The Movie the Critics Love to Hate

Rating: 5/10 (8 June 1999)

It's pretty simple actually.
Critics hate a sure win movie. It's true with a lot of good movies that have bombed in the box-office just because the critics do not particularly like an actor, director or subject. And in this case, in my humble opinion, George Lucas is really getting a very, very bad thrashing by the movie critics.
As a movie, I think that The Phantom Menace is absolutely spectacular. The visual effects are stunning, the story is captivating and, again in my humble opinion, I actually do find Jar Jar to be quite funny.
I actually have the privilege to watch the original Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition before watching the Phantom Menace and I do find the later to be a much more better, if not the best, movie than any of the original three.
Probably the only complaint that I have is some lines of the script which I do find to be quite corny. But then again, looking at Star Wars, if it isn't corny, it won't be the same now, would it? Besides, The Phantom Menace is only a movie and people, especially the critics, should just lay back on their seats, grab a handful of popcorn, wash it down with a gulp of soda and just enjoy it.
Trust me. You'll love it better that way!