Better than I expected after reading early reviews

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 1999)

After hearing/reading several press reviews of the film. I significantly lowered my expectations. Driving home at 2:35, I replayed the movie in my head.
I believe Phantom Menace has all the basic components of A New Hope plus improved graphics. There are a couple places were the actors are a little "plastic" but otherwise the acting seems pretty solid to me.
I was warned that the story was lacking. In my opinion, it has all the requirements for "Chapter 1" of any saga - character introduction, revelation of hidden agenda & alliances, glossary-like explanations of various unknown elements and a gratuitous car-chase scene (the pod race).
Overall, I was very pleased.