Ranking The First 30 Minutes Of EVERY Star Wars Movie From Worst To Best

Never underestimate the size of the job George Lucas had on his hands with the first chapter of his prequel trilogy.

Following on from the ridiculous success of the first three Star Wars pictures, the pressure was on as fans were giddily anticipating a return to his galaxy far, far away after 16 long years.

But rather than stick to the sort of grittier overall look and vibe which turned the series into a mega hit, Lucas decided to completely redefine his brainchild. And viewers were completely immersed in that far more sleek and epic universe during the opening act of Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

From witnessing Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his young Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi athletically fend off masterfully crafted digital droids, to the arrival of a whole host of distinct alien species like the Gungans and Neimoidians, Lucas was able to blend the spirit of those older Star Wars adventures into a setting and time that felt completely fresh.

It's the tremendously designed Naboo that steals the show in this opening 30, though, as the story pulls us into the effortlessly grand Theed palace, through the planet's towering, droid-infested forests, underwater and into the glowing delight that is Gunga City, and away from that submerged palace as our heroes try to survive an impressively realised collection of CG beasties.

And that's all without even touching on John Williams' debuting Trade Federation March theme, Queen Amidala's iconic wardrobe, and the arrivals of franchise legends Jar Jar Binks and Darth Maul. 

All of that within the first 30-minutes? Ooh, mooey mooey!