Maybe not as good as ESB, but entertaining nonetheless.

Rating: Null/10 (7 July 1999)

I felt that The Phantom Menace was entertaining. I liked the idea of learning more background on the Star Wars universe. This is coming from a person who HAS NOT read every novel/comic/ story etc. and am basing this solely on the movies.
Eps IV-VI were an epic battle (Good vs Evil, overthrow the tyranny, rescue the princess, and so forth). Ep I is all about Characterization and Backstory. Of course it's not going to have the same feel!
People should stop viewing it through the lens of ep IV-VI, and let the movie stand (or fall) on it's own points.
I found the movie entertaining, although I believe JarJar could be less slapstick (and at least make him intelligble!), and I was disappointed with the presence (or lack thereof) of Darth Maul. I was expecting him to be the Vader-type (until Anakin makes his debut of course), but only a few lines and a fight sequence doth not a villain make!
Despite that, it was an entertaining watch, and am looking forward to Ep II!