Just sit down, shut up and enjoy it

Rating: Null/10 (1 June 1999)

I've now seen "The Phantom Menace" twice. I was lucky enough to be amongst the opening-night audience at the Chinese Theatre, which I can only describe as raucous, hilarious and surreal. But onto the movie itself.
The first time I saw "Phantom", I enjoyed it very much, but was a bit disappointed. I think I, like so many others, set my expectations way too high. Then I saw it again this past weekend and just sat down to watch and enjoy a movie. What a difference my change in attitude made. I had such a great time and appreciated things about the film I had not noticed before.
I don't want to take up too much space by listing out every little thing, but I especially loved Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman, the majorly a**-kicking lightsaber duel near the end of the movie (fabulous fight choreography), the pod race sequence and the costumes and visuals.
Like most people, I was seriously annoyed by Jar Jar the first time I saw "The Phantom Menace". But when I saw it again, the character did not bother me nearly as much and actually amused me several times. I think this movie improves upon further viewings.
Did anyone notice the brief sound of the famous Darth Vader breathing at the very end of the credits?
Can't wait for Episode II!!!