Excellent addition to the Star Wars family

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 1999)

This movie was ok the first time I saw it, but the second time it was great. I was not prepared for the Jar Jar character, and I probably payed too much attention to him - the next time around I was prepared, and the movie was much more balanced and thoroughly entertaining. Is Phantom Menace as good as the originals? Its really impossible to say - the original Star Wars transcended the screen and became a social phenomenon. Phantom Menace can not and does not try to live up these standards - its impossible. I think people have dumped on it because they expected a mystical experience - but as with many other movies, if you actively look for it you may miss it. And don't forget that this move is part 1 of a new trilogy, who knows what Lucas has in store. Would "The Empire Strikes Back" have been considered a good movie if "Jedi" hadn't followed it? Before we reserve final judgement, lets see what George Lucas, a master storyteller, has to offer.