I found the thing that was lacking the most in the first movie in the new trilogy was that it lacked the visual amazement and the unique vehicular/droid designs. The film's plot didn't elevate, it stayed level throughout the whole length. It tries to tug your emotions but it doesn't really work and it felt as if there were many unnecessary events. That said, it was still enjoyable and there wasn't truly a moment where it felt boring. The plot could be better though and it felt somewhat simple, there seems to be something lacking here that differentiates it from the older Star Wars film. I liked the subplot about the Sith though, and it seems like it would be an overarching plot which would be interesting to see how they handle it in the next two films. The lightsabre sequence at the finale was great, it was intense to watch (especially when Qui-Gon and the Sith fought one-on-one). It tries to shock you with a death similar to Obi-Wan's in Episode IV but it lacks the emotion, you haven't developed enough emotion attachment to the character yet (and as the character was never mentioned in the first trilogy, you knew, or at least suspected, that the death was coming). Overall, a fun movie to watch (love the design of Darth Maul).