See it again...

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 1999)

I know that there are several people who have commented already that the new Star Wars is not up to the standards of the previous (or forthcoming, depending upon your perspective) episodes in the series, and I will be the first to admit that after seeing the movie the first time I felt the same way--I felt that it was mediocre at best. The story was not very compelling, there were far too many digital effects, the actors were rather stiff, and Jar Jar Binks was the most annoying creature ever concocted for a motion picture.
But then, I saw it AGAIN--and it was SO much more enjoyable the second time around! I think it was because I decided the second time around to think of the Phantom Menace separately from the rest of the series and instead judge it according to its own merit. I stopped looking for comparisons between the new characters and the more familiar ones from the original series as it was, of course, a DIFFERENT story. Even Jar Jar seemed more likable the second time around! Even though I still felt there were too many computer effects, I thought the film was very enjoyable and more than enough to whet one's appetite for the second episode soon to come.
Therefore, I encourage all those who did not enjoy Phantom Menace the first time to see it again--you may be surprised in spite of yourself!