In a word : c*** (CENSORED)

Rating: 1/10 (3 January 2000)

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.
Very poor indeed. Where's the plot? I'm sorry but it lacks the spark, direction and sheer evilness of the original. And that is what made the original great.
Star Wars started off with an impressive spaceship sequence followed by a powerful acting sequence. Phantom Menace starts with none of these.
** SPOILER TIME **
Storyline: Tax problems do not exciting filmmaking make. War (like the original) does.
Characters: The best character in it (Darth Maul) was totally wasted. And we won't even see him again either.
Plot Development: Surely there is something wrong with a four year old falling for an 16yr old??? Plus R2D2 should NEVER HAVE been created by Anakin. It's too corny for words.
Plus, it's the first time i've seen a major battle where no-one gets killed ever. (Apart from those stupid little robots with their annoying "Roger Roger" routine. I was just waiting for them to get wiped out.)
** END OF SPOILER **
Do not go see this. Do not rent this. Save your money. Save yourselves. Let's just hope George Lucas doesn't ruin the rest.