I realised The Phantom Menace sucked when I read the comic adaptation and script book before the film even came out (I bought both, as I was certain it would be awesome, and I couldn't wait to learn more about it).

It just seemed flat, the trade dispute stuff didn't make much sense, and it was just "off" in tone. Jar Jar's dialogue was incomprehensible in written form (probably a blessing). The movie trailer also raised a red flag, even as everyone was getting hyped - it just didn't feel like Star Wars to me, somehow - I think I saw this first, come to think of it, and bought the two books because I thought the real excitement of the movie would come across there.

That said, even though deep down I was disappointed, I hoped the movie would be better than the early indicators suggested. Alas... it was The Phantom Menace. I didn't even think the "highlight" of the film - the Maul fight - was very good, to be honest.

I held out hope for each of the sequels, but was disappointed in the cinema by both of them. I desperately hoped each one would turn the series around, but... nope. There are still some scenes I enjoy in each movie, but it was all just a terrible let-down, really.