Doesn't fulfill the hyped expectations, but what could?

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 1999)

THE PHANTOM MENACE doesn't come close to matching the original trilogy, which was not just effects-laden but cleverly written and whose powerful, simple story was immensely effective.
Don't get me wrong: all in all this is a pretty good movie. An entertaining junket with some very interesting characters and absolutely stunning effects. A couple of good lightsaber duels, featuring Ray Parks' two-handed grip and balletic moves, and a pod race that is quite exciting to watch. Maybe a 7 out of 10.
But I thought that this was a movie of blown opportunities more than anything. The ending to the original STAR WARS was one of the most suspenseful and exciting sequences in movie history. This one just kind of sneaks up on you. You don't really realize what happened.