Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Rating: 6/10 (9 January 2000)

People waited in line for hours even days all around the world for THIS???? Mr. Lucas it's not the 70's and 80's anymore. This generation has different tastes than the one before us. This movie was so incredibly juvenile and silly that I couldn't help but sink in my theatre chair from embarrasment! Granted the first three films were silly and the acting was a little off but they were FUN! But I'll give credit where credit is due. Set design, costume design, creature makeup and certain other CGI effects were really terrific. Good job Mr. Lucas! But "The Phantom Menace" suffers from mediocre acting, a so-so storyline and...and...........Jar Jar Binks??? Why do we need more comic relief? C-3PO and R2-D2 are more than enough. The look of Jar Jar was fine but his character should have mirrored the ferocity yet loyal friendship of Chewbacca. The film needed a darker and harder edge to appeal to those of us who grew up on the first 3 films but who also aren't kids anymore. (Remember "The Empire Strikes Back"?). Great special effects aren't going to be enough for those of us who made it through the blockbuster filled 80's. We naysayers of this film want a great script, great acting, great characters etc. etc... Better luck next time George. When you make the next film, please keep in mind that not everyone who wants to see it will be six years old.
I give this film a C-.