the implication here is that Watto's chance cube is loaded, and Qui-gon is merely cheating a cheater).
• This whole "prophecy" thing could have been expanded on a bit more, especially seeing as how the movie was otherwise so strapped for real content.
• The Trading Guild's interest in Naboo is not really explored. Why out of the thousands and thousands of star systems would Naboo be worth risking a war over?