Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: not a film to be taken seriously, not to the extent the series’ fan do anyway. Taken at face value, it’s moderately fun and definitely silly (some elements, such as the Gungans, excessively so. This is the silliest of the whole series), but that goes hand in hand with the inspiration for the series. One thing is perfectly clear, however: had the saga started with this one, it would not be the success it is.