The Force will be with us... ...maybe later

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 1999)

I am happy to say that I was one of the privileged few out of the country to have seen this film the morning of May 19th (12:01 to be exact), without having to stand in line for more than 30 seconds. I must say that the experience alone of seeing such a huge film with the crazed fanatics and the die-hard fans was more enjoyable than the film itself.
Lucas has surely captivated the masses with his work, but I'm afraid that this one does not measrue up to the scope and raw power of the originals. There are THREE redeeming factors to this: the spellbinding effects, Darth Maul, and John Williams rousing score. The effects successfully encapstlate the audience into the rich, magical lands of the film. Darth Maul is without a doubt (in my opinion) the greatest "Star Wars" character of them all. He is fast, furious, and a presence to reckon with on screen. Maul's light-saber fight with our heros is heightened greatly by John William's rendition of "Duel of the Fates". Darth Maul's presence, William's music and superior choreography in the fight makes it the undisputed highlight of the film.
Unlike Episodes 4, 5, and 6, the main characters of "The Phantom Menace" are 2-dimensional and seem to have no REAL visible and tangible passion for what is unfolding in their lives. While watching the movie work itself into the "Star Wars" mold, it didn't quite seem to fit the rest of the saga. The moments that foreshadowed the futures of the characters came off like a satire or a parody, and had no real visceral impact.
All in all, Lucas is going to make more money from this excursion than Donald Trump wishes he could ever obtain. If you are going into this film thinking it's the second coming of Christ, you are going to be disappointed. Although, if you want to be entertained in a way that only George Lucas can accomplish, and are a fan of the series, go see it.
Note: If you want to enjoy this film, tuck your inner-critic under your seat, and let the child within come out and play.