Rather disappointing

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 1999)

I agree with most critics who are disappointed with this movie. I am not the biggest Star Wars fan ever but even I was anxious to see it. The drawback? Anakin, his acting was terrible...at best I might add. What a waste of a character! He was not suitable for this role, how could Lucas not see that? "Can I go, Mom?" - Anakin asks his mother for permission to become a Jedi and forever leave his home. How PATHETIC can it get? The only time I had the same puky feeling was when I was watching Godzilla and Armageddon...honestly I expected more from Lucas.
The queen did a poor job at the beginning, she improved later on, unfortunately not enough. [She's cute, don't ya think?] The effects are quite entertaining, there is no doubt. I wish they could use them sparingly though, not stick them in every place imaginable. I too think the Trade Federation guys had oriental accents, what was the point of that?
Another drawback? Too dramatic, too many ups and downs. I don't quite understand why you ALWAYS have to leave TWO contenders in the race, the rest either die or fail miserably. Of course, the good guy wins BUT only because the other one was so evil that he had tampered with the good guy's equipment.
Anakin mother's behavior was quite perplexing - maybe family relations in the Star Wars worlds are different but what mother would let her 5-year old son participate in a 200+ MPH race? And who would let his or her child be taken away by some stranger for dangerous and unknown training while you are left to slave your butt off for the rest of your life.
The movie progressed smoothly, that's one thing I liked about it. The plot was intriguing apart from a few inconsistencies like droids' dumb behavior and constant failure to hit people with their laser guns.
As I walked away from the movie theater discussing it with my friends I came to this conclusion - the movie was made for kids, whether I like it or not. Either I am too old for this or too down-to earth to enjoy science-fiction. But yet again, there are OTHER ways to make Sci-fi movies, right? Aliens is a good example. The only thing left for me to do is wait for Episode II and hope it will be better than this Phantom "menace."