Star Wars It Is NOT.. But..

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 1999)

Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the Phantom Menace. However, for fanatics of the originals, like myself, it did have some drawbacks. For instance, there were just too many computer generated characters and images. I know that many movies are all about special effects and that is what draws people to them, but Star Wars movies are NOT like anything else. I would rather have seen a movie that was less theatrical and more like the originals. In defense of Lucus, I guess he was just trying to stamp the new millennium on Episode One. The plot was as good as I would have expected, for a lead-off film. Little Anakin was certainly no acting marvel. However, there are scenes were you can see what his character short-comings are, which will eventually lead him to become Darth Vader. I was impressed by Liam Neeson's role. His powerful screen presence was certainly a positive for the film. I am confident that in the coming years as Episodes Two and Three hit the screens, the stories will improve significantly. Remember what Yoda said, "There is another" (actually Two) May The Force Be With You