Are movie critics working for the dark side?

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 1999)

I kept hearing that The Phantom Menace was something of a disappointment -- the characters were thin, the plot was sketchy, the special effects not so special. Fortunately, I discovered that the critics were, as usual being over-critical.
The Phantom Menace is phenomenal. Sure, the weaknesses that plagued the first three films are here as well -- corny dialog, cheesy aliens, one-too-many coincidences -- but the strengths are stronger than they've ever been. The light-saber duels crackle and zing, moving almost faster than the eye can follow, a heady blend of fencing and martial arts. A series of historical meetings "R2-D2, this is C3PO) gives you goosebumps. The planets are lush and beautiful, and colorful characters fill every frame.
But above all, Lucas' storytelling makes The Phantom Menace. You'll find yourself thrown into a complex plot that involves the Trade Federation, a crumbling Republic, and a grab for power by a Senator who we know will become an Emperor. We sense forces stirring underneath the surface of the film, knowing that what we're seeing is the tip of a very large iceberg. And in the midst of these massive forces are a young queen, a little boy separated from his mother, and a brash teenage Jedi who is in way over his head. Critics say the human element has been largely ignored, but I'm not sure what movie they were watching.
In short, it ain't perfect, but it will blow you away. At the very least, for two and a half hours, you'll feel like a ten year old again. And that's worth the price of admission.