Doesn't meet the expectations of Episodes IV-VI fans.

Rating: 5/10 (2 March 2000)

I can't say that this was a bad film, but I can't say that it was good either. If I had not seen Episodes IV, V and VI and hadn't expected some connection with that universe I would, perhaps, have liked it more. But it was mainly an excuse for showing off some (I have to admit, very good) special effects. Taken alone, it would have been more enjoyable, but more along the lines of action movies than science-fiction ones. Frankly, I had expected more of this one.
Although the actors are good ones (I like Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor), they fail to build strong characters. But I think this is the screenplay's writer fault, and not theirs. I cannot refrain from comparing Sir Alec Guiness's character and Liam Neeson's (I think they were supposed to be alike)... I needn't tell you which one I think was best. If someone asked me what kind of man Han Solo, or Luke Skywalker was, I would have pretty much to say... they were complex and convincing characters - although Luke was a (bit) naive. But for the life of me I cannot say anything even mildly interesting about any of the two main male characters in Episode I.
So - too much action and not enough plot. Why did they have to spent a full 15 minutes (maybe a little more, maybe a little less) on that silly race with Anakyn?! What was so fun about that?! Computer games are better, at least you get some action yourself (kind of...)
Jar Jar Binks is indeed funny and there is need for such characters. Even the fact that he is clearly a commercial addiction doesn't take that away.
And... am I the only one to have realized only halfway through the movie that the princess and her ...servant, or whatever she was, were one and the same? I don't think the director intended to hide it for so long... it was the makeup's fault.
Also, there were no conflicts between the characters whatsoever. Remember the duel between Luke and Vader at the end of Episode V? It was more that just a fight. It was a psychological war between two strong personalities, a clash of wills. It really sent shivers down my spine. There was none of this in Episode I.
And the ending? Quite sudden. I was still expecting for something else to happen.
Well, perhaps they make a better job in Episode II. I am willing to give them one more chance.