So Star Wars DVD/Blue Ray set was pretty cheap over Thanksgiving, so I picked up Episode I--III. I just watched Episode I yesterday; I don't think I've seen it since it was in theaters. I was hoping it would be better than I remembered, but it was actually much worse It's like every bit of drama, suspense, adventure, etc. is completely undermined by poor dialogue and a very feeble attempt to comic relief.
There are really only two bits I like from Episode I - the scene where Anakin leaves his mother is surprisingly heartbreaking, and then the end battle is just balls out insane. Everything else is just kind of... there? It's like there are some good ideas, just executed poorly.
I dunno.. rewatching, the scene where Anakin leaves was cringey for me. I didn't really feel for the characters at all. The final battle was okay, but again undermined by JarJar taking out dozens of droids and battle machines by pure stupidity, as well as Anakin doing... well, everything that he did. I mean, I understand that in some sense you want to convey that in some sense these characters are guided and protected by the Force, even if they have no awareness of it, but it's just too.. light-hearted and goofy.
Even the humor in Return of the Jedi was much better done, and it was contrasted with dark and serious scenes (like Endor battle juxtaposed with Luke vs. Vader and the Emperor).
I agree, though, that there are good ideas, but the execution was very bad.